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Coffee Cocktails

4 Best Coffee Cocktails

Depending on who you ask, the “right way” to drink coffee varies by country, by culture, and can even be wildly different within each household. Whether your preferences are light or dark roast, espresso or machine drip, black or with as much creamer as possible, we’d like to present our take on the “right way” to drink coffee—with a healthy dose of spirits in coffee cocktails.

Best Coffee Cocktails

 

The coffee cocktail offers an ideal start to any evening out, with the perfect blend of caffeine and booze. Similarly, the right coffee cocktail can provide additional warmth to a weekend morning in, with just the right kick to start your day. This list of our favorites provides a variety of ways to imbibe in your preferred coffee and some choice spirits all at once:

 

  1. The Perfect Irish Coffee. While many people pour a shot of whiskey into a steaming hot mug of coffee and call it an Irish, you’ll need a couple of extra steps to make this drink in the traditional fashion. You’ll need:

 

  • 1 cup prepared coffee
  • 2 oz. Jameson Irish whiskey
  • 2 tsp. light brown sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Chocolate shavings

 

Start by pouring hot water into two mugs to warm them, and let them sit for two minutes. Pour out the water and add a teaspoon of brown sugar to each. Pour hot coffee over the sugar and stir to dissolve sugar. Add whiskey and stir to mix. In a separate bowl, whisk heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Pour-over coffee and top with chocolate shavings.

  1. Siciliano. Forget coffee-flavored liqueur and cream in a stemmed glass—this “coffee martini” comes with far fewer frills and even more boozy flavor. You’ll need:

 

  • 2 oz. sweet vermouth
  • 1½ oz. Amaro (Campari or Averna work quite well)
  • 1½ oz. cold-brewed espresso (strong)
  • 1 oz. simple syrup
  • Club soda
  • Orange wheel for garnish

 

Pour Amaro, vermouth, cold-brew, and simple syrup into a tall glass. Add ice until filled, and top with club soda. Strain into a stemmed martini glass or enjoy over ice.

 

  1. Coffee Old-Fashioned. This twist on an American staple gives you the warmth of whiskey and the buzz of espresso, all in one glass. You’ll need:

 

  • 2 oz. espresso (room temperature or cooler)
  • 1 oz. bourbon
  • ¼ oz. simple syrup
  • Dash Peychaud’s bitters
  • Lemon peel

 

Add espresso, bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake and pour over ice in a rocks glass. Twist lemon peel over the drink, rub around the glass rim, and use as a garnish.

 

Other Coffee Cocktails

 

You may have noticed a lack of some of the most popular coffee-flavored drinks on our list, including the White Russian and the Colorado Bulldog. Kahlua—the coffee element in both of these drinks—is made by combining Arabica coffee with sugar, vanilla, and rum. The caffeine contents are negligible compared to using coffee itself (5 mg versus up to 200 in a cup of coffee). Therefore, we’ve kept our list to our favorite buzzy and boozy cocktails that include full-fledged coffee.

Need help finding some of the items mentioned in these recipes? Simply place an advance order online, or call ahead to inquire about our stock at your nearest Payless Liquor location. We look forward to serving you.

 

Resources:

 

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a58347/irish-coffee-recipe/
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g13510875/alcoholic-coffee-drinks-cocktails/

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/siciliano

https://www.kahlua.com/us/faq/

winter cocktail ingredients

How to Stock Your Liquor Cabinet for Winter Cocktails

When it’s bone-chillingly cold outside, there’s nothing better than curling up beside the fire with the perfect soul-warming drink. For some, a simple mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate will do. However, for the cocktail aficionado, the ideal winter drink likely includes a generous helping of spirits and some cold weather-friendly mixers.

Since the best place to enjoy a few winter cocktails is in the warm and cozy comfort of your own home, you’ll need to put some thought into stocking your home bar for cold-weather drinks. However, unless you aim to build a fully stocked bar that rivals your favorite cocktail hub, there’s no reason to rush out and buy dozens of liqueurs, cordials, and mixers. Make a brief list of your favorite winter cocktails, browse our suggestions below, and use our checklist to build your winter stock list, customized to your tastes.

