Spirited Insights

Latest Posts

A Taste of Spain – Food & Culture

Spain is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. It is the fourth-largest European country and the second-most mountainous country after Switzerland. It has numerous offshore...

A Taste of Spain – Wine Tour

Ah, those grey, rainy, late winter days here on the West Coast! Are you thinking of Spain, and its sunny and warm climate... but getting there isn't in the budget? No worries, we may not be able to...

Non-Alcoholic Trends

Why Non-Alcohol? In a very short period, the non-alcohol landscape has changed dramatically, one part driven by age and the other by culture.  Older drinkers such as Baby Boomers or Gen X have...

Japanese Whisky

When you hear mention of Japanese spirits, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  If you are like most people, the first thought is of Sake or maybe Beer.  Japanese culture has a long history...

Cocktails Anyone?

Latest Recipes

Aperol Fizz

Aperol Fizz Food & Wine Test Kitchen, the authors of this recipe, describe this lovely cocktail as the perfect marriage of an egg cream and an Aperol spritz. I tend to agree! Navy-strength gin...

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz This classic and refreshing cocktail celebrates spring. It's easy to make, easy to make and quaff, and its low ABV makes it no problem if you sneak in a second one on a warm...

Sauvignon Blanc Punch

Sauvignon Blanc Punch Is this low-ABV, easy patio sipper made with Aperol the perfect wine punch for a pleasant spring afternoon? This little number adapted from Liquor.com might just be! 1/2 oz...

Navarrico

Navarrico Butano 4 oz fluffy orange juice from a high-speed juicer* (See notes below for alternate)1/4 oz Sambuca or Pastis** (or other Anise liqueur) (See notes)3/4 oz Sloe gin** (See notes)3/4 OZ...

Check out more posts

A Taste of Spain – Wine Tour

A Taste of Spain – Wine Tour

Ah, those grey, rainy, late winter days here on the West Coast! Are you thinking of Spain, and its sunny and warm climate... but getting there isn't in the budget? No worries, we may not be able to provide the sun, but we can bring a taste of Spain right to your door...

Non-Alcoholic Trends

Non-Alcoholic Trends

Why Non-Alcohol? In a very short period, the non-alcohol landscape has changed dramatically, one part driven by age and the other by culture.  Older drinkers such as Baby Boomers or Gen X have reduced their consumption primarily due to age and health.  Millennials...

Japanese Whisky

Japanese Whisky

When you hear mention of Japanese spirits, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  If you are like most people, the first thought is of Sake or maybe Beer.  Japanese culture has a long history of creating alcoholic drinks from rice when the techniques appeared in...

Happy (Belated) National Tequila Day

Happy (Belated) National Tequila Day

We may have missed the real National Tequila Day (July 24th) but it doesn't mean we shouldn't find a way to celebrate tequila every day! Fun fact: Tequila is the fastest-growing spirit in North America.  Not surprising given the promotion and celebrity tequila enjoys...

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz This classic and refreshing cocktail celebrates spring. It's easy to make, easy to make and quaff, and its low ABV makes it no problem if you sneak in a second one on a warm afternoon. 2 oz Aperol3 oz Prosecco, your favourite1 oz Sparking water or...

Sauvignon Blanc Punch

Sauvignon Blanc Punch

Sauvignon Blanc Punch Is this low-ABV, easy patio sipper made with Aperol the perfect wine punch for a pleasant spring afternoon? This little number adapted from Liquor.com might just be! 1/2 oz Aperol3 oz Sauvignon Blanc **1/2 oz Grapefruit juice (Fresh squeezed is...

Navarrico

Navarrico

Navarrico Butano 4 oz fluffy orange juice from a high-speed juicer* (See notes below for alternate)1/4 oz Sambuca or Pastis** (or other Anise liqueur) (See notes)3/4 oz Sloe gin** (See notes)3/4 OZ Campari (or any Italian Bitter Liqueur)1/2 oz Apple cider...

