Home Bar Archives - SC Beverage

It’s the start of April, and if you’re planning on having a summer party, and who isn’t…that can mean only one thing. That the days are longer and nights are hotter, and expect to be invited to parties, festivals, celebrations, dinners, and barbecues. The feeling of easy days ahead is contagious, but why limit yourself to only serving canned beers or boring cocktails? Why not switch it up with some fun and lively new favors? You’ll be a big hit when you introduce your guests to these 5 wine-inspired cocktails for spring.

Here’s a list of 5 great wine-inspired cocktails that everyone is sure to enjoy (and are easy to make) at your next big get-together.

SPRITZER

5 ounces white wine
2 ounces club soda
A lemon twist

Pour the wine and soda into a Collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist.

If you’re using dry white wine, you can substitute tonic water for club soda, or if you have lemonade. Let me introduce you to our next drink of the summer.

WHITE WINE COOLER

4 ounces dry white wine
2 ounces lemon-lime soda
1 lemon twist
1 orange slice.

Pour the wine and the soda into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist and the orange slice.
This drink is an amazing midday refresher. You’re not obligated to just a lemon-lime soda. You can switch it up with lemonade, sparkling water, or combine sparkling water with a fruit juice of your choice for that extra touch of personality.

RED WINE COOLER

4 ounces red wine
2 ounces ginger ale
2 ounces lemon-lime
1 lemon twist soda
1 orange slice

Pour the wine, lemon-lime soda, and ginger ale into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist and the orange slice.

Unlike the white wine cooler, this drink is more traditional in its combination of ingredients. You could try to substitute some of the mixers with ingredients we’ve already discussed, but really these combinations make for an amazing after dinner treat.

PORTUGUESE DAISY

2 ounces ruby port
1 ounce brandy
1 ounce lemon juice
½ teaspoon superfine sugar
½ teaspoon grenadine
1 lemon wedge

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the port, brandy, lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine. Shake well. Pour into an old-fashioned glass.
Garnish with the lemon wedge.

Port wine is a well known red wine from the Douro region of northern Portugal, named for the town of Oporto where it is aged and bottled. This cocktail is a fancy way to amplify an already sweet and bold flavor in the wine, surly to turn heads at you next event.

PORT WINE SANGREE

1 teaspoon superfine sugar
½ ounce brandy
1 lemon twist
2 teaspoons water
2 ounces tawny port
Crushed ice
2½ ounces club soda
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a highball glass, dissolve the sugar in the water and port. Almost fill the glass with crushed ice and add the club soda. Float the brandy on top.

Garnish with the lemon twist and a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon.
What can be said about a Sangria, a perfect blending of fruits and wine. Dessert in a wine glass. An easy cocktail to make in large amount for everyone to enjoy. That’s what we believe at SC Beverage.

Written By: Art Rubio

References

All drinks from “The Bartender’s Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks” and “Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar” by Gary Regan. Published by HarperCollins, 2005.

Nothing is more exciting than being able to bring the drinking experience home to your very own built-in bar. After you’ve spent some time and money installing the home bar of your dreams, how do you actually turn those fancy bottles of booze into cocktails that you and the whole gang can enjoy? We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 most useful beverage tools that you can use to enhance your home bar experience.

Our team at SC Beverage provides the very finest in-home beer systems, bringing a professional touch to your built-in bar. From power packs to beer pumps, and smaller drink-mixing tools, there are a number of things you might need to get started.

Take a look at some useful at-home beverage tools!

1. Measuring Cups

We’re starting with the very basics of beer mixing necessities. You may already have some decent measuring cups at home in your kitchen, but it might be worth investing in a new set just for your drink mixing needs.

2. Ice Cube Mold

Do you prefer your drinks on the rocks? A giant ice cube mold is perfect for having ready-made ice that you can plop into a cocktail glass. Most people prefer one giant ice cube instead of a bunch of little ones since it creates less of a sloshy mess. Molds are cheap, so you can choose whichever kind suits your fancy. This is among the easiest beverage tools at home you can invest in.

3. Bar Spoons

Bar spoons aren’t just any old spoons. Liquor.com defines a bar spoon as a necessary beverage tool for mixing your drinks. It’s very long, with a twisted handle, so you can easily swirl the liquid around without making a mess.

4. Shaking Glass

The only way to enjoy a purely mixed drink? Shake it up! Shaking glasses are quintessential for cocktail-making, and Boston shakers can really give your in-home bar a professional appearance. If anything, you’ll be sure to impress your friends!

5. Beer Faucets and Pumps

If you’re serious about your beers, you need a built-in beer system that can keep your draughts fresh and your taps fresher. Our custom beer systems are equipped with essential components of beer dispensing which include:

Power packs
Faucets
Pumps and regulators
Empty keg detector units
Modular bars
Coolers and refrigeration areas

Don’t try to build your own bar without this innovative system. You’ll never have to visit an outside bar again!

6. Juice Pressers

Those who prefer to get fancy with their beers and cocktails will likely want their drinks topped off with some citrus juice. While juicing lemons and limes is typically a messy experience, you can reduce the hassle with a hand press. That way you can squeeze citrus on the go without having to go through the whole peel and twist process.

7. Peeler

When you do have to peel your fruit for cocktails with a twist, a hand peeler will do the trick. Not only are they incredibly cheap, but they’re incredibly useful beverage tools too. Bartenders and chefs alike prefer cheap peelers because they can so easily take tiny amounts of skin off of the fruit of your choice.

8. Strainer

Mixologists often complain about fruit seeds and other chunks of solids getting into the cocktail glass. A bar strainer can help you make the perfect drink with nothing but liquids, just the way it should be.

9. Ice Maker

Ice molds and trays work just fine, but if you’re interested in taking your drink mixing skills to the next level, you’re going to want to invest in some ice-making equipment. Professional ice makers are the best way for you to control the shape and size of the cube you want. And thankfully, SC Beverage specializes in products just like this.

10. Wood Muddlers

Muddlers are essential for mashing, smashing, and mixing certain ingredients you might put in your drink. Metal muddlers get cold after working with ice for so long, and the last thing you want to do is numb your hands. That’s why we recommend wooden muddlers that do the job even better.

Get Your Personalized Bar Setup Today!

At SC Beverage, we specialize in all things drink production. Whether you’re interested in hosting a full beer tap in your home, or you want to set up a professional bar and mix the best cocktails you know of, we can supply you with the products and machines necessary to keep everything running smoothly. To learn more about how you can get started, contact us online or call us at (562) 463-8918 to speak with us.

Category: Home Bar

Shaking Up the Seasons: 5 Wine-Inspired Cocktails for Spring