Popular Winter Cocktails

When it’s cold outside, you want a cocktail that will warm you from the inside—whether that warmth is due to a cozy-hot mixer or the delightful heat of a stiff liquor is up to you. Depending on your tastes, multiple winter cocktails could fit the bill, but these are the most common:

  • Spiced apple ciders, spiked with a generous helping of whiskey, bourbon, or cinnamon schnapps, and winter spices like cinnamon, anise, cloves, and more
  • Mulled wines, infused with those same winter spices
  • Adult hot chocolate, which can be spiked with whiskey or any wintery schnapps like peppermint or cinnamon
  • Hot coffee drinks, including Irish coffee bolstered by whiskey, or even a simple Irish cream and coffee
  • Hot buttered rum, featuring spiced rum topped with butter, sugar, and cinnamon
  • Hot toddies, crafted from whiskey, honey, and lemon juice
  • Old-fashioneds, featuring bourbon, Angostura bitters, orange peel, and sugar
  • Whiskey sours, including your favorite bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, and a cherry
  • Martinis, either gin or bourbon, with your choice of vermouth and a lemon peel or olive

 

What You’ll Need to Stock Your Bar

 

The best thing about winter cocktails is that the sheer diversity in taste we’ve listed above can be built on a base of just a few spirits, as well as a few ingredients you’re likely to find in your kitchen during the winter months. Use this checklist (ordered from most to least critical) to develop your personalized winter bar stocking shopping list:

  • Whiskeys—you’ll find whiskey in a number of the above cocktails, and it proves a warming drink all on its own. Start with:

 

  • Kentucky bourbon
  • Irish whiskey
  • Tennessee whiskey

 

  • Gin—the piney aroma is perfect for the cold season and can be substituted for whiskey in sours and martinis
  • Spiced rum
  • Schnapps to add that flavorful kick to cocoas, coffees, and ciders. Consider:

 

  • Cinnamon schnapps
  • Peppermint schnapps

 

  • Irish cream liqueur
  • Red wine for mulling
  • Angostura bitters
  • Dry and sweet vermouth, for martinis and Manhattans
  • Apple juice or cider
  • Hot cocoa mix
  • Lemons, Lemon juice, Oranges
  • Honey
  • Cinnamon sticks and Cloves
  • White and brown sugar
  • Butter

 

Of course, you may need additional or fewer items as your tastes dictate—there’s no point in stocking your home bar with bottles you’ll never use, and if you enjoy a nice Mai Tai in the dead of winter, we’re not here to tell you you’re wrong. However, the above list will give you a great start and allow you to prepare each of the most popular winter cocktails in the comfort of your home bar. For more recipes, bar stocking suggestions, and insight into what’s new at Payless Liquors, check out our blog and five-star rating guide.

 

Resources:

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/24/dining/drinks/virus-stocking-liquor-cabinet-bar.html

https://www.epicurious.com/shopping/its-time-to-stock-your-bar-for-winter-article

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-winter-drinks

bourbon eggnog

A Very Bourbon Xmas: Bourbon Eggnog

Can you think of any better way to send off the Holiday Season than with Eggnog?

Well, we couldn’t either.

We’re finishing off our 12 days of a Very Bourbon Christmas with this household favorite recipe for Bourbon Eggnog. Enjoy!

Bourbon Eggnog

Ingredients

● 2 eggs, separated
● 1/4 cup sugar, divided
● 1/2 cup rum, bourbon, or brandy
● 1 1/2 cups whole milk
● 1/2 cup heavy cream
● Garnish: grated nutmeg

Steps

1. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with 3 tablespoons sugar until fluffy.
2. Stir in milk, heavy cream, and your spirit of choice.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar until soft peaks form.
4. Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture.
5. Divide between four rocks glasses or punch or teacups.
6. Garnish each with freshly grated nutmeg.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Bourbon Sour

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The Bourbon Sour

For Day 11 of our Very Bourbon Christmas, we’re going to be trying out the Bourbon Sour!

Jerry Thomas made the simple formula for a sour law in his 1862 The Bartenders Guide: spirit, sweetener, citrus.

One of the most popular cocktails in this family is the Whiskey Sour, which can be made with many types of whiskey, but we prefer to make it with a Bourbon instead.

The Bourbon Sour

Ingredients

● 2 ounces bourbon
● 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
● 1/2 ounce simple syrup
● 1/2 ounce egg white (optional)
● Garnish: Angostura bitters

Steps

1. Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, if using, to a shaker and dry-shake for 30 seconds without ice.
2. Add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a coupe glass.
4. Garnish with 3 or 4 drops of Angostura bitters.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

New York Sour

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The New York Sour

The 9th day of a very Bourbon Christmas has brought to you the New York Sour!

