No bartender’s utility belt would be complete without bitters. But they seem to be a mystery to most of us, so we’re here to help make the mysterious bitter a more familiar ingredient in your cocktail-making playbook.
The Return of the Bitters!
Bitters have returned thanks to the emergence of craft cocktails over the last decade. These potent and, of course, bitter, liquids are essential to crafting many drinks. What makes them even better is that they may make an upset stomach feel better.
Lately, bitter makers have been on a roll. They’ve been reviving recipes that history has forgotten and creating flavors including Sriracha, fig, and barbecue.
From Where Did Bitters Return?
Before all but disappearing at the turn of the 20th century, bitters hit their high point in the 1800s. Be-fore bitters became familiar to Americans, Europeans used bitters as medicine for a long time. There’s evidence dating to around 7,000 B.C. that someone in China concocted a mix of grapes, rice, honey, and hawthorn berry, which tastes horrid. Strictly speaking, it was a drinkable bitter known as an amaro.
What Are Bitters and How Should I Use Them?
In short, bitters are boozy flavored extracts made by infusing pieces of plants in alcohol. Bitters can get their flavors from barks, berries, flowers, roots, and other plant stuff, and think of using them as you would use salt with food. Because, as salt does with food, bitters help emphasize the flavors of cocktails while including their own taste.
What Is Amari?
In Italian, amaro means bitter, and the plural of amaro is Amari. Furthermore, Amari are used as mixers or drunk out of the bottle. Some Amari you may be familiar with are Branca, Campari, Cynar, Fernet Branca, and Pimm’s No. 1.
How Do I Tell the Difference Between Bitters and Amari?
The difference between bitters and Amari is that Amari are drinkable, and bitters are used as a seasoning. A more straightforward way to tell them apart is that Amari comes in large bottles and is meant to be drunk, while bitters come in small bottles and are used in the same way that salt is used – to enhance and add to the flavors of food.
Bitter Categories
There are a lot of bitters and so many flavors that it’s hard to categorize them, but here’s a general list.
· Aromatic
· Citrus
· Herbal
· Nut
Which Bitters Should I Keep on Hand?
A good starting kit of bitters would include an aromatic, a citrus, and something fun like lavender or chocolate. These could help ensure you have whichever bitter on hand you need to make a perfect cocktail.
Go-to Brands of Bitters
· Angostura
· Fee Brothers
· Peychaud’s
· Regan’s Orange No. 6.
You might want to try other players in the bitters market. Germany produces the Bitter Truth, London’s got Bob’s Bitters, while America’s got Bitterman’s of New Orleans and Bitter Cube hails from Milwaukee.
Do Bitters Ever Go Stale?
It’s a long shot that bitters will go bad before you use them. Simply keep them stashed in the dark of your liquor cabinet, and they should keep for up to five years. On the other hand, Bitterman’s of New Orleans claims five years is the low end of how long they’ll last.
If you’re ready to enjoy bitters, here are some cocktails made with bitters to try at home:
· Pink Gin Pink
· Whiskey and Bitters
· Old Fashioned
· Sazerac
· Martini
· Manhattan
· The Sawyer
Come By Payless Liquors for a Variety of Bitter Options
Order your cocktail ingredients today, and don’t forget the bitters! Pre-order and pick up from our store! Pickup Order form – Payless Liquors (payless-liquors.com)
Why You Should Add Bitters to Your Cocktails
No bartender’s utility belt would be complete without bitters. But they seem to be a mystery to most of us, so we’re here to help make the mysterious bitter a more familiar ingredient in your cocktail-making playbook.
The Return of the Bitters!
Bitters have returned thanks to the emergence of craft cocktails over the last decade. These potent and, of course, bitter, liquids are essential to crafting many drinks. What makes them even better is that they may make an upset stomach feel better.
Lately, bitter makers have been on a roll. They’ve been reviving recipes that history has forgotten and creating flavors including Sriracha, fig, and barbecue.
From Where Did Bitters Return?
