Vermouth Cassis

Vermouth Cassis

Extremely common in Europe, Apéritifs have been a part of the drinking and culinary culture for hundreds of years. So when alcohol enthusiasts in the US fled to France during the 1920s, as prohibition was decimating the American drinking culture, they became exposed to Apéritifs. They then took the drink recipes home (once prohibition was over, of course!), and the Pompier spread like wildfire. Since then, the Pompier became the Vermouth Cassis and has been a part of the American drinking culture.

 Recipe: 

The Vermouth Cassis is a simple cocktail to prepare; you only need a jigger, glass, and pairing knife.

 Ingredients: 

 1.5 OZ of Dry Vermouth (We recommend Dolin Dry Vermouth) 

0.5 OZ of Creme De La Cassis (We recommend Lejay Creme de Cassis)

Top Note Tonic Club Soda To Taste / To Top

1 Lemon Twist

(Optional but highly recommended) Skewered Blueberries or Mint for Garnish

 *Note - We highly recommend using small, single-use, bottles of Vermouth when making cocktails; this is because once opened, Vermouth will begin to go bad and gain an off taste after about one month, two to three if stored in a refrigerator. This can lead to the cocktail being less than pleasant, so freshly opened Vermouth is a must for optimal taste and freshness! 

 Preparation: 

Add ice, Vermouth, and the Creme de la Cassis to a glass, followed by the club soda. Gently stir, and add the lemon twist with blueberries or mint for garnish and enjoy! 

 

Photo by @steph.achter

Spooky Season

Spooky Season

This simple sipper is perfect for when you crave the spice of a Whiskey Ginger and the warmth of an Old Fashioned.

Spooky Season Recipe:

2 oz Whiskey

.5 oz Top Note Ginger Beer Reduction*

3 dashes Aromatic Bitters

Garnish: dehydrated orange wheel

Stir all ingredients together with ice to chill, strain into a rocks glass with one big ice cube and garnish.

*Ginger Beer Reduction: Combine 1 bottle of Top Note Ginger Beer and ½ cup sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Remove from heat and let cool. Keep refrigerated.

 

Photo by @steph.achter

Barrel & Bumble

Barrel & Bumble

A classic Prohibition-era cocktail, the Bees Knees is traditionally shaken and served up, but we also love adding a bit of carbonation to liven it up and lengthen it out from time to time. In this variation, we combine a smooth barrel-aged gin with our ultra bubbly Club Soda No. 1 for a sweet, smoky and effervescent refresher.

Barrel & Bumble Recipe:

2 oz Barrel-Aged Gin

.75 oz Lemon Juice

.5 oz Honey Simple Syrup

Top Note Club Soda No. 1, to top

Garnish: lemon wheel

Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled Collins glass and garnish.

Kentucky Mule

Kentucky Mule

Bolder than a Moscow Mule and with a bigger kick than a Whiskey Ginger, this simple cocktail holds nothing back in the flavor department.

Kentucky Mule Recipe:

2 oz Bourbon

.5 oz Lime Juice

4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

Garnish: Lime Wedge, Fresh Mint

Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled Mule mug or highball glass and garnish.

Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

This classic needs no introduction! We love Mules for their simplicity but the mug really makes the drink feel special.

Moscow Mule Recipe:

2 oz Vodka

.5 oz Lime Juice

4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

Garnish: Lime Wheel

Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled Mule mug or highball glass and garnish.

Paloma Negra

Paloma Negra

Quench your thirst with this refreshing coffee-spiked Paloma. We recommend substituting part or all of the tequila with mezcal for a smoky spin!

Paloma Negra Recipe:

2 oz Tequila

1 oz Coffee Liqueur

1 oz Grapefruit Juice

3 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda

Garnish: Grapefruit Slice, Salt-Rimmed Glass (optional)

Rim a glass with lime or grapefruit and salt (optional) and fill with ice. Add all ingredients to your prepared glass, stir and garnish.

Coffee & Amaro Tonic

Coffee & Amaro Tonic

Our Indian Tonic Water is the perfect match for both coffee and amaro, so why not combine them into one deliciously low-proof cocktail? Customize the recipe by using your favorite coffee and amaro - so many combinations to try! Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Dark Roast Espresso Blend & Amaro Montenegro: smoky, chocolatey, sweet vanilla

  • Medium Roast Cold Brew Blend & Amaro Nardini: minty, chocolatey, smooth

  • Light Roast Ethiopian Coffee & Zucca: fruity, floral, bright

  • Chicory Coffee & Averna: nutty, herbaceous, licorice

Coffee & Amaro Tonic Recipe:

2 oz Cold Brew Coffee or Espresso

1 oz Italian Amaro

3 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

Garnish: Orange Wedge

Add Tonic Water and Amaro to an ice-filled glass, then slowly pour in coffee. Garnish and enjoy.

Shoeless Josephine

Shoeless Josephine

Our low-proof spin on the Shoeless Joe coffee cocktail is nothing short of a home run!

Shoeless Josephine Recipe:

2 oz Cold Brew Coffee or Espresso

1 oz Cherry Liqueur

4 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

Garnish: Cocktail Cherry

Stir all ingredients together in a glass with ice and garnish.

Spiked Coffee Tonic

Spiked Coffee Tonic

Can’t decide between coffee or a cocktail? Now you can have both! Any spirit will work fabulously in this recipe: try clear spirits like blanco tequila, pisco, and white rum for a lighter, fruitier cocktail and dark spirits like reposado tequila, whiskey, and aged rum for a smooth and smoky cocktail.

Spiked Coffee Tonic Recipe:

2 oz Spirit of Choice

2 oz Cold Brew Coffee or Espresso

.5 oz Simple Syrup, optional

2 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

Add Tonic Water, syrup and spirit of choice to an ice-filled glass, then slowly pour in coffee. Garnish if desired.

Pen Pal

Pen Pal

This warming whiskey-tonic cocktail is reminiscent of both the Boulevardier and Negroni. Bitter and spirit-forward with enough of a citrus backbone to keep it from feeling too heavy, the Pen Pal is one to sip year-round.

Pen Pal Recipe:

1.5 oz rye

1.5 oz dry vermouth

2 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water

Garnish: lemon slice

Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish.

Disco Nap

Disco Nap

Ever wonder what would happen if a Paloma got together with a Hemingway Daiquiri? The Disco Nap does not disappoint!

Disco Nap Recipe:

2 oz blanco tequila

.75 oz simple syrup

.5 oz lime juice

.5 oz grapefruit juice

3 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water

Garnish: fresh rosemary, orange wheel and/or twist

Combine all ingredients except Tonic Water in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass. Top with Tonic Water, stir and garnish.

Birds Of A Feather

Birds Of A Feather

Calling all Negroni lovers, this one's for you. Following an equal parts formula and adding a dash of absinthe for depth, this tonic cocktail is warming and bitter with hints of anise and citrus.

Birds Of A Feather Recipe:

1 oz London dry gin

1 oz sweet vermouth

1 dash absinthe

1 oz Top Note Gentiana Tonic Water

Garnish: orange peel

Stir all ingredients together in an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish.

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