Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has unveiled the second release in its high ester rum series named Port Mourant (PM) / Diamond High Ester (DHE). Following the successful launch of La Bonne Intention (LBI) / Diamond High Ester in 2024, this new blend aims to cater to the growing global interest in distinctive rum profiles.

High ester rums are renowned for their rich, complex flavors derived from a high concentration of esters—aromatic compounds that define their unique character. The Port Mourant / Diamond High Ester blend, distilled in 2014 and aged for ten years in previously used bourbon barrels, showcases the diverse craftsmanship of Demerara rum-making and is bottled at cask strength.

The Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still, which operates at the Diamond Distillery in Guyana, was originally placed at the Port Mourant Estate in 1732. This historic still has a legacy of producing robust rums that were favored by the Royal Navy. The Diamond High Ester marque is processed using a unique John Dore Double Retort Pot Still from 1950, capable of producing rums with elevated levels of ethyl acetate through a slow boiling and high reflux distillation method.

The new rum bursts with aromas of green apple, flambéed banana, and hints of clove, cigar, and peat. Its tasting profile is fruit-forward, full of ripe tropical notes, with an infused tobacco finish that creates a memorable experience.

About Demerara Distillers Limited
Based in Guyana, Demerara Distillers Limited boasts over 300 years of distilling heritage, producing a range of renowned spirits including El Dorado Rums. Committed to the craft of rum making, DDL also produces non-alcoholic beverages including water and juices, and functions as the bottler for Pepsico in the region.

El Dorado Rums highlight the expertise of Caribbean rum crafting, utilizing time-honored production methods to create their diverse lineup, which has garnered numerous accolades for quality.

For more information about Demerara Distillers Limited, visit demeraradistillers.com. Details on El Dorado Rums can be found at theeldoradorums.com.

It’s surprising how the Amelia cocktail, a drink that originated at a world-renowned bar, remains relatively unknown outside specific urban areas. This refreshing blend of vodka, lemon, blackberry, elderflower, and mint is known as the most popular cocktail at Employees Only (EO), a bar established in 2004 in Manhattan. Despite the growing cocktail culture, EO has become a landmark in the industry, boasting a unique atmosphere that blends nightlife with high-quality mixology.

When EO opened, it redefined what a cocktail bar could be. Unlike traditional bars that focused solely on cocktails or were designed for quiet conversations, EO offered a lively environment akin to a nightclub while serving expertly crafted drinks. The creation of the Amelia was aimed at attracting Cosmopolitan drinkers into a new world of flavors, highlighting EO’s mission to blend fun with sophistication.

Over the years, EO has maintained its prominence, being listed in the World’s 50 Best Bars every year since 2009. The Amelia has been a staple on the menu since the bar’s inception and is served in EO’s other locations in Los Angeles, Sydney, and Singapore, yet it remains lesser-known to the broader public.

One possible reason for its obscurity could be its vodka base. Many might overlook it in favor of more complex cocktails. However, the simplicity of its ingredients doesn’t detract from its flavor—when prepared correctly, the combination captivates the palate. The secret to enjoying an Amelia lies not just in making it, but in recreating the spirited, fun atmosphere of EO in your own home.

Amelia Cocktail Recipe

• 1.75 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 0.75 oz. lemon juice
• 0.75 oz. blackberry puree (or 3-5 muddled blackberries with 0.25 oz. simple syrup)
• 4-8 mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 8 to 10 seconds.
2. Fine strain the mixture into a coupe or cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Ingredient Notes

• Vodka: Any vodka is fine; different establishments might specify brands like Luksusowa or Grey Goose, but the quality is less important than with other spirits.
• Elderflower Liqueur: While the recipe calls for a significant amount, it can be adjusted if needed. This ingredient is key to the drink’s lushness.
• Mint: While used primarily for garnish, shaking a few mint leaves with the cocktail can enhance the overall flavor.
• Blackberry: For the best results, using a high-quality blackberry puree is recommended, though muddling blackberries with some sugar can suffice.

Even if you can’t replicate the energy of Employees Only, indulging in the Amelia at home can be a delightful experience.

A significant chapter in Westerville’s history revolves around the Whiskey Wars that transpired from 1875 to 1879. This conflict arose when Henry Corbin opened a saloon in a town that prided itself on being dry. The local population was staunchly against saloons, associating them with crime and moral decay. People resorted to protests, resorting to acts of vandalism, including throwing rocks and even blowing up Corbin’s saloon.

Despite attempts to restore the saloon, the community’s resistance culminated in its destruction, marking the end of the Whiskey Wars. As Westerville gained notoriety for its anti-alcohol sentiment, it became a central player in the Anti-Saloon League and the Prohibition movement, maintaining a dry status until 2006.

Today, the landscape of Westerville has transformed dramatically. Following the repeal of Prohibition and the legalization of alcohol sales, the once-quiet town evolved into a vibrant dining and entertainment destination. The Anti-Saloon League’s former headquarters now houses a museum that chronicles its influential history.

With the opening of breweries like Temperance Row Brewing Company in 2014 and High Bank Distillery, which features a speakeasy as a nod to the past, Westerville has embraced its transformation fully. The distillery even produces a flagship whiskey called Whiskey War, celebrating the town’s tumultuous history.

Local establishments are now thriving, with alcohol sales significantly boosting the economy, contrasting starkly with the town’s earlier identity as the "Dry Capital of the World." The resurgence of bars and breweries has revitalized the community, bringing new life and income opportunities, shaping Westerville into a modern hub of culture and entertainment.