Before all but disappearing at the turn of the 20th century, bitters hit their high point in the 1800s. Be-fore bitters became familiar to Americans, Europeans used bitters as medicine for a long time. There’s evidence dating to around 7,000 B.C. that someone in China concocted a mix of grapes, rice, honey, and hawthorn berry, which tastes horrid. Strictly speaking, it was a drinkable bitter known as an amaro.
What Are Bitters and How Should I Use Them?
In short, bitters are boozy flavored extracts made by infusing pieces of plants in alcohol. Bitters can get their flavors from barks, berries, flowers, roots, and other plant stuff, and think of using them as you would use salt with food. Because, as salt does with food, bitters help emphasize the flavors of cock-tails while including their own taste.
What Are Amari?
In Italian, amaro means bitter, and the plural of amaro is Amari. Furthermore, Amari are used as mixers or drunk out of the bottle. Some Amari you may be familiar with are Branca, Campari, Cynar, Fernet Branca, and Pimm’s No. 1.
How Do I Tell the Difference Between Bitters and Amari?
The difference between bitters and Amari is that Amari are drinkable, and bitters are used as a seasoning. A more straightforward way to tell them apart is that Amari comes in large bottles and is meant to be drunk, while bitters come in small bottles and are used in the same way that salt is used – to enhance and add to the flavors of food.
Bitter Categories
There are a lot of bitters and so many flavors that it’s hard to categorize them, but here’s a general list.
· Aromatic
· Citrus
· Herbal
· Nut
Which Bitters Should I Keep on Hand?
A good starting kit of bitters would include an aromatic, a citrus, and something fun like lavender or chocolate. These could help ensure you have whichever bitter on hand you need to make a perfect cocktail.
Go-to Brands of Bitters
· Angostura
· Fee Brothers
· Peychaud’s
· Regan’s Orange No. 6.
You might want to try other players in the bitters market. Germany produces the Bitter Truth, London’s got Bob’s Bitters, while America’s got Bitterman’s of New Orleans and Bitter Cube hails from Milwaukee.
Do Bitters Ever Go Stale?
It’s a long shot that bitters will go bad before you use them. Simply keep them stashed in the dark of your liquor cabinet, and they should keep for up to five years. On the other hand, Bitterman’s of New Orleans claims five years is the low end of how long they’ll last.
If you’re ready to enjoy bitters, here are some cocktails made with bitters to try at home:
· Pink Gin Pink
· Whiskey and Bitters
· Old Fashioned
· Sazerac
· Martini
· Manhattan
· The Sawyer
Come By Payless Liquors for a Variety of Bitter Options
Order your cocktail ingredients today, and don’t forget the bitters! Pre-order and pick up from our store! Pickup Order form – Payless Liquors (payless-liquors.com)
Since the mid 18th century, Arthur Guinness and his heirs have guided the Guinness Brewery while honing their craft.
Their expertise in beer brewing is known and appreciated in 150 countries, and they currently produce over 20 world-class beers. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of the founder, Arthur Guinness, and the batches of legendary stout created over 200 years ago at the original Brewery, the always enterprising brewers at Guinness carry on the tradition but evolve their lines of beer through their innovation and experimentation. As they put it, their greatest work is yet to come, never resting on their laurels. Here are five fun facts about Guinness Beer. Sláinte!
1. Guinness Beer Is the World’s First Nitro Beer
Michal Ash (1927-2016), who joined Guinness in 1951, was a mathematician turned brewer. He thought serving Guinness Beer in draught and adding nitrogen would transform the beer. Guinness’s famous “surge and settle effect” was created by Ash’s “Easy Serve” system, which is why Guinness is the world’s first nitro beer.
2. Guinness Beer Won the Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement.
In 1991, Britons voted Guinness’s Rocket Widget, the top invention of the past 40 years, beating the internet in the voting!
Not surprisingly, the original widget was patented in Ireland by Guinness, and Guinness’s ingenious, world-famous device delivers the draught experience in a can. When the beer can ring is pulled open, Guinness’s widget (a nitrogen-filled capsule) releases a surge of bubbles when opening the can, result-ing in Guinness’s unmistakably smooth beer.
