Lifestyle/Art

Published on October 19th, 2021 | by Darren Paltrowitz

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10 Drink-Related Discoveries For October 2021 & Well Beyond

With everything happening in the world, there is still a lot of uncertainty going around. But everyone needs to eat, and there is no shortage of exciting food and drink offerings to order online. If you are searching for new drink-related discoveries, you have come to the right place as I have been monitoring the latest and greatest from online retailers. Here are 10 recommendations available for ordering today, alongside recent social media postings from the brands and hyperlinks to purchase.

Clonakilty Distillery

Opened in 2018, Clonakilty Distillery has a $10 million facility in the heart of West Cork, Ireland. The Scully family, the founders of Clonakilty Distillery, have farmed this windswept coastal land for nine successive generations. With the best resources that nature has to offer, prime land, pristine water and salt sea air, they have the perfect ingredients for a maritime distillery. It is here that they distil their award-winning new-make whiskey and store their casks, safely tucked away in their warehouse on a windswept cliff next to the Atlantic Ocean.

Here’s an easy-to-make receipe for a cocktail known as the “Clonakilty Irish Coffee”:

Ingredients:
– 1 shot of Clonakilty Single Batch Double Oak
– 1 shot of espresso
– 1 oz. honey-infused cream

Method:
– Combine ingredients.
– Top up with hot water.
– Finish with honey infused cream, grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

Sipsafe Drinking Buddy

Have you ever stopped to think about all the hands that touch the top of a beverage in a can? Whether it is a soda, a beer, a canned cocktail or flavored sparkling water, chances are there are at least 5 hands that have touched your beverage can before it ever makes it to your lips. The SipSafe Drinking Buddy is a super-thin piece of eco-friendly, BPA-free recyclable plastic which slips right on top of your beverage can preventing your lips or mouth from ever touching the actual exterior of the can. Furthermore, SipSafe is reusable and dishwasher friendly.

Truly Hard Seltzer’s Holiday Party Pack

Earlier this year Truly Hard Seltzer announced the launch of Truly Extra Hard Seltzer, a delicious and refreshing hard seltzer that clocks in at 8 percent ABV. After its 2020 test launch received overwhelmingly-positive drinker feedback, Truly Extra is now officially available nationwide in 2 flavors: Black Raspberry and Peach Mango. Unlike competitors’ hard seltzers that are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients, Truly Extra has only 1 gram of sugar and just 220 calories in each 16-ounce can. The brand also announced its Truly Watermelon Lemonade being available nationwide in 12-pack and 24-pack offerings earlier in 2021.

Now with the holiday season right around the corner comes a Holiday Party Pack from Truly. The pack is Truly’s first seasonal mix, featuring 4 cocktail-inspired flavors including Cran-Orange Sparkler, Pomegranate Ginger Fizz, Holiday Sangria and Spiked Apple Spice. As holiday parties and family gatherings return this year, it will be just what you need to get the partying started again. The pack will be available starting on November 1, 2021 and is line-priced with the rest of the Truly 12-packs. And just like the rest of the Truly lineup, each new flavor from this set will be gluten-free, feature 5 percent ABV and carry only 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar.

As if that were not enough from a brand, this Halloween, Angry Orchard is bringing drinkers a limited-edition Mystery Mix box. The spooky pack was made in partnership with GiveThemBeer and Bushwick Kitchen and includes the recently-resurrected fan-favorite Cinnful Apple Cider. Boxes are available for purchase for $25 at GiveThemBeer.com.

Beyond that, in honor of International Pronouns Day (October 20, 2021) and LGBTQIA+ History Month, Truly launched a “TrulYou” customizable can insulator that allows drinkers to display their pronouns right on their Truly can. The unique, colorful can insulator was designed by non-binary artist Stephanie Medeiros and includes a blank space for drinkers to write in their pronouns. It will be available for purchase beginning November 1, 2021 on TrulyOriginals.com with 100 percent of proceeds going to GLAAD, a long-term partner of Truly.

Bud Light Seltzer’s New Ugly Sweater Pack

Bud Light Seltzer is bringing back a fan-favorite offering this holiday season via its new Ugly Sweater Pack, as featuring 3 new festive flavors and 1 holiday favorite: Sugar Plum, Cherry Cordial, Seltzer Nog and Cranberry. In line with the Bud Light Seltzer portfolio, the Bud Light Seltzer Ugly Sweater pack’s offerings are made with cane sugar, natural flavors and come in at 100 calories with 5 percent ABV and less than 1 gram of sugar in each can. The new limited-edition Bud Light Seltzer Ugly Sweater variety pack also features an ugly sweater design and will be available in 12 oz. slim can variety 12-packs nationwide starting November 1, 2021.

Bud Light Seltzer is also unveiling a line of Ugly Sweater apparel, which is ideal friends and family holiday get-togethers alike. The collection will include shirts, hats and sweaters, as ranging in price from $5.00 to $60.00. For every Ugly Sweater item a person purchases, the customer will be entered to win $1,000 towards holiday shopping. More information on all of this can be found via visit ShopBeerGear.com.

Pratt Standard Cocktail Co.

Founded in 2014, the Pratt Standard Cocktail Co. is built around authenticity and flavor. Each syrup is carefully developed and hand-crafted, from peeling ginger to personally labeling each bottle. The hope of these pre-Prohibition-style syrups is to bring people together, creating connections over cocktails. In turn, the female-founded and D.C.-based Pratt Standard Cocktail Co. produces Ginger, Grenadine, Kola, Tonic and Rich Simple syrups, along with seasonal releases twice a year. Founder Tory Pratt shares her passion and dedication through the syrups and by educating customers about cocktail craft through classes and recipes.