Rebujito Sherry Cocktail

Rebujito Sherry Cocktail

Rebujito This simple, refreshing little number blends dry sherry, lemon-lime soda and mint to create a lovely patio sipper. There are many recipes on the interne,t but the basic recipe is 1 part dry sherry to 2 parts soda. This can be made as a single cocktail or like...

Gone Fishing Sherry Cocktail

Gone Fishing Sherry Cocktail

Gone Fishing Sherry Cocktail In North America, we tend to think of Sherry as a simple and sweet after-dinner sipper for Granny that comes in a dark green bottle. In Spain, Sherry is produced in a wide range of styles and flavour profiles, used in cocktails, served...

Orgeat

Orgeat

Orgeat Orgeat is an almond-based syrup that adds nutty, floral notes to cocktails and mocktails. Known for its use in Tiki cocktails, Orgeat gives a body and sweetness that adds a luxurious edge to cocktails. Liqueurs like Amaretto can be substituted to give the...

Check out more posts

A Taste of Spain – Wine Tour

A Taste of Spain – Wine Tour

Ah, those grey, rainy, late winter days here on the West Coast! Are you thinking of Spain, and its sunny and warm climate... but getting there isn't in the budget? No worries, we may not be able to provide the sun, but we can bring a taste of Spain right to your door...

Non-Alcoholic Trends

Non-Alcoholic Trends

Why Non-Alcohol? In a very short period, the non-alcohol landscape has changed dramatically, one part driven by age and the other by culture.  Older drinkers such as Baby Boomers or Gen X have reduced their consumption primarily due to age and health.  Millennials...

Japanese Whisky

Japanese Whisky

When you hear mention of Japanese spirits, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  If you are like most people, the first thought is of Sake or maybe Beer.  Japanese culture has a long history of creating alcoholic drinks from rice when the techniques appeared in...

Happy (Belated) National Tequila Day

Happy (Belated) National Tequila Day

We may have missed the real National Tequila Day (July 24th) but it doesn't mean we shouldn't find a way to celebrate tequila every day! Fun fact: Tequila is the fastest-growing spirit in North America.  Not surprising given the promotion and celebrity tequila enjoys...

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz This classic and refreshing cocktail celebrates spring. It's easy to make, easy to make and quaff, and its low ABV makes it no problem if you sneak in a second one on a warm afternoon. 2 oz Aperol3 oz Prosecco, your favourite1 oz Sparking water or...

Sauvignon Blanc Punch

Sauvignon Blanc Punch

Sauvignon Blanc Punch Is this low-ABV, easy patio sipper made with Aperol the perfect wine punch for a pleasant spring afternoon? This little number adapted from Liquor.com might just be! 1/2 oz Aperol3 oz Sauvignon Blanc **1/2 oz Grapefruit juice (Fresh squeezed is...

Navarrico

Navarrico

Navarrico Butano 4 oz fluffy orange juice from a high-speed juicer* (See notes below for alternate)1/4 oz Sambuca or Pastis** (or other Anise liqueur) (See notes)3/4 oz Sloe gin** (See notes)3/4 OZ Campari (or any Italian Bitter Liqueur)1/2 oz Apple cider...

Rebujito Sherry Cocktail

Rebujito Sherry Cocktail

Rebujito This simple, refreshing little number blends dry sherry, lemon-lime soda and mint to create a lovely patio sipper. There are many recipes on the interne,t but the basic recipe is 1 part dry sherry to 2 parts soda. This can be made as a single cocktail or like...

Gone Fishing Sherry Cocktail

Gone Fishing Sherry Cocktail

Gone Fishing Sherry Cocktail In North America, we tend to think of Sherry as a simple and sweet after-dinner sipper for Granny that comes in a dark green bottle. In Spain, Sherry is produced in a wide range of styles and flavour profiles, used in cocktails, served...

Orgeat

Orgeat

Orgeat Orgeat is an almond-based syrup that adds nutty, floral notes to cocktails and mocktails. Known for its use in Tiki cocktails, Orgeat gives a body and sweetness that adds a luxurious edge to cocktails. Liqueurs like Amaretto can be substituted to give the...