Thursday January 20, 2022
Lets 'mix' it up with some non-alcoholic & low-alcohol cocktails!
This Week: we explore the wide variety of delicious no/low cocktails - as we have all grown tired of the non-alcoholic Gin & Tonic. Let's get creative in the final days of Dry January!
The Garibaldi
Ingredients:

1.5oz Campari (sub Abstinence Blood Orange to make non-alcoholic)

4oz orange juice
For best results, start by frothing your orange juice with a handheld frother or blender for a fluffier texture. Then combine orange juice and Campari in a mixing glass, pour over ice and garnish with an orange slice.
The Winter Sour
Ingredients:
Leaves from 1 small rosemary sprig
1.5oz honey (or simple syrup)
1oz Campari (sub Abstinence Blood Orange to make non-alcoholic)
1.5oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1oz egg white
Garnish rosemary sprig
Start with muddling your rosemary sprigs with your honey in a cocktail shaker. Next, add your Campari, lemon juice, and egg white into the shaker (WITHOUT ICE). Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake again until mixture is well chilled. Strain into the glass of your choice and garnish with a rosemary sprig.
The Negroni
Ingredients:
1oz gin (sub Seedlip or Abstinence to make non-alcoholic)
1oz Campari (sub Abstinence Blood Orange to make non-alcoholic)
1oz sweet vermouth (sub N/A red wine to make non-alcoholic)
Garnish with an orange peel or slice
Add gin, Campari, and Vermouth into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into your glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange slice.
The Bamboo Cocktail
Ingredients:
1.5oz dry sherry
1.5oz dry vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Garnish with a lemon twist
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass, preferably a coupe, and garnish with a lemon twist.
The Mrs. Robinson
Ingredients:
1oz gin (sub Seedlip or Abstinence to make non-alcoholic)
.5oz simple syrup
.5oz pineapple juice
.75oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
.75oz fresh squeezed lime juice
3 dashes bitters
2oz Sparkling Wine (sub Zera to make non-alcoholic)
Add gin, bitters, simple syrup, and your juices into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled, then pour into a flute and top it off with your sparkling wine of choice!
The French Mimosa
Ingredients:
1oz Chambord (sub berry syrup to make non-alcoholic)
4oz Sparkling Wine (sub Zera to reduce alcohol)
Raspberries for garnish
In a flute, pour Chambord over a few fresh raspberries. Top with sparkling wine. Voilà!
Staff Picks: What to Drink This Week
Things our staff thinks you should drink.

Abstinence Blood Orange Non-Alcoholic Aperitif - $21.99 
It's the coldest part of the year, and I still crave a good spritz cocktail, even if it's just out of spite. But since I am only on week three of Dry January I need my spritz to be the zero-proof variety. Never fear — Abstinence Aperitif is here! Based out of South Africa, Abstinence is an NA "booze" line that we recently brought into the shop for the folks that are joining me for Dry January, and the "sober curious". The Blood Orange Aperitif drinks a lot like Campari, with dominant citrus tones and a spicy, bitter finish from African Wormwood and Cinchona bark. Serve with some bubbly water or tonic water and an orange wedge. 
-Angie

2020 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara Chardonnay - $25.99
Once again we are caught in a frigid winter spell, too cold to venture out of the comfort of our warm blankets. On nights like these, I don't even want to go out for groceries — it's popcorn for dinner! But popcorn just isn't the same without a great film and a glass of Cali Chardonnay. I always like to have a bottle of the Au Bon Climat Chardonnay on hand for frosty nights; this organic delight is texturally weighty with plenty of popcorn-pairing butteriness, along with notes of baking spice, lemon curd, and pear. 
-Katrina

Melville Estate Syrah 2017 - $45.99
The Melville Syrah 2017 vintage is drinking beautifully right now! This cool climate Syrah made from entirely estate-grown fruit is impeccably balanced and elegant. The nose shows a complex blue fruit profile with notes of pepper and Chinese five spice. The palate displays balance and medium bodied tannins with black raspberry fruit and savory spices. Overall the wine exhibits great focus and energy and should be consumed within the next year, as I believe it's ready for prime time. Drink this great wine with a rack of lamb seasoned with rosemary and roasted vegetables.
-Rob

Far North Solvieg Gin - $35.99
Heading towards northwest Minnesota, just before you hit Canada, lies a farm to bottle distillery aptly named Far North. Rediscover their first release, Solveig Gin, named after a Scandinavian woman's name meaning sun and strength. This is a gin for those looking to explore gin anew, or think they don't like gin. Even the white, frosted bottle screams Minnesota with a simple Scandinavian design, evoking simplicity inside the bottle and out. Opening with notes of citrus, lavender and hints of pine needles. The palatte is silky, offering depth to the floral notes with savory thyme and corriander, finishing with light juniper freshness. Perfect for your next Gin and Tonic.
-Amanda
VERY IMPORTANT: Furry Friends Who Visited This Week
Cheers everyone!
-The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits