Fall Cocktails

The healthier version of Gin and Tonic that has been up and coming in the US is the Gin and Sonic. Thanks to the great Japanese tradition of the Highball, the gin sonic is a half/half mix of club soda and tonic water as the mixer, with a well selected gin. This makes this a refreshing spin on the classic. It happens to be lower in sugar and therefore a bit more elevated of a cocktail experience.

Here is our recipe!

In a highball glass that is well chilled add;

2 oz high quality Japanese gin (Roku by Suntori is our choice)

Ice

Gently add;

2 oz TNT Club No 1

2 oz TNT Classic Tonic Water

With a bar spoon, stir gently.

Serve with a salty snack before a summer meal! 

1.5 oz Catan Pisco

3 oz Top Note Indian Tonic water

Ice

Grapefruit or Lemon Wedge Garnish

Pisco, a brandy (distilled grape wine)  from South America, makes an excellent foil for the heat of summer. Instead of a Pisco Sour, try a Pisco Tonic, or Piston to spice up the BBQ. And for the Ginger Beer fans, try this with Ginger Beer instead of Tonic if you prefer!

Anyone who is anyone that makes this classic cocktail will tell you it is all in the preparation. That is half the truth. The ingredients really make this happen, or not.....Think of this as one of the most simple, yet complex cocktails in the world. It is whiskey, enhanced. So choose wisely.

First, chill your glassware, some choose a classic beer mug, some a low rocks glass. Whatever really you like to sip out of. Careful, because these can go down fast. Next, have some awesome ice rocks available. We like the silicone ice cube trays that make it simple.

Next - This is all about the assembly. 

1.5 - 2 oz Japanese Whiskey

3 - 5 oz Top Note Club No 1

Starting with your chilled glass, pour your whiskey (1.5 oz - 2 oz) into the mug. Add ice. Top the drink with club soda by pouring down the side of the glass, avoiding the ice as much as possible.  Add a twist of lemon or squeeze if you like, and stir gently. Garnish with lemon peel.

Enjoy it like a cool cold tall drink! It is refreshing and lighter proof. You can have this on a hot afternoon. Cheers!

How about a Spritz? Bitter and refreshing, the alcohol isn't needed in this version...

4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic 

4 oz San Bitter (S Pelligrino)

2 shakes Angostura Bitters (Optional)

Lime and Orange Slices

In a large balloon glass, mix the first two ingredients, bitters and stir. Drop in slices of lime and orange. Add ice. Drink and enjoy!

Photo Credit Sofabfood https://sofabfood.com/aperol-spritz-classic-cocktail/

A simple treat for those watching their rum intake. Fake the rum with a splash of coconut water.

4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

4 oz Coconut Water

1/4 lime squeeze

Combine all ingredients into a tall glass. Stir and add ice. Top with a lime slice. 

Image Credit: Michael Appleton for The New York Times

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015320-dark-n-stormy

A classic by any standard, we use our grapefruit soda as a sour mix to amp the barrel aged spirit you choose to make this classic cocktail with!

1.5 oz Brandy or Bourbon of your choice

1 orange slice 

2 perfect maraschino cherries

1 sugar cube

Orange bitters

2 - 3 oz Top Note grapefruit soda

Place sugar cube in rocks glass. Top with a few dashes of bitters, orange slice and cherry. Muddle. Pour spirit (Bourbon, Whiskey or Brandy) into a rocks glass. Garnish with cherry and or orange slice. Options - Go without sugar cube! 

Top with ice, and pour Top Note Grapefruit on top. Stir quickly and enjoy. Cap Top Note bottle off for next time you make a drink! 

Makes 2 drinks

1/2 cup White Port

6  - 8 oz Top Note Indian Tonic water or Bitter Lemon Soda

1/2 of a lemon squeezed

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher. Squeeze 1/2 lemon into pitcher. Stir gently and serve in rocks glass or collins glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and sprig of Thyme or Rosemary.

4 oz Fresh Pressed Apple Cider

4 oz top Note Ginger Beer

4-5 cranberries gently heated in microwave, 1 ginger slice sliver

Sparkling Water to taste

Optional - 1/2 oz Cranberry Liqueur

Muddle ginger slice and cranberries in a shaker. Pour cider on top. Muddle and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into rocks glass over ice, pour Top Note Ginger Beer over the cider. Taste and dilute with 1 - 2 oz sparkling water to taste (if less sweetness is desired). Garnish with Candied Ginger and cranberry on a spear. This can also be made with Cranberry liqueur if desired. Suggested - Add 1/2 oz great Lakes Distillery Cranberry Liqueur. 

Photo Credit: Zenbelly

Try this fall twist on Vodka and Tonic. Can also work with Gin!

1.5 oz Pear Soaked Vodka

3 - 5 oz Top Note Classic Tonic

Soak 2 Bosc Pears in a 1/2 bottle of vodka for 1 week. Strain and use for recipe. Add Pear Vodka and Top Note Classic Tonic to a rocks glass. Ice and Serve. May be garnished with a pear slice and star anise. 

Photo Credit - Wegmans Stores

1.5 - 2 oz Amaro (We like Cardamaro, Bonal, or Cynar)

4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic (Or try the Indian Tonic if you prefer with Cardamaro)

Ice 

Garnish with an Orange or Lemon Peel

The Classic especially good with a strong barrel/vanilla nosed rum (tastes like a Rum and Cola, but better),  a clean clear rum with the Bitter Lemon, and last a floral rhum agricole with Indian Tonic. have fun! 

3 oz Top Note Tonic: Bitter Lemon, Indian Tonic or Classic Tonic

1.5 - 2 oz an excellent rum of choice.

Ice and stir - DONE
Add a lime if you desire.

Seriously - So easy! You will wonder what took you so long to do this.

4 oz Cold Brew (Choose a good one, low bitterness is key)

4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic or Classic Tonic (For Ice tea like flavor)

Start with a frothy nitro cold brew or standard in a cup with ice. Carefully pour tonic on side of ice. Quick stir. Lemon Peel or Orange garnish.