Fourth of July Specials

The Fourth of July (aka Independence Day) is a holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 and the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain. To celebrate such an important day in our nation’s history we grill meat, drink beer, and blow stuff up!

July 4th - Beer and Fireworks

But what if you are not into all three of those things (i.e. do not like beer)? We have you covered with a variety of wine and liquor specials for the Fourth of July that will satisfy any palette and help you choke down Uncle Bill’s overcooked burgers.

Sokol Blosser – Estate Rose of Pinot Noir 2014

Sokol Blosser - Estate of Rose

Rosé of Pinot Noir exhibits flavors of strawberry, cream and ripe fruit on the
palate.

Suggested Pairings: Fresh seasonal fruit, wild salmon, seared Ahi tuna salad or crab ceviche.
Regularly: $21.99. Sale: $11.99

Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay 2014

Coppola Chardonnay 2014

Awarded ‘Best of Class’ in 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Bright and balanced, highlighted by juicy apple, cantaloupe, and pear flavors enveloped in a crème brûlée finish.
Regularly $16.99. Sale: $12.99

Blackstone Winemaker’s Select, Multi-Varietal

blackstone-merlot-btl

Widely known for their merlot, Blackstone winery aims to “craft wines that complement food and any occasion in which you celebrate the things in life you can count on.” Try their merlot, cabernet sauvignon, or zinfandel at a third of the cost.
Regularly $15.99. Sale $10.99.

Chateau Haut-Pingat French Bordeaux 2014

Chateau Haut-Pingat Bordeaux 2014

Round, firm, and good tannins – good wine to have with grilled meats.
Regularly $16.99. Sale $10.99.

Indaba Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay

Indaba-Chenin-Blanc-and-Sauvignon-Blanc

Stylistically fresh, juicy and approachable, these wines are food friendly and offer a bottling for every palate. Consistently garnering “Best Value” and “Best Buy” accolades, Indaba Wines present character and structure well beyond its price. Read about Indaba’s varietal here.
Regularly $12.99. Sale $17.50/2

Mapreco White Vinho Verde

Mapreco Vinho Verde

From Winemag.com: “A sweet Vinho Verde, it has character as well as freshness. Apples and crisp acidity combine to give a bright, breezy wine that should be drunk this summer.”

This is the perfect wine for those who want something they can sip on throughout the day due to the lower alcohol content (but still, enjoy responsibly).
Everyday low price: $8.99

Rough Rider Bull Moose Rye Whiskey

Named after former president and Long Island native, Teddy Roosevelt, and the United States First Volunteer Cavalry whom the president organized himself. Crisp with a fruity sweetness on the nose followed by spice, caramel, vanilla and blackberry on the palate with a long, warm, toasty, velvety finish. Use in Teddy’s Old Fashioned.
Everyday low price: $40.99

Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

Basil Hayden's

Singular small batch bourbon whiskey that with rich hints of peppermint, notes of pepper, slight citrus overtones, and a spicy, warming finish.
Regularly $49.99. Sale $44.99.



 

Fourth of July Cocktail: Teddy’s Old Fashioned

Rough Rider Bull Moose Rye Whiskey

Rough Rider Bull Moose Rye Whiskey is named after former president and Long Island native, Teddy Roosevelt, and the United States First Volunteer Cavalry whom the president organized himself. This diverse group of men were made up of cowboys, Indian fighters, outlaws, Eastern aristocrats, and Ivy League athletes – although very different, they all shared a common purpose: the pursuit of adventure, independence, and excellence.

What better way to celebrate our independence than with cocktail named after our 26th president and a rye whiskey named after the group he served with.

Teddy’s Old Fashioned

2 oz. Rough Rider Bull Moose Rye
1/2 oz. Pure Cane Syrup
Few dashes of Bitters

Shake or stir with ice; pour over ice with a barista stick and orange wheel garnish.

Pair with Blackened Swordfish.

Recipe & pairing from The Wine Group

 

Winter Warmer – Boozy Hot Chocolate

Here at the Grape Vine Liquor Store we love the traditional winter beverages like the Hot Toddy or Mulled Cider. But sometimes we like to try something a little different or put a spin on an old favorite: hot chocolate. Here is a fun recipe we found on seriouseats.com that is the perfect end to a great meal or a nice reward after shoveling the driveway.

