Jade Spirits-From Behind the Pine

Award winning Mixologist, Beverage consultant and Beverage Blogger, offering insight into the multifaceted world of the bar business. Whether Wine, Beer, Scotch or Mixology is your jam, I have you covered.

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We are all probably thinking the same thing.

 I need a drink!

Here’s a beautifully bold Cabernet to try.

 It combines bourbon and a robust rich Cab. Robert Mondavi Private Selection #Barrel-aged Cab. This Lovely offers warm notes of vanilla, cocoa and coffee along with dark berries. Aged in a bourbon barrel to bring together all of the rich flavors. 

This will only set you back about $15

Worth it!

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I hosted a fun Mixology class and Scotch tasting for my family.  It was an absolute blast and we made a pretty epic cocktail.  This is a Jade Spirits original.  Halloween themed.  Here is the recipe;

THE BLOODY HELL

*Rim flute with red and yellow sugar.

*In a shaker tin of ice add

1.5 OZ Roku Gin

1.5 OZ Aperol

1.5 OZ Spooky Simple Syrup

0.75 OZ fresh lemon juice

*Shake and strain in fluteFloat 0.5 Oz Dry Red Wine

SPOOKY SIMPLE SYRUP

1 cup sugar

1 cup boiling water

1 dragon fruit pulp 

1/2 cup Poma Juice

Steep 4 bags of white rose tea in simple syrup over night 

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THE MALIBOO SPOOKY COCKTAIL

Rim Margarita glass with red and/or black edible glitter

 In shaker tin add

 1.5 OZ Malibu Rum

 1.5 OZ Pomegranate juice

 1.5 OZ Pineapple juice

 0.5 OZ Aperol

 Muddle three fresh raspberries

 Shake and strain over over

 Add 0.5 OZ Blavod Black vodka float

 Serve and Enjoy!

Cheers!

[jadespirits]

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING SERIES

Mexican Food

*

WHITE WINE

*Torresella Pinot Grigio

*Morgan 2017 Albariño

*Twomey Cellars by Silver Oak Sauvignon Blanc

*

RED WINE

*Tenuta Sassoregale Sangiovese 2017

*Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

*Joyce Vineyards Tondre Grapefield Syrah

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Step outside of your comfort zone with this bold peated Scotch. Add a few drops of water to open up the deep flavors of smoke and iodine. This is a Scotch full of character and enjoyed by Characters.

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CREATIVE WAYS TO GARNISH YOUR COCKTAILS

Candied Bacon

Candy

Fresh Herbs

Edible Flowers

Rock Candy

Pop Rocks Rim

Citrus Twist Art

Cucumber

Rosemary

Candied Pecans

NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS. 

USE YOUR IMAGINATION

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JADE SPIRITS TOP 3 BOURBONS FOR FALL

3.) Angels Envy

2.)Eagles Rare

1.) Four Roses Small Batch

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JOIN THE JADE SPIRITS WINE OF THE WORLD CHALLENGE.

Each month we will be showcasing a new wine region for all of us to explore together. We will provide delicious suggestions at an affordable price. Downloadable Wine Passport coming soon. Click below to learn more. Join our mailing list to get notification of our upcoming wine giveaway. 

https://jadespirits.weebly.com/world-wine-tour-challenge.html

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Fun interactive Online Scotch Learning coming soon. Join our mailing list by clicking below to receive free mini lessons, exclusive cocktail recipes and notification of our upcoming classes and giveaways. 

http://www.jadespirits.weebly.com

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Screw 5 o'clock, order up some #wine with #breakfast.  Pair a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with #avocado toast. Try a  #Brut Bubbly with eggs benedict. Kick up the sweet in your French toast with a nice Riesling. Cheers!

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Three Spirits to try if you love peated #scotch 

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Jade Spirits Top 5 Cabs for under $15

5. 2017 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon

This cab is complex in the way that the various vineyards where the grapes are harvested offers climate diversity. The breakthrough flavors come from perfectly ripe fruits and supple tannins. I had to include this Cab in my top 5 for the simple reason that I have been serving this to my favorite patrons for over 5 years. This wine is requested and loved by my white collar and middle class patrons alike. Although I support breaking the rules of wine often, this pairs harmoniously with wild game and dry aged steak.

