Liquor-articles 1866
Unveiling Vodka as a ‘Magic Cleaner’ for Select Home Tasks
An influencer asserts that surplus party beverages can function as cleaning agents based on a shocking TikTok revelation that has left viewers astounded, but the trick comes with a cautionary advice.
Reconsider if you assumed vodka only paired well with mixers and martinis, a TikToker has disclosed its unexpected capability to keep your house clean. Influencer Katie Pullman alleges that this alcoholic drink can be combined with water simulating a traditional surface cleaning or carpet washing agent.
In a video she shared on her TikTok (@katie_pullman), she stated “In case you’re paying attention, I’m not joking. I use vodka to keep certain parts of my house clean… Personally, I use it to freshen up my couch as it’s my dog’s preferred spot to sit and gnaw her toys all day. Eliminate that unpleasant dog odour!”
Katie alleges that it usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour for her couch to dry and lose the smell, noting “I have also successfully tried this technique on carpets!”
While many were surprised by Katie’s suggestion to use vodka as a cleaning agent, she is not the first to propose this unconventional household hack. As reported by NBC, the distilled spirit has proven effective in cleaning a variety of items, including bath tubs, linens, kitchen counters, and even shoes.
However, cleaning professionals from Good Housekeeping advise caution when using vodka for disinfecting purposes. In order to effectively kill viruses and bacteria, any cleaning agent must contain no less than 70% alcohol. But be warned, even with the necessary alcohol concentration, challenges may arise.
The problem is cleaning mixtures with a higher alcohol content can evaporate too rapidly to efficiently kill germs on surfaces, they explained. While smaller, non-porous items – such as house keys or toilet handles – can be repeatedly saturated with rubbing alcohol to maintain moisture, this is trickier to achieve with larger, wider surfaces and, of course, impractical for an entire house.
Therefore, using vodka as a stain and odor remover for clothing and carpeting is likely the best application— a suggestion already shared by many online.
Sharing a remarkable story, one person on Reddit said: “I had a house fire a couple years ago and a friend soaked my daughters clothes in vodka to get the smoke smell out.”
Meanwhile, another user added: “I keep a spray bottle of 50/50 vodka and water and spray on my clothes to remove any slight odours or just sweaty stuff, works great especially for work clothes in the summer! Also for woolen knits that you can’t wash often.”
Do you have a story to tell? Email lauren.haughey@reachplc.com
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Reflecting on the Grandeur of Cheering for Red Rum in the Grand National
Phil Loach photographed the streets he’d known since childhood in the West Midlands for 50 years, capturing moments of everyday drama and quiet humour
Phil Loach was, for almost 50 years starting in 1969, a staff photographer at local newspapers in the West Midlands, including the Dudley Herald, the Stourbridge News and the Kidderminster Shuttle. Alongside his daily press output, he took thousands of personal documentary photographs on the streets he’d known from childhood. This picture, of a crowd of punters trying to get a glimpse of Red Rum’s challenge for a record-breaking third Grand National in the window of a TV rental shop, is typical of Loach’s eye for everyday drama and quiet comedy. It also recalls a time when great sporting moments were to be experienced in the moment or not at all – before the advent of video recorders, let alone a screen in every pocket. Red Rum came in second; he was victorious the following year.
The photograph is included in a book of Loach’s work, The Black Country 1970s-1980s. The pictures create an intimate portrait of those years when the small-scale iron and steelworks, on which the industrial communities around Dudley had been based, were closing down and youth unemployment was on the rise. You see some of that generational divide in the styles on display at the Granada shop: postwar overcoats and suit trousers compete with four-button waistbands and jean jackets.
Phil Loach died last year, aged 73. His wife, Dot Byrne, described him to the BBC as “a photographer through and through – even around the house there was always a camera within easy reach”. He had been thrilled to have his archive of photographs accepted for publication in a book; the sadness was that he did not live to see the finished copy. Loach was a born observer, Byrne recalled. “He saw things that other people wouldn’t see, let alone have the nerve to photograph.”
