On its own Crown Royal pours a rich and golden amber with a rich and multifaceted nose that is dominated by smooth oak notes with hints of vanilla and sweet fruit. Crown Royal’s palate is perfectly represented by the first hits of the nose; it is smooth and easy to drink yet deep and flavorful with aapects of vanilla that end in an extremely satisfying and filling finish which stay on the tongue for a long time.

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Getting a new cocktail ready for a Super Bowl article for @factorytwofour with Crown Royal Whisky as a base and cherry juice. This is a good one. @crownroyal #whisky #cocktails #cocktail #superbowl #factorytwofour #crownroyal

A post shared by Nick (@truenortherncolorado) on Feb 3, 2018 at 3:37pm PST

The Royal Cherry is an easy cocktail to make that will surely satisfy even the most picky of your Super Bowl guests, so be sure to have a enough ingredients on hand since once they try it everyone will want one. Start by filling a cocktail glass with ice; add 1.5 ounces of Crown Royal, 3 ounces of pure cherry juice (NOT a sugar filled cocktail blend) and top with soda water, a splash of grenadine, and maraschino cherry garnish. The resulting cocktail is a well balanced yet extremely satisfying and multifaceted experience that can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of Super Bowl staples. The subtle sweetness, base of oaky whisky and ultimately refreshing nature of the Royal Cherry is reminiscent of its inspiration; the classic Old Fashioned, a truly great favorite.

Up your Super Bowl hosting game with the Royal Cherry cocktail that has the ultimately smooth Crown Royal Canadian Whisky beating at its heart; it will by loved by all those who try it.

The post Creating the Perfect Super Bowl Cocktail appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

 Brewed Awakenings

• 1 ½ parts Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila
• 1 ½ parts coffee liqueur
• ¼ part vanilla syrup *
• 1 part heavy cream

*To make vanilla syrup, mix together 1 part sugar, 1 part water and 1 part vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and cool before serving (approximately 1-2 minutes)

 Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a glass and serve

 Bitters Sweet Barrel

• 1 ½ parts Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila
• 1 part Campari® Liqueur
• ¼ part Sweet Vermouth
• 2 parts Seltzer
• Dash of orange bitters

Preparation: Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass. Serve in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with an orange peel or slice.

A special thanks to Hornitos for working with us and sharing these amazing recipes.

The post Tequila Cocktails for the Holidays appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

To make the best quality Negroni possible you always have to start with the original and unbeatable Campari Liqueur and add top shelf Gin and Vermouth. To make this pinnacle of elder cocktails I mixed 1 oz Campari, 1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Bianco, and 1 oz London Dry Gin in a cocktail shaker. Strain the cocktail into an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with a carefully cut twist of orange and strawberry halves.

Campari is the heart and soul of the Negroni with its delicate yet fully balanced fruit and herb palette that give the cocktail an unmistakable earthy and natural flavor that is unrivaled and unparalleled in the liqueur world. The London Dry Gin adds distinct juniper notes that refresh while the Cinzano Vermouth lends rooty and floral notes that really open up the whole flavor profile.

Up your classic cocktail game with this superb Negroni that will surprise and excite your guests. Plus, if you want to truly experience Campari be sure try it on its own over rocks or with a bit of soda water.

The post An Everlasting Classic – The Original Negroni appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

For the Atlanta Falcons, I had to concoct something that represented the inner ethos of a team that is the underdog by default and striving to defeat the looming colossus before them. They are feisty and hungry yet never cocky or overbearing like the Patriots; they have no superstars other than Julio Jones yet their line up of average yet driven players have been propelled by superb coaching and a ravenous fan base. At their core the Falcons are a long shot and a risky bet yet everyone seems to be rooting for the spunky and engaging little guy.

Just like the Falcon’s coaching strategy and their season as a whole this Grilled Grapefruit Paloma takes a bit of effort but you will be rewarded with a top-tier cocktail in the end. You will need: 2 parts Hornitos Plata Tequila, 1 part fresh lime juice, ¾ part ginger sage syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, grapefruit beer to top the drink plus Grapefruit Sage sprigs.

Combine equal parts sugar and water with 1 ginger slice and 4 sage sprigs and bring to a boil to create ginger sage syrup. Allow the mixture to cool, combine all ingredients except grapefruit beer in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice and top with grapefruit beer. Garnish with a grilled grapefruit slice.

