2019Q1SpiritedVA - 19

JANUARY 19:

Gin

The primary flavor in gin comes
from juniper berries, but different
base spirits and other added
flavor ingredients, typically other
botanicals, makes each gin distinct.
For a classic favorite, try
Hendrick's Gin, a small-batch
Scottish gin with infusions of
cucumber and rose. Try it in a
Gimlet: combine 1½ ounce gin, 1
ounce lime juice and 1 teaspoon of
simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
Strain and enjoy.

02

February
FEBRUARY 2

Vodka

Vodka is simply a neutral spirit
made from ingredients like grain,
potatoes, fruit or sugar, intended
to be mostly odorless, tasteless
and colorless, but finely tuned
palates can distinguish a top-shelf
vodka.
Try Belevedere, Kettle One,
Ciroc or Cirrus. Enjoy it chilled or
in your favorite Bloody Mary mix.

FEBRUARY 9

Hendrick's

JANUARY 26

Liqueurs

Lusciously diverse, liqueurs (aka
cordials or schnapps) contain a
noticeable amount of sweetness
plus flavors from fruits, herbs,
nuts-and sometimes with
cream.
Try classic Grand Marnier,
cognac and oranges, aged in French
oak casks. Sip it neat or in a Tropical
Gentleman: combine 1½ ounces
whiskey, 1½ ounces Grand Marnier
and 1 ounce orange juice in a shaker
with ice. Strain and enjoy.

distilleries can import molasses-
as distillers did in Colonial
times. The spirit's sugar-derived
sweetness makes it a fine cocktail
partner of fruit juices.
Try Blue Chair Bay White
Rum in a classic Daiquiri: mix
1½ ounces rum, ½ ounce simple
syrup and 1 ounce fresh lime juice
in a shaker with ice. Strain into a
cocktail glass and pretend you're
on the beach.

Blue Chair Bay

Seasonally
perfect spirits
A special event such as Valentine's
Day calls for the perfect spirit.
Alizé Red Passion offers the
symbolic color and the ideal name.
Starting with a premium French
vodka, Alizé adds ripe, exotic
passionfruit and juice from fresh
cranberries: sweet, crisp and tart.
Enjoy Alizé Red Passion on
the rocks or in a Party Crasher:
combine 2 ounces Red Passion and
1 ounce vodka in a rocks glass over
ice. Garnish with a lime slice.

FEBRUARY 16

Rum

All rums start with one ingredient:
sugar cane. The spirit can be
distilled from fermented sugar
cane juice, syrup, molasses or
other sugar by-product. Though
often produced in sugarcaneproducing countries, U.S.

FEBRUARY 23

Coffee liqueur

For National Kahlúa Day on Feb.
27, pick up a bottle of the classic
Mexican coffee liqueur, which
begins with rum and adds lightly
roasted Mexican coffee beans,
vanilla and sugar.
Nice for sipping neat or in
a White Russian: mix 1 ounce
Kahlúa and 1 ounce vodka in a
shaker with ice. Shake and strain
into a glass with ice. Slowly add 1
ounce heavy cream, pouring over
an inverted spoon for a layered
effect.

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 19
2019Q1SpiritedVA

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2019Q1SpiritedVA