The New York Sour updates the Whiskey Sour recipe with a bit of dry red wine.

The wine lends its aromatic attributes and deep red color to the drink.

Reports trace the New York Sour back to the 1870s or 1880s, although it likely first appeared under other names.

New York Sour

Ingredients

● 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
● 1-ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
● 3/4 ounce simple syrup
● 1 egg white (optional)
● 1/2 ounce red wine

Steps

1. Add all ingredients except the wine into a shaker with ice and shake hard until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Slowly pour the wine over the back of a bar spoon so that it floats on top of the drink.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Boulevardier

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The Boulevardier

On the 8th day of hoping it gets warmer soon… We made a Boulevardier!

The boulevardier cocktail is composed of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari.

Its creation is credited to Erskine Gwynne, an American-born writer who founded a monthly magazine in Paris called Boulevardier, which appeared from 1927 to 1932.

Boulevardier

Ingredients

● 1 1/4 ounces bourbon (or rye)
● 1 ounce Campari
● 1-ounce sweet vermouth
● Garnish: orange twist

Steps

1. Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

bourbon splash

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The Bourbon Smash

7 days into our Very Bourbon Christmas we give you… The Bourbon Smash!

The Whiskey Smash is as classic as a cocktail can get.

You can think of it as a citrusy take on its famous cousin the Mint Julep.

It’s a perfect way to dress up your favorite bourbon into a refreshing delight.

Bourbon Smash

Ingredients

● 3 lemon wedges
● 2 ounces bourbon
● 3/4 ounce simple syrup
● 4 mint leaves
● Garnish: mint sprig

Steps

1. Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker.
2. Add the remaining ingredients, plus ice, and shake until well-chilled.
3. Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Hot Toddy Recipe

A Very Bourbon Xmas:- The Hot Toddy

We’re halfway through our 12 days of a Very Bourbon Christmas! We’ve got a home remedy today for you if you’ve been enjoying our recipes a bit too much.

A hot toddy, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey, herbs, and spices.

Hot toddies are traditionally drunk before going to bed for the night, in wet or cold weather to relieve the symptoms of the cold or flu.

Hot Toddy

Ingredients

● 1/2 cup water
● 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
● 1 tablespoon honey
● 2 teaspoons lemon juice
● Cinnamon stick, for garnish
● Lemon slice, for garnish

Steps

1. In a teapot or a small saucepan, bring water to simmer.
2. In a mug, combine bourbon, honey, and lemon juice to a mug. Pour over hot water and stir to combine.
3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and lemon slice.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Sazerac Recipe

A Very Bourbon Christmas: The Sazerac

On the 5th day of Bourbon Christmas, my true love gave to me… Sazerac!

The Sazerac is a local New Orleans variation of a cognac or whiskey cocktail, named for the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac that served as the original main ingredient.

Sazerac

Ingredients

● Absinthe, to rinse
● 1 sugar cube
● 2 dashes Angostura bitters
● 2 ounces bourbon

Steps

1. Rinse the chilled old-fashioned glass with absinthe, discarding excess, and set aside.
2. Muddle 1 sugar cube
3. 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
4. Add 2 oz bourbon
5. Fill with ice and stir.
6. Strain into an old-fashioned glass.
7. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Brown Derby

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The Brown Derby

For our fifth day of a Very Bourbon Christmas, we’re going to be making the Brown Derby.

The Brown Derby is a three-ingredient cocktail that was named after the Brown Derby hat-shaped Los Angeles diner.

The cocktail was created at The Hollywood Reporter founder Billy Wilkerson’s Vendôme Club on Sunset Boulevard in 1930.

The Brown Derby

Ingredients

● 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
● 1-ounce grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
● 1/2 ounce honey syrup
● Garnish: grapefruit twist

Steps

1. Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled
2. Fine-strain into a cocktail glass.
3. Express the oil from a grapefruit twist and drop in to garnish (or garnish with a grapefruit wedge).

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

toast to new years

The History Behind Why We Toast to the New Year

We all have been clinking our glasses together for our New Year’s Eve toast for as long as we can remember. But have you ever wondered where this tradition came from and why Champagne is the drink of choice to say good-bye to the current year and ring in the next?

