Spicing it up

The most successful hosts share one trait: attention to detail. An event’s cohesiveness extends well beyond the food and décor to the small extras that make a celebration shine. If you’re planning a gathering this fall or winter, a signature beverage is an excellent way to toast the season in style.

As the year draws to a close, try exploring beverages that incorporate flavors with richness and warmth, like pomegranate, apple, cinnamon, and maple. Orange peels also add a bit of autumnal flair to a drink, as with The Full Monty cocktail from Botanery Barn Distilling.

The amber-colored cocktail features their Revivalist Garden Gin, released last year. The company uses a cold maceration process that infuses the spirit with all-natural botanicals (as opposed to simply flavoring the gin). “Revivalist Garden Gin is herbaceous, floral, and earthy, with a woody, savory, fruity finish,” says Botanery Barn Distilling mixologist Brendan Bartley. “It features a delicate and beautiful nose, with a well-rounded mouthfeel that enhances classic cocktails like martinis and gin and tonics.”

“The brand focuses on the power of plants,” says Scott Avellino, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of the company, adding that they emphasize sustainable practices and the ethnobotanical roots of their ingredients. “Our mission is to continuously experiment with new botanicals and distillation techniques to keep our offerings fresh and exciting,” he says.

For those who want to elevate non-alcoholic options at their next party, All The Bitter, founded by Carly and Ian Blessing, offers alcohol-free bitters perfect for cold-weather mocktails. The husband-and-wife team met while working as sommeliers at The French Laundry restaurant in Napa Valley, which now uses their award-winning products.

Their handmade line of zero-proof bitters, Aromatic, Orange, New Orleans, and Lavender, combined with one of the many alcohol-free spirit brands on the market, allow home bartenders to craft delicious, complex creations for everyone to enjoy.

“Aromatic is heavily spiced with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice; our Orange bitters also have a hefty dose of spice and herbal qualities, and our New Orleans bitters are packed with tart cherry, hibiscus, anise, and rosehips,” says Ian Blessing. All The Bitter’s Lavender, crafted with calming ingredients like lavender, chamomile, and passionflower, offers relaxation in a glass. The company continues to develop and release new bitter blends, such as this year’s Fig & Walnut, an ideal ingredient for fall and winter beverages or any time when you want to experiment with intriguing flavors.