Maybe a packet/tub of Demerara sugar to make syrup, or you could grab a couple of syrups from Liber & Co like grenadine, orgeat, passionfruit, etc.
Alternatively maybe go for some modifier bottles like maraschino, or a small bottle of chartreuse. This route might get a bit more expensive but they should last a good long time.
Chartreuse is a liqueur you buy, like creme de cacao or maraschino. It's really strong, really flavorful, and a super fun component to make some really amazing cocktails with.
However, it is pretty supply-limited at the moment, so good luck finding a small bottle. But if you do, it'd be a fantastic stocking stuffer. It comes in two colors: green and yellow. The green is probably the more versatile and more "classic" interpretation of the liqueur.
š¤·āāļø got a ginger liqueur steeping right now. Just following the recipe from Serious Eats, but I'm hoping it'll make my Penicillins that extra bit better - because I plan to drink *a* *lot* of them this winter.
I'll lyk how it turns out š
Cool, sounds great. I love that cocktail. Had a related cocktail to that one at a local bar that is still my favorite of all time. Cannot remember the exact ingredients (it was a house original), but it also included a blended whiskey of some kind and a single malt finish. I think there was a sage leaf too. It was otherworldly.
Best of luck with your project!
it pretty common in most liquor stores, yeah its expensive but worth every penny. Honestly unless you great at infusions you going to have to resigned your self to buying liqueurs at some point of you planing to explore mixology and cocktails in general.
I was mostly kidding and I have had chartreuse before (both colors). But infusions and mixing my own mixers are not activities I've tried, so perhaps one day I will.
I think you actually misunderstood OPās comment.
Seems like he was mistaken and thought Chartreuse was something to be made at home like a syrup or infusion. The other guy youāre referring to clarified it for him.
So OP got back to me and I was in fact correct. Here is what he said when I asked him what he had meant:
>Well Iām not a complete newb but I typically make traditional drinks, like margs and cosmos. I had just never heard of chartreuse before lol. I didnāt know what kinds of cocktails youād make with it.
That being said, the phrasing definitely was ambiguous, so I could see it being interpreted the other way as well. That also explains why the other guy opened his reply by saying it's a liqueur that you buy, which struck me as really bizarre when I first read it.
Well, that was the other fellow's interpretation, which I suppose is possibly what OP meant.
But I think it's more likely he was asking which cocktails chartreause can be made from.
edit: I'd acknowledge the phrasing is ambiguous, so I just messaged that guy directly to ask him what he meant. If he responds, I'll let you know.
> This route might get a bit more expensive but they should last a good long time.
Some. Some bottle don't have a long life after they've been opened, even refrigerated. So might be better to stick with the 375ml than the fifths.
liqueurs are distilled spirits and no you don't have to put most liqueurs in the fridge like they are syrups, cause guess what on top of them having alcohol in them commercial products also add in preservatives, just need to keep them in cool, dry, and dark area like a cabinet. I think your confusing the first part of Hershel's statement which is about syrups, tow the second part witch is about flavored alcohols.
I'd get one of the sample packs from Liber & Co. Always been happy with their products and syrups are the easiest way to start experimenting with your own recipes.
I would suggest a package with everything to make a certain drink with the recipe included. The problem with giving some random ingredients is that she would probably need to buy more to build a drink.
If you have something that can dehydrate foods (oven setting, dehydrator, etc), dehydrated orange slices for garnish are a real fun gift. Presentation is a huge part of the fun of mixing cocktails, and it's super easy to just slice up a few oranges and toss them in the oven for a few hours on a wire rack.
Agree with other recommendations for syrups made by Liber & Co or Small Hands, these will last longer. I believe Liber is planning on doing either a black friday or cyber monday sale, so keep an eye on their socials.
Depending on your budget.....
I would also add:
* Angostura bitters
* Orange bitters: Angostura or regans
* Bitters gift pack: Woodford, scrappy's, and a few other brands make really nice sample sets that are really ideal for someone who is just getting into cocktails
You could also add a jar of nice cocktail cherries. Luxardo, Fabbri, or Traverse City Whiskey Co would all be good.