 

When It Began

Surprisingly, you have to go back 1,500 years to find the first time alcohol was recorded as being used to toast the New Year. The custom of toasting was a religious event and began as a church ceremony for the elite and wealthy to celebrate a new year’s start. The drink used at that time was described as having a similar taste to that of our present-day Champagne.

 

The Term Toast

It wasn’t until the late 17th century that the word toast came about. The word evolved from the custom of plopping a piece of toast or crouton in a drink, similar to the way people toss a lime into tequila or some lemon into tea. Most likely, this practice was done to add flavor to the beverage. It was very common, and virtually anything found floating in a drink was referred to as “toast.”

 

Clinking of the Glasses

There are several theories as to where the tradition of clinking glasses came from. In the early days of Christianity, many believed the bell-like noise of glasses clinking would keep the devil away. Others speculate that by adding the clink, drinkers could get the absolute best experience from their drink. Without the clink, it was believed that the toasts only satisfied four of the five senses. Although research cannot confirm or deny this one, a third theory is that it was believed that clinking glasses would prevent nobles from getting poisoned. A story is told that the clank would splash liquid from one glass to another, reassuring the guest that their drink was safe to drink and had not been tampered with.

 

The American Toast

Americans caught onto the tradition of toasting rather willingly. For them, the ritual was largely for patriotic purposes. Toasts were commonly directed toward the new republic and the experiment of democracy. For many years after the Revolutionary War, 13 toasts were obligatory. They toasted once for each state, and no dinner or celebration was considered complete without all 13 tributes.

 

Toasting Today

The ritual of toasting is more popular today than ever, especially when welcoming the New Year. The act of clinking glasses to 2021 is no longer simply a religious event or a patriotic affair, but rather a nod to honoring a person or concept, such as good health, and to the hopeful idea that we shall start anew.

 

Choose your favorite beverage and raise your glass this New Year’s Eve. Payless Liquors has a huge selection of wine, beer, and liquor for all your New Year’s holiday needs. Check out our website and use our 5-star rating guide to help you make your next selection. Cheers to a Happy and Healthy New Year!

 

Sources:

https://www.mcclaincellars.com/the-history-behind-why-people-toast-to-the-new-year/

https://www.npr.org/selections/thesalt/2012/12/31/166576144/why-we-toast-uncorking-a-new-years-tradition

mint julep recipe

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The Mint Julep

Day 4 of your Very Bourbon Christmas is here! Today we’re going to be making a Mint Julep.

The Mint Julep is the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby, which has helped it become immensely popular.

Tens of thousands of Mint Juleps are served at Churchill Downs in Louisville every year!

With a balance of sweet, smoky, and herbal flavors, the Mint Julep is delicious any time of the year.

Mint Julep

Ingredients

● 8 mint leaves
● 1/4 ounce simple syrup
● 2 ounces bourbon
● Garnish: mint sprig
● Garnish: Angostura bitters (optional)

Steps

1. In a Julep cup or rocks glass, lightly muddle the mint leaves in the simple syrup.
2. Add the bourbon then pack the glass tightly with crushed ice.
3. Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.
4. Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome, and garnish with a mint sprig and a few drops of bitters (optional).

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Kentucky mule recipe

A Very Bourbon Xmas: The Kentucky Mule

For your 3rd day of a Very Bourbon Christmas, we’ll be throwing together a wonderful Kentucky Mule!

The Kentucky Mule is a play on the famous Moscow Mule.

Except it subs bourbon in for the vodka, hence the “Kentucky” moniker.

The bourbon cuts through the ginger more easily than vodka, resulting in a more flavorful drink when compared to its vodka counterpart.

Kentucky Mule

Ingredients

● 2 ounces bourbon
● 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
● Ginger beer, to top
● Garnish: mint sprig

Steps

1. Add the bourbon and lime juice to a Moscow Mule mug or a highball glass.
2. Fill the mug or glass with ice and top with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

Our Christmas Quarantine Jingle

On the 1st day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…

some distillery hand sanitizer and a bourbon county stout.

On the 2nd day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a 7 to 10-day quarantine, and a bag from Maker’s Mark.

On the 3rd day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a thermometer and a bundle of larceny.

On the 4th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
curbside delivery of a bouquet of Four Roses.

