besamim

Gregorian Grog

/ Dani DeLuna / 1 Comment

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Howdy, has anyone gone outside and had their eyelashes freeze yet? Been caught in a snow drift? Gotten a bloody nose from the dry-as-hell air? Fear not, for we have Tiki The Snow Away drinks to give you life here at  Home Bar Girl. FEAR NOT Y’ALL.

If you want to share a tropical drink during the month of January, use the hashtag #TikiTheSnowAway on Instagram and Twitter, or tag u/homebargirl on reddit.

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The inspiration for today’s drink is that totally fabulous, amazingly spiced, magical Sukkah Hill Spirits Besamim Liqueur. If you haven’t tried it or read my review, just know that it’s like if your grandma put all of her baking spices in a Liqueur. Hell yes to that. I wanted to put it in a Tiki drink cause Sugar Cane Spirit + Spices + Citrus = hot damn.

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Here are the ingredients: Besamim Liqueur, Batavia-Arrack van Oosten, Denizen Merchant’s Reserve (currently my fave Rum), Pineapple Juice, and Lime Juice. I wanted to put Besamim with the Arrack cause I knew that they’d make an unstoppable combo. I was right. I’ve added Merchant’s Reserve for depth, viscosity, and funk.

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Grab yer Tiki umbrellas, Pineapple chunks, and Luxardo Maraschino Cherries!

If you’re asking, “Grrrrrl, what’s with the name of this drink? Are monks going to come after me in the night and haunt me after I drink this?” POSSIBLY. I WON’T DENY THAT IT’S POSSIBLE! (Good luck with the hangover if you have too many.)

But seriously now, History! In the 16th century, English and Dutch sailors were trying to out-do each other in South East Asia. In the 17th century, they found a strange spirit called Arak/Rak/Arrack, distilled from sugar cane and fermented with red rice. They started making Punch with it and the predecessor to the “cocktail” was effectively born. I have named this drink in honor of the Gregorian period, the thrust of English Naval exploration.

Gregorian Grog

  • 1 1/2 oz Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur
  • 1 1/2 oz Batavia-Arrack van Oosten
  • 1/2 oz Denizen Merchant’s Reserve Rum
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • Garnish: Pineapple, Maraschino Cherry, Tiki umbrella

Combine ingredients over ice and short shake. Double strain into rocks glass or short Tiki mug and garnish.

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16th-21st Century cheers to all y’all! Happy Tiki The Snow Away to youuuuu.

 

 

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Sukkah Hill Spirits: Besamim Cocktail

/ Dani DeLuna / 6 Comments

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Today, I am really, really pumped to talk to y’all about Sukkah Hill Spirits Besamim Liqueur. I know that might sound like a mouthfull, and most of you may not have heard of them, but OOOOOOH MY GOODNESS. All y’all need to get these Liqueurs right now!

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Firstly, I would like to say, “WOW.” I haven’t had a new Liqueur that was this good in a LOOOOOONG time. Sukkah Hill Spirits were started by the Witkins, a couple who live in Los Angeles. They were making batches of Liqueurs for friends and family, when a store put in a request for their amazing product. Now they have a 5000 sq ft facility and the rest is history.

Both Besamim and Etrog (more on this Liqueur very soon) are made from pure cane sugar Spirit in small batches. They are gluten free, vegan, and Kosher for passover. What else would you expect from a Spirits company based in LA?

Besamim Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: SPICE EXPLOSION. Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove. Christmas spices.
  • Taste: Warm, elegant, sweetly spiced but not cloying. Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Allspice. ALL THE SPICES you could ever want. It’s like your grandmother’s secret spice recipe. Hell yes.
  • Finish: Excellent medium-body for a Liqueur. Wide, long, and pleasant finish. The viscosity is just right and not too overpowering.
  • Overall: I have and will be using Besamim in as many Cocktails as possible. It’s perfect for the holiday season, in a stirred drink, or in spiced Tiki drinks.

 

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For this introductory post, I decided to feature just one Cocktail recipe (though believe me, I’ve got several) because this one lets Besamim shine like the beautifully spiced magic that it is.

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Here are your cast of characters: Besamim, Hine H Cognac, Lustau Amontiallado Sherry, and a Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

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I wanted to make this cocktail in the style of a Manhattan because I think Besamim is worthy of such a drink.

Besamim Cocktail

  • 3/4 oz Sukkah Hill Besamim Liqueur
  • 1 3/4 oz Hine H Cognac
  • 1/2 oz Amontillado Sherry
  • Garnish: Luxardo Maraschino Cherry

Combine ingredients over ice and stirrrrrr. Strain into chilled coupe and garnish.

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Delicious. So delicious that I just drank one while writing this post. Now I want to curl up by a fire with a good book and feeeel the fabulousness.

Thanks to Sukkah Hill Spirits for sending the Besamim and Etrog. MORE SUKKAH HILL COCKTAILS COMING SOOOOOOOON.