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What comes to your mind when you hear the mention of premium alcoholic drinks? Do specific brands come to mind? Do you remember certain songs that have mentioned a drink here and there? For me, what comes to mind is Young M.A’s latest song Henny’d up. I came by it through Youtube recommendations, you know Youtube with their recommendations😃. Talking of musicians, another one who has really come through for Belaire sparkling wine is Rick Ross. That man has gone all out for that brand, but we can say the Belaire wines are to die for, not literally of course😀. Which other musicians come to mind?

What makes a drink premium? When you think of premium drinks, think of craftsmanship and quality. These drinks are made of quality ingredients and are full of flavour. A sip comes with a silkiness and boldness that leaves a mark, makes moments, memories. Specially designed for that special occasion, heck being alive is special too. So, treat yourself and your loved ones to one of these drinks sometime. Appreciation has no timestamp, could be today, could be tomorrow😊.

Let us look at  the premium alcoholic drinks list in our market:

TANQUERAY NO. TEN; GIN

Tanqueray No. Ten Gin has four of the base botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, and licorice. Unlike Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Tanqueray 10 adds an additional four elements to the mix, including fresh white grapefruit, fresh lime, fresh orange, and camomile flowers for a total of 8 botanicals. The main ingredient which makes Tanqueray 10 unique is the use of fresh whole citrus rather than dried citrus peels which are used for the majority of gins on the market.

Nose:  reflects the abundance of fresh fruit, and while juniper is still a lead note, it’s joined by lime and grapefruit.

Palate: Has the same subtle sweet note from the grain which lends a sweet quality to the citrus as well as makes the angelica root come off more sweet and warm than earthy.

Finish: long and spicy with juniper, black pepper, and lime lingering on the palate.

With strong citrus aromatics and a core of warm spice, Tanqueray 10 works much better in cocktails like the Aviation, the Southside, and the Gin Rickey. It is also considered by many to be one of the best gins for the martini.

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SIMONSIG TIARA  DRY; WINE

Simonsig Tiara is a red blend that exhibits a depth with rich, perfumed blackcurrant and cassis enhanced by subtle cedar oak nuances. This wine has a beautiful balance of oak maturation with smooth tannins.

Pairing: Beef, lamb, and poultry

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LUC BELAIRE BRUT; SPARKLING WINE

While not from the Champagne region, Luc Belaire Brut sparkling wine tastes as good and is quite enjoyable. 

Pale lemon in colour with a green hue, it is light-bodied and crisp, with small bubbles. Dry on the palate with limes, herbs, grapefruits, citrus, sea salt, white pepper, yeast, toast, and bitter almonds. Medium finish with bitter herbs.

Pairing: Beef, lamb, and poultry

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VEUVE CLICQUOT ROSÉ; CHAMPAGNE

Veuve Clicquot Rosé is made using 50 to 60 different crus, and 30-45% of Reserve wines, this wine is based on: the Pinot Noir predominance (50-55%) which provides the structure that is so typically Veuve Clicquot, while Chardonnay (28-33%) adds the elegance and finesse essential in a perfectly balanced wine, and a touch of Meunier (15-20%) that rounds out the blend. The blend is then completed with 12% of still red wine using red grapes, providing fruitiness. The long period of ageing in our cellars (3 years minimum for Rosé) lends silkiness to the Champagne.

Acids are perfectly balanced, a million bubbles in the glass make Veuve Clicquot Rosé quite the sensational champagne.

Nose: Fresh raspberry and wild strawberry. 

Palate: Red fruits on the mouth give a fresh balanced pleasure.

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ABERLOUR 18YRS; WHISKY

Aberlour 18-year-old single malt is a well-matured, heavily sherried expression, the perfect thing for late evening relaxation. A sip of this whisky is warm and coats the palate without distracting moments. The finish is medium to long with spicy impressions without distracting the moment. Water is not needed.

Nose: Creamy, like melted vanilla ice cream. Fruity and honeyed.