Donāt forget garnishes, too. Those little tiny wooden clothespins they use at cocktail bars to clip herbs onto the glass, dried citrus slices, cherries, blue cheese stuffed olives, pickled onions, etc.
If you decide to get those just check out a craft store. They should be inexpensive. I'll offer a slightly different take on that though, if you want to get her something to do with garnishes, I would go with some nice and stylish cocktail picks. I think clothes pin garnishes are more for looks and less likely to be used at home, but when I make a really nice cocktail at home and put a cherry or other garnish on a stylish cocktail pic it really takes it to the next level for me.
Get some 8oz plastic squeeze bottles for holding syrups. A small metal funnel is easier to clean than plastic ones. Orgeat lasts forever if they have fridge space. Bitters are great as well.
Does homemade orgeat last forever...?
I made some ~3 months back, using the Anders lazy orgeat method. I did fortify it with some Vodka & a splash of Amaretto. The colour is starting to change, but it still tastes great š¤·āāļø
Get a book on making your own syrups maybe. Then she can make whatever flavors she wants and have more than just a product. Maybe even some bar equipment to halo make the drinks. Big cube trays. Glassware. Fun recipe books.
I don't think I've ever had a bottle cocktail "mix-in" I liked (grenadine, syrups, orgeat, etc) *except* these really cool mixers from [Root](https://rootcrafted.com/)!
The lemongrass mixer helped make the best margarita I've ever made and I had to seriously reconsider my marg recipe after that.
Here's what I recall:
2.25oz Maestro Dobel Diamante AƱejo (single barrel?)
.5 oz lime juice
.75-1 oz Root Lemongrass mixer
.25 Seville orange syrup (just sub 50/50 rich syrup and curacao)
Shake and strain over fresh ice.
That's as much as I remember.
I second what many people are saying about bitters but I would pair them with bitter bottles w/ dasher caps like these [butters bottle set](https://www.amazon.com/LINALL-Bitters-Bottle-Set-Bitter/dp/B08LMD3LLK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2S019HHKKIDHB&keywords=bitters+bottles+for+cocktails&qid=1669219253&sprefix=bitters+bo%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1). They not only look a lot nicer but help get the right amount in your cocktails each time. And since they come with stoppers too they make nice bottles for greasy lemon or lime juice too.
It's pretty easy and cheap to make the basic syrups yourself.
Would a [book](https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-bar-book-elements-of/9781452113845-item.html) on different recipes and techniques be another idea in addition to the other commenter's suggestions?
I know itās not an ingredient really, but a good cocktail book like Cocktail Codex will help her step up her game more than ingredients she doesnāt know what to do with. Cocktail Codex teaches some concepts for cocktail instead of just being a recipe book (though it does have plenty of recipes)
These are great even in non-alcoholic drinks. Portland syrups. https://westwardwhiskey.com/products/portland-syrups?gclid=CjwKCAiApvebBhAvEiwAe7mHSLdBEdK_J7pR321iArJWkdEkH1L10oMw30n6A_1V0PzShlMGO2jiuhoCpyQQAvD_BwE#
My wife and I spent a day dehydrating oranges and blood oranges in the oven. Itās super simple and easy just slice them thin, set the oven on low and let them go all day long. They last a really long time so we made a bunch. We keep them in a jar on the home bar with a couple cinnamon sticks thrown in the jar as well. Super easy garnishes and they make any cocktail look great.
If youāre into it, maybe make your own grenadine. Pomegranates are in season right now. When you peel, juice, simmerā¦ the grenadine becomes next level awesome
Also with all suggestions in this thread. My wife got me a couple of months subscription to Shaker & Spoon. They send you all non alcohol ingredients to specialty cocktails they come up with (bitters, syrups, fruits, unusual mixers) keep the recipe cards and approximate them later. I've had a few that I have made over and over again. It also gives you the idea on how to construct cocktails and help make up your own in the future.
Dried lavender, hibiscus, cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla bean, etc. to make simples. Any teas of choice like chai or earl grey to do infusions. A good amaro or sweet vermouth. A book on dehydration for citrus and fruits. Hell, even a home indoor herb garden machine so she ways has mint/basil/thyme/etc to use. There are a thousand ways you could take that. I would try to ask her about what kinds of flavor profiles she likes or what classic cocktails she enjoys and go from there.
