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Redcliff Liqueur 

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By Michael Hepworth

There is a new liqueur on the block and looking to make a name for itself in the watering holes of America. Redcliff claims to be America’s “first premium liqueur”, and since it is predominately cola based, with a touch of vanilla and about 15 secret spices, that is not an unreasonable claim. Redcliff joins such other national treasures like Baileys Irish Cream (Ireland), Amaretto, Limoncello (Italy), Kahlua (Mexico) and Pimms (England) as the flagship liqueur of a country. It is 65 proof (32.5% Alc/Vol) and is particularly potent when served with equal parts of rum, bourbon, coffee liqueur, amaretto and flavored vodkas.  Coming in an attractive 750ml bottle (with other sizes to follow), that is shaped like an elliptically shaped cowboy saddlebag flask with petroglyph glass embossing with a southwestern style label by Colorado artist Stephen Reaves, Redcliff is the brainchild of former Seagram’s executive Franklin J.Arcella.

He is known in the liquor industry for the creation of Corazon Tequila, and for establishing a successful Davidoff luxury cigar operation. He spent just over two years perfecting the taste along with flavor chemist Dr. Win Adler, and the finished product combines 15 diverse ingredients with a pretty distinctive and highly complex aroma.  Redcliff is currently available in ten major markets at this time, but is expected to be distributed nationally in time for December 2006, a perfect time of year for this festive drink. Marketing plans not surprisingly have been drawn up to target college kids, the military, sports bars, country and western fans and the NASCAR crowd. 

The complex and rich tasting liqueur can be served straight, chilled or on the rocks, with any kind of juice, Red Bull or Club Soda, and with any combination/percentage you choose. I tried it with a Kiwi juice and ice in parts 5 to 1 for juice, and found it a refreshing combination with just the right kind of punch. Mixologists will love Redcliff, although individuals trying it for the first time should sip a small amount in a glass by itself to get familiar with the spices, and then move on to whatever combination of spirits/juices to add.  Signature cocktails are likely to become familiar names in the not too distant future starting with Double Red Slammer (w/ Red Bull), Jagged Cliff (w/ Jagermeister), Kona Cliff (w/ coffee liqueur), and Doctor Cliff (w/ cherry flavored schnapps). The Redcliff Martini comes with citrus vodka, and the Redcliff All American comes all the way with whiskey bourbon.

www.redcliffusa.com

By Michael Hepworth

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What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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