Palate: Fresh juicy apples and oranges before sherry kicks in with supple sultanas and vanilla.

Finish: Intricate with chocolate raisins and oily caramel notes.

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MARTELL XO; COGNAC

Martell XO is known for its intense taste and daring, contemporary design. A prestigious blend, this cognac has a bold and charismatic personality, reflected in its striking arch of the bottle. Specially made for special occasions and for gifting.

Nose: spicy sensation with notes of black pepper and coriander, rounded out by rich aromas of fig, walnut, and sandalwood.

Palate: Intense notes of fig, blackcurrant, and red fruit that give full expression to the power and finesse of Eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne.

Finish: Exceptionally long and robust finish

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GLENMORANGIE SIGNET; WHISKY

The Glenmorangie Signet is distilled twice through Glenmorangie’s copper-pot stills, by a team of 16 distillers known as the ‘Sixteen Men of Tain’. It was subsequently matured in bespoke American virgin oak casks before it was bottled at 46% and received no chill-filtration.

While it carries no-age-statement, it has an element of some of the distillery’s oldest and rarest stocks, ranging from 35 to 40 years old, in this Highland single malt.

This edition takes its name from the ornate square design that adorns most Glenmorangie bottles. The signet itself originated from the Hilton of Cadboll Stone, a Pictish artifact that dates back to around the year 800 AD.

 Nose: The nose begins with chocolate raisins and sugared mixed peels. Toasted spices, bread and butter pudding, and golden syrup complement these aromas, while a note of Angostura bitters lingers beneath.

Palate: Sweet, syrupy cinnamon and drying malt lead, before a suggestion of Terry’s Chocolate Orange rises. The backdrop is filled with tobacco leaves and freshly roasted espresso beans, with a little honey-roasted cashew.

Finish: The finish dries and becomes pleasantly rubbery, as a touch of truffle oil emerges.

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GLENLIVET 21 YEARS; WHISKY

Glenlivet 21-Year-Old is meticulously crafted over its 21 years. This whisky is put through a combination of hand-selected American oak and ex-sherry casks, which impart the distinctive flavour of dried fruits and a bold richness, vibrant intensity, and long finish.

Nose: Homemade biscuits, malt

Palate:  A complexity of rich spices, dried fruit, oak, sherry alongside herbal flowers and oak.

Finish: Long and rich, it never seems to end before calling you back for more.

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REMY MARTIN XO; COGNAC

Remy Martin XO is a complex and rich cognac. It consists of over 300 different Eaux-de-vie, which have been aged in oak casks between 10 and 37 years. This XO has everything from its floral bouquet to the velvet texture, what a fine Cognac should be all about. It should mark the special events in your life or your family and friends’ lives, it makes for the perfect gift.

Nose: Orange, jasmine, cinnamon.

Palate: Vanilla, honey, light spice.

Finish: Warm and enduring.

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JW BLUE LABEL; WHISKY

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is created using a selection of rare casks from the Speyside and Highland distilleries – including delicate Cardhu and Clynelish, warm, rounded Benrinnes, as well as Islay malts for our signature smokiness.

Nose: Take in the wonderfully mellow, rounded nose – replete with dry smokiness artfully mixed with the sweetness of raisins.

Palate: Serving a velvety combination of vanilla, honey, and rose petals – before broadening out to include a zesty orange flavour with notes of hazelnut, sherry, and dark chocolate.

Finish: Signing off with a rich and luxuriously long finish

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HENNESSY XO; COGNAC

Hennessy XO stands out as it incorporates over 100 Eaux-de-vies with ages up to 30 years. It was first intended as a special Cognac for friends and family of dear Maurice, so you know we’re talking about the good stuff right here.

The Hennessy XO Cognac is created from the Ugni Blanc grapes which have been harvested from the four great crus of the Cognac region. The smooth character of the Spirit provides an extravagant yet balanced experience for the senses. It more than lives up to its price and reputation. 