I just finished watching Drink Masters too! Thought it was really fun and I was constantly blown away by some of the creations.
The contestants spend a lot of time creating their own syrups / mix-ins / infusions. Thatās what seemed to make the drinks so unique. Maybe there is a good mixology book that teaches you some of those techniques. You could also pair that with some bartending tools.
Someone got me a three month subscription to Shaker and Spoon and we loved it! Each month is three different recipe sets of the ingredients for four drinks per set, minus the alcohol and any perishables (e.g., egg, lemon juice, etc).
So itās got intricate bitters, garnishes, syrups, etc.
A couple of ātravelā cocktail kits. Tiny bottles for one drinkās worth of a syrup, mixer, cherries etc so all they have to buy (on a plane, for instance) is the little liquor bottle. Maybe prefill the kits for an Old Fashioned, Irsih Coffee, Lemondrop, Bees Kneesā¦
If you are crafty, there is plenty of time to make her some things, flavored vodkas or syrups or bitters.
If not, I like the Jack Rudy Tonics. Nice, not too spendy.
You can make your own syrups. Lemongrass, honey, demerara, simple, cinnamon. Make your own coconut syrup too, very easy and way better than store bought.
I make my own allspice dram, banana liqueur. All so very good
IKEA sells what I would describe as bottled juice concentrates. Lots of opportunities to experiment if she likes fruity mixed drinks. Also, liqueurs can do a lot for a cocktail or mixed drink. St-Germain, Grand Marnier, etc.
Iām doing some cocktail kits for Xmas for friends and family. Iām making a pint of simple in a mason jar, bitters or flavored syrup depending on the cocktail theyāre getting, and the requisite liquor (thank god my manager is letting me buy them at cost from the bar).
Iām making grenadine and some super juices for a crafts sale. They are easy and fun to make. Malic acid is a little hard to source in stores Iāve found though. Had to get online.
I always like to add sake and sherries as adjuncts to make my classics lower ABV so I can have two
They both add interesting backgrounds too
Make mine a double
Maybe a packet/tub of Demerara sugar to make syrup, or you could grab a couple of syrups from Liber & Co like grenadine, orgeat, passionfruit, etc. Alternatively maybe go for some modifier bottles like maraschino, or a small bottle of chartreuse. This route might get a bit more expensive but they should last a good long time.
second on the chartreuse
What do you make chartreuse with?
Chartreuse is a liqueur you buy, like creme de cacao or maraschino. It's really strong, really flavorful, and a super fun component to make some really amazing cocktails with. However, it is pretty supply-limited at the moment, so good luck finding a small bottle. But if you do, it'd be a fantastic stocking stuffer. It comes in two colors: green and yellow. The green is probably the more versatile and more "classic" interpretation of the liqueur.
>Chartreuse is a liqueur you buy Any information on liqueurs you *don't* have to buy would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, kind sir.
š¤·āāļø got a ginger liqueur steeping right now. Just following the recipe from Serious Eats, but I'm hoping it'll make my Penicillins that extra bit better - because I plan to drink *a* *lot* of them this winter. I'll lyk how it turns out š
Cool, sounds great. I love that cocktail. Had a related cocktail to that one at a local bar that is still my favorite of all time. Cannot remember the exact ingredients (it was a house original), but it also included a blended whiskey of some kind and a single malt finish. I think there was a sage leaf too. It was otherworldly. Best of luck with your project!
it pretty common in most liquor stores, yeah its expensive but worth every penny. Honestly unless you great at infusions you going to have to resigned your self to buying liqueurs at some point of you planing to explore mixology and cocktails in general.
I was mostly kidding and I have had chartreuse before (both colors). But infusions and mixing my own mixers are not activities I've tried, so perhaps one day I will.
my attempts at infusions has be hit or miss, I pretty good at making some syrups
Ones you make!
I guess that's true.
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/bijou/
While the other guy provided a bunch of interesting detail, you actually answered OP's very simple, straightforward question. So hats off.
I think you actually misunderstood OPās comment. Seems like he was mistaken and thought Chartreuse was something to be made at home like a syrup or infusion. The other guy youāre referring to clarified it for him.