The Black Country 1970s-1980s is published by Café Royal Books (£6.70)
An Early Taste Review: Templeton Rye’s Debut Bourbon Release
Templeton is famous for its rye whiskey, originally sourced from MGP in Indiana since its inception in 2006. However, in 2018, Templeton launched its own distillery in the identically named Iowa town. The distillery has been producing whiskey since then, including varieties beyond just rye whiskey. Recently, the distillery unveiled Templeton Fortitude, which marks their first bourbon and the first whiskey that is entirely produced and aged in Iowa.
The narrative of Templeton has for years revolved around the Prohibition era when bootleggers established their businesses in Iowa. The company even claimed that their original Templeton rye whiskey was a favorite of Al Capone. In 2015, several class-action lawsuits were directed at Templeton, accusing the company of misleading its customers about the actual production location of the whiskey (Iowa not Indiana) and falsely labeling it as ‘small batch’ whiskey. After settling the lawsuits and changing labels, this event became part of the legal history of whiskey.
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Until now, the Templeton portfolio has consisted of rye whiskeys aged for four, six, and 10 years, along with a few cask finishes. None of the rye that is being distilled in-house has been dropped yet, which makes this bourbon release even more notable for the distillery. In keeping with the rye whiskey theme, Fortitude is a very high-rye bourbon: The mashbill is 55 percent corn, 40 percent rye, and 5 percent malted barley. While the rye is imported, the corn is sourced from local farmers located within 15 miles of the distillery, and the whiskey is mashed, fermented, distilled, and matured onsite.
We got an early taste of Templeton Fortitude Bourbon, and it’s a good first release. The whiskey was bottled at 92 proof and is non-chill filtered, which allows some extra flavor to shine through on the palate. There is no age statement, but it’s labeled as straight bourbon so it must be at least 4 years old (the flavor profile indicates a bourbon in the 4-to-5-year-old range). The mouthfeel is a bit thin and overall the palate is on the lighter side, but this is a tasty bourbon with a nice sweetness to it that’s tempered with a good amount of spice from the high rye content. There are notes of honey, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, black pepper, Meyer lemon, and cinnamon on the palate, making this a suitable sipping bourbon that would also work very well in cocktails.
Templeton Fortitude Bourbon is just starting to be distributed nationally, so it could be a bit challenging to locate online right now. However, you might want to keep an eye on sites like, as it presently sells all of the rye whiskeys and it should start selling this one soon.
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Anticipating the Re-release of Soft Parade Vodka: A Collaboration Between Michigan’s Short’s Brewing and Iron Fish Distillery
Short’s Brewing Company and Iron Fish Distillery have collaborated for the second limited release of Soft Parade Vodka, inspired by Short’s signature Soft Parade Fruit Ale. The vodka will be available at select retailers while supplies last beginning the weekend April 28, 2024. It was first released during April 2023.
THOMPSONVILLE, MI – Soft Parade Vodka is back – almost.
The fruit-infused vodka by Iron Fish Distillery is inspired by Short’s Brewing’s Soft Parade Fruit Ale. It features strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries — the same as its namesake.
A limited quantity will be released to retailers and bars the weekend of April 28, the distillery announced. It will be available at the distillery in Thompsonville starting Friday, April 19, while supplies last.
“Once it’s gone, it won’t return again until next year, so grab a bottle while you can!” Iron Fish said.
Short’s Brewing Company and Iron Fish Distillery have collaborated for the second limited release of Soft Parade Vodka, inspired by Short’s signature Soft Parade Fruit Ale. The vodka will be available at select retailers while supplies last beginning the weekend April 28, 2024. It was first released during April 2023.
The collaboration was first released during April 2023.
“The 2024 batch is even more fruit forward … Just like real fruit, it’s best enjoyed fresh!” the company said.
The vodka is 75-proof. It has no artificial flavors.
Soft Parade Vodka will not be available for sale at either of the Short’s Northern Michigan locations in Bellaire and Elk Rapids.
Find a bottle of Soft Parade Vodka near you here. Find Soft Parade Vodka cocktail ideas here.
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Questioning the Effectiveness of Rum Taxes in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands
Most federal taxes on rum are handed to the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — a crucial way they fund their local governments. Recently, the program isn’t working as intended.
Copyright 2024 NPR
Announcement: Rum Runners Cafe Opening Soon in Kettering
On April 5th, the launch of Rum Runners Cafe, a fresh dining establishment radiating the ambience of the 1920s prohibition era and art deco aesthetic, has been announced. Expected to commence online orders within the upcoming month, the restaurant will be situated at 2318 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering.