Nose: A rich, fruity palate with prunes, Corinth raisins, and sticky toffee pudding. 

Palate: Dark chocolate and over-ripe plums. A little sultana character, cocoa butter, and spice.

Finish: Spicy, vanilla-led finish with all kinds of dark fruits.

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ROYAL SALUTE 21 YEARS SIGNATURE BLEND; WHISKY

Chivas Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Signature Blend is one of the world’s leading and most exclusive premium blended Scotch Whiskies. First created as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation in 1953, the masterful blend of Royal Salute has gained an enviable status among connoisseurs of fine Scottish Whisky.

The Chivas Royal Salute is an excellent choice for whisky lovers that have a thing for smooth blends with a ton of flavours.

Chiva Royal Salute whisky is good for gifting and those special occasions.

Nose: A pleasant and orange zest smell first hits your nose—as you try to take the first sip. The scent of vanilla, gingerbread, toffee, soft spices, and generous cereals comes crawling after.

Palate: The taste of this whisky ties with the nose almost instantly. It hits your palate with a smooth approach before it shifts towards a burnt caramel feel with a little tar. A prickling slightly peppery oak taste clings to your tongue at the second sip. 

Finish: The Chivas Royal Salute is remarkably long for a soft whisky—with a minor oak bitterness, soured wood, mint chocolate, sweet grains, tobacco, and fruity berries finish. 

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GLENFIDDICH 25 YEARS; WHISKY

Matured in European Sherry butts and American Bourbon barrels for a rich, sophisticated character and remarkable depth of flavour, Glenfiddich Rare Oak 25 Year Old is married together in small batches to create a truly luxurious and velvety smooth single malt. 

Over two and a half decades of careful maturation results in a complex and intriguing whisky that’s a real treat for the discerning palate. Large Spanish Sherry butts gradually impart deep, rich fruit flavours to the liquid while smaller American oak barrels infuse this prestigious single malt with soft vanilla notes and just a hint of spice.

Nose: Green apple, blackberries, oak, and well-aged rum

Palate: Tastes of succulent raisins with a drizzle of curaçao liqueur, gingerbread biscuits, and honey-nut cornflakes

Finish: Nutmeg finish with a squeeze of citrus

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JW KING GEORGE V; WHISKY

King George V is a very special edition from Johnnie Walker, packaged beautifully and made to celebrate the Royal Warrant bestowed upon the company by the monarch. It is made with some of Johnnie Walker’s rarest stocks, including Cardhu, Lochnagar, and even Port Ellen.

Nose: Rich, spicy aromas with hints of Christmas pudding, brandy butter, and vanilla. Slightly nutty too, with notes of ground almond and blossom.

Palate: Fruity, creamy palate entry. Creamy notes of caramel, manuka honey, and a hint of very refined wood smoke. Allspice and nutmeg develop.

Finish: Nutty finish with a surge of salt caramel and biscuit malt.

 We recommend it neat. Pour 50ml and some ice. Freshen your palate with the water between sips to unlock the full experience.

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MACALLAN OSCURO; WHISKY

A beautiful, extremely limited edition Macallan released for travel retail, Oscuro is made with whisky from 1987 and 1997 and it’s sherried and incredibly rich in flavours.

Nose: Oak, berry fruits, and vanilla. Hints of cocoa, orange rings, marmalade, spices, and black pepper.

Palate: Vanilla fudge, red berries, and chocolate malt. Intense sherry and pine resin, a little cookie dough with chocolate chips and cinnamon.

Finish: Long and warming, hints of soft smoke and intensely dark malt.

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Hopefully, the next time you plan to celebrate a special occasion or a person close to you,  you will have us in mind for those premium alcoholic drinks you might need. 

We do personalized gifts, gift wrapping, and engravings.

You may place a direct order through the website, WhatsApp 0703608746, or call 0705570066 for direct purchase or inquiry. 