Earlier this year, the Pratt Standard Cocktail Co. announced the launch of its Agave Spice Old Fashioned syrup. Handmade with raw blue agave syrup, and notes of cacao, cardamom and vanilla, this 8-ounce cocktail syrup is Pratt’s newest iteration on their classic Old Fashioned Cocktail syrup, which was released last fall. Commented Tory Pratt herself: “This is the first mixer we’re launching that is sweetened with agave syrup. The flavor profile was driven first by a goal to develop an old fashioned syrup for non-whiskey drinkers. I wanted to make an old fashioned base that would work for tequilas, vodkas and rums, since I regularly make old fashioneds with non-traditional spirits. What I found is that a more rounded flavor profile from the cacao and vanilla can substitute with clear spirits for the aging process, making a complex variation on an old fashioned, but with the spirit you enjoy most.” Now available online via PrattStandard.com with retail locations to follow.

SoBar

SoBar is an innovative protein bar brand. Dubbed as “a game-changer for smarter drinking,” the brand offers a range of bars which aim to help reduce alcohol absorption and improve one’s drinking experience. When eaten just before drinking, these delicious bars will reduce the intensity that an alcoholic drink can have on your system. To me, they taste great and work great.

Villa One Tequila

Villa One Tequila is an ultra-premium tequila founded by 2 powerhouse, fashionable men, Nick Jonas and John Varvatos. The duo reportedly worked side by side with master distiller Arturo Fuentes, dubbed by many as the “Godfather of Tequila,” who brings more than 30 years of distilling experience. Unlike most tequilas, Villa One sources agave from both the highland and lowland regions of Jalisco, Mexico, giving it a distinct and rounded profile that is offered in 3 expressions: Silver, Reposado and Añejo. Now available via ReserveBar.

Sovi Wine Co.

Sovi is a Sommelier-owned, non-alcoholic wine company, and its Sovi Red Blend is dealcoholized wine from a sustainably-grown blend of several Spanish and French grape varieties grapes in California. It is fermented in stainless steel, and partially-aged in French and American oak barrels. On the palate, Sovi Red Blend sippers will find velvety tannins that lead to a long finish. It is suggested to consumers to serve in a glass paired with roasted vegetables, grilled meats, hearty stews, charcuterie and aged hard cheese such as cheddar and gouda. Sovi does not need any unnecessary sugars or added flavors, making each serving only 20 calories. Sovi is also vegan, gluten-free, low-sugar and low-calorie, and it comes in recyclable packaging. Now available for purchase online with domestic U.S. shipment directly to your door.

Blue Point Brewing

Blue Point Brewing is inarguably Long Island, New York’s first and most innovative craft brewer. For last year’s Major League Baseball season, Blue Point’s Pinstripe Pilsner was launched in collaboration with the New York Yankees with generous amounts of pilsner malt. That same year, Blue Point also launched a “beyond beer” alternative via its Long Island Iced Teas, or LIITs. Those LIITS are available in Mango, Lemon and Raspberry Lime, all blending natural flavors with 100 percent real tea to create a fresh take on hard tea. Each can contains 5 grams of sugar, 120 calories and is naturally gluten-free.

Earlier this year, The Hype covered Blue Point Spirits, the latest venture by Anheuser Busch’s cult-favorite brand Blue Point Brewing. Long story short, Blue Point Spirits is a line of ready-to-drink, gluten-free cocktails, and each beverage combines all-natural fruit with vodka for a refreshing and balanced imbibing experience. As of May 1st, the brand will roll out 3 varieties: Grapefruit Zinger, Razzle Dazzle, and Electric Lemonade. Each of those 3 offerings carries 9.1 percent ABV, which ought to keep things fun for those enjoying Blue Point Spirits. Beer more your thing? Back in March 2021, Blue Point announced a Beer Of The Month Club for New Yorkers. It kicked off with Illusion and Imperial Series offerings. Shipments are sent out by the 15th of each shipping month.

Puffin Drinkwear

Puffin’s drinkwear is reportedly on a mission to bring fun and celebrate good by creating fabulous drink wear to keep your beverages cold. In turn, Puffin encourages to dress up beverages and turn your favorite drink into your best buddy. The brand’s tagline of “Fun Together” is no accident. Its charming designs, rugged vibes and necessary functionality are likely to make you smile.

Puffin is said to work 20 percent better than a standard koozie. Puffin’s drink wear items retail for $12.95 and up and are sold online via puffindrinkwear.com and in over 2,000 retail locations in the U.S., including every R.E.I store. Puffin launched limited-edition sweaters this month with a bunch of new colors ready in time for the holidays. Something for everyone, every time of year.

Onda Tequila Seltzer

Onda’s line of premium tequila seltzer is crafted with blanco tequila from Jalisco, Mexico, and uses real fruit juice, unlike other canned beverages on the market that have questionable ingredients and a mystery alcohol base. All of its flavors feature 5 percent ABV, zero sugar and no carbs, and only 100 calories in each can. This includes Onda’s limited-edition Paradise Collection, inclusive of new, tropical-inspired flavors, Mango, Passion Fruit, Pineapple and Strawberry.

Should the Onda brand sound familiar, the spirits brand was co-founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell (Chief Brand Officer), along with Noah Gray