The French 75

The French Seventy what?

Exactly. LOL!

The French 75, for lack of more descriptive terms, is the best champagne cocktail you've never heard of.

Wait a darn minute...You might be asking yourself, "What about the Mimosa?" And you aren’t far off but trust us on this one! 

Not only has the French 75 been one of the worlds greatest champagne cocktails, it has also transcended its "brunch" origins, now popular on most cocktail menus all day, everyday, rain or shine, day or night.

It's the real deal!

Originating in the 1920s as the widely available "Champagne Cup", the French 75 quickly picked up steam and was popularized throughout the 1940s appearing in film, bar menus, and restaurants across America and most of the world.

Combining flavors of lemon, sugar, honey, and gin (TID BIT - Gin wasn't originally used in the French 75. It sort of came after the fact. Cognac was the original spirit used) with champagne (#bubblesnob) to form a blend so copacetic that you find yourself ordering them in bottomless fashion.

Now with the history lesson aside, here's how you make one of these delicious champagne concoctions.

The IBA Recipe

1 oz Gin

2 dashes simple syrup

1.5 oz Lemon Juice

2 oz Champagne

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The Everyday Recipe

2 oz Gin

1 oz Lemon Juice

1-2 teaspoon Simple Syrup

Champagne (Fill Glass)

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The Leisuremann’s 75

1 oz H2O

6-7 Scoops Leisuremann's Bee's Knees Mix

2 oz Gin

Top Glass with Champagne

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No matter if you follow our recipes or create your own rendition, the French 75 sure as hell will make for an AWESOME cocktail experience no matter if you're at your house or on a trail.

Cheers // Cliff

FLAVOR 6 | The Cosmopolitan

THE PINK DRINK THAT STARTED A CRAFT COCKTAIL REVOLUTION!

“Pink is our favorite color!" In other words, we are excited to introduce you to the Leisuremann’s Cosmopolitan mix.

When most people think of a Cosmopolitan, for lack of better descriptive terms, they think electric pink, super sweet, and not worth my time.

Though an accurate description for certain cosmos at certain bars, the Cosmopolitan as a true craft cocktail is far from those very terms.

The humble origins of the Cosmopolitan date back to the mid-1930s where citrus juice, fruit syrup, and gin were mixed to create a variation on the Kamikaze.

Throughout the decades the cosmopolitan grew in popularity. Gin was subtracted and substituted for vodka, ushering in a new cocktail renaissance know as the Craft Cocktail Movement.

This movement would kick into overdrive with the airing of a little-known show named Sex and the City where Carrie, the main character, commonly ordered Cosmos when going out with her girlfriends.

Since the shows airing, the Cosmopolitan along with the craft cocktail movement has boomed paving the way for cocktail drinkers worldwide.

Now for REAL TALK - Don’t get us wrong there are bad Cosmos out there.

Frankly, there are some pretty shits ones that bars try and pass off as remotely decent.

See… the thing about the Cosmopolitan is its complex simplicity.

The drink by its nature utilizes ingredients that alone have strong flavors but when mixed correctly come together in such a copacetic harmony that you can’t help but drink two or three in a sitting.

Echoing this harmony, this mix above all others was truly the hardest to engineer and get right. The subtle balance between the cranberry, lime, citrus, and sweetness almost seems kung fu master zen-like at times. But we managed to pull it off.

A Leisuremann’s Cosmopolitan echoes simplicity and describes a balance of vodka, to cranberry, to citrus, and sugar. Not one ingredient shines above the rest and not one ingredient is left out. When tasting you will first be greeted with citrus, then sugar sweetness, and rounding out the drink is an earthy tart cranberry note.

Truly Sex and the City approved!

EVERY JAR PURCHASED GIVES BACK.

“You must give back to move forward” Oprah Winfrey

Giving back is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while now but just couldn’t figure out how to do it.

When we stumbled on the Cosmo it felt completely right.

So for each jar purchased, we will donate a percentage at the end of the year to a charity that helps women in need. It’s a small step for us to help make the world a better place for those around us.

If you have any charity suggestions please reach out - gents@leisurmanns.com - we would love to hear from you.