The venue utilized to be the former location of Christopher’s Restaurant.
Driving the upcoming restaurant, Jamie Campbell, along with her partner, have dreamt of owning a restaurant for almost ten years. They are thrilled to bring this vision to life. Campbell boasts a career that spans seven years in teaching and 15 years in the culinary industry.
A shared fondness for rum inspired the naming of the restaurant. The entrepreneurial duo also offer a rum-infused BBQ sauce product line. Originated from a family BBQ sauce recipe, the range has developed over the years, leading to their sauces being sold at Dorothy Lane Market. Rum Runners Sauces are available in Sweet Rum, Honey Rum, and Spicy Rum. An upcoming addition is a Rum and Coke glaze, to be made available at Dot’s Market in due course.
Campbell characterizes herself as an avid enthusiast of history. Her restaurant shall imbibe the aesthetics of the 1920s prohibition period, echoing an art deco design featuring a “Great Gatsby” vibe. Menu items such as burgers will draw inspiration from gangsters, chicken sandwiches from flapper girls and female rum runners, whereas loaded baked potatoes will be a homage to Irish mafia figures.
This local family-run establishment also plans to serve appetizers comprising wings, crispy fried pickles, classic fries and sweet potato fries. Campbell intends to commence operations in June and wishes to extend the menu further with salmon, pasta and refreshing salads.
Besides, this varied menu is a carefully curated blend of traditional family recipes passed through generations and some that Campbell has been perfecting over the past ten years.
Campbell asserted, “It is my wish for everyone to relish the food and their experience at our establishment. We find a diverse range of restaurants in the vicinity, but several of them are chain outlets. There’s nothing inherently wrong with such arrangements, but I possess an affinity for local, grassroots-level ‘mom and pop’ places.”
Last December Campbell signed a five-year lease for the 3,500-square-foot space that is expected to seat up to 75 people. She and her partner have been remodeling the space and appreciate the community’s response.
The new restaurant is not affiliated with Rum Runners which was once located in Fairborn.
For more information and updates, visit Rum Runners Cafe’s Facebook page.
The Storytelling Aspect of American Independent Whiskey Bottlers: Beyond Sourcing Whiskey
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has been in operation since 1983
If you’re a bourbon drinker, you’re likely acquainted with the idea of sourced whiskey. This is where a distillery or non-distilling producer purchases and resells whiskey that they didn’t distill. This practice is utilized in whiskey-making countries worldwide, but it’s often associated with American whiskey. Although sourcing has become more accepted, there are arguments against it due to its lack of authenticity, implying that selling someone else’s product isn’t as genuine as making it oneself.
This viewpoint is predominantly a result of today’s whiskey market. Sourcing has always existed in the whiskey industry, and many of today’s most sought-after heritage brands are sourced products. Despite this, the modern whiskey enthusiast demands more clarity from producers. Over the past decade, distilleries and non-distilling producers have replied appropriately, frequently providing information on mash bills, barrel entry proofs, and where the whiskey was aged.
While this additional production data suffices for most whiskey enthusiasts, many sourced products are still mysterious, particularly those that are blends of straight bourbon or rye whiskies from multiple locations. If you’ve seen a whiskey bottle label indicating that it was distilled in Indiana, Tennessee, or Kentucky, you have just enough information to realize you don’t know the whole story. A new trend of transparent whiskey production has emerged in the U.S., inspired by a successful business model long-used in Scotland.
No two barrels of whiskey are ever the same.
The practice of independent bottling of whiskey is akin to sourcing, the difference being the selling company usually does not distill the whiskey themselves. Nonetheless, unlike most sourced whiskies, there is complete transparency about the source distillery prominently displayed on the label. However, why would a distillery permit someone else to sell their brand of whiskey? This can be explained by the unpredictable nature of the whiskey-making process. It often happens that two barrels filled with the same spirit and stored in the same conditions produce end products with distinct tastes. Due to this variability, sometimes, the taste does not meet the specific distillery style.