Weber Ranch 1902 Vodka has launched "Tex," an AI-driven mobile mixologist that utilizes OpenAI technology to assist consumers in crafting their cocktails. This innovative tool, accessible through SMS or online chat, is designed to recommend, guide, and personalize drink recipes to enhance the home cocktail-making experience.

Consumers can interact with Tex by texting #AskTex to 1-940-400-1902 or visiting the Weber Ranch Vodka website. The AI’s responses are unscripted, ensuring unique phrasing each time. This initiative reflects the vodka brand’s ambition to evolve with the growing influence of AI in the search landscape and consumer engagement.

Lee Applbaum, President and CEO of Round 2 Spirits, which created Weber Ranch Vodka, noted that “AI is replacing search; it’s the way that people access and consume information today, and Tex delivers on that in an entertaining way.” Looking ahead, the team envisions Tex not only recommending recipes but also ordering ingredients for delivery and making reservations to enjoy cocktails at nearby establishments.

Tex showcases the versatility of Weber Ranch Vodka by utilizing recipes developed by bartenders nationwide. For practical use, consumers can take a photo of available ingredients in their pantry or refrigerator, send it to Tex, and receive cocktail suggestions tailored to what they have on hand. Additionally, Tex can assist customers in finding local bars or stores, answering batching recipe inquiries, planning cocktail menus for events, personalizing cocktail names, and suggesting alternative ingredients.

Powered primarily by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, over 70% of Tex’s logic derives from this technology, enhancing both conversation and application functionality. As user interactions increase, Tex will continue to improve and adapt, ensuring its development is a continual process. The AI mixologist was developed in collaboration with Cyphr, a digital-first experience and venture studio.

Weber Ranch Vodka, introduced in 2024, is exclusively made from agave, a trending ingredient in the spirits market. Despite recent stagnation within the category, vodka remains a leading performer, and Weber Ranch Vodka is backed by the same team responsible for establishing Patrón Tequila as a global brand.

For more information, you can visit the official Weber Ranch Vodka press release.

Weber Ranch Vodka has introduced an innovative AI chatbot named "Tex," designed to assist cocktail enthusiasts in crafting drinks from the comfort of their homes. The chatbot engages users via text and aims to simplify the mixology process while still offering sophisticated recipe recommendations.

Lee Applbaum, the president and COO of Round 2 Spirits—Weber Ranch’s parent company—explained that Tex was created to bridge the gap between enjoying curated cocktails at bars and replicating those experiences at home. He noted the challenge many face in recreating the complex cocktails they enjoy when dining out.

Tex operates primarily through SMS, allowing users to send a text to #AskTex at 1-940-400-1902. The chatbot is powered by a blend of ChatGPT’s advanced language processing capabilities and Weber Ranch’s internal recipes. When users query about cocktail possibilities or share photos of available ingredients, Tex provides tailored suggestions. For example, even with a sparse refrigerator inventory, Tex suggested a cocktail mixing Weber Ranch vodka with red wine.

Maintaining a light-hearted, conversational tone, complete with a Texan drawl, Tex emphasizes safety and responsibility, redirecting inappropriate questions to appropriate mixology topics. Applbaum clarified that the chatbot serves as a supportive tool for home mixology rather than as a replacement for professional bartenders.

Weber Ranch Vodka was launched in May 2024 by experienced professionals from the Patrón Tequila team. The brand has positioned itself competitively within the vodka market, which generated significant revenue of $7.2 billion in 2024, compared to tequila and mezcal’s combined total of $6.7 billion. This product leverages the growing interest in agave-based spirits, appealing to consumers looking for unique flavor experiences.

Although Applbaum refrained from disclosing specific growth metrics, he confirmed that Weber Ranch Vodka is currently available in 46 states, focusing on expanding its presence in bars and retail locations to drive further growth.

This weekend in Denver, the Savannah Bananas, a unique professional baseball team often likened to the Harlem Globetrotters for their entertaining style, will entertain fans at Coors Field. The sold-out weekend games have created excitement throughout the city, prompting local bars and restaurants to offer banana-themed drinks and desserts to celebrate.

Several establishments are getting into the spirit of the occasion:

• Ambler (1801 Wewatta St.): Enjoy the Chunky Monkey cocktail, made from rum, crème de banane, crème de cacao, and homemade banana milk for $10, or a non-alcoholic Banana Slam for $5.

• The Corner Office (1401 Curtis St.): Indulge in a decadent Bananas Foster with beignets for $13.

• Cornicello (1800 Wazee St.): This ice cream spot will offer frozen chocolate-covered bananas for $6 each.

• Deviation Distilling (1821 Blake St.): Try their cocktails, including the Banana Stand featuring gin and caramelized banana syrup for $14.

• McGregor Square (1901 Wazee St.): At Milepost Zero, experience the Banana Stand drink with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, priced at $18 with a souvenir cup. The Original offers a creamy Banana Hammock martini for $13.

• The Nickel (1100 14th St.): Their special is Banana Caramel Challah French Toast for $16.

• Poka Lola Social Club (1850 Wazee St.): Their Hollaback Girl cocktail is a highlight at $16, while Kachina Cantina has a dessert taco filled with bananas Foster ice cream for $10.

• Rioja (1431 Larimer St.): They will serve a Bear Necessities cocktail, featuring banana-infused Scotch for $15.

• Ultreia (1701 Wynkoop St.): Enjoy the slightly bizarre Banana Entremet dessert for $5.

Additionally, Wynkoop Brewing (1634 18th St.) is celebrating with buy-one-get-one on beers featuring banana flavors, including Wixa Weiss and This Bxxr is Bananas.

The citywide celebration will continue over the weekend as the Savannah Bananas entertain baseball fans, ensuring that attendees can indulge in creative and fun banana offerings from local bars and restaurants.