3. Guinness’s Bubbles Sink Because of the Shape of the Pint Glass
A pint glass is designed wider at the top than the bottom. The ingenuity of this design influences the head formation. A Guinness poured down the side of a pint glass creates a circulatory pattern. This pour pattern drags bubbles to the bottom of the glass, and the glass design allows more space, so bub-bles rise from the middle instead of the side, resulting in a creamy head.
4. The Perfect Pint of Guinness Pours in 119.5 Seconds
If you want to enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness, you’ll need to wait almost two minutes between the first and second pour for the beer to settle. According to Guinness, achieving the ideal Guinness pint takes 119.5 seconds. Some things are truly worth the wait. If you’d like to know more about how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, you’ll find a fact sheet on the Guinness website.
5. Guinness Had Originally Leased Its Brewery in Dublin for 9,000 Years.
At St. James’s Gate in Dublin, Arthur Guinness started his business brewing beer in 1759 by locking in an annual rent of 45 British pounds sterling after paying an initial 100 British pounds sterling for the next 9,000 years. The lease for the property, which was a four-acre, dormant brewery before Arthur Guinness’s use, was voided when the property was purchased by the company and expanded its brew-ing operation to 50 acres.
We hope you found these five fun facts about Guinness Beer entertaining and educational. And now reward yourself with a Guinness for getting a bit smarter — pre-order and pick up from our store!
Sangria is a beautiful, refreshing cocktail that elevates any warm weather gathering. At its earliest inception, this cocktail first began in 1100 B.C. in Spain. It eventually travelled to France and England in the 1700s and 1800s. For centuries, people have enjoyed this fruity wine cocktail. Sangria continues to be a favorite drink for many people because of its vast recipe possibilities.
How to Make Sangria
So, what makes a perfect sangria? You need a delicious wine, fruit juice, and a complimentary blend of fruits and spices.
First, choose the wine. In traditional Spanish recipes, sangria is made with a red wine, chopped fruit, orange juice, and often brandy. Feel free to use your favorite red wine. If you choose a sweet red wine, we recommended limiting the sweetness of the other ingredients you add to your sangria so it doesn’t become overwhelming. Low-tannin and fruity wines like Garnacha (also referred to as Grenache) and Pinot Noir are most recommended for sangria. This is because they taste great when chilled and are not too bitter.
Some more modern spins may include sparkling beverages like ginger ale or added sugars. Sometimes, these ingredients can make the sangria too sweet. We suggest using fruits or natural sweeteners such as honey to increase or balance the sweetness instead. If your sangria is too sweet, adding citrus juice like orange or grapefruit juice can help decrease the level of sweetness to your liking.
Another tip for a perfect sangria is using fresh fruit in their prime ripeness and preferably when in season. Berries and peaches are excellent additions during the summer months. The fall and winter seasons are a great time to use citrus fruits, apples, and pears.
Let the fruits steep in the wine for at least two hours, allowing the flavor to make its fullest impact. For added depth or balance, it’s common to use a modest amount of liqueur such as Aperol or Limoncello.
Create Your Own Sangria Recipe
Perhaps you’d like to take an unconventional approach, or maybe red wine just gives you a headache. Whatever the case may be, the world, or in this case the sangria, is your oyster.
To switch things up, we suggest trying a white wine or rosé to craft your perfect sangria. White and rosé wines are naturally lower in tannins than red wine, making them excellent bases for this chilled cocktail.
To make a delicious white wine sangria, you can adjust the fruit and herb mixture. For example, you can include peaches, pears, green apples, lemon, and fresh mint. For a bit of depth, you can add a couple sprigs of rosemary or basil if you like it herby.
For a rosé sangria, what better way to craft a refreshing pink cocktail than adding pomegranate juice, watermelon, oranges, and strawberries!
Finally, since sangria is served chilled, we recommend keeping it in the refrigerator and serving it over ice by the glass. When you place ice directly into the sangria pitcher, the ice will melt and dilute your beautifully crafted beverage.
