The Ngolo Cocktail is an African-Inspired beverage that brings forth the flavors of West Africa. There are multiple variations on the ingredients. So, we chose a recipe that is easy to duplicate with what is readily available in our market.

The Ngolo is reminiscent of a Moscow Mule—but with a special Ngolo’s touch. The African Ngolo Cocktail is a must-try for anyone who loves a good cocktail and wants to experience a new twist. It stands alone at cocktail hour and pairs well with African recipes.

African Ngolo Cocktail Recipe
Yields one cocktail Read more…

Proud, pink, Pride Punch—pour plentifully!
Happy Pride! This recipe combines raspberry vodka, strawberry lemonade, and lemon-lime soda. Float some raspberries, sliced strawberries, and lime slices for extra sweet, citrus cocktail yumminess.

Pride Punch Recipe
We love it by the pitcher and you can double the recipe to serve a crowd. And, we also included proportions to mix up an individual cocktail.

Yields approximately 1 quart (or 4 servings) Read more…

The Vieux Carré is a slightly sweet, spiced, and warming drink with herbal, citrus, and smoky notes. It is one of the signature drinks of New Orleans made from equal parts of rye whiskey, cognac, and sweet vermouth. Not one, but two bitters are used and there is a hint of a classic herbal liqueur to give it even more dimension.

This complex rye whiskey and cognac cocktail from the 1930s is named after a hotel in the Old Quarter of New Orleans. It is just as popular today as it was when it was first created. It is named after the French phrase meaning “old square” which refers to the French Quarter.

Vieux Carré Recipe
Yields one cocktail
Read more…

Simple and refreshing, the Classic Gin Gimlet is fantastic to have in your repertoire of cocktail recipes. Made of gin, fresh lime juice, and sugar, the gimlet is technically a gin sour. This puts it in good company with other drinks like the Daiquiri (which is technically a rum sour).

It’s believed the gimlet was invented out of necessity by British sailors in the late 18th century. The story goes that they needed the citrus to prevent scurvy. And, the easier way to get sailors to drink lime juice and intake vitamin C was to mix it with gin, of course. This preventative drink was also delicious. So, the Gimlet has staying power.

The drink eventually made its way into cocktail recipe books—including the classic 1930 tome The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock. Today, fresh lime juice is the preferred choice, but for decades the Gimlet was predominately made with Rose’s lime cordial, a bottled mixture of lime juice and sugar that debuted in the 1860s. If using Rose’s in your drink, you can skip the simple syrup, because the cordial is already sweetened. Aim for one ounce of Rose’s to achieve the desired balance.

The Gimlet can also be made with vodka. This practice was particularly common during the 80s and 90s. But, gin is a natural companion to lime, and the spirit’s dry, botanical nature adds structure to the drink while keeping the sugar in check.

For a variation, check out our Green Chile Gimlet recipe.

Classic Gin Gimlet Recipe
Yields 1 cocktail Read more…