Bitter

Easy 3 Ingredient Quarantine Cocktails

April 30, 2020 by Natalie Leave a Comment

While we’re all stuck at home it’s nice to have a few easy cocktail ideas up your sleeve. I’m sharing three of my favorite easy 3 ingredient quarantine cocktails. These are the three cocktails I drink the most of so I made sure I had all ingredients on hand to make these classic staples. Classic cocktails are great for at-home mixing because most of them are simple as well as delicious. My three must-have cocktails for quarantine is an Aperol Spritz, a margarita and a negroni. Shall we make some drinks? It’s been a while.

Quarantine Cocktails

Aperol Spritz, serves 1

2 oz. Aperol

3 oz. prosecco

1 oz. soda water

orange wheel, for garnish

Firstly, add all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange wheel. Suns out spritz out!

Margarita, serves 1

1 1/2 oz. tequila

1 oz. triple sec (like Cointreau or Combier)

3/4 oz. fresh lime juice.

lime wheel, for garnish

salt, for rimming (optional)

You can either serve this up or down but I prefer my margaritas up with salt. Salt is also optional here. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Then shake and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Or not. Finally, garnish with a lime wheel. Or not. You don’t have to be fancy with garnishes. You’re home so you can take it easy. If you feel like being more adventurous try this hibiscus margarita recipe that I made!

Negroni, serves 1

1 oz. gin

1 oz. sweet vermouth

1 oz. Campari

orange twist, for garnish.

Add all ingredients to a double rocks glass with ice. Stir and express the orange twist on top of the drink. Lastly, place the twist in the drink. Sip and enjoy! If you’re into tequila like I am you should try a Rosita instead.

Most people with a decently stocked bar should have these items on hand. These quarantine cocktails are easy and quick to make and there’s something for everyone. If you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing, obviously an Aperol Spritz. Do you want something that’s crisp and sour? Well then, have a margarita! Or would you rather have something bitter and boozy? Then a negroni should do the trick.

I hope you’re all staying home and above all else staying safe. In the meantime, fix yourself a drink. After all, it’s almost the weekend, if that means anything anymore. I’ve linked all my favorite product picks to Drizy just in case you needed to get anything delivered to make some cocktails. Cheers, everyone! xo

Bar Convent Brooklyn 2019 with Angostura Bitters

July 11, 2019 by Natalie Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago, I was very lucky to get to go to Bar Convent Brooklyn 2019 with ANGOSTURA ^® bitters. Bar Convent started as a small industry meeting in Berlin, and has quickly become one of the most important international bar and beverage trade shows. This is the second year they expanded the show to Brooklyn, NY and I was so happy to join the conference again alongside a brand I truly love, ANGOSTURA®.

THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA^®, based on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, has been blending bitters for more than 190 years. They have also been producing fine rums for 130 years, mastering the art of aging and blending. ANGOSTURA bitters are made with the same secret recipe that was developed in 1824 by Dr. Johann Siegert. As the essential ingredient in so many classic and contemporary cocktails, ANGOSTURA bitters is a crucial brand that truly changes everything within the beverage industry. ANGOSTURA bitters is recognized as the world’s first and best-selling cocktail bitters, making their presence at Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB) truly exciting.

THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA greeted guests on Day 1 with a complimentary welcome cocktail to kick off BCB. This time, I was handed a delicious Low-ABV cocktail, served by Chief Mixologist Raymond Edwards: the Amaro Highball, featuring Amaro Di ANGOSTURA^® and the newly-launched soda, ANGOSTURA^® Lemon, Lime & Bitters. Low-ABV drinks have been on the rise over the last few years, and Low-ABV was definitely a noticeable trend at BCB this year. In fact, Raymond shared a seminar at the conference emphasizing the need for bars and other on-premise operators to incorporate No- and Low-ABV beverages into their concepts to appeal to consumer demands.

Amaro Di ANGOSTURA is the latest innovation from THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA. It is a deep amber color, offering aromas of cinnamon, dark chocolate and ANGOSTURA^® aromatic bitters. ANGOSTURA Lemon, Lime & Bitters is a skillfully blended non-alcoholic sparkling drink made with natural lemon and lime flavors, and a few dashes of ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters, of course. Although the bitters are 44.7-percent alcohol by volume, using just a few dashes results in a negligible alcohol content, making it the perfect addition to spirit-free and Low-ABV drinks. I love ANGOSTURA Lemon, Lime & Bitters enjoyed as a soda on its own, or as a balancing ingredient within a range of cocktails. I can’t wait to play around with it more!

At THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA booth, bartenders from around the country mixed up quite a few delicious drinks featuring the brand’s iconic bitters. The menu included a Trinidad Sour, which ANGOSTURA also served last year, along with an Orange Daiquiri and a Bitter Clipper. There was something for everyone’s palate on this menu.

The Trinidad Sour is a potent little libation containing an ounce of ANGOSTURA bitters, rye whiskey, lemon juice and orgeat. It’s strong, bitter and citrusy.

The Orange Daiquiri was citrusy, bright and tart. It contains ANGOSTURA^® 5 Year Old Rum, ANGOSTURA^® orange bitters, orange juice, lime juice and simple syrup.

The Bitter Clipper was citrusy, strong and refreshing. It was reminiscent of a tiki cocktail and reminded me of a Queen’s Park Swizzle, a drink native to Trinidad and Tobago (just like THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA), which features dashes of ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters as a prominent ingredient.

I really enjoyed my second year at Bar Convent Brooklyn, and I hope I can go again next year! It was nice to see so many premium brands and explore the newest trends and products. Not to mention network, share knowledge and learn! It’s been so nice to share a behind-the-scenes look at my BCB experience with ANGOSTURA. What is your favorite cocktail with ANGOSTURA^® aromatic or orange bitters? If you haven’t tried ANGOSTURA bitters, you can purchase at grocers and liquor retailers nationwide and learn more here.

Blood Orange Sour

February 11, 2019 by Natalie 2 Comments

I think I’ve said this before but I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day. I know, it’s a silly made-up holiday, but I LOVE love and sweets and can we be honest here? Anything in pink and red is A-OK with me! I’ve teamed up with my friends at KINKY Beverages for this post to bring you a delicious Blood Orange Sour cocktail for Valentine’s Day.

It’s funny how some things never change. Whether I’ve been single or in a relationship for this holiday you can always catch me binge-watching Sleepless in Seattle or You’ve Got Mail. Anyone else a fan of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks romantic comedies? If you can remember back in the Myspace days (holy shit – Myspace?) there was a who I’d like to meet section in your profile. Sixteen year old me had a photo of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks when they meet in the garden at the end of You’ve Got Mail. To be perfectly honest with you, that’s still who I’d like to meet. Here I am still looking for my Tom Hanks almost 16 years later but that will not make me hate a holiday meant to celebrate love. What it will do though is make me drink about it. 😉

Blood Orange Sour, makes 1 serving

1 oz. Spirit of your choice

1 oz. KINKY Pink

1 oz. fresh blood orange juice

1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

1 egg white

In a cocktail shaker combine spirit, KINKY Pink, juices, syrup, and egg white. Dry shake without ice for about 10 seconds to emulsify the egg and then shake again with ice. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a slice of blood orange.

I’ve shared a recipe previously on the blog with KINKY Pink. It’s definitely my favorite KINKY expression because it’s bursting with fresh flavors of mango, blood orange, and passionfruit and it pairs with so many other ingredients and spirits. What is really fun about this recipe is that I’ve left the base spirit up to your preference. I personally love it with something traditional like gin but it’s also great with white rum. Additionally, tequila or even a whiskey like a bourbon would be amazing options as well. I want you and whoever you’re sharing a drink with to have fun and get creative. Maybe try a few to see which one you like more.

I couldn’t resist using fresh blood oranges one last time in a recipe before they disappear until next Winter. Using fresh blood orange juice in this Blood Orange Sour really makes the blood orange notes in the KINKY Pink stand out even more. This drink is fruity, juicy, bittersweet, and silky on the palette. I hope you’ll enjoy one with me this Valentine’s Day. Have you found your Tom Hanks or are you still looking like me? What’s your favorite romcom? I want to hear all about it in the comments below. Cheers everyone. x

Bitter Blood Orange French 75

December 30, 2018 by Natalie Leave a Comment

Can 2018 get the hell out of town already? Sending this year off with something bitter and sparkling because it only seemed appropriate. I took a popular classic champagne cocktail, the French 75 (gin, lemon, simple, champagne), and changed it up a bit by adding fresh blood orange juice and Campari. My bitter blood orange riff on the French 75 is the perfect cocktail to send 2018 packing.

The original French 75 was created by Harry Macelhone at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in 1915. The cocktail was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm Howitzer field gun. The cocktail was popularized in America at The Stork Club in NYC and with its publication in the Savoy Cocktail book in 1930. It also makes an appearance in one of my favorite Humphrey Bogart movies, Casablanca.

Bitter Blood Orange French 75, makes 1 serving

1 oz. gin

1/4 oz. campari

1/2 oz. blood orange juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

Champagne or Prosecco

First add all ingredients (except champagne) to a cocktail shaker, fill completely with ice and then shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe glass and top with champagne. Garnish with a slice of blood orange.