On the 5th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a nasal swab and Old Forester for my Hot Toddy.

On the 6th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
antibacterial wipes, and a surprise from Willett Distillery.

On the 7th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
some Elijah Craig for my homeschool headaches.

On the 8th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a face mask to cover your nose and 8 horses racing.

On the 9th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
binge-watching of Act 4 Scene 5

On the 10th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a negative test and a shot of Old Rip to celebrate.

On the 11th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a bundle of paper towels and a surprise of Baterhouse.

On the 12th day of Christmas, the bourbon master gave to me…
a 12 pack of toilet paper and a Van Winkle Lot B.

These past 6 months, we have missed seeing you in our stores for events.

We hope you enjoyed our 12 days of Christmas COVID-19 edition. We look forward to doing more in 2021 and hopefully can have you back in-store for events again. We want to wish you a safe and happy new year! With the new year approaching also comes new opportunities for bourbon. As long as no new COVID-19 restrictions are imposed, various selections of allocated bourbon will be up for grabs. Click here to enter to win a special right to purchase a Christmas bourbon surprise! We are hoping to draw names in January.

Click here for more 12 days of bourbon Xmas and a Christmas bourbon surprise!

DIY Gift Baskets

DIY Gift Baskets for the Drink Enthusiast in Your Life

If you find yourself stuck inside this holiday season with a little more time on your hands than you had in the past, consider using it to be more creative with your gifts. Despite this year’s holiday stretch looking different than before, gift-giving can still be a fun part of your celebrations. DIY gift baskets are becoming more popular, and it’s obvious why! A homemade gift basket can incorporate all of someone’s favorite things, and surprises can be scattered throughout so that the basket contains everything one needs to enjoy the festive times without leaving their home. Let’s take a look at just how easy it is to put together the best gift basket for all the cocktail, beer, or wine-loving people in your life.

 

First, Pick Your Theme

Choosing the theme of your gift basket is a great place to start. Decide who you are making it for; would they appreciate a Happy Hour-themed basket full of select beers and salty snacks, or do you know someone who has deemed themselves a martini or a cosmo connoisseur? Their basket may include cocktail glasses, various gin and vodka bottles, and dry vermouth or triple sec with recipe cards and garnishes to make the perfect drink. Some other unique and creative ideas include the Wine Lovers basket, Brunch Beverage basket, and a New Year’s Eve basket stocked with Champagne, glass flutes, and party hats too. Your theme can be anything!

 

Next, Choose a “Basket”

Now that you have your theme, it is time to select the perfect basket or container. Any kind will do. When we hear “gift-basket,” we automatically think of traditional wicker or wire round basket-style containers with or without handles. Here is where you can let your imagination run wild. Instead of the conventional basket, why not use a wooden crate, an extra-large mason jar with a lid, a glass pitcher (think margarita theme), an ice chest, or even a lantern would be cool!

 

Assemble the Gift Baskets

It’s time to gather up your finds and pull them all together. To add color and cushion, use crinkle paper shreds or tissue paper as a filler to secure the items and help them all be seen at once. Take items out of their boxes and packaging like stemware and other accessories and place them in the container as you like. A few other great ideas are to find a good place to attach a card, fasten a bottle opener to a basket handle with a festive ribbon, and personalize the gift with a special ornament to display the sentiment, “Happy Holidays.”

 

Spread Some Joy With DIY Gift Baskets!

At this time, you are ready to deliver your gifts. Arrange a time when you know the receiver is available and let them know you will be dropping off a special surprise on the porch. Securing the entire container with clear cellophane may be something you want to do to ensure all the contents stay in place.

 

Bring meaning to the phrase “Happiness is Homemade” with your DIY holiday gift baskets this year, and let us at Payless Liquors help. We can supply everything you’re looking for to fill a one-of-a-kind gift basket for the friend or family member who loves to have a good time.

 

Sources:

https://playswellwithbutter.com/beer-gift-basket/

https://www.therisingspoon.com/2020/09/wine-cheese-gift-basket.html.html

https://thespruceeats.com/personalized-cocktail-gift-basket-4153922

Visit the Bulleit Woody

Bulleit Bourbon is a household name for a reason. With a recipe dating back to the early 19th century, bourbon drinkers know Bulleit is smooth and spicy. It is a taste that’s entirely unique to the brand. Though the liquor itself is timeless and unchanged, the Bulleit brand is always finding ways to stay relevant. The most recent of these endeavors being the advent of the Bulleit Woody. It’s a vintage-inspired teardrop camper designed specifically to serve up Bulleit Bourbon.

