5 Under-the-Radar Liquors That Will Delight Your Party Guests

Stephanie Noritz
Walking into just any old bar and ordering a cocktail mixed with something called Giffard's Crème de Pamplemousse Rose is asking for trouble. But some nights call for something a bit more complex than the usual gin and tonic. And besides, what use is that midcentury bar cart if you're not going to stock it with bottles that look just as good? 

With all this in mind, we recruited Talia Baiocchi — editor-in-chief of the libation-loving online magazine Punch — to invent some winter-perfect cocktails starring some of her favorite obscure liqueurs from around the world. Baiocchi is the perfect fit for the job: Her site, a partnership with Ten Speed Press, features some of the most entertaining and original reporting on cocktails, wine, and spirits out there. We can't promise that you'll be able to find all of these in one trip, but good luck! They're worth the hunt.

1. Crème de Violette

This sweet French liqueur made from violet flowers is super difficult to find, even in France. If you can get your hands on it, pair it with some gin and proudly stick your pinky up: This is some very classy, very tasty stuff.

Try it in this French 76 cocktail.

Stephanie Noritz

2. Cappelleti

An artisanal wine aperitif, Cappelleti has been made by the same family for over four generations in Italy's region of Alto-Adige.  When you taste it, you'll get why they've kept it up: tangy and slightly citrusy with the perfect amount of bitterness, it's the ideal companion to some quality sherry.

Try it in this Bitter Cobbler cocktail.

Stephanie Noritz

3. Zirbenz

Enjoying a cocktail with Zirbenz is like sipping on winter itself.  Made way up in the Alps of Austria, this liqueur is produced from the cones of Arolla pines.  Before you turn it down in protest of drinking something that sounds like it might taste like car air freshener, consider that its smoky, spicy flavor tastes heavenly when mixed with some tequila.  Game changer.

Stephanie Noritz

4. Cynar

Don't let the signature artichoke on the Cynar label fool you: the taste strays far from that of the beloved vegetable.  Woodsy and earthy, with a lovely balance of heroines, its bittersweetness is best paired with some Scotch. That's what we call a strong drink.

Stephanie Noritz

5. Giffard Pamplemousse Rose

Giffard Pamplemousse Rose has plenty going for it (besides the fact that it includes one of the funnest French words in existence).  Made from oils extracted from grapefruit peel through  distillation, this dreamy liquor is as sweet and tart as it looks.  And, let's be honest, everyone needs a ridiculously pink drink once in a while.

Try it in this Eventide cocktail recipe.

Stephanie Noritz
From:Sweet

From: Delish


By Caitlin Smith

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We're Obsessed With This Floating Lightbulb

Image
Flyte No magic, batteries, or wires here: Swedish designers Flyte promises to "set the lightbulb free" with its new concept — a bulb that hovers over its base thanks to magnetism and air induction. Hand-crafted in Sweden from sustainably-sourced oak, ash and walnut, Flyte turns on and off by a tap on the electro-magnetic base. If you don't need the light, the base can also transform into a wireless charging station for your phone. Yes, it's expensive, starting at around $$$, but considering the LED bulb is rated for 50,000 hours, it's a conversation piece that could last a lifetime. Flyte And don't worry about a curious cat or grabby toddler: The shatterproof glass won't break if Fluffy knocks it over. And since you don't need to plug it in, it's the ultimate kid-proof lighting solution. No tripping on unwieldy wires! Interested? Back Flyte at its Kickstarter page. Flyte Flyte More from House Beautiful: • 5 Reasons to Get Excited for Denmark...
Read more

Every Day Is Chrismas at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska

A post shared by Timothy Wang (@ttttimwang) on Dec 26, 2014 at 3:00pm PST In the tiny town of North Pole, Alaska the celebration of Christmas doesn't just happen on the 25th — every day is fair game for wearing red and green, and much of that is all thanks to Con and Nellie Miller. You see, back in 1952 they opened up a trading post in the newly named city and, in honor of Con's tradition of dressing up as Santa at every Christmas, they decided to give it a very special name: The Santa Claus House. It started off as a spot to grab necessities (think: a grocery store and post office combo). But as the community grew so did the store, and they added Christmas treasures, a new wing, and the world's largest Santa that stands 42-feet-tall. Today, thousands of people visit the store every year and millions have ventured to North Pole since they've opened. Looking for a festive photo opportunity? You've come to the right place. This holida...
Read more

"Fredagsmys" Is the Swedish Way to Make Your Friday Nights Extra Cozy

Image
Getty While the Danes have hygge , Swedes have mys , which basically translates to “coziness.” While the two concepts are similar—they both come from Scandinavian countries with extremely cold winter weather, for one — mys has a particular focus on eating delicious food that comes to a head on Friday evenings with the tradition of fredagsmys . Fredagsmys translates roughly to “cozy Fridays” and became embedded in Swedish culture in the 1990s when a marketing campaign for chips encouraged people to relax at home on Fridays and indulge in junk food after a long week of eating well and working hard. While fredagsmys can look different whether you’re a family with kids or a group of friends who get together every Friday night, the key ingredient “is easy meals for which everyone is the master chef,” according to the book The Swedish Kitchen . “Finger food and snacks are preferred to cooking and cleaning a pile of dirty pots ...
Read more