For the Patriots I decided to not focus on the team as a whole for the inspiration of my cocktail but instead use the enigmatic leader Bill Belichick for the source of this creative endeavor. How do you create a crafted cocktail for a man who cuts off the sleeves of his hoodies AND wears it in front of a national audience? How do you fashion a custom creation after a leader who is not on “Instachat” or “Snapface”?

The answer is simple: A plain ole rum and coke. Belichick is a simple man with simple taste, yet he demands nothing short of excellence. Since Belichick accepts only the best of everything around him delivered in simple elegance I used the superb Cannon Beach Distillery Rum as the base of this simple yet brilliant cocktail. Cannon Beach Rum is amazing and if you want to try something a bit different make sure you give their un-aged and award winning White Rum a chance. If you are not near the distillery go to Crafted Life to get it delivered to your door.

For this Super Bowl game go for the unorthodox and create a custom cocktail for your favorite team, and if you need help serve up one of my hand crafted options.

The post Super Bowl Cocktails Representing Your Favorite Team appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Hornitos La Man-Za

• 1 part Hornitos Spiced Honey Tequila
• 1 part apple cider
• ½ part lemon juice
• 4 parts Mexican lager

Preparation: Combine all ingredients except Mexican lager in a shaker, shake vigorously, strain over fresh ice and add Mexican lager.

The La Man-Za is built atop a the perfectly crafted Hornito’s Spiced Honey Tequila that gives Hornito’s already superb tequila a slight honey sweet edge that creates a tremendously accessible sipping tequila. The apple cider lends slight notes of spiciness as well as natural sweetening while the Mexican Lager (I used Modelo) creates a refreshing finish that adds to the already easy drinking nature of this cocktail. Drinking the La Man-Za evokes images of cool summer afternoons wrapped in a sweater, this is one of the greatest drinks of fall.

901 New Fashioned

• 2 parts 901 Tequila
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 part maple syrup
• Blueberries for garnish

Preparation: Stir all ingredients over ice in rocks glasses. Garnish with skewered blueberries.

The New Fashioned is once again a new and invigorating take on an old classic that I have been experimenting with a lot over the weeks; the Old Fashioned. The 901 tequila that serves as a base gives the cocktail a strong and crisp agave base that is far different from its bourbon-based counterpart while the 100% maple syrup sweetens the New Fashioned perfectly without overpowering the drink. The Angostura bitters give it a hint of rooty-ness while the fresh blueberries make a welcome sweet garnish that are best enjoyed between sips. The 901 New Fashioned is an incredibly clever take on an old favorite of my that will satisfy anyone even on the coldest of autumn nights.  
Be sure to pick up one or both of these tequilas for a fantastic chilly night in with some of the best fall cocktails I have had to date.  

The post Fall Tequila Cocktails: Move Beyond the Basic appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

First I made The Resistance, a cocktail that takes cues from the prohibition greats of the ‘20s. For The Resistance fill a highball glass with ice and add 1 oz Campari, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, and one dash bitters, finish with about 4 oz oz Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA while agitating slightly and garnish with a orange slice. The resulting cocktail is zesty, refreshing, and extremely citrusy. The base of the Grapefruit IPA creates a refreshing citrus take on a hop-forward brew while the Campari lends a floral and root complexity to the palate that is calmed by the Sweet Vermouth. The garnish of the orange and addition of the bitters lend an extra citrusy edge that really opens up the complexities of the cocktail and make it quite refreshing and easy drinking.

After making and enjoying The Resistance I decided to go different direction and opted for a Gin based drink. To make the Liberty Highball I filled a shaker with ice and added 1 oz gin, a tsp of organic agave syrup and a splash of fresh lime juice, stirred vigorously and poured it into a ice filled highball glass that I topped with  Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA and garnished with a lime slice. The Liberty Highball is a slightly sweet cocktail that is perfectly balanced with citrus overtones, a malt base and a hop-forward palate that is wonderful for every sip. This drink is best enjoyed as a refreshing and calming nightcap on a warm summer night.  

Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA is a great entry into the fruit infused IPA world and using it as the base for creative cocktails brings all its unique and engaging facets to the forefront. Take a risk during these waning days of summer and create something special; the Resistance and Liberty Highball cocktails are great examples of the beer cocktail world and the perfect opportunity to try something new.