Bulleit Bourbon

Though the Bulleit recipe dates back to 1830, the company began in 1987 to revive the old family rye bourbon recipe. This unique blend of traits poises Bulleit to be a modern, viable company in the 21st century. Meanwhile, giving it the foundation of a timeless recipe with hundreds of years of development. Though its classic bourbon is still the most popular, the company has since developed other products. They offer a complete line of barrel bourbon, select blends, and ryes. Its core set of liquors has an incredible range of uses. The centuries of experience has allowed the company to develop tried and true recipes for its products, ranging from Whiskey Sours to Bourbon Swizzles to Old-Fashioneds.

The Woody Design

Though it looks like a classic camper at first glance, the Woody is anything but ordinary. It features boasting artfully chosen wood exterior (more on that in a bit) and retro, white-rimmed tires. This camper hits you in the face with nostalgia at first glance. This first glance is enough to make anyone swoon. However, upon further inspection, it’s clear that this little camper is more than swoon-worthy. While the inside lounge area has the feel of a Kentucky cigar club, the real selling point is the outside. The back of the camper pulls out into a full-service bourbon bar. It is complete with ice-well and a shiny mirrored backsplash. It gives the bar that 1940s feel that was hitherto incongruous with the outdoors. This baby camper brings a speakeasy feel to picnics and tailgate parties, something that we didn’t know we needed until now.

The Devil Is in the Details

Having a classy bourbon bar on wheels is appealing enough. But, what makes the Woody so devilishly attractive is the meticulous thought that designer Brad Ford put into its every component. Bulleit Bourbon influenced the iconic color of the Woody itself. The inside ceiling is lined with repurposed bourbon barrels. Even the seemingly unrelated aspect of the interior leather was chosen to fit the smell, feel, and ambiance of the Bulleit experience. Bulleit bourbon inspired every minute detail of the Woody. It has made it a completely unique and must-see attraction.

See It for Yourself

Bulleit Woody

Bulleit WoodyBecause there are only two Bulleit Woodys in the world, experiencing one for yourself is a rare treat. Luckily for you, Payless Liquors is hosting a Bulleit Woody event on November 13 and 14 at its store in Indianapolis. Stop by to see this excellent piece of bourbon-inspired art for yourself, and taste some of the fantastic bourbons that Payless has to offer.

Winter Beer

5 Great Cold Weather Winter Beer Styles to Try

With the fall season passing, it’s time to bring in winter beer. With the popularity of craft beers and the competition for unique flavor profiles, many breweries have developed holiday beers with a strong seasonal component. Even traditional mass-production breweries have gotten on the bandwagon. These unique beers gain attention from beer lovers around the country. The fall season is almost over as Thanksgiving passes, but the winter season is close at hand, and that means winter-weather brews to please nearly any palate. If you haven’t tried these types of beer, give them a chance this winter. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

1. Barrel-Aged Beers

The big steel tanks that you see at most microbreweries are the cauldrons they create their concoctions in, but if you want a truly unique taste, try one of these beers aged in wooden barrels. This process is usually done with stronger-flavored beers that can stand up to the notes of applewood, oak, and hickory that are imparted on the brew by the barrel itself. These beers are popular in the winter because they also have notes of bourbon, vanilla, and caramel.

2. Porters and Stouts

These beers can be looked at as cousins, as they are both dark, heavy brews with a full, roasted flavor. There are many varieties to choose from, and everyone has a favorite. The beers naturally tend to have coffee and chocolate notes, so winter is a popular time for brewers to add these ingredients to the brew for a heavier flavor that is perfect for the season.

3. Imperial

Imperials will keep you warm in the winter months with their high alcohol content, but be sure not to have too many, unless you plan to hibernate the next day. Russian Imperial Stouts are popular choices, and they offer a malty, dark fruit flavor profile that goes great with chocolate.

4. Bocks and Doppelbocks

Bocks are a type of beer that has been documented back to the medieval days. However, many believe they were made long before that. Doppelbocks are enhanced by a fuller body, malty flavors, and a higher alcohol content than a standard bock known for the smooth taste that it derives from being bottom-fermented for an extended period of cold storage.