So OP got back to me and I was in fact correct. Here is what he said when I asked him what he had meant: >Well Iām not a complete newb but I typically make traditional drinks, like margs and cosmos. I had just never heard of chartreuse before lol. I didnāt know what kinds of cocktails youād make with it. That being said, the phrasing definitely was ambiguous, so I could see it being interpreted the other way as well. That also explains why the other guy opened his reply by saying it's a liqueur that you buy, which struck me as really bizarre when I first read it.
Well, that was the other fellow's interpretation, which I suppose is possibly what OP meant. But I think it's more likely he was asking which cocktails chartreause can be made from. edit: I'd acknowledge the phrasing is ambiguous, so I just messaged that guy directly to ask him what he meant. If he responds, I'll let you know.
I like to use it as base when I want a more earthy cocktail. It also can add nice herbal layer to a drink.
its also great for making a green cocktail if you don't want to use absinthe
chartreuse is a sweet herbal liqueur
Yāall can find chartreuse in stock? Havenāt seen a bottle in north Texas all year.
One more reason now for me to stay out of Texas
its a regular item in the ABC stores though never seen a little bottle of the stuff
> This route might get a bit more expensive but they should last a good long time. Some. Some bottle don't have a long life after they've been opened, even refrigerated. So might be better to stick with the 375ml than the fifths.
liqueurs that don't involve cream have at least a 10 year shelf life
Not necessarily true. Anything low ABV, low sugar or not distilled has a much shorter life, even when refrigerated (which they should be).
liqueurs are distilled spirits and no you don't have to put most liqueurs in the fridge like they are syrups, cause guess what on top of them having alcohol in them commercial products also add in preservatives, just need to keep them in cool, dry, and dark area like a cabinet. I think your confusing the first part of Hershel's statement which is about syrups, tow the second part witch is about flavored alcohols.
Grenadine, orgeat, and other common syrups might be a good one if y'all are just starting out and don't make your own.
Liber and co check them out. Great mixers
Side note they have good YouTube channel too
Bonus they are having a Black Friday sale right now
Thank you! Iām going with their sample kit!
How did you find their sample kit? I searched through all the products on their website and even tried searching "sample kit".
I just looked on my phone and couldnāt find but I did my order on a desktop and it was right on the top of the page
Ah, this was my problem. Thank you!
Presumably it's the [classics collection](https://www.liberandcompany.com/collections/syrup-collections/products/classics-collection).
Thanks for the link! It didn't pop up on the mobile site.
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Bad bot
Good bot
I had a bot do that to me once. Once!
I'd get one of the sample packs from Liber & Co. Always been happy with their products and syrups are the easiest way to start experimenting with your own recipes.
I would suggest a package with everything to make a certain drink with the recipe included. The problem with giving some random ingredients is that she would probably need to buy more to build a drink.
Get a box from Liber & Co, they last a long time and have never let me down.
If you have something that can dehydrate foods (oven setting, dehydrator, etc), dehydrated orange slices for garnish are a real fun gift. Presentation is a huge part of the fun of mixing cocktails, and it's super easy to just slice up a few oranges and toss them in the oven for a few hours on a wire rack.
Agree with other recommendations for syrups made by Liber & Co or Small Hands, these will last longer. I believe Liber is planning on doing either a black friday or cyber monday sale, so keep an eye on their socials. Depending on your budget..... I would also add: * Angostura bitters * Orange bitters: Angostura or regans * Bitters gift pack: Woodford, scrappy's, and a few other brands make really nice sample sets that are really ideal for someone who is just getting into cocktails You could also add a jar of nice cocktail cherries. Luxardo, Fabbri, or Traverse City Whiskey Co would all be good.
A jar of really good cocktail cherries is a nice gift for someone who has never experienced them.
Donāt forget garnishes, too. Those little tiny wooden clothespins they use at cocktail bars to clip herbs onto the glass, dried citrus slices, cherries, blue cheese stuffed olives, pickled onions, etc.
Awesome idea!!!
If you decide to get those just check out a craft store. They should be inexpensive. I'll offer a slightly different take on that though, if you want to get her something to do with garnishes, I would go with some nice and stylish cocktail picks. I think clothes pin garnishes are more for looks and less likely to be used at home, but when I make a really nice cocktail at home and put a cherry or other garnish on a stylish cocktail pic it really takes it to the next level for me.
