The CRAFTED TASTE Blog | Our Cocktail News & Notes

As more of us are working from home, our unexpected challenges are a win-win for our loyal pets.  Why not toast our pooches with the classic cocktail, The Salty Dog?  Your basic Salty Dog is a combo of Vodka or Gin, grapefruit juice and rimmed with salt.  Easy and primed for lots of variations. 

Here are some other dog worthy libations:

The Salty Chihuaha - the SD, but made with Tequila
The Greyhound - the SD, but no salt
The Bloodhound - equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and dry vermouth 
The Pomeranian - pomegranate, vodka, grapefruit, honey

Try out our favorite dog cocktails, The Man's Best Friend, The Salty Hound and The Astra Collins, all featured in our Man's Best Friend Cocktail Kit.

The use of bitters has exploded and no longer are your only choices the standard Angostura.   These flavored extracts, made from infusing herbs, seeds, bark, roots, flowers and berries with alcohol, were originally created in the 1800's for medicinal purposes but now, they are sought after by cocktail mixologists.  Remember, the liquid is highly concentrated, which is why you need only a few dashes in those mixed drinks.

When you use them, buy the best.  The nuances of a high end bitter can make a ho-hum cocktail, the best drink you ever had.

Here are our favorites!

El Guapo Tricentennial Bitters - A 2019 Good Food Award Winner!
Made in New Orleans, LA
Try it in our Scotch Kiss Cocktail Kit
 

Bittermens Elemakule Tiki Bitters - American Treasures Award Winner
Made in NYC
Try it in our Posmo Cosmo Cocktail Kit

Scrappy's Orange Bitters - Best of US Bitter Manufacturer
Made in Seattle, WA
Try it in our Modern Martini Kit

Bitter Housewife Cardamon Bitters - Good Food Award 2018 Product Of Year 
Made in Portland, OR
Try it in our Salted Caramel Apple Sour Cocktail Kit

Trying to reduce risk by limiting our social interactions doesn't mean that you can't relax with a delicious cocktail to soothe the soul.  We are talking health here, so need to go hard on the spirits. Just something light and tasty, as a special treat to start the day or end the night.

Brunch Maker - The Bloody Maria or Bloody Mary.
Our Nuevo Dia Kit is a great collection of items for a delicious Bloody Maria with Tequila or a Bloody Mary ( just add the vodka). Keep it on the bar, ready to make for a weekend brunch at home.

Get Cozy with a Hot Toddy.
Fan of Apple Brandy?  Our Tea Party Toddy Kit makes the best Hot Toddy, using Earl Grey Bitters and Chamomile Honey.

Go Low ABV with Sake.
Make a drink full of flavor, but light on punch.  Our Kyoto Sour is a great Sake recipe with Orange Bitters and a bit of kick with Green Tabasco.

Need a Touch of Sweet?
Have a special fun nighttime drink at home. The Salted Apple Caramel Cocktail is so good with delicious apple shrub.

Have fun making cool, snazzy drinks at home using a few simple techniques that really take things up a notch.

Outdoor weddings have always been special with nature and fresh air creating the most beautiful ambiance for a special day with friends and family.   Lots of champagne will be flowing but an extra libation that's fresh and eye catching is great starter to serve your guests.

It's hard to not think immediately of the classic margarita when one ponders Tequila.  But there are so many other amazing recipes for tequila and it's sophisticated cousin, mezcal.  

Make any gathering even more memorable by featuring a  "House Drink".  It not only makes entertaining a little easier, but it helps enhance the theme of the event.

Here are some great pairings using Crafted Taste Cocktail Kits.