5. Winter Warmers

These ales are sweet and malty, with a nice balance of hops. Some brewers make them with a bit of spice that is perfect on cold winter nights. Do you know the carol “Here We Go a’ Wassailing,” but never knew what that last word meant? Wassail beers are usually a type of winter warmer. So, now you know what to drink before you head out caroling with the church choir!

Even if you are a creature of habit, it’s a great idea to go out on a limb and try a different variety of beer occasionally. You may find a new favorite that you would never have expected. Payless Liquors has a vast selection of beers for the winter season, and all year long. Stop in and see us today, and we’ll help you pick the perfect brew.

Eiswein: The Secrets Behind the World’s Most Collectible Wine

Eiswein

Eiswein, often known as Ice Wine outside Germany and Austria, is not simply a sweet treat to enjoy with your dessert. It is a highly collectible German wine made from frozen grapes (typically Riesling). Popular vintages are highly sought after and can command a hefty price tag. So, other than being sweet, what makes these wines unique? Ever wondered why Eiswein is different from other wines? Didn’t know whether you should try it? Well, consider these facts about this palate-pleasing libation.

Why Is it Hard to Make Eiswein?

It takes a very specific type of climate to produce Eiswein. The summer days must be warm enough to support a bountiful harvest of grapes. But, an early winter frost is necessary to freeze them before they linger too long on the vine. Eiswein is typically produced in the Rheingau, Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Mosel regions of Germany. It is a tricky process. The grapes must stay on the vine much longer than they do for a typical harvest season. Growers need to protect them from disease, rot, insects, and birds while they await the winter freeze.

As soon as temps hit 19 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, the winery must gather its staff and pluck all the grapes from the vine early in the morning before sunrise. The hilly terrain in which they grow is covered with shale, which only adds to the difficulty of the harvest, and in the old days, many winemakers didn’t have presses that were strong enough to crush the frozen grapes. This is still difficult to do, which produces a low yield, and bottles are coveted the world over.

Why All the Fuss?

With such a complicated growing and harvest process, many people wonder why winemakers don’t simply freeze the grapes to make the wine. The reason is that nature needs to take its course. The grapes need to remain on the vine long enough for extra sugars to develop within them. Then on that first frosty night, when the cold air moves in, the water content in each grape freezes, but its sugars do not. As the frozen grapes are gathered and immediately pressed, the sugar and other solids are used to make the wine, as the frozen water is pressed out. The point is to get as much flavor as possible into the wine. The flavor is in the solids and sugars, not in the water.

The team working for the winery also must work fast. The grape’s cell walls are broken down when they freeze. So, they begin to rot as soon as they start to thaw. If this happens too quickly, all the work is for naught, and the wine is worthless.

Wine may or may not be your thing, but Eiswein falls into a category all its own. If you are looking to try something new or add an element you have been missing from your liquor cabinet or wine cellar, visit Payless Liquors today and browse our selection.

10 Interesting Alcohol Facts That Are Sure to Surprise You

You may not think about it every time you crack open a beer, shake up a cocktail, or pour a glass of wine, but alcohol has played an enormous role in our cultural experience for 10,000 years. Humans have cultivated the production of beer, wine, and spirits as staples for celebrations and rites of passage, essential cooking ingredients, medicinal tonics, and enjoyable beverages when we need to unwind. So, is it any surprise that there are hundreds of quirky alcohol facts that many people don’t know? Read up on some of this surprising information and share it with friends the next time you get together for drinks.