Guinness, Whiskey, and Baileys Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) bottle Guinness
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
pinch kosher salt
3 cups whole milk
4 ounces milk chocolate chips
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips
4 ounces Bailey’s
4 ounces Irish whiskey

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, cook Guinness over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
  2. In medium saucepan, stir cocoa with sugar and salt. Stir in milk, milk chocolate, and bittersweet chocolate. Heat over medium heat until, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is hot. Gently whisk to completely homogenize mixture.
  3. Add Bailey’s followed by reduced Guinness and whiskey. Using a hand blender, milk frother, or whisk, whisk until frothy, pour into individual serving cups, and serve immediately.

Please visit seriouseats.com for the original post and recipe.

Red Nose Punch – Thanksgiving Drinks

Don’t just serve wine and beer at your Thanksgiving dinner – give them something good to help choke down your Aunt’s dry stuffing. Here is a holiday punch you can beforehand to compliment your Thanksgiving Drinks.

Red Nose Punch

Ingredients

28 oz. cranberry juice
2 cups fresh cranberries
8 oz. bourbon
4 oz. fresh lime juice
3 oz. cinnamon-infused simple syrup
4 (12-oz.) bottles lager beer
3 limes, sliced

  1. Place cranberries in a bundt pan and pour over 4 cups hot water; freeze until set (the hot water will freeze clear), about 2 hours.
  2. Combine juices, bourbon, and syrup in a large punch bowl; stir to combine. Unmold frozen ice ring and float in punch; top with beer and sliced limes.

Find original recipe at Saveur.com

Dark n’ Stormy

Dark n’ Stormy’s are a New England standard around the beach and on the islands. But you don’t need to on a boat to enjoy this summer favorite and you only need two ingredients sold by The Grape Vine – Boxborough!

Dark n’ Stormy

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 ounces Goslings Rum
  • Ginger Beer
  • Ice

Steps:

  1. Fill glass up with ice
  2. Add Goslings Rum
  3. Fill glass with ginger beer
  4. Enjoy!
Image from tastespotting.com

Image from tastespotting.com

Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas

Spicy Jalapeno Margarita with Tanteo Tequila

Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila

 

Are you getting bored with the same old margarita? Try a spicy jalapeno margarita with Tanteo’s Jalapeño tequila! Use the following recipe by Tanteo:

  • 2 oz. | Tanteo® Jalapeño Tequila
  • 1 oz. | Fresh Lime Juice
  • 3/4 oz. | Agave Nectar (or simple syrup)
  • Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice
  • Shake well and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass (salted rim optional)
  • Garnish with a lime wedge

Holiday Rum Punch

Does the weather outside look frightful? Or maybe you are having the in-laws over and need something to take the edge off? Here is a rum punch recipe from Esquire.com that will help you enjoy (or tolerate) the holiday season!

Ingredients

  • 6 orange(s)
  • clove(s)
  • 1 bottle rum
  • 1/2 cup superfine sugar
  • 1/2 gallon sweet apple cider

Instructions

Stud oranges with cloves and bake until they soften. Place them in a punch bowl and add rum and sugar. Set fire to the rum (Jamaican rum is recommended) and in a few minutes begin slowly adding cider, thus extinguishing the flames. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg, and keep the mixture hot.

Recipe from Esquire.com

Tasty Thanksgiving Drinks for the Holiday!

The Grape Vine has great deals on fine wine, beer, and spirits. Here are some tasty Thanksgiving Drinks for your big meal or for your leftovers!

Before

Monaco Friar – Credit foodandwine.com

Monico Friar

  • Ice
  • 2 ounces Scotch
  • 1/2 ounce Bénédictine (brandy-based herbal liqueur)
    Note: Yellow Chartreuse or Drambuie could be used in its place
  • 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • 1 lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: Fill a chilled rocks glass with ice. Add the Scotch, Bénédictine and bitters; stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist.

Find this cocktail recipe and more at FoodandWine.com!

During

Wine

Red: Pinot Nior
Grape Vine Recommends: 24 Knots Pinot Nior

White: Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
Grape Vine Recommends:
Chardonnay: Starmont; Sauvignon Blanc: Groth or Jordan

Beer

Saranac Winter Sampler (On Sale!)

Afterwards

Scotch: Macallen 12 Year Old Single Malt

Port: Fonseca Bin 28 Port

Pumpkin Old Fashioned

Photo by Leigh Jay Temple via Flicker

The Pumpkin Old Fashioned is perfect cocktail for the whiskey lover looking for something seasonal for Thanksgiving

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp. pumpkin puree
1 ½ oz. bourbon
1 oz. maple syrup
½ oz. Grand Marnier
dash orange bitters
Orange peel twist, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine pumpkin puree, bourbon, syrup, Grand Marnier and bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with orange twist.

Recipe from Saveur.com