Overall, The Cosmopolitan means the world to us and as our 6th and final flavor for 2018 we wanted to go big or go home.

Now the real question - Fellas…how many of you want a cosmo?!

Cheers // Cliff

10 Tips for Mile High Cocktail Drinkers

If you havn't realized it yet we really like to drink and fly. It's become more of a hobby now than a past time. No matter the day, time or airline cocktails are always being made and shared with those around us.. 

With that said, over the past two years we have amassed a cornucopia of airline tips and tricks guaranteed to make your next flight/cocktail experience outstanding.

Below are just a few, in no specific order.

Elaborate on, try, enjoy, and Cheers!

MINI BOTTLES RULE

Firstly, the myth is true: TSA does indeed afford you the ability to bring your own MINI LIQUOR BOTTLES on the plane. Now you are limited to size though. Ideally the 50ml are nice as those provide around a 2oz portion and fit snug in your quart size zip top bag. You can however, pack the 100ml bottle as those are just shy of the 3.5oz maximum allotted for packaged liquids.

The key to the entire situation is the bottles must be packed in your quart bags. Like any other liquid (shampoo, conditioner, hair gel) these mini bottle are considered a “liquid” and should be kept in isolation.

*Pro Tip* SUPPORT YOUR AIRLINES! Yeah we know they make you pay for seats and carry-on bags now but buy a mini bottle or two from them if you run out or need another flavor.

Let’s keep the 'Friendly Skies' friendly for years to come.

SOFT DRINKS SPRITZERS 

There is nothing more refreshing than having a little bubble in your drink, cocktail, or soda. It's the Bee's Knees!

With that said, more and more airlines are offering less and less sugar based sodas and more 0 calorie 0 sugar sparkling “spritzer” style waters.

Take this opportunity, for a free soda and roll with it.

Imaging making a margarita at 30k with sparkling lime water or a Bee's Knees with sparkling Italian lemon water.

OUTSTANDING is the word you are looking for.

*Pro Tip* When adding Leisuremann's Cocktail Mix to sparkling water be sure to be aware of the FIZZ UP reaction. Basically, don’t overfill and you should be fine.

NO MIX - NO PROBLEM

Ask anyone who flies a lot and they should be able to give you a cocktail story, recipe, or fun pro tip from 30,000 feet.

With this great power comes great responsibility…Thanks Uncle Ben. More or less a great responsibility to share with the world!

So…if you find yourself on your next flight with no mix or your mini bottles try one of these out for size: 

Red Wine/Coke (Equal Parts)

Mile High Mule (Ginger Ale, Vodka, mints)

Inflight Irish Coffee (Coffee, Bailey's Irish Cream)

Bloody Mary (Tomato Juice, Vodka)

IDL Sunrise (Tequila, OJ, Cranberry, Sprit, Apple Juice) IDL = International Date Line

ALWAYS ORDER ICE

Nothing and we repeat nothing makes a cocktail better than ice.

Even if you just use the ice to prepare your drink straight up, ice is as pivotal to a cocktail as the glass itself. Don’t believe us - listen to the experts in our blog The Icy Truth!

Try experimenting as well with ice and how it changes the flavor profiles of certain drinks and spirits.

SNACKS GALORE

Peanuts, pretzels, Biscotti cookies, OH MY!

Not all cocktails go with one of those 3 snack selections, so simple solution, bring your own snacks.

We've gone so far as to bring full blown sandwiches onto the plane for lunch and cocktails.

TSA, unless it is outlandish or large liquids, will cast a blind eye to you brining snacks aboard the plane. So fill your pack up with chips, Thanksgiving dinner, tacos, Bananas, or whatever your heart desires.

Moral of the story, have snacks and cocktails too!

SHARE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR

Just think if you were flying cross country and the guy next to you pulled out a jar of Leisuremann's. At first you would question, "What is this dude doing?" or "What the heck is that stuff." But when he/she makes you a cocktail you instantly realize this is most certaintly real life.

The moral of the story is we should be more like Mr. Rogers and less like Oscar the Grouch. Share with your neighbor. Make them a drink, frankly make everyone a drink and spread some cocktail love!