4. 2012 Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon

This particular cab is close to my heart for one major reason. 2012 is an amazing vintage, and finding it for under $15 is rare. This beauty is aged using not one, but two different french oaks. It has a very sensual jamminess and finishes with notes of mocha and dark toasted oak. Paired with a Tomahawk Ribeye with truffle butter, and you have yourself one sexy night in! If I were making this list strictly based on my own taste, this selection would easily be number 2!

3. Beringer Founder’s Estate 2018 Vintage

Beringer offers wines at many different price points so that many different people can enjoy. Though this is not my favorite wine by this Estate, it is as pleasing as it is affordable. This wine offers sublte yet delightful tannins, and highlights notes of raspberry, vanilla and cinnamon. I personally would classify this as an easy drinking cab. It is has a very balanced flavor profile. Because of this, you can pair this one up with many types of proteins. Try a fatty fish like tuna, duck or even a nice burger hot off the grill.

2. 2017 Josh Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cab out of Cali comes from a company that I personally adore. They not only offer some of the better marketing content that I have seen in many years, but they also offer some absolutely beautiful reds and whites. This cab is certainly fruit forward, but also offers a hint of cinnamon spice and everything nice. If you can swing a few extra dollars, I highly recommend that you go with the reserve. This cab goes perfectly with seasoned lamb.

Robert Mondovi 2018 Private Selection aged in Bourbon Barrels

This cab has it all. It is affordable, a deep beautiful red, it offers a hint of bourbon and a slightly sweet finish. This is a staple in my home and should be in yours too. With notes of toasted vanilla, brown sugar and of course that perfect amount of bourbon, it can be enjoyed alone, over Christmas dinner or even with authentic southern cuisine. This cab is a rule breaker and that is what it makes it my own personal Cabernet Hero! If you are feeling frisky, pair this gem with some smokey glazed ribs.

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Make yourself a nice fall treat that will warm your soul. All you need is apple cider and bourbon. #Fourroses should do the trick! Served warm of course! Cheers! Not everything is about pumpkin!

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Not ready to part with your summer holiday companion, Rosé? Although I am a firm supporter of breaking the rules of wine, this Italian Rosé is fit for fall. It’s brisk acidity and subtle spice will settle right in with all of your fall faves.

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Jade Spirits Top 5 Gins for People who Hate Gin

People often associate gin with a sharp piney taste that must be acquired in order to enjoy. That particular attribute comes from the main distilled ingredient of juniper. Though the law of gin is dictated by a few small rules, distillers have vast room for creative liberty. The sharp biting flavor can easily be traded in for a showcase of lavender, citrus or saffron. The flavor producing ingredients must be found in agriculture which means that the possible combinations are endless.

This list is a great jumping off point to begin your gin exploration. Many of these are amazing in light citrusy cocktails, but also stand up tall all on their own.

5. HENDRICK’S

This is a spirit you can find at just about any bar. You may have seen some of their avantgarde commercials that are about as unique as the spirit itself. It is produced in Scotland which is pretty far out. The breakthrough notes are cucumber and rose. If your signature drink involves cucumber vodka, this gin is definitely for you. I personally prefer this gin to be served with seltzer instead of tonic. I find that the thick sodium hue of tonic overpowers and even steps on some of the complexities present in this beautiful creation. Add a splash of citrus to transform the notes slightly. Serve with a lillet wash in a martini glass and garnish with cucumber to make a perfect classic.

4.ROKU GIN

This is one of my favorites! I love it served up with a little Aperol and citrus or neat with a splash of water. This lovely is distilled in Japan. I like to open up the bottle and allow my guests to smell the beautiful botanicals before I serve it. This flavor profile is a tricky one to pin down, but it definitely has characteristics of Earl Grey Tea and has an ever so slight smoky finish. The juniper is buried beneath it’s long list of botanicals and offers layers of taste.

3. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE EAST

Not to be confused with the original Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Sapphire East certainly sets itself apart. It’s main flavors focus on savory spices that actually pair well with dinner. You heard me right. This gin is a wonderful accompaniment to meat. If you are a gin novice, give this spirit a try in your next bacon-garnished Bloody. You will not be disappointed.

2. MONKEY 47

This gin is very self-assured. I would label this selection as one of the most complex. The flavor is not a gift, but more like a gift subscription that continues to show up at your door month after month. You could spend hours peeling back the flavor layers only to reveal more, and it miraculously works. This craft contains a whopping 47 different botanicals. Some honorable mentions include lingonberries, orange, cinnamon and lemon verbena. You can sip this gin neat or play around with some tart bitters in order to create your own signature martini. One thing I would press you to avoid with this spirit is shaking it in a cocktail. It is true that most gins bruise easily, but this one in particular is sensitive. Sometimes that abrasive flavor that we associate with gins is actually a product of the spirit being bruised. Always handle delicately and stir instead of shaking.