Such barrels which do not conform to the profile may be procured by independent bottlers in a mutually beneficial transaction: the distillery is able to get rid of unsuitable barrels while the bottler benefits from having the distillery’s name on their label. Distilleries often let their official brand name be replaced with an independent bottler’s trade name. For instance, one might not see a lot of independently bottled whiskey from Balvenie or Laphroaig, but there are plenty of “Burnside” and “Williamson” available. Surplus or experimental casks are sometimes sold to independent bottlers as well, but these are not necessarily substandard barrels. Instead, their flavor might not match the branding of the distillery. This practice of selling surplus barrels is becoming increasingly scarce with rising global demand for whiskey.
Once procured by an independent bottler, they can manipulate the barrel’s contents as per their wish. Some barrels are quickly bought and sold, yet most continue to mature in the warehouses. It’s common to transfer many barrels to secondary casks ahead of bottling, thus adding new dimensions of flavor to the original spirit. The secondary maturation of some barrels could be pivotal in transforming a mediocre release into a market-worthy product. Some bottlers also mix together a small number of barrels from the same distillery for an independent bottler release.
The concept of independent bottling in the United States presents a unique opportunity for the numerous distilleries producing whiskey across the country. A small-scale distillery crafting exceptional whiskey in locations such as Ohio or Montana may not possess the necessary marketing budget or distribution network to drive their brand beyond their local vicinity. An independent bottler can significantly shift this dynamic. By launching products that highlight the source distillery’s name on the label, these smaller distilleries are given a chance to reach a national audience, with the independent bottler taking on the complicated task of marketing, selling, and distributing the whiskey.
There are two primary enduring entities in the American independent bottler sector. The United States division of Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has been functioning since 1993, providing American single malt enthusiasts with distinctive barrels of scotch whisky for over three decades. Although the SMWS has since expanded to include bourbon, rye, rum, gin and armagnac among other spirits, it continues to focus predominantly on sourcing and selling scotch.
Single Cask Nation was established in 2011 by self-described whisky aficionados Jason Johnston-Yellin and Joshua Hatton. Much like the SMWS, they majorly concentrate on scotch whisky but have adapted to include other styles such as bourbon, rye, rum and American single malt. Both organizations source whisk(e)y globally, with a special emphasis on Scotland, hence leaving a large segment of the craft American whiskey market largely unexplored.
Lost Lantern’s Midwest Collection
Thanks to a rapidly-growing whiskey consumer market, there is a new generation of independent bottlers focusing exclusively on smaller American distilleries. Vermont’s Lost Lantern is the torchbearer of this new-wave, American IB movement. Founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski are passionate about finding great American whiskey and began operations with a two-year, coast-to-coast road trip in search of the right barrels. Similarly, Two Souls Spirits, based in Florida, partners with producers across the country to select and release single barrels from distilleries that don’t have a national footprint.
Both companies emphasize transparency, with detailed articles about their processes, technical specs on every product page and an extremely active social media presence. Between these two producers, distilleries from non-traditional whiskey making states Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio and New Mexico have gotten national exposure. Lost Lantern and Two Souls go so far as to give some of their releases descriptive titles, setting the stage for each expression’s flavor profile. Two Souls’ latest bottling from Wollersheim Distillery is called “Wisconsin Waffles,” featuring waffle and maple syrup tasting notes, and Lost Lantern’s “Gentle Giant,” from Balcones Distillery in Texas, showcases a softer whiskey from a distillery known for big, bold flavors.
Unlike traditionally sourced American whiskies, there’s a lot of variability in the independent bottling world. With an ever-evolving lineup of single barrels from distilleries across the country, don’t expect to find two IB expressions that taste exactly the same. What IB bottles lack in consistency, though, is made up for with unique flavor sets that you may not otherwise find from your favorite distillery’s standard range. More importantly, for the craft producers around the US, independent bottlers connect small distilleries to the consumers most likely to appreciate their products, no matter where they live.
Re-release of Soft Parade Vodka by Michigan’s Short’s Brewing and Iron Fish Distillery
Short’s Brewing Company and Iron Fish Distillery have collaborated for the second limited release of Soft Parade Vodka, inspired by Short’s signature Soft Parade Fruit Ale. The vodka will be available at select retailers while supplies last beginning the weekend April 28, 2024. It was first released during April 2023. Iron Fish Distillery
THOMPSONVILLE, MI – Soft Parade Vodka is back – almost.