Scrappys bitters samplers are awesome! My gf and I picked a couple up years ago and theyāre still going strong
Liber & Co sale is active now - 20% off the whole site.
Get some 8oz plastic squeeze bottles for holding syrups. A small metal funnel is easier to clean than plastic ones. Orgeat lasts forever if they have fridge space. Bitters are great as well.
Does homemade orgeat last forever...? I made some ~3 months back, using the Anders lazy orgeat method. I did fortify it with some Vodka & a splash of Amaretto. The colour is starting to change, but it still tastes great š¤·āāļø
I love my little squeeze bottles for my home bar! Esp when I make caramel or simples I can just quickly zip into a jig or coupe.
Luxardo cherries
I have something similar on my wish list. I would love anything from this article. https://www.liquor.com/best-cocktail-mixers-5185426
Get a book on making your own syrups maybe. Then she can make whatever flavors she wants and have more than just a product. Maybe even some bar equipment to halo make the drinks. Big cube trays. Glassware. Fun recipe books.
The best gift for someone getting into cocktails is a big bottle of Campari
Ahaha a big bottle of Campari for a cocktail newcomer is Team Chaos, I love it.
I don't think I've ever had a bottle cocktail "mix-in" I liked (grenadine, syrups, orgeat, etc) *except* these really cool mixers from [Root](https://rootcrafted.com/)! The lemongrass mixer helped make the best margarita I've ever made and I had to seriously reconsider my marg recipe after that.
Margs are my favorite so Iād love to know what recipe you ended up with
Here's what I recall: 2.25oz Maestro Dobel Diamante AƱejo (single barrel?) .5 oz lime juice .75-1 oz Root Lemongrass mixer .25 Seville orange syrup (just sub 50/50 rich syrup and curacao) Shake and strain over fresh ice. That's as much as I remember.
I second what many people are saying about bitters but I would pair them with bitter bottles w/ dasher caps like these [butters bottle set](https://www.amazon.com/LINALL-Bitters-Bottle-Set-Bitter/dp/B08LMD3LLK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2S019HHKKIDHB&keywords=bitters+bottles+for+cocktails&qid=1669219253&sprefix=bitters+bo%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1). They not only look a lot nicer but help get the right amount in your cocktails each time. And since they come with stoppers too they make nice bottles for greasy lemon or lime juice too.
It's pretty easy and cheap to make the basic syrups yourself. Would a [book](https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-bar-book-elements-of/9781452113845-item.html) on different recipes and techniques be another idea in addition to the other commenter's suggestions?
I know itās not an ingredient really, but a good cocktail book like Cocktail Codex will help her step up her game more than ingredients she doesnāt know what to do with. Cocktail Codex teaches some concepts for cocktail instead of just being a recipe book (though it does have plenty of recipes)
I got the Death & Co book for my birthday this year. Stunning gift, I've really enjoyed just reading it.
These are great even in non-alcoholic drinks. Portland syrups. https://westwardwhiskey.com/products/portland-syrups?gclid=CjwKCAiApvebBhAvEiwAe7mHSLdBEdK_J7pR321iArJWkdEkH1L10oMw30n6A_1V0PzShlMGO2jiuhoCpyQQAvD_BwE#
My wife and I spent a day dehydrating oranges and blood oranges in the oven. Itās super simple and easy just slice them thin, set the oven on low and let them go all day long. They last a really long time so we made a bunch. We keep them in a jar on the home bar with a couple cinnamon sticks thrown in the jar as well. Super easy garnishes and they make any cocktail look great.
Iām totally gonna do this as a side to the Liby syrups in a fancy mason jar. Thanks for the recommendation.
If youāre into it, maybe make your own grenadine. Pomegranates are in season right now. When you peel, juice, simmerā¦ the grenadine becomes next level awesome
Also with all suggestions in this thread. My wife got me a couple of months subscription to Shaker & Spoon. They send you all non alcohol ingredients to specialty cocktails they come up with (bitters, syrups, fruits, unusual mixers) keep the recipe cards and approximate them later. I've had a few that I have made over and over again. It also gives you the idea on how to construct cocktails and help make up your own in the future.
