Liquor Cabinet

Could there be any better job than being a spirits’ judge? We lent our spirits knowledge as well as our palates to act as judges for the 25th anniversary of the Great International Beer, Cider, Mead & Sake Competition held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, in the Magnificent Room at The SoNo Collection in South Norwalk, Connecticut! Over the course of four hours, we, along with our fellow judges, tasted products in assigned categories in a blind tasting, with winners…

If you are looking for a delicious lower-alcohol choice, Thompson’s Cider Mill Hard Cider crafted in small batches from a proprietary blend of heirloom and antique apples at Thompson’s Cider Mill in Croton-on-Hudson, New York is a fabulous choice. Their award-winning ciders come in 9-flavors, in dry and semi-dry styles. Thompson’s Cider Mill Hard Cider Antique Apple Blend Semi-Dry, only has 7% alcohol by volume, is delicious to drink on its own and is also delicious in cocktails. In addition…

After taking a morning Thimble Island Cruise aboard the Sea Mist, we had worked up a thirst and decided to remedy that by making a visit to Stony Creek Brewery located in Branford, Connecticut. A craft brewery, their specialties include Crankys, New England India Pale Ales, Ales, Lagers, Stouts, and more to appeal to diverse styles and palate preferences. In addition to their diverse selection of beers they also have an exciting music scene with live music making it a…

Summer is on its way, when backyard parties and trips to the beach are the highlights of the season. For easy and delectable cocktails to enjoy anywhere you go, Fifth State Distillery based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, created the ultimate summer “ready to pour cocktail” with their newest creation, Fifth State Bee’s Knees made with gin, lemon, and honey. We enjoyed drinking this cocktail on its own as well as using it as a base to craft other custom cocktails and…

If an Espresso Martini is your go-to bar cocktail, you are in for a treat with Fifth State Distillery’s Master Distiller Rob Schulten’s latest creation, a ready-to-drink Fifth State Espresso Martini made with Rum. It’s as easy as pouring 3.5 ounces into a shaker, adding ice, then shake and pour into a chilled martini glass. The 375-ml size makes it perfect to take along with you wherever you go, to the beach, to an outdoor concert, or simply to drink…

Master Distiller Robert Schulten, owner of Fifth State Distillery located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was having fun in the distillery again and created another fabulous gin, Passion Gin, to add to their award-winning line of spirits. Awarded the 2022 and 2021 Connecticut Gin Distillery of the Year by the prestigious New York International Spirits Competition, Fifth State Distillery continues to deliver excellence in every bottle. For his latest Passion Gin, Rob distills passionfruit and having tried it found it to be…

Tequila lovers are in for a treat with the award-winning Tequila Código 1530 Rosa, as it is exceptionally smooth with layers of flavor nuances that make it equally enjoyable whether sipped neat, served over ice, used in cocktails, or to enhance culinary recipes. Made from 100% Blue Agave in Amatitán, Jalisco, México, this ultra-premium tequila has won a coveted space on our drinks table. We created three delectable cocktails and a culinary recipe that complement this outstanding product. We first…

Looking for interesting flavors to create inspired cocktails? We found Wild Moon Cucumber Liqueur created by Creatrix and Infusionary Lelaneia Dubay, owner of the woman-owned distillery Hartford Flavor Company based in Hartford, Connecticut to be a delectable and versatile ingredient. Wild Moon Cucumber Liqueur imparted layers of flavor to cocktail classics as well as to creative modern cocktails and was also delicious in our culinary creations. Who would think of making a cucumber liqueur? Lelaneia Dubay of course, and for…

SONO 1420 American Craft Distillers Vo Vodka is an ultra-premium vodka handmade in South Norwalk, Connecticut and is America’s first distillery to incorporate hemp seed in its mashbill. Founded in 2019, the double gold award winning distillery is earning kudos and followers due to their exceptional products handcrafted in small batches. Their Vo Vodka is a mixologist’s dream to work with as it is hand distilled from a blend of corn and cane and is sugar and gluten-free. It also…

  It was a perfect Saturday afternoon in Wallingford, Connecticut at the 2022 CT Craft Beer Fest held by the CT Brewers Guild at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre, learning about (and tasting) the diverse line of Connecticut Craft Beers. More than 60 craft breweries came from around the state and brought delectable samples of their artisanal products. Who knew the Connecticut Craft Beer Movement had so many tasty products?