Spring Cocktail Trends From NYC Bartenders

Now that Winter is starting to go away, New Yorkers eager to ditch heavy beers and warm cocktails for refreshing drinks that scream Spring.  Trends in cocktail culture have become a quintessential part of celebrating a new season. This Spring looks like rum concoctions will be leading the pack and introducing aperitifs as the new happy hour with low ABV cocktails, allowing you to enjoy the night without the painful morning. New York bartenders have predicted decadent rum craft cocktails for the warm spring. These are not your typical Spring Break drinks you had while in college. Since then, the accolade for both “Tiki” cocktails and brown/craft spirits have grown respect, and so has the popularity of first-rate, sophisticated rums in both the Caribbean and in the U.S.A. A spirit known for its various tasting notes, these innovative libations will elevate any gathering, and highlight rum’s versatile flavor profile just in time for the spring season.

Below, are 5 fantastic spring-inspired recipes to celebrate this year’s trends, all crafted by some of the nation’s top bartenders, including Naren Young (Dante, NYC), Dan Sabo (ACE Hotel, LA) , Nico de Soto (Mace, NYC), Will Benedetto (In Good Company Hospitality),Leo Robitschek (Eleven Madison Park, NYC). Each of the recipes listed below can also be found in St-Germain’s first-ever coffee table cocktail book, How to Drink French Fluently.

Mango Basil Margarita - Created by Will Benedetto, (In Good Company Hospitality)

Ingredients

• 2 oz of Casamigos Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz of mango basil puree*
• 0.75 oz of lime juice

*Mango Basil Puree

• 1500 g of mango puree
• 300 g of basil
• 400 g of agave
• 2 oz of vodka

Shake all ingredients with 5-6 ice cubes. Without using a strainer, pour the entire contents into a Tajin rimmed rocks glass.

Voodoo Down - Created by Leo Robitschek(Eleven Madison Park in New York)

Ingredients

• 2 dashes orange bitters
• ¼ ounce ginger syrup (1:1, ginger juice:turbinado sugar)
• ¼ ounce honey syrup (2:1, clover honey:water)
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce St-Germain French elderflower liqueur
• ½ ounce Trinidadian rum
• 1 ounce bourbon, preferably Elijah Craig 12-year

Shake all the ingredients with ice. Strain over ice into a double rocks glass.

Qui Oui, Created by Nico de Soto (Mace in New York)

• ½ ounce St-Germain French elderflower liqueur
• 1½ ounces Aperol
• ½ ounce kiwi syrup
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
• Prosecco, to top
• Glass Garnish Dehydrated kiwi slice or fresh
• kiwi slice

Shake all of the ingredients, except the prosecco, with ice. Strain into a wine glass with ice, top with prosecco, and garnish with the kiwi slice.

Rivington Punch - Created by Natasha David (Nitecap in New York)

• 2 ounces dry rosé wine
• ½ ounce St-Germain French elderflower liqueur
• 1½ ounces Aperol
• ¼ ounce raspberry liqueur, preferably Combier Framboise
• 1 ounce soda water
• Glass Garnish Strawberry slices and grapefruit crescent

Stir all of the ingredients in a wine glass over ice. Garnish with strawberry slices and a grapefruit crescent.

The St-Germain Cocktail - Created by Robert Cooper

• 1½ ounces St-Germain French elderflower liqueur
• 2 ounces dry sparkling wine
• 2 ounces soda water
• Glass Garnish Lemon twist

Combine all of the ingredients in a Collins glass over ice. Stir gently, and garnish with a lemon twist.

Mango Basil Margarita

Qui Oui

Rvington Punch

St. Germain Cocktail

Voo Doo

The Search Is On: Which Patrón Margarita Will Win?

Article by Candice Dixon

Who’s dying for a Spring cocktail? We definitely are.  As the last remnants of winter melt away, we’re excited to preview light, refreshing sippers for Spring 2017. In fact, Patrón has started its world-wide search for the simply perfect margarita of the year. Out of thousands of global applicants, the tequila brand has selected seven contenders to represent the brand’s products in its 2017 Margarita of the Year contest. 

Live voting allows imbibers unlimited voting online and via social media to support favorite tipples until April 9th 2017 when the winning marg is announced. So far, the top three cocktails are the Carolina (22% of votes), Pacific Rim (17% of votes) and Mumbai (14% of votes) Margaritas. Want a taste? You can order a personal kit loaded with all ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions through Cocktail Courier - a great idea to liven up your next at-home happy hour or dinner party.  Take a look below at the top three stars of Patron’s next Margarita of the Year.

Carolina Margarita, Created by Riesler Morales ( Mexico City, Mexico)

Inspired by a couple’s beach-side, serendipitous meeting, the Carolina Margarita narrates their instant love connection. The oaky Reposado Patrón coupled with the Patrón Citrónge Orange and hibiscus creates an instant attraction for the most discerning of palates. It’s beautiful red hue from a splash of red wine rounds out the imaginative sipper.                                                                                                                                                                                 
Want to cast your vote? Use #CoralinaMargarita on social media or click here for the ballot.

Pacific Rim, Created by Max Greco (Sydney, Australia)

Of all exotic world locations, Sydney, Australia may not come to mind, at first. However, when enjoying this thrilling coconut syrup and jalapeño beverage, you’ll think twice. The Pacific Rim Margarita perfectly showcases a delicious blend of Patrón Silver, yuzu juice, and citrus, transporting you to the Down Under like never before. No wonder it’s a close second in the competition.                                                                                                                      
Want to cast your vote? Use #PacificRimMargarita on social media or click here for the ballot.

Mumbai Margarita, Created by Hermant Pathak (New York, NY) 

The Mumbai Margarita allows you to escape to enchanting Mumbai, in this beautifully balanced and mango-licious libation. Your inner adventurer will be satisfied with spicy, sweet, savory ingredients including Patrón Reposado, mango puree and spicy rose syrup. This addictive east-meets-west fusion will hook you at first sip!                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Want to cast your vote? Use #MumbaiMargarita on social media or click here for the ballot.

What better way to impress your friends at home than by making a Patron Platinum Margarita that Rael Petit (bartender of Delilah at NYC) created.

Liquid Platinum Margarita

Liquid Platinum Margarita

• 2 oz Platinum Patrón Tequila 
• 1 oz Dolin
• 2 dash rose water 
• .25 oz agave syrup
• .5 oz lime juice

Stir all ingredients with ice for 30 seconds then pour in a mixing glass. In a mixing glass add 

• 1 bar spoon edible platinum color 
• 1 pinch xanthum gum 

Stir for 10 seconds pour in your coupe glass. Garnish with an edible orchid using edible silver sprayer marshmallow flavored. 

If you're unable to make the cocktail yourself, have the pro's do it. If you're based in New York the cocktail is available from March 20 – April 30 at Delilah. For a limited time, the margarita will be offered off the menu at $100 per glass for those in the know.

Each Liquid Platinum Margarita includes Gran Patrón Platinum (SRP $200), edible silver flakes, rare rose water and topped off with an edible silver orchid.  The liquid even swirls around by itself – magic in a glass! (Video here)