The changes that I made to this classic cocktail were so simple yet made such a huge impact on the flavor. Blood oranges have deep red flesh and the flavor is much more intense than a normal orange. This fruit is sweet, bitter, and has a slight hint of raspberry flavor. They pair perfectly with Campari, which is also crimson red and has a bittersweet taste with distinct notes of cherry, cascarilla, clove, rhubarb, cinnamon, and orange peel. As a result of the color of both of these ingredients, and their delicious flavors we are left with a delicious and stunningly hued cocktail.

While many great and positive things happened in my life during 2018, unfortunately, it has come to a bittersweet ending. It only felt right to make a bubbly and bittersweet cocktail to coincide with that. I’m looking forward to the future, continuing to grow my business, and making some big life changes in 2019. But most of all I am most excited for a fresh start and a chance to be happy again. I’m raising my glass and wishing you all a very Happy New Year! xo

All I Want For Christmas is Gin: Peppermint Negroni

December 23, 2018 by Natalie 1 Comment

Hey everyone! Just thought I’d jump in here and squeeze in one Christmas post before it’s too late. I needed something easy to make for Christmas so I variated on one of my favorite classics and made a Peppermint Negroni. Sorry for being MIA the last few weeks but life has taken some crazy turns and I needed to step away and take care of myself. I will probably share more about that soon but let’s just say I’m more excited to start a new year than you could possibly know. So let’s have a drink, shall we?

Peppermint Negroni, makes 1 serving

1 oz. peppermint tea-infused gin (I used Brooklyn Gin)

1 oz. sweet vermouth

1 oz. Campari

Making a tea infusion is a super simple way to change up a classic. I decided to infuse the gin for this one because it is the highest ABV of the three ingredients so I know it would infuse pretty quickly. I used two peppermint tea bags and steeped half a bottle of gin for an hour and then removed the tea bags. That should suffice taste wise but give it a test and if you want it more peppermint forward add another tea bag or leave them in for longer.

To make the Peppermint Negroni add all of your ingredients to a mixing glass and stir on ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube and garnish with an orange twist. Perhaps even a candy cane on the side. Not going to lie, I totally stirred this with a candy cane and then ate it. It’s Christmas, what can I say?

All I want for Christmas is Gin.

I love how a simple tweak can change a cocktail entirely plus make it more festive for the holidays. Enjoyed quite a few of these last night by the tree. I hope you’ll give this Peppermint Negroni a try for Christmas Eve or Christmas. As always I would love to hear your thoughts below and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. xo

Bar Convent Brooklyn with ANGOSTURA BITTERS

June 22, 2018 by Natalie 16 Comments

Last week I had the pleasure of spending the day with ANGOSTURA bitters at Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB). The Bar Convent started as a small industry meeting in Berlin and quickly became one of the most important international bar & beverage trade shows. This year the show expanded to Brooklyn, NY and I was so happy I got to experience it alongside a brand that I truly love.

The House of Angostura, based in Trinidad and Tobago, has been blending bitters for more than 190 years. They also have been producing fine rums for 130 years, mastering the art of aging and blending. ANGOSTURA bitters are made with the same secret recipe that was developed in 1824 by Dr. Johann Sieger. They are an essential ingredient in so many classic cocktails, which is why they’re so crucial to the beverage industry. ANGOSTURA bitters are recognized as the world’s first and best-selling cocktail bitters.

At the door, I was greeted by the ANGOSTURA welcome cart and a delicious sample of the Trinidad Sour. This drink was created in 2009 by NYC bartender Guiseppe Gonzalez at the one and only Clover Club in Brooklyn, NY.

Alex Kirles, the House of Angostura US Brand Ambassador, was shaking this little concoction up. A mix of ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters, rye whiskey, orgeat, and lemon juice. This drink packs a punch because it contains over an ounce of the bitters! The Trinidad Sour is a great way to start or end a meal, or in my case, start the day!

At the ANGOSTURA booth they were mixing up one of my favorite drinks of all time; the Queen’s Park Swizzle. This is a drink I’m quite familiar with as I used to crank these out behind the bar when I worked at PKNY. I also still make a ton of these at Dutch Kills. The best way to describe this drink is a fancy mojito, but in my opinion, way better. The Queen’s Park Swizzle got its name from the Trinidadian hotel where it was first concocted in the 1920s. It includes ANGOSTURA 7-year-old Rum, demerara syrup, lime juice, mint, and the essential ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters.