We offer delivery services and free deliveries for orders above Ksh 3000/-, in Nairobi and its environment. Deliveries happen from 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Saturday. 

We are located along Biashara Street and Accra Road within Nairobi CBD. 

You are welcome!

By Roseline Maina: Digital Marketer

 

 

Do you remember those younger years when you could go out every weekend? What a life! The loud music, your body moving (probably against another body), sweat trickling down your forehead and back. This was not without a few shots, beers ama mizinga za Gilbey’s to make you care less about your two left feet or the fact that you are considered shy when sober.

Now, those weekends seem far away, like a dream even. Ten years down the line, life has evolved. You’re now a family man/woman, juggling a family, kids, and impromptu crisis of that one friend who decided settling down is not their potion. You have a lot on your plate and going out every weekend is no longer an option. However, there are celebrations adults get to indulge in every now and then like anniversaries, barbeques, birthdays, dinners, and even lazy weekends at home.

On these occasions, most of us serve our guests or even ourselves from a bottle of whisky or a 5 liters wine box. It is an effortless way of getting people to relax without much trouble. But once in a while, let us surprise our friends, family, and even ourselves by being a little thoughtful, a little fun, a little “cocktaily”.

A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink. It is a combination of spirits with other ingredients like fruit juice, cream, or flavored syrup. Here are 10 tasty cocktails to try at home on that special or lazy day.

1. Godfather cocktail; a duo mixed drink made of Scotch whisky and amaretto

Godfather is a cocktail made of scotch whisky(especially smoky whisky) and Amaretto. Though its origin is uncertain, The amaretto brand Disaronno claims the drink was the favorite cocktail of American actor Marlon Brando, known for playing the character in the popular American film adaptation of Mario Puzo’s The Godfather.

It  uses one-two-ratio of Amaretto to Whisky (25 ml amaretto to 50 ml whisky)

Ingredients: 50ml of scotch whisky, 25 ml of Amaretto (Disaronno)

Preparation:  Measure the parts of whiskey and amaretto into your old-fashioned/rocks glass, stir gently. 

Served: Add ice and garnish with a twist of orange.

2. Pina colada; a sweet cocktail made of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice

 

The name piña colada (Spanish) literally means “strained pineapple”, a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink’s preparation. The earliest known story states that in the 19th century, Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, to boost his crew’s morale, gave them a beverage or cocktail that contained coconut, pineapple, and white rum. This was what would later be known as the famous piña colada.

Ingredients: 30ml of white rum (Bacardi), 30ml of coconut cream/milk, 90ml of pineapple juice, Ice cubes

Preparation: Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about 10 seconds; what we are looking for is a frothy consistency.

Served: Pour into a hurricane glass or any glass for that matter. Garnish with pineapple and cherry.

3. White Russian; a cocktail with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream 

The White Russian has been around since the 1960s when liqueurs were very popular. It enjoyed a brief surge of fame in 1998 when the actor Jeff Bridges constantly sipped it in the film The Big Lebowski.

Ingredients: 45ml vodka, 30ml coffee liqueur (kahlua), 30ml cream. 

Preparation: Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream in a shake.

served: strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.

4. Sea Breeze; a cocktail with vodka with cranberry juice and grapefruit juice

Sea Breeze’s main ingredient is Cranberry juice. The Cranberry was first mixed with gin and later vodka. This cocktail only became popular until the 1970s.

Ingredients: 30ml vodka, 60ml cranberry juice, 30ml grapefruit juice, lime for garnish

Preparation: Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice in a tall glass with ice.

served: Stir gently until the outside of the glass feels cold, then garnish with the lime slice.

5. Bee’s knees; A cocktail made with gin, lemon, and honey

The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a gin, lemon, and honey cocktail that dates back to the prohibition-era. The phrase “bee’s knees” was prohibition-era slang for “the best.” The addition of ingredients such as citrus and honey were often used to cover the awful smell and taste of bathtub gin. The result was a fantastic concoction we get to enjoy today.