Whether you chose a traditional red or opt for a white or rosé sangria, Payless Liquors has you covered. You can fill out our online order form to select your wine and then pick up your order.
It’s that time of the year again! Every March 17th, millions of people gather to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick. Drinking Irish beer and Irish whiskey, wearing green, attending parades, all while sporting shamrocks and Irish flags are well-beloved traditions for celebrating the luck of the Irish.
This year, let us raise a special shot in honor of Ireland’s most beloved patron saint!
Who doesn’t love a Jell-O shot? The simple ingredients, festive colors, and seemingly limitless great-tasting recipes make them an exciting addition to any party. Although Jell-O shots are commonly made with vodka, for this occasion we suggest going all out with an Irish whiskey.
To get started, you will need:
- One large box (6 oz.) of Jell-O
- Two cups of boiling water
- One and a half cups of cold water
- Half cup Irish whiskey
- Shot glasses, disposable cups, or a baking pan
Once you’ve gathered your items, follow these simple steps:
- Pour the Jell-O powder into a bowl.
- Add the boiling water to the bowl, using a whisk or spoon to stir.
- Once the Jell-O is dissolved, add the cold water and Irish whiskey.
- Pour the mixture into the shot glasses, disposable cups, or baking pan.
- Chill the Jell-O shots in the refrigerator until the mixture is firm, which usually takes at least 2 hours.
- If you used a baking pan, you can cut them to size and serve.
For some decorative flair, you can use a St. Patrick’s Day candy mold with shamrocks or pots of gold. If you’re using shot glasses or cups, you can top your Jell-O shots by adding rainbow-shaped candy. Take it a step further and put a whipped cream cloud and gold sprinkles for a mini pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Another great festive beverage is an Irish Slammer. This popular drink can easily be made at home with three ingredients: ¾-ounce Irish whiskey, ½-pint Guinness Stout, and ¾-ounce Irish cream liqueur. To make an Irish Slammer, pour the Irish cream and Irish whiskey into the shot glass. Next, fill a pint glass halfway with Guinness and wait for the foam to settle. Once you’re ready to start drinking, drop the whole shot glass into the pint! That’s right, drop the shot glass completely into the larger glass and slam/drink it as fast as you can.
A word of caution: the cream hitting the acidity of the beer will cause an interaction, and the cream will curdle if this drink sits for too long. Even after a minute, the Irish cream will begin to curdle and create an unappetizing texture. As always, drink responsibly, but be sure to drink this one fast.
The most popular Irish Whiskey for the Slammer is Jameson. However, Kilbeggan and Bushmills come highly recommended, too.
Make the most out of this Saint Patrick’s Day with an Irish-inspired shot. Stock up ahead of time by using our online order form, and stop by Payless Liquors to pick up your order.
A Bloody Mary is a true classic. It makes a great companion if you’re looking for a weekend brunch cocktail or the cure for a wicked hangover. Bloody Marys are traditionally made with vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper or Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper, and are garnished with a celery stalk and stuffed green olives.
There are plenty of ways to spice up your traditional Bloody Mary. You could add a splash of pickle juice or an extra dash of hot pepper, but have you ever considered swapping out the vodka for another liquor? A traditional Bloody Mary primarily combines tomato juice and vodka, but you can take liberties and make the Bloody Mary your own! Surprise your brunch guests with these amazing vodka Bloody Mary alternatives.
Red Snapper
Up first, try gin. A Bloody Mary that uses gin in place of vodka is called a Red Snapper. This beautiful red cocktail is a fresh take on the classic hangover cure. Gin offers unique botanical flavors to any cocktail from its juniper berry origins to its infusions with various herbs, seeds, roots, and berries. Depending on your preferences, gin can add botanicals of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and citrus peels. Instead of celery, perhaps add a slice of cucumber when using Hendricks Gin in your Saturday morning Red Snapper.