SOCIAL POST EVERYTHING

Do us and yourself a favor, on your next trip post a picture of your cocktails to @leisuremanns, pretty please. (You won’t believe the response)

Simple, we want the world to know how delicious our cocktails are and what a better person to show them than you.

Take a pic of your drink, take a video of you mixing in the airport, take a pic of the plane going crazy because you just made a big batch and everyone is enjoying Margaritas. LOL!

We can dream, right? Have fun!

PREMIX TO MAXIMIZE ENJOYMENT

Crucial to any trip or experience is maximizing time. So when you find yourself sitting in the terminal with your face inevitably glued to your phone or maybe a book, step back, regroup, and premix your cocktails.

Water bottles, travel mugs, travel plastic wine glasses, pretty much any receptacle for drinking can work great.

We would recommend making them in a bigger quantity as they will go quick! #makeitadouble

MAKE IT A DOUBE OR TRIPLE

Always, always, always make it a double or triple when traveling.

This is done for multiple reasons but only a few stand out.

1) You deserve more than one drink when flying.

2) If you need to share, one drink just isn't going to cut the mustard.

3) Everything is better in pairs so bring multiple mixes with you so you can make a Bee's Knees and an Old Fashioned too!

REPEAT

The #1 tip is to REPEAT all 9. Get out there, travel more, explore more, be adventurous!

Seriously, if you haven't planned a trip in a while get to it. Repeat doesn't just mean making more cocktails, which we hope you do, it means doing more, experiencing more, and just simply enjoying the places you will go.

Not all trips are equal so in a way why should each cocktail experience be.

Explore what works for you and use these tip to make the most out of your next travel adventure.

And as a bonus for reading this blog, use code TAKE20 on your next order for 20% off your cart. That’s like we’re saying the first two drinks are on us!

Cheers // Cliff

Not your average Daiquiri... or is it?

190 Octane - Pina Colada - Strawberry - Mudslide - Jungle Juice - CAT 5 Hurricane - Rum Runner - Eye Candy - White Russian - Crawgator - Peaches & Cream - And on, and on, and on...

If you're unsure what these flavors are associated with, consider yourself a member of the LUCKY FEW. If you're in the "KNOW", like us,  you have indeed ventured to the dark side of the moon or at least your nearby Daiquiri shop, LOL!

With the Pink Floyd references aside, let's talk some history and fact.

Louisiana, where we are based,  is steeped in Cajun, Creole, and pretty much every other cultural influence under the sun. We have things like Cochon De Laits, Mardi Gras, Geaux Cups, and Drive-Thru Daiquiri Shops. Yes, you heard me correctly, DRIVE-THRU DAIQUIRI SHOPS. And, yes through is spelled "thru" on purpose. 

Jesters Mardi Gras Daiquiri - www.neworleansonline.com

These shops are on most corners, intersections, and heavily populated parts of town designed to attract not repel potential patrons.

Louisiana Law states, it is 100% legal to purchase a Daiquiri via a drive-thru just as long as there is a lid on your beverage and the accompanying plastic straw does not break the lid/liquid barrier. Logical...right? Of course...two thumbs up!!!

Rewind for a minute, to the release of our Classic Daiquiri Mix. When we released our second mix we knew there would be a struggle as your average drinkers didn't know the original, Classic Daiquiri dates back to the mid 1930's Cuba with some curious men, some lime juice, some sugar, and a whole lot of Rum.

Fast forward to now, most Daiquiris from your local drive-thru shop, are fruit concentrate based, sweet, and served more as a slush than a straight up drink. (not sure what "straight up" means - check out our "Know What You're Ordering Leisure Log) 

Daiquiris, from a tasting note, tend to lend themselves to more of a portable hangover machine than what most people would consider as a outstanding cocktail experience. 

With that said, we felt challenged and sort of stumped; pondering the gargantuan question that loomed - How can our Classic Daiquiri mix become like a "Drive-Thru" Daiquiri that people love?

The answer was deceptively simple - ADD WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT TO IT!!! Sounds stupid simple but trust us it works.

::SHORT LIST::

ADD STRAWBERRIES & SPARKLING WATER - For a fruity slightly sweet refreshing style daiquiri.