1. THE BOTANIST

I have personally never met a gin that I didn’t enjoy, excluding rail of course. I met this gem about 5 years ago and the two of us have been going strong ever since. This is another selection that comes out of Scotland. The Botanist comes from the Bruichladdich family which is widely known for producing only the most premium products. They happen to make one of my all-time favorite Scotches, Octomore 10. This is the only gin on the list that does have that striking juniper flavor center-stage, but it is so well done that you won’t be mad at it. It also offers assisting flavors of apple and mint which really just wrap this complex package up with a neat bow. I encourage you to dive into this one served neat, especially if trying for the first time. This classic flavor is a great candidate for a Gin and Tonic, but you an get a little crazy and try a nice elderberry tonic. I also love to muddle a little cucumber and garnish with rosemary.

[jadespirits]

SOUTHERN CHARM MIMOSA RECIPE

This is an easy spin on a classic brunch cocktail. It tastes absolutely amazing and will certainly impress your brunch guests.

In a sugar-rimmed champagne flute add;

Dollop of raw honey

Lemon zest

5 mint leaves

0.5 OZ Aperol(optional)

1.5 OZ lemonade

Top with Bubbles of choice

Stir and Serve

Cheers!

[jadespirits]

So You Want to Like Scotch

Perhaps you have an aversion to the word Scotch and liken it to the smell of gasoline. There is no skirting around the fact that Scotch is an acquired taste, but there is nothing wrong with dipping your toes in before diving headfirst. Most people don’t take their coffee strong, dark and completely black the very first time that they try it. That is unless you are my wife, but she enjoys defying the odds of commonality.

One great way to ease into your engagement with Scotch is to incorporate it into a cocktail. A few classics that call for the unique spirit include The Rob Roy, Rusty Nail and The Penicillin. A peated Scotch works wonderfully as a cocktail float in classically sour or spiced drinks. It really transforms the flavor into something more complex. Try tasting first by sipping from the glass. Afterwards, give it a little swirl and sip through a straw and make note of the progressing flavors.

When it comes to trying Scotch, it is important to remember the proper way to taste. Sure, you could get away with using a highball glass if you are in a pinch, but there are a multitude of benefits to using a Tulip glass or Snifter. Two of its main functions are key to your tasting experience. First, the round tulip-like design of the glass helps give you the perfect picture of your Whiskeys legs. These are the little droplets that cling to the glass and slowly drip down as you swirl. The legs have everything to do with the viscosity of the Scotch and can give you an idea of just how high the Alcohol by Volume is in your spirit. The second function of the snifter is to help aid in the fragrance of your Scotch. Once you swirl the Whiskey in the glass, a type of scientific process begins. This process uses a little oxygen to help coax evaporation, sending the aromatic notes up towards your nose. It is imperative to experience the smell of our Scotch because our sniffers heavily influence our taste.

Once you have the proper glassware selected and you have gained a full picture of the scent profile, it is time to finally taste your Scotch. You are going to need a little room temperature filtered water. Add a few drops to your dram. This will help open up all of the flavor notes and distinguish that abrasive first burn to your buds. Take your first sip and “chew it” around in your mouth. Hit the top of your mouth, sides and any place that might offer you a new flavor experience. To an outsider, it will look as though you are chewing a piece of steak. Once you feel you have gotten every possible drop of taste out of your sip, swallow and draw in an open-mouthed breath of air. You will notice some lingering flavor notes on your tongue. This is the after taste of your Scotch.

If you are serious about taking a new exploration of Scotch, I implore you to begin a Flavor Journal. Create honest and detailed accounts of your first tasting experiences. Once you become familiar and acquire the appropriate taste for the spirit, go back and see if you can still detect the same flavor notes that you initially found. Some examples of descriptions first time tasters have noted include words like medicinal and bandaid. Some descriptions include “Walking through a forest of pine” or “dusty mothballed coats.”. As a person transforms their tolerance to the tastes that Scotch offers, their descriptions become less off putting. Some truly laughable descriptions of a Scotch experience include “A Whiskey Led Zeppelin” or “Malt’s answer to Black Sabbath.”. There is obviously something about Scotch Whiskey that turns people into philosophers, and I love it.