Bloody Maria
For a perfect and popular Mexican twist on the Bloody Mary, meet Mary’s counterpart: the Bloody Maria. In this cocktail, you’ll swap the vodka for tequila. Mary’s vodka sometimes gets lost in all the other strong flavors. No matter what else you add in a Bloody Maria, you’ll never miss the strength of tequila. Though Bloody Marys typically call for lemon juice, feel free to swap it for lime juice when mixing up a Bloody Maria.
Michelada
You can also try a Bloody Mary with your favorite beer. Yes, you heard us right—beer in a Bloody Mary! Think of this cocktail as a combination between a margarita and a Bloody Mary, also known as a Michelada. To create a delightful vacation in a glass, swap the lemon for a lime. Then add hot sauce to this cocktail with salt and even chili seasonings around the rim. You and your party guests will love this fun and casual twist on your favorite Bloody Mary! Or is it a twist on your favorite beer?
Bloody Marianne
Finally, try bourbon in place of vodka for a sophisticated and incredibly flavorful gourmet twist. If you’re new to liquor, bourbon is a kind of American whiskey made with 51 percent corn and aged in oak barrels. The bold liquor can be garnished with bacon, bacon salt, goat cheese, pimento-stuffed olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. This zesty cocktail, called a Bloody Marianne, combines the classic spiciness of a Bloody Mary with the sweet aromatic of bourbon. Bourbon offers flavors like caramel, vanilla, and oak, bringing a sweet balance to the spices of the Bloody Mary.
Ready to get creative with your Bloody Mary recipe? Use our online order form for quick and easy online shopping and then pick up your order at Payless Liquors.
Building Your Own Home Bar
With many of us staying home with the current state of things, mixing cocktails at home has become an increasingly popular pastime. Being able to control flavor and alcohol content is an alluring draw, and the flexibility of home experimentation has never been more exciting than now with so many new spirits reaching the market. But, as with all things, there must be a place to begin. Assembling your own home bar requires just a few tools, and key liquors and mixers for a well-stocked home bar.
First, you’ll need tools:
- Cocktail shaker and strainer. This is a classic. You’ll often see your favorite bartender shaking up a cocktail behind the bar, so this is an absolute necessity. Whether you pick one with a screw-on lid, or a lid that you can hold on tightly is up to you, but finding the right size and most comfortable option is important.
- Shot glasses or a jigger. I know what you’re thinking, but this is for measurement purposes. If you want a good ratio, to follow a recipe, or want a repeatable creation, having a good shot glass set is vital. And of course, you can drink out of them too. A jigger has an hourglass shape, with different measurement sizes, so you’ll get the perfect pour every time.
- Bar spoon. That long handled spoon isn’t just for show. While the cocktail shaker is fun and the right option for many cocktails, not every drink should be shaken. The right cocktail spoon will help you stir up the best drinks possible.
There are all kinds of other fancy things you can get, like smoking tools for different flavors, but these are the basics. A good knife is a big help too, for all those citruses and garnishes.
Next, you’ll need to think about the most important items, spirits. Having a good variety is key, so here are some good and popular items to have.
- No list would be complete without this clear spirit. Coming in at a variety of price ranges and regions, vodka is perhaps one of the more personal spirit choices out there. A good option is Tito’s. Affordable and drinkable.
- A popular spirit, used for martinis and G&Ts, having a decent gin is important. You can choose from some unique American gin or go with the classic Tanqueray.
- Good for more than just shooters, tequila is an optimal addition to any home bar. Who doesn’t love a nice refreshing margarita in the summer?
- A timeless option for different cocktails or for sipping, rum is a home bar must-have.
- There’s a lot to say about this spirit, and we can’t force you which to choose. If you like a sweeter flavor, choose an Irish whiskey, or for a bolder option a rye. The choice is yours to make.
With the trickier items covered, whatever else you stock is up to you. A good dark and light cola are great for mixing, fresh fruits for flavor, and juices and liqueurs for experimentation. Whatever magic you mix up is up to you.
At Payless Liquors, you don’t even have to come in and browse around. Fill out our online pickup form, and we’ll have your order ready for you!
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