The fruit-infused vodka by Iron Fish Distillery is inspired by Short’s Brewing’s Soft Parade Fruit Ale. It features strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries — the same as its namesake.
A limited quantity will be released to retailers and bars the weekend of April 28, the distillery announced. It will be available at the distillery in Thompsonville starting Friday, April 19, while supplies last.
“Once it’s gone, it won’t return again until next year, so grab a bottle while you can!” Iron Fish said.
Short’s Brewing Company and Iron Fish Distillery have collaborated for the second limited release of Soft Parade Vodka, inspired by Short’s signature Soft Parade Fruit Ale. The vodka will be available at select retailers while supplies last beginning the weekend April 28, 2024. It was first released during April 2023.
The collaboration was first released during April 2023.
“The 2024 batch is even more fruit forward … Just like real fruit, it’s best enjoyed fresh!” the company said.
The vodka is 75-proof. It has no artificial flavors.
Soft Parade Vodka will not be available for sale at either of the Short’s Northern Michigan locations in Bellaire and Elk Rapids.
Find a bottle of Soft Parade Vodka near you here. Find Soft Parade Vodka cocktail ideas here.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Unveiling the Top 10 Most Loved Cocktails in the U.S. Based on NielsenIQ Data
The margarita is the most popular cocktail of the year again.
When it comes to their favorite cocktails, drinkers in the U.S. are wasting away in Margaritaville.
The margarita was the best-selling cocktail of 2023, according to exclusive data from NielsenQ (NIQ). This isn’t a surprise, as the tequila-powered frozen (or shaken) concoction that helps us hang on has been the most popular cocktail in the U.S. since 2015, the first year NIQ began tracking this category.
The best-selling cocktails were determined based on data compiled from a representative sample of more than 10,000 restaurants and bars. “It is balanced with approximately 50% independent outlets and 50% chain outlets; 75% of which are dining-centric and 25% drinking-centric,” Andrew Hummel, the director of BevAl Vertical NIQ, told me via email.
Other cocktails in the top 10 for 2023 include classics such as the martini, mojito, old fashioned and Long Island iced tea, as well as the espresso martini, the current “it” cocktail. Another best-selling mixed drink, the spritz, saw the biggest increase in popularity year-over-year.
“The average (median) cocktail price rose to $13 in 2023 up from $12 in 2022,” Hummel noted, but despite that, the quantity of cocktail purchases was up 6% in the final three months of 2023 compared to 2022.
Here is a rundown of the best-selling cocktails in the fourth quarter of 2023. This gives the closest approximation of what drinkers are currently looking for, but there are some seasonal variations inspired by warm-weather drinking habits to consider. For instance, last summer, the mojito occupied the third instead of sixth slot in the ranking, and the Piña Colada was the 10th best-seller before being unseated by the Bellini once the weather cooled.
Alcoholic Lime Margarita with Tequila and Sea Salt
Jimmy Buffett can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this iconic cocktail still holds a special place in the hearts of Americans. Nonetheless, the surge in popularity of both tequila and mezcal indicates that this drink’s fame is far from waning.
Simple yet classic, the Martini has not lost any of its allure.
While the identity of the next James Bond remains a mystery, the absence of the iconic actor from the big screen has not affected the sales of Bond’s preferred drink. It is worth noting that making a martini with vodka instead of gin and shaking it is not the approved method of making a martini—at least according to most connoisseurs.
The Moscow Mule maintains its status as a crowd-pleaser amongst drinkers.
The Moscow Mule’s appealing mix of vodka, ginger beer and lime juice helped make vodka the most popular spirit in the U.S., so I’m always happy to see it continue to get some love.
The Espresso Martini is having a moment.
Espresso martini mania has not yet peaked. In 2023, it remained one of the most popular cocktails and also had some of the most significant increases in popularity, rising to occupy this impressive fourth spot in the cocktail rankings.
The Old Fashioned’s popularity isn’t growing old soon.
Call me old fashioned but it’s hard to beat this blend of whiskey, sugar and bitters. Whether you opt for bourbon or rye is up to your taste, and the old fashioned offers countless alterations.
The mojito never fails to impress and was one of the most beloved cocktails of the previous year.