ADD BLUEBERRIES - For a sweet & tart mouth organism.

ADD PEACHES & MINT - For a summer treat so mouth watering it will make you want more.

ADD DOUBLE THE RUM - To get super wasted! LOL!

ADD PINEAPPLE - For a island favorite.

ADD GRAPEFRUIT - Ernest Hemingway would be proud!

The possibilities are endless and the combinations will make your tastebuds spin.

So we challenge you The Colonel of Cocktails, The Lord of Libations, The Duke of Drinks, to come up with a Daiquiri Flavor, post it to social media @leisuremanns, and let the world know how you Daiquiri.

GOOD LUCK & COCKTAIL ON!

Cheers // CC

The Icy Truth

Whether cubed, sphered, squared, tubed, crushed, shaved, rectangular, conical, vanilla, or melted, ice is as pivotal of a component to a great cocktail as the booze itself. 

Ice dates back to the dawn of man. More specifically, ice was always here, we just didn't know how to use it to our advantage.  

Not until the early 1800's did ice really make it debut into beverage culture, being perceived more as a luxury than simply a winter nuisance. 

Throughout the years, the science of mixology has grown utilizing ice to enhance subtle flavors, draw out aromas, and simply boost most of our favorite cocktails. (Get a little more in-depth about ordering terms that revolve around ice with our blog - Know What You're Ordering?)

Cool stuff right? We sure think so.

With that said and with your best interest in mind, we figured it was a little easier to just let Adam Rogers, Articles Editor for Wired and Jennifer Colliau, Beverage Director, The Interval, explain the ins and outs of ice on a segment of Wired's Booze Science.

They REALLY know their stuff.

So take a break, mix a drink, and get your brain in gear from some booze science that will change the way you look at your next cocktail and ice altogether.

Cheers // Cliff

Know What You're Ordering?

"Don't be afraid, it's just a cocktails"... Should be what most people say to themselves before placing an order for a drink at a bar, right?

Honestly, when asked, most individuals have limited knowledge of what they are actually ordering or the terminology behind drink orders. Though cocktail history is deeply rooted, having just an general knowledge of key terms and practices can not only aid but make your overall cocktail experience that much more enjoyable.

When ordering utilize the spirit first chaser second rule unless the cocktail/drink of your choice has an official name (ex. Old Fashioned or Dark & Stormy) or you prefer a single spirit, which we will get into later. Instead of telling your bartender you would like a cranberry vodka, use your confident voice and state "I would like a vodka cranberry". Also, don't be afraid to be specific. I would like a Ketel One and cranberry or an Absolut and cranberry. This shows your bartender that you didn't get off the 21 train yesterday and affords you the grand opportunity to make the "call" on your own cocktail. Hence the term "call" brands vs "well" liquors, but thats for a different blog.

In conjunction with proper ordering, knowing how you like your spirits served, is crucial. Though terminology varies from bar to bar, city to city, spirit to spirit, and even bartender to bartender, a few cocktail serving methods hold true.

Neat - A single spirit that is unmixed as well as not chilled. This is usually reserved for spirits that by their nature are best served and enjoyed at room temperature.

On the Rocks - A single spirit that is served on or over ice. This is usually reserved for drinks or spirits that are enjoyed cold and with the addition of melting ice brings flavor profiles not achieved neat.

Up or Straight Up - A libation that is shaken or stirred with ice, strained and served sans ice. This is usually reserved for specific spirits and cocktails and is either at the discretion of the bartender or the patron.

Cocktail or Mixed Drinks - An alcoholic beverage crafted of varying ingredients and spirits not limited to flavor or amount that is uniquely its own. Most are named. Refer to them by name and trust your bartender as they usually are the experts. Let your pallet for cocktails roam free!

At Leisuremann's we want you to have an excellent cocktail experience no matter where you go. We sample our mix on the rocks, as we find the slightly cold and mellow melting of an ice cube lends subtle flavor profiles not achieved when consumed neat. With that said, enjoy how you please. The beauty of our mix, as well as most cocktails, is that you can make them your own. Try new things, new spirits, new ratios and overall have the cocktail adventure you desire.

Remember Keep Calm and Cocktail On!

Cheers.

Cliff