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

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

Why isn't Happy Hour every hour?

Happy Hour as defined by dictionary.com is "a cocktail hour or longer period at a bar, during which drinks are served at reduced prices..."

Simply put - Who doesn't need a drink after a hard day at the office?

Most sources point to "Happy Hour" originating in the early 1900's with it becoming more mainstream in the late 1950's. Through the decades, Happy Hour, as we know it today, exploded in popularity. Most if not all bars and even some restaurants have Happy Hour drink specials. Some places even have live music or entertainment to help ease the stress of being cooped up in the office all day. It's a true liberating experience. 

Though liberating, Happy Hour, like all good things, has to comes to an end. Saddened by this proposition we asked ourselves the age old questions - Why isn't Happy Hour every hour?

With some quick thinking and ingenuity, we realized our mixes could solve the world Happy Hour conundrum, extending Happy Hour to every, any, and even ALL hours of the day!!!

Using our mixes there are no lines at a bar, no crowds, no complex mixing steps, no extra bar ingredients, just combine WATER + MIX + SPIRIT  and you have a COCKTAIL! 

It's just that simple. We promise.

Don't believe us? Try it for yourself - OUR MIX SHOP

To wrap it up, next time you find yourself in a bar or restaurant during Happy Hour think for a minute about how with Leisuremann's every hour is Happy Hour.

Cheers!

- Cliff #leisurehour

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