I really enjoyed my time getting to know Martin Tummino, who is the House of Angostura Cocktail Ambassador, and self-proclaimed “Swizzologist.” “The Queens Park Swizzle is not just the National Cocktail of Trinidad & Tobago, it represents a technique, a tool, — and a cocktail structure that belongs to the Caribbean and all of Latin America.”

The last cocktail of the day was the Amaroni. This cocktail included Amaro di Angostura, gin, sweet vermouth, and ANGOSTURA orange bitters. I loved this one because it’s a variation on one of my favorite classics, the Negroni. Amaro di Angostura launched in 2014, to celebrate the company’s 190-year anniversary. I love the use of ANGOSTURA orange bitters in this cocktail because it adds zesty tropical orange notes and spices.

I really enjoyed my time at Bar Convent Brooklyn and I can’t wait to go again next year. It was nice to see so many premium brands and explore the newest trends and products. Not to mention network, share knowledge, and learn! I think my favorite Angostura fact that I learned was hearing about the legend of the oversized label. Which I have to say, I’ve always wondered about! Apparently, Angostura bitters’ too-big label came into being when the Siegert brothers divided tasks. One brother was responsible for labeling, and the other was responsible for bottle sourcing. The two miscommunicated, resulting in a mistakenly oversized label that to this day remains the brand’s signature.

It’s been so nice to share a behind-the-scenes look at my BCB experience with Angostura. What is your favorite cocktail with Angostura bitters? Would you think about going to Bar Convent Brooklyn next year? If you do, I will definitely be seeing you there because I would not miss this event for the world. Cheers everyone! If you haven’t tried Angostura bitters you can purchase at liquor retailers nationwide and learn more here.

Celebrate Negroni Week with the Rosita

June 4, 2018 by Natalie 2 Comments

Well hello there. I’m popping in to say Happy Negroni Week everyone! I’m celebrating with one of my favorite variations on the classic Negroni — The Rosita. The Rosita cocktail is basically a tequila Negroni and I’ve picked it to kick off Negroni Week because I’m currently on a plane to Mexico. That’s right, MEXICO!

A last-minute trip to Hacienda Patron came my way and there was no way I was letting that opportunity pass me by. Going to Mexico, especially Jalisco — where a majority of tequila is made, has always been a dream of mine. And you know me… always checking those dreams right off my list. Can you blame me? YOLO.

Anyways, back to The Rosita cocktail. I had to do some investigating about the spec of this drink because there are a few recipes and the origins of this cocktail are somewhat non-existent. The problem I was having is that some recipes call for Angostura Bitters and some do not. To ango or not to ango? That is the question!

My boss and friend, Richard Boccato, helped me by reaching out to Robert Hess who helped popularize this drink. Hess got The Rosita recipe from an article by Terry Sullivan in the August 1999 issue of GQ Magazine. Sullivan got it from Gary Regan’s Bartender’s Bible. And Regan got it from Mr. Boston’s 1979 edition. I’m not sure if I really got my question answered because again, each of those recipes is different, but I’m deciding to ango!

The Rosita, serves 1 drink

1 1/2 oz. reposado tequila

1/2 oz. Campari

1/2 oz. dry vermouth

1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

1-2 dash Angostura Bitters

lemon twist, for garnish

First, add all your ingredients to a double rocks glass. Add ice, I used a large format cube, and stir. Garnish with a lemon twist by pressing the peel gently and expressing the oils on top of the drink. Wipe the rim of the glass with the peel and then place in the drink. Alternatively, this drink can also be served up if you prefer. You will need to add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir, and then strain into a coupe glass. Same rules apply for the lemon twist.

The Rosita might just be my favorite Negroni variation. I love tequila so much, and this is a much drier and complex spin on the classic. Using the ango adds a lot of depth, slight spice, bitterness and I can see why it is needed. A Negroni is equal parts making it a much more bitter drink because of the amount of Campari in it. The Rosita only has a 1/2 oz. of Campari so the dashes of Angostura really help the bitter element of this drink stand out.

If you’re not familiar with Negroni Week (June 4-10), Imbibe Magazine and Campari presents it in efforts to raise money for charities around the world. Participating bars donate a portion of their Negroni sales to a charity of their choice. So find a local bar near you that are celebrating and order a Negroni or whatever variation they’re serving up. The only thing better than drinking is drinking with a cause!

I hope you’ll give the Rosita a try as well. If you’re looking for some other fun ideas to celebrate Negroni Week with I have these Negroni Tarts, a Frozen Strawberry Negroni, Negroni Mini Cupcakes, and these Strawberry Negroni Popsicles. Make sure you keep an eye on my stories over on Instagram to see what I’m up to in Mexico and I will be updating the blog when I get back! Cheers and Happy Negroni Week!