Cuba’s traditional cocktail is favoured throughout the year but certainly sees a surge in demand during the warmer months in the U.S., as consumers are attracted to its refreshing quality.
If you desire a substantial amount of liquor in a short timespan, The Long Island Iced Tea is the pick for you.
The Long Island Iced Tea, though having ingredients like vodka, gin, rum and gin that may seem like a hangover in the making, continues to be an ever-present favorite.
Beyond the popular Aperol Spritz, the Spritz category expands further.
The Aperol spritz has its detractors, but they played a crucial role in introducing U.S. drinkers to the broader Spritz category. This category usually comprises an Amaro-like liqueur blended with sparking wine and soda water. This fresh entrant in the top 10 cocktail list is fast climbing the ladder. By 2024, expect these drinks to be even more ubiquitous.
In daytime drinking, the mimosa cocktail is the unofficial frontrunner.
You can’t spell “brunch” without mimosa—well, technically you can, but you get what I mean. This mix of orange juice and sparkling wine is the ruler of all drinking that takes place before noon.
Bellini is the peach-powered brunch alternative to a mimosa.
To make the second-most popular brunch or breakfast cocktail in the U.S., simply replace the orange juice with peach puree. You can also replace the words “orange juice” with “peach puree” in the previous entry and the statement still works, more or less.
Indulge in the Whiskey-Grapefruit Juice Cocktail: A Perfect Farewell to Winter
In this welcome variation for Paloma lovers, swapping the tequila for rye whiskey helps transition this bright grapefruit-forward cocktail into the oft-dreary winter months. If you’ve never met before, allow us to introduce the Blinker: a classic cocktail with a low profile and high vibrancy. The Blinker could be considered a variation of the Whiskey Sour, as it follows a standard sour format: base spirit, sugar, and citrus, plus a small yet crucial dilution from the wet shake.
Proto-Blinkers were made with rye whiskey, grapefruit juice, and grenadine. Call it evolution, or call it “keeping with the times,” but nowadays, modern mixologists are swapping the pomegranate-forward syrup for raspberry syrup, yielding a drink with less depth and intensity and a sweeter, brighter profile. Whichever ingredients lineup you prefer, the assembly is the same: The three ingredients get shaken over ice and, like Whiskey Sours, are double-strained before being poured into a chilled coupe glass to serve.
The first recorded recipe for the drink appeared in Patrick Gavin Duffy’s “The Official Mixer’s Manual” in 1934, and while it broke onto the scene and lasted, it wasn’t immediately popular. In his 1940s bartender’s handbook “The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks” (via Difford’s Guide), David Embury called the Blinker “One of a few cocktails using grapefruit juice. Not particularly good but not too bad.” Still, the bevy is not to be overlooked. It’s mature, timeless, and avoids being hyper-sweet like many citrusy cocktails. Plus, even with the 100-proof rye, the Blinker is smooth and accessible at 15.13% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 30.26-proof.
Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have
The Blinker was brought back to mainstream awareness in 2009 by Ted Haigh’s nostalgic libations graveyard guidebook, “Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails.” Haigh’s recipe altered Patrick Gavin Duffy’s version, calling for more rye and introducing the raspberry-grenadine swap. Making flavorful, homemade raspberry-infused simple syrup yourself is a killer way to take your home mixology game to the next level, and you can also use it to make the Clover Club, another vintage cocktail that’s been enjoying a 21st-century comeback.
Or, keep the grenadine and add rose water for a sophisticated floral facelift. Lemon syrup would also steer this cocktail more punchy and mature than the red berry flavor. (Sidecar fans, rise up.) On the note of ingredients, opt for freshly squeezed yellow grapefruit juice, which is more tart than that of the sugary pink and red grapefruits (which are the sweetest of them all).
If you can’t track down yellow grapefruit in your local produce section, a few drops of grapefruit bitters can help counterbalance the sweetness of pink grapefruit juice. Scrappy’s and Fee Brothers both make great versions of the ingredient, available for purchase online, or intrepid home bartenders can make flavorful bitters themselves. Depending on whether you want to steer your Blinker more sweet or more tangy, you could garnish with a raspberry trio skewer, grapefruit twist, or lemon peel after expressing the fruit’s oils around the rim of the glass.
Read the original article on Tasting Table








