Featured Box
RUM RUM RUDOLPH
Rum is a complex spirit; it has many forms, many points of origin, and, most importantly, many different flavor profiles which are greatly dependent on a variety of considerations. Rum spans from white, with a clean, straightforward profile, all the way through to dark rum, an almost black, bold and distinct spirit.
In between exists almost every shade of brown, amber and gold, all which produce unique flavors and nuances. It would be easy to assume that many rums achieve their flavor profile from infusions or the addition of flavoring agents or syrups, but any well-produced rum worth its salt does no such thing, relying instead upon the quality of sugar cane/molasses (the raw ingredients of fermentation) and the aging process to attain the powerful flavors.
This month’s Crafty’s box RUM RUM RUDOLPH, features aged Caribbean rum, a spirit with a complex palette and bold flavor, the result of proper distillation and aging techniques. Not to be confused with ‘spiced’ rum, which often translates to ‘cheap rum with added sugar, artificial flavor and color’, a well distilled and finely aged Caribbean rum will naturally contain flavors such as vanilla, coffee, honey and tobacco on a very subtle spectrum, making for cocktails in which these flavors heighten the rest of the ingredients, rather than completely hijack the drink’s flavor.
The three unique recipes in this month’s box highlight Aged Caribbean rum’s complex flavor profile, incorporating flavors which pair extremely well with this delicious spirit. Cure your winter blues with the Applea’ Day, a hot, velvety drink featuring warming flavors such as apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir up some nostalgia with the Egg Snob, a boozy rendition of egg nog, featuring creamy egg yolk, notes of citrus, and a salty touch of black sea salt. Keep your night going with the After 11:59, a playful, refreshing cocktail featuring amusing and festive flavors like chocolate/candy cane tea and pumpkin pie sugar. While all three cocktails have distinct flavor profiles, as a whole, the RUM RUM RUDOLPH box is certain to get you in the mood for the holiday season, and introduce you to the wonderful, flavorful world of Aged Caribbean rum.
AFTER 11:59
When the clock approaches midnight, there are always two options; start getting ready for bed or start getting ready to party. This cocktail is meant to steer you towards the latter option because everyone knows parties are always more fun after both hands of the clock point straight up. Boasting a festive, wintery profile, seasonal ingredients such as Spice and Tea Chocolate Candy Cane tea and Pumpkin Pie sugar combine with the warm, sweet flavors of Caribbean Rum and Dillon’s Chocolate bitters, resulting in a cocktail which is a perfect addition to any party this Holliday season. The clock is very likely to tick past that decisive time when this cocktail makes an appearance and is sure to keep people up past their bedtime.
EGG SNOB
*Sigh*, why must there be so many mediocre cocktails, ones that fail to please my most sensitive and discerning palette? Ah, but what’s this? This libation here is quite pleasing to the eye; such a contrast of colors! And its bouquet is quite intoxicating! I simply must take a draught from this curious brew. My word, what a multitude of flavors; a delightful play of nutmeg and wintergreen against fruity notes of orange and date, with a silky texture, no doubt from the creamy yolk of an egg. To top it all off, this hint of black lava salt really heightens the magnanimous flavor profile of this remarkable pick-me-up. This, no doubt, is another glorious offering from Crafty Cocktails! I simply must go and congratulate them on their astonishing achievement, Tally-Ho!
APPLEA' DAY
There are a few sure-fire ways to cure the chills of the first month of cold weather. A sweater may help, but that’s never as enjoyable as wrapping your hands around a hot mug and taking warming sips from a steaming drink inside. And if that drink happens to have some booze in it? The winter season doesn’t stand a chance! Alleviate your winter blues with this warming cocktail from Crafty’s. Spicy winter flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon play off warm, tangy apple and the sweet, rich notes of an aged Caribbean Rum, all tied together by the velvety texture of coconut oil. This hot drink will melt any frost that has accumulated so far this winter. Now get mixing, Dr. Bartender’s orders!
Trust your Bartender
Everybody has their favorite spirit, but also have spirits they’re not so crazy about. These opinions are built over a lifetime of experiences; that bartender who made you the most amazing vodka cocktail you’ve ever tried, that one time you drank too much tequila… there are endless factors that may contribute to our own personal opinions towards particular types of alcohol. While these biases are completely understandable, a Crafty Cocktails box subscription is all about education in the world of cocktail creation, and it is very hard to learn new things if you don’t step outside your comfort zone. We strongly encourage you to make your cocktails with the recommended spirit for the month, even if you think you don’t like it. If a recipe is well balanced and acutely aware of the flavor profile of its given base spirit, the result can surprise even the most discerning of palettes. Conversely, an attempt to substitute the recommended alcohol for another simply because of personal preference can result in disaster, as flavor profiles tend to clash rather than compliment each other. The recipes in a Crafty’s curated box are just that, curated to suit a particular base spirit. Trust our bartenders, they know what they’re talking about; let them show how something you thought you disliked, can become something you absolutely love.