Bottle #1: Puerto Apple

This cocktail is one of my favorites. And I honestly can’t explain it, but for some reason, it just makes me think of Christmas anytime I make it. Maybe is the fact that Applejack has sort of a Christmasy flavor . . . or maybe it’s just because it looks a little bit like eggnog. Whatever the reason, it’s still a delicious little cocktail. And don’t worry, there’s no egg or dairy in it. The color comes from the orgeat which is just a rich almond syrup. Cheers!

Bottle #2: Amaro Montenegro

If you’re not familiar with words like Amaro & Aperitif, it’s alright. Most people aren’t unless they’re weird like me. But even if you don’t really care about what it is, I still think Amaro Montenegro is the perfect introduction into the world of amaro. This isn’t mixed with anything, it’s just straight out of the bottle - which, in my opinion, is the perfect way to enjoy it. Sweet, soft, and herbal, it has a little bit of bitterness initially, but there’s a lot more to it than that. With notes like vanilla, orange peel, and baking spices, it’s the perfect after dinner sipper - especially this time of year.

Bottle #3: Raspberry Syrup

Admittedly, there’s nothing particularly special or interesting about the composition or preparation of this syrup. It’s just water, sugar, and raspberries gently cooked in an immersion circulator for 2 hours and then strained into a bottle. But when it comes to taste, this is as special a syrup as any. If you feel like mixing up something boozy, it’s a perfect substitution for simple syrup in any number of cocktails like a daiquiri, margarita, or my favorite - a rum old fashioned. Or if you’d rather take it easy, you can mix it in some iced tea, top vanilla ice cream with it, or even mix 1oz. of syrup with 3oz. of seltzer for a nice little raspberry soda.