The post Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA: Your New Favorite Cocktail Base appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

To make the Raspberry Mule I poured 2 oz of Stoli Razberi in a copper cup filled with ice, splashed a bit of lime juice on top, and filled the rest of the glass (about 5 ounces) with ginger beer and a lime wedge garnish. The result is a refreshing Mule where the raspberry notes add a dimension flavor absent from the standard recipe making an indomitable late summer drink that is best enjoyed on the porch as the sun slowly sets over the horizon. My other favorite classic cocktail alteration is a great go-to low-calorie drink that is absurdly simple to make; a raspberry vodka tonic. I simply poured one part Stoli Razberi and two parts diet tonic water over an ice filled cocktail glass, garnishing with a lime wedge. This raspberry vodka tonic is wholly refreshing with the fruity and dynamic vodka being opened up by the bitter and floral notes of the tonic. This raspberry vodka tonic is a great post workout drink when you want to unwind and reward yourself after a hard day at the gym.  

If you are looking for a fresh take on tried and true vodka cocktails look no further than Stoli Razberi; it will transform old standbys into new favorites.  

The post Stoli Razberi: Transforming Old Classics into New Favorites appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.

I may not know much about the real history of Cinco de Mayo, but I do know a thing or two about what people will be drinking to celebrate this day. Shots of Tequila, Margaritas, and ice cold bottles of Corona Extra with a wedge of lime jammed down the neck of the bottle will be flowing freely across the country. While I enjoy these drinks as much as the next guy or gal, it’s always a good idea to break with tradition and try something new whenever possible.

As luck would have it, a new Cinco de Mayo inspired cocktail called the Cinco de Laphroaig landed in our inbox, and we are still enjoying it today. As the name clearly states, this cocktail is made with Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Here’s the recipe:

• 1.5 ounces Laphroaig 10 Year Old
• Mexican Coca Cola
• Lime Wedge

Method: Pour the Laphroaig 10 Year Old into a Collins glass with ice. Top with Mexican Coca Cola and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Since I didn’t have any of the standard issue 10 YO on hand, I decided to try this cocktail using the cask strength version of the 10YO Laphroaig which is bottled at 58.6% ABV vs. the standard issue’s bottling strength of 43%. Given the significantly higher ABV of the cask strength Laphroiag, I used just 1 ounce of the whisky in this drink instead of the 1.5 ounces that the recipe calls for. Now that you know what’s in this cocktail and how to make it (could it be any easier? I think not!), let’s find out how it tastes…

If you’ve had the cask strength Laphroaig 10 on its own, then you already know that this is an incredibly unique and intense dram of whisky. Fiery peat. Sea spray. Iodine. Lemon peel. And even a bit of sweetness. All that stuff and so much more is in this whisky. And if you’ve ever had a Mexican Coca Cola, then you know that it’s slightly different from the United States version thanks to the use of can sugar vs. the corn syrup that’s used in the US version of the soda.

While this combination of Islay whisky and Mexican soda sounded a bit odd when I first read about it, I have to admit that I really enjoyed how these ingredients tasted together. The peaty whisky helped to offset the sweetness of the Coca Cola, while the sweetness of the soda helped to tone down the strong maritime flavors of the Laphroaig. And then there’s the lime which brought all of the flavors together by adding a subtle tartness to the drink. This was one delightfully balanced cocktail!

Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to Cinco de Mayo, but if you’re looking for something other than the usual Tequila / Margarita / Corona, then the Cinco de Laphroaig is well worth trying.

The post Cocktail Review – Cinco de Laphroaig appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The first cocktail is The Boulevardier, a classic cocktail that dates back to the 1920’s. It’s essentially a Negroni variation that substitutes whisky for gin. For this recipe, instead of using equal parts Whisky / Campari / Vermouth, I went with the Serious Eats suggestion of upping the whisky and cutting back on the Campari and Vermouth.

The second cocktail is a variation on the classic Daiquiri. Instead of light rum, I used the Plantation Pineapple Rum Stiggins’ Fancy that Limpd and I reviewed a few months ago (the idea came from a comment that I read on Reddit). I also added an egg white because the idea of a frothy and creamy Daiquiri sounded way too good to pass up.

Since I’m very pleased with how these drinks turned out, I thought I’d share the recipes with you. If you happen to make them, please let us know how they turned out. Cheers!

The Boulevardier

• 1.5 ounces of Rye or Bourbon Whisky
• .75 ounces of Campari
• .75 ounces of Sweet Vermouth
• Orange Peel
• Preserved Cherry

Pour the Whisky, Campari, and Sweet Vermouth into a tall mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 20 seconds. Strain and pour into a chilled Martini glass, or serve over a large cube of ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with the orange peel and preserved cherry.

