Transfusion

Transfusion

The Transfusion is a golf club staple, but even if you’ve never picked up a golf club, this recipe makes for a uniquely delicious way to transition into cold-weather cocktails. If you don’t happen to have Concord grapes on hand, red or black grapes can be substituted, and Concord grape juice can be found at most major grocers. For a spirit-free version, just leave out the vodka!

Transfusion Recipe:

2 oz vodka

.5 oz Ginger Beer reduction*

.5 oz lime juice

2 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1

Concord grape juice ice cubes**

Garnish: fresh Concord grapes and crystallized ginger

Combine all ingredients except the Club Soda in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over Concord grape juice ice cubes. Top with club soda, stir, and garnish.

*Ginger Beer Reduction: Pour an 8.5 oz bottle of Top Note Ginger Beer into a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Remove from heat and let cool. Keep refrigerated.

**Concord Grape Juice Ice Cubes: Pour Concord grape juice into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 8 hours.

Cran-Apple Gin Pitcher Cocktail

Cran-Apple Gin Pitcher Cocktail

Entertaining guests can be stressful enough without also needing to play bartender. Why not make it easier on yourself with a pitcher cocktail?

Cran-Apple Gin Pitcher Cocktail Recipe:

5 oz barrel-aged gin

4 oz apple cider

2 oz cranberry liqueur

2 oz lemon juice

1 - 8.5 oz bottle Top Note Club Soda No. 1

Garnish: fresh herbs and citrus, optional

Stir all ingredients together in a pitcher. Serve over ice and garnish if desired. Serves 3-4.

Seedlip's Garden & Tonic

Seedlip's Garden & Tonic

Thanks to innovative companies like Seedlip, zero-proof brand are finding their rightful place among the world of craft spirits.

Seedlip's Garden & Tonic Recipe:

1.75 oz Seedlip Garden 108

4.25 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

Garnish: fresh cucumber, lemon peel, and rosemary

Stir ingredients together with ice and garnish.

Citrus & Honey Vodka Club

Citrus & Honey Vodka Club

This simple and bright riff on the classic Vodka Club is super refreshing in the summer heat.

Citrus & Honey Vodka Club Recipe:

2 oz Great Lakes Distillery Rehorst Citrus & Honey Vodka

4 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1

Squeeze of citrus, optional

 

Garnish: expressed lemon peel

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

Gin Rickey

Gin Rickey

This classic cocktail dates back to the turn of the 20th century. Enjoy on a hot hot day!

Gin Rickey Recipe:

2 oz gin

.5 oz lime juice

Top Note Club Soda No. 1, to top

Garnish: lime wedge

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

Ventian Mask

Ventian Mask

If you're in the mood for a lighter and brighter after-dinner drink, try an Amaro Tonic. Popular in Venice where the heat and the close quarters of summer tourists can be overwhelming, we decided to name this one the Venetian Mask.

Venetian Mask Recipe:

1.75 oz amaro*

3-4 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

Stir ingredients together in a Collins glass or Copa de Balon and garnish.

*We especially like Cardamaro or Amaro Nonino, but any amaro will do! Take the opportunity to highlight the flavors of your chosen amaro with your garnish.

Pisco & Tonic

Pisco & Tonic

Pisco, a distilled grape brandy from South America, makes for an excellent match against the heat of summer.

Pisco & Tonic Recipe:

1.5 oz Catan Pisco

3 oz Top Note Indian Tonic Water

Garnish: fresh mint and red grapes

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

Japanese Whisky Highball

Japanese Whisky Highball

Cocktails don't get much simpler than this, but the success of the Japanese Whisky Highball lies in its preparation and ingredients.

First, chill your glassware. You can use a classic highball glass, a beer mug or whatever you have on hand... just make sure it's cold. As for the whisky, a good-quality blend works great (we love Suntory Toki).

Refreshing and lower-proof, these taste great on a hot afternoon. Careful, they go down fast!

Japanese Whisky Highball Recipe:

1.5 oz Japanese Whisky

5 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1

Garnish: expressed lemon peel, optional

Pour whisky into your chilled glass, then add ice. Pour the Club Soda down the side of the glass, avoiding the ice as much as possible. Garnish if desired.

I'm Not Bitter, You're Bitter

I'm Not Bitter, You're Bitter

A G&T with a bittersweet Spanish twist.

I'm Not Bitter, You're Bitter Recipe:

1.5 oz Spanish gin

.25 oz Spanish vermouth

4 oz Top Note Bitter Lemon Tonic Water

Garnish: seasonal fruits and/or herbs

Stir ingredients together in a Copa de Balon or other wine glass and garnish as desired.

Tequila & Tonic

Tequila & Tonic

A simple way to enjoy tequila without the calories of margarita.

Tequila & Tonic Recipe:

2 oz tequila

4 oz Top Note Classic Tonic Water

Garnish: fresh grapefruit or lime wedge

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

Spirit-Free Mule

Spirit-Free Mule

Spirit-free but full of flavor, try this non-alcoholic recipe the next time you're in the mood for a drink with a kick!

Spirit-Free Mule Recipe:

.5 oz lime juice

.5 oz Royal Rose Ginger Lime Syrup

5 oz Top Note Ginger Beer

1 oz Top Note Club Soda No. 1

Garnish: lime wedge

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

Cel-Out

Cel-Out

Inspired by the cocktail menu at PDT (short for Please Don't Tell) in Hong Kong, this low-ABV recipe is full of fresh, savory flavors.

Cel-Out Recipe:

.75 oz mezcal

.75 oz cold-pressed celery juice (store-bought or homemade)

4 oz Top Note Sparkling Grapefruit Soda

Garnish: lime and salt rim, fresh celery stalk and cucumber wheels (optional)

Rim the edge of a glass with the lime wedge, dip into a shallow dish of fine kosher salt, then shake off any excess salt from the glass. Add ice and all other ingredients to the glass, stir, and garnish if desired.

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