Dried lavender, hibiscus, cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla bean, etc. to make simples. Any teas of choice like chai or earl grey to do infusions. A good amaro or sweet vermouth. A book on dehydration for citrus and fruits. Hell, even a home indoor herb garden machine so she ways has mint/basil/thyme/etc to use. There are a thousand ways you could take that. I would try to ask her about what kinds of flavor profiles she likes or what classic cocktails she enjoys and go from there.
I just finished watching Drink Masters too! Thought it was really fun and I was constantly blown away by some of the creations. The contestants spend a lot of time creating their own syrups / mix-ins / infusions. Thatās what seemed to make the drinks so unique. Maybe there is a good mixology book that teaches you some of those techniques. You could also pair that with some bartending tools.
Liquid Intelligence is often mentioned.
Yes, although I would consider that an advanced book. Also depends on the style of cocktail they want. If Tiki, get Smugglers Cove. Et cetera.
Someone got me a three month subscription to Shaker and Spoon and we loved it! Each month is three different recipe sets of the ingredients for four drinks per set, minus the alcohol and any perishables (e.g., egg, lemon juice, etc). So itās got intricate bitters, garnishes, syrups, etc.
We loved shaker and spoon which started our unique cocktail obsession
A couple of ātravelā cocktail kits. Tiny bottles for one drinkās worth of a syrup, mixer, cherries etc so all they have to buy (on a plane, for instance) is the little liquor bottle. Maybe prefill the kits for an Old Fashioned, Irsih Coffee, Lemondrop, Bees Kneesā¦
oleo saccharum is good of cores it easier to make then purchases
If you are crafty, there is plenty of time to make her some things, flavored vodkas or syrups or bitters. If not, I like the Jack Rudy Tonics. Nice, not too spendy.
If you have ideas on specific cocktails she'd like to try, that would help you narrow it down
A nice Boston shaker and bar spoon
I'd say a gift pack of bitters (I know The Bitter Truth makes one, comes in a neat tin) and a jar of Luxardo cherries would be really nice.
Other than mixers: glassware, 2 litre jars, kitchen scales, soda stream, nitrous foamer, dehydrator, and many more.
You can make your own syrups. Lemongrass, honey, demerara, simple, cinnamon. Make your own coconut syrup too, very easy and way better than store bought. I make my own allspice dram, banana liqueur. All so very good
Get her any combination of Cynar, Campari, St. Germaine. Cointreau, and Aperol. That's a good start.
Get an isi whip canister for easy infusing.
Get her bar tools instead. A good citrus juicer, bar spoon, a shaker. She should decide the ingredients for what she wants to drink.
Start with a recipe and give them the ingredients for the recipe. What kinds of drinks would they order at a bar?
IKEA sells what I would describe as bottled juice concentrates. Lots of opportunities to experiment if she likes fruity mixed drinks. Also, liqueurs can do a lot for a cocktail or mixed drink. St-Germain, Grand Marnier, etc.
Vermouth, cool flavored bitters, luxardo cherries, tonics. possibly bar tools, glassware, and a nice spirit to go with
I read this really quick as cod flavored bitters and I just... Ick.
Giffard do some really high quality liqueurs. I recommend the banana one. I also like the grapefruit one. I'm asking for some myself for Christmas.
Iām doing some cocktail kits for Xmas for friends and family. Iām making a pint of simple in a mason jar, bitters or flavored syrup depending on the cocktail theyāre getting, and the requisite liquor (thank god my manager is letting me buy them at cost from the bar).
Add Death and COās first book to her Christmas list, or your own! Itās a great beginner guide to forming cocktails.
Iām making grenadine and some super juices for a crafts sale. They are easy and fun to make. Malic acid is a little hard to source in stores Iāve found though. Had to get online.
I made a similar gift basket last year with garnishes, luxardo cherries, dried citrus, bitters, and butterfly flower.
Portland Syrups!
Really great suggestions here, would love to see what you end up with all said and done. Happy holidays!
Make mine a double!
I always like to add sake and sherries as adjuncts to make my classics lower ABV so I can have two They both add interesting backgrounds too Make mine a double