Ingredients: 60mL Gin, 15mL Fresh Lemon Juice, 15mL Honey Syrup (a mixture of water and honey on equal ratio)

Preparation: Pour the gin into a glass, followed by lime juice, and finish with honey syrup. Add ice and give it a quick shake. 

Served: Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

6. Pineapple Fizz; a cocktail made with coconut rum, pineapple juice, and sparkling water

This is a zesty tropical drink made of coconut rum that adds a soft sweetness to the background of the cocktail, and a heavy splash of soda water brightens it all up. A refreshing cocktail enjoyed on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Ingredients: 30ml coconut rum(malibu), 60ml pineapple juice, soda water, fresh pineapple for garnish

Preparation: Mix the rum (malibu), pineapple juice, and a little bit of sparkling soda water into a shaker and give it a good shake. 

Served: Pour it over ice and garnish it with a fresh piece of pineapple.

7. Brown Derby; A brunch cocktail made with Bourbon whiskey, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup

The Brown Derby is considered a brunch cocktail in that it is “tart enough to wake up the palate, but not tangy enough to jolt as it comes across as light and fresh.

Ingredients: 60ml Bourbon Whiskey (Maker’s Mark), 30ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice, 15ml Honey Syrup 

Preparation: Assuming you have measured the ingredients, pour the bourbon  ( Maker’s Mark), the grapefruit juice, and honey syrup into a shaker. Fill it with ice and give it a good shake. 

Severed: strain it into a cocktail glass and garnish it with grapefruit.

8. Blue Lagoon; A colorful, sweet aroma cocktail made with vodka, blue curacao, and lime juice

Blue Lagoon is known for its quality to quench thirst and jolt the body. Therefore, perfect for a hot day. The cocktail has a sweet aroma and a delight for the eyes ( it is sky blue in color)

Ingredients: 30ml vodka, 30ml blue curacao, 90ml lime juice

Preparation: To an ice-filled shaker combine vodka, and lime juice. Shake well.  

served: Add ice to the serving glass and pour the mixture into it. Drizzle blue curacao on top. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry. 

 

9. Brandy Flip; A Flip cocktail made with brandy, whole egg, and simple syrup

The very first Flips emerged as early as the late 1600s. They were originally created with a mixture of sugar, eggs, and spices being added to a tankard of ale before being heated with a red-hot iron poker from the fire. Now, a Flip commonly refers to a cocktail of fortified wine or spirit and whole egg sweetened with sugar.

Ingredients: 60mL Brandy (Torres 10 Years), 30mL Simple Syrup, 1 Whole Egg

Preparation: pour in the brandy, followed by a whole egg, the sugar syrup into a shaker. Dry shake it (shaking without ice ) first. Add ice, and give it a second shake.

Served: strain it into a stemmed cocktail glass. You may garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

10. Bellini; A wine cocktail made with peach puree and sparkling wine

The Bellini is a wine cocktail. It is one of the most popular Sunday relaxation cocktails either by the pool or just relaxing on the back porch.

Ingredients: 60ml peach nectar (or peach puree), sparkling wine (prosecco)

Preparation: pour the peach nectar into a wine glass then fill it up with the Prosecco wine. You can use champagne or sparkling wine in place of Prosecco if you would like.

Served: stir gently and garnish with orange zest.

Try this any of these 10 tasty cocktails and watch how significantly your circle of friends and family start flocking your house more often.

Order your desired mixers from our website at fair prices. We offer delivery services and free deliveries for orders above Ksh 3000. We also have non-alcoholic drinks for those who like mocktails (A mocktail is a cocktail without the liquor. Instead, juices, sodas, infused waters, and many other non-alcoholic ingredients, mixed in just the right ratios, provide flavor)

All the other non-alcoholic ingredients can be found in our local major supermarkets. Try making one or a couple of the cocktails and let us know how they turn out in the comments below.

By Roseline Maina: Digital Marketer