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Frothy Pineapple Rum Daiquiri

• 2 ounces of Plantation Pineapple Rum Stiggins’ Fancy
• .75 ounces of fresh squeezed lime juice
• .5 ounces of simple syrup
• .75 ounces of egg white

Pour all of the ingredients into an empty cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously without ice until the egg white gets super frothy (about 30 seconds). Add ice and shake gently for about 15 seconds to cool the drink. Strain and pour into a Martini glass, or serve over a large cube of ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

The post Two for Tuesday Cocktail Recipes appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

• 10 oz. Guinness Blonde American Lager
• 10 oz. Guinness Draught

In a 20 oz. pint glass, pour Guinness Blonde American Lager first. Using a pouring spoon or inverted teaspoon, pour Guinness Draught over the top of the spoon so it disperses evenly.

The dark stout will float on a layer above the lager beer. Fill the pint to the rim and enjoy.

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[nextpage title=”1″ ]Wilde Oscar

• 1 oz. Guinness Extra Stout
• 1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
• .5 oz. Rich Simple Syrup
• Dash of Botanical Bitters

Stir all ingredients in an ice filled mixing glass. Strain cocktail over a large ice cube. This cocktail is also delicious when made with the signature Guinness Draught. Garnish with a large orange peel and maraschino cherry.

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The post St Patrick’s Day Is Here: Drink Right appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

[nextpage title=”1″ ]Ginger Blitz

• 2 parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila
• ¾ part honey
• ¼ part allspice
• 1 part lemon
• 1 ½ parts ginger beer

Preparation: Mix together allspice and honey. Add all ingredients into a mixing glass, excluding ginger beer. Shake well for approximately 3 seconds. Add ginger beer and strain into a Collins glass. Add ice and a mint sprig for garnish.

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[nextpage title=”1″ ]Touchdown Spike

• ½ cup Hornitos® Plata Tequila
• 4 12-oz bottles lager
• ¼ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup DeKuyper® Triple Sec

Preparation: Fill pitcher with Orange Juice, DeKuyper® Triple Sec, and Hornitos® Plata. Slowly pour lager into a pitcher. Stir to mix. Fill pint glass halfway with ice and add the Signal Caller. Makes 4 – 6 servings.

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[nextpage title=”1″ ]Seattle Scramble

• 3 parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila
• 1 ½ parts lime juice
• 1 part agave nectar
• 3 pineapple chunks
• 5 sprigs of cilantro
• 2 thin Habanero pepper slices

Preparation: Muddle all ingredients together, add ice, shake well and strain into an old fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a Habanero slice.

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[nextpage title=”1″ ]Foxboro Sangrita

• 6 parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila
• 5 parts tomato juice
• 5 parts pineapple juice
• 1 part fresh-squeezed lime juice
• Teaspoon of hot sauce
• 1 pinch of salt
• 4 dashes of Mexican Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon crushed garlic

Preparation: Mix ingredients 2-8 well; chill in the fridge. Serve in a tall shot glass. For best flavor, make a day before serving. Serve your freshly-made Sangrita with a smooth shot of Hornitos® Plata Tequila. Sip alternately.

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The post Super Bowl Cocktails appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Tequila, an old friend to many, and common enemy to more, has long been segregated for shots, horrible margaritas, and cooking chicken. But we think it is time to give it all another thought, to bring this agave spirit to the next level for your next evening outside.  So we researched, mixed, tried, enjoyed, and tossed some unique, tequila based recipes, and ultimately fell in love the Santa Carla.

Developed by Jeffrey Morgenthaler, the  bar manager at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon, the drink was named after its rum-based cousin, the Santa Cruz.  A perfect drink for the hot afternoons and good food, the cocktail is perfect for early preparation in a pitcher, and made with the right portions, the lemon juice and simple syrup enhance the beautiful spicy tequila to a refreshing note. We recommend having thin lemon wheels and fresh cut sprigs of mint next to the pitcher for all to add to the drink as they poor for the added aromas.

• 2 oz silver tequila (We agree with Morgenthaler and recommend Corzo)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• .75 oz simple syrup
• 3 dashes Bittermens Hopped Grapefruit Bitters
• Splash of sparkling water

For the individual drink, build in a 14-ounce Collins glass filled with crushed ice.  If making for large groups, multiple the ingredients by the number of drinks needed and fill into a pitcher with no ice, letting the ingredients work together until poured. For an added level of flavor when making in large pitchers, try grilling up the lemons before squeezing.  The smokiness that comes from the fruits and char add a depth of flavor that we love.

The post A New Classic Tequila Cocktail: The Santa Carla appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.