Alcohol Facts

10 Interesting Alcohol Facts

  1. The ancient Romans are responsible for the term “toast”.  Now it is a term to describe raising a glass to good health and fortune. However, in the days of Old Rome, they dropped a piece of toast into the wine.
  2. Francis Scott Key’s poem that became our beloved national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” wasn’t sung until it was set to the tune of a popular drinking song.
  3. How many bubbles are there in a bottle of champagne? Funny you should ask—the general estimate is that there are 49,000,000 bubbles. This would be a fun alternative to “guess how many jellybeans are in the jar” at your next family reunion.
  4. You will find a cloud of alcohol in the depths of space with a density to produce 4 trillion beverages. Imagine standing beneath that cloudburst!
  5. The pressure in an average car tire is 30 PSI; it is 90 PSI in champagne bottles. Therefore, the cork shoots out of the bottle at about 55 miles per hour. Its signature celebratory “pop” is a staple of New Year’s Eve parties, but sadly champagne corks kill about 24 people every year.
  6. Tired of having to settle for just a handle of vodka? Until 1885, the only size you could buy was a 12.3-liter bucket. Why did we ever downsize?
  7. Now that we’ve established the number of bubbles in a bottle of champagne, how many grapes do you think it takes to make a bottle of wine? According to winemakers, it takes between three and 10 bunches, or 600 to 800 grapes, depending on the size and varietal.
  8. Have you ever heard the shortest sentence that contains all the letters of the alphabet? Most people think it’s “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.,” but we bet that you haven’t considered “Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs!”
  9. Are you a gin drinker who is interested in using some slang from the 1800s? Well, the next time you order, try monikers like “Mother’s Ruin,” “King Theodore of Corsica,” “Parliamentary Brandy,” “Royal Poverty,” or “Ladies’ Delight.”
  10. When visiting Scotland, be sure to try Snake Venom Beer. However, you may not want to have more than one. At 67.5% alcohol, that snake is sure to bite you back!

If these facts don’t help you win your next round of trivia, at least they were fun to read. And maybe they made you thirsty. When you need to stock up on wine, beer, or liquor, Payless Liquors has everything you need. Come by and check out our great selection today.

3 Halloween-Themed Cocktails to Turn Your Night From Tricky to a Treat

Halloween-Themed CocktailHalloween-themed cocktails are what everyone needs this spooky October. Halloween is a favorite time of year for many Americans. However, current lockdown policies in place throughout the country may make it feel like you may not be able to enjoy Halloween the way you would prefer this year. It’s important to stay upbeat and to connect with your family and friends during difficult times, so do your best to have a safe and enjoyable gathering if you have festivities planned for the Halloween season this year.

One of the best additions to any Halloween party is a good party cocktail. This year, try one or two of the following Halloween-themed cocktails that are sure to refresh and delight the guests at your Halloween parties.

The Apple Butter Old Fashioned

Halloween-Themed Cocktail
Photo Credit: Tieghan Gerard from Half Baked Harvest

The Old Fashioned is one of the most time-tested cocktails that has seen countless iterations and interpretations over the years. If you’re looking for a touch of class and timelessness with your Halloween party this year, the Apple Butter Old Fashioned is an excellent option for your party’s drink of choice.

Rim a glass with coarsely ground sugar if you like, and then start the Apple Butter Old Fashioned with one-quarter cup of apple cider, the juice of half a lemon, a dash of orange bitters, a tablespoon of apple butter, and two ounces of your favorite bourbon mixed in a shaker cup. Strain into a glass over ice, top with a float of ginger beer, and garnish with cinnamon and apple slices.

Jekyll & Gin

Halloween-Themed Cocktail
Photo Credit: Candace Braun Davison from Delish

If you have ever enjoyed a Gin Daisy, you’ll love this color-changing take on it. The Jekyll & Gin appears pink under normal light, but under a black light, it glows an eerie white. If you’re planning a glowstick party, you will want to add this Halloween-themed cocktail to your menu.

Start this delightful mix with three ounces of your favorite gin, one-half ounce of lemon juice, and just a teaspoon of Grenadine mixed in a shaker with ice and then strain into a glass with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with a glowstick—perfect in any black-lit party venue.

Jack-o-Lantern

If you’re all about presentation but not too keen on pumpkin-flavored cocktails, this Jack-o-Lantern could be the perfect option for this year’s costume party. You’ll need some old-fashioned glasses, orange slices, and a few pieces of lime peel to complete the look of this perfect Halloween cocktail, but the extra work garnishing will be worth it.

Make your Jack-o-Lantern by combining an ounce of orange juice, half an ounce of orange liqueur, and one and a half ounces of cognac in a shaker cup over ice. Strain over fresh ice into an old-fashioned glass and then top with ginger ale. Poke a piece of lime peel into the center of an orange slice and float it on top to create miniature pumpkin-shaped cocktails.

 

Make the most of Halloween this year by creating a memorable experience. As the country reels in the face of lockdown restrictions, a safe place to enjoy the Halloween season with friends is a welcome comfort for just about anyone. If you need to supply your costume party this year, Payless Liquors can help you find the finest alcohols and mixers you’ll need for cocktails that are sure to please. Contact us today to see what we have available.