Newsletter

Boo! 

So many of us look forward to this time of year for a multitude of reasons: the shift in weather, football, nostalgic Halloween movies, seasonal flavors, and more. We have some festive recipes to share with you all, featuring an array of products in our store. 

First off, a WARM cocktail option: mulled wine! While we do stock a couple locally produced pre-made options, and also the German gluhwein equivalent, it is so fun and easy to make your own. First, you’ll need to start off with a bottle of dry red wine. Though any dry red will do the trick, we recommend a cabernet sauvignon for the rich mouth feel and bold flavor. The rest of the ingredients are as follows: two oranges, half a pint/a pint of brandy (up to your taste), half a cup of brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, six whole cloves, and 3 cardamom pods (optional). 

Start by using a peeler to peel the first orange. Set aside the peel and then juice the orange. For the second orange, slice into rounds and set aside. 

In a saucepan, combine the orange peel and juice, along with the rest of the ingredients. Stir over medium heat for about two minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, turn the heat up to high, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture reaches a boiling point, immediately turn the heat down to low and let simmer for about 30 minutes. Strain the mixture to discard the solids, and voilà! Ladle the mulled wine into cups or mugs, and garnish with the orange rounds before enjoying.  

The next recipe we’d like to share is an elevated take on the classic whiskey and apple cider combo: a nutty apple martini. For this tasty little treat, here are the ingredients you’ll need: maple syrup, apple cider, pecan whiskey, ginger liqueur, cinnamon, sugar, and an apple to garnish. For the pecan whiskey we recommend picking up a handful of our Revel Stoke Pecan Whiskey shots! They’re available in our store in the 50ml size, which cuts down on leftover product and also makes measuring so much easier! For the ginger liqueur we recommend Domaine de Canton, both for the quality and the taste. 

Start by pouring a bit of maple syrup onto a small dish, and combining the cinnamon and sugar in a separate dish. Dip the glasses in the syrup, followed by the cinnamon sugar mixture. Add the pecan whiskey, apple cider, and ginger liqueur to a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly. Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with apple slices! 

October, for anyone who may not know, is Italian American Heritage and Culture month! We pride ourselves on being an Italian family business and carrying on the legacy of the store’s founder: Aldo Lepore, who himself was an Italian national. Part of our celebration this month included putting on yet another Italian wine tasting for our patrons. Thank you to all who came out to learn about and enjoy a selection of authentic Italian wines, presented by our representative, Marco, who travels across the Atlantic Ocean to work with us. Grazie mille a Marco e a tutti i nostri clienti! Keep an eye on our newsletters to be in the know about any future tasting events at our store!

As always, a big thank you to everyone who reads this newsletter and engages with our business. Your patronage means everything to us as a local business, and we view our customers as community. Have a safe and happy October, and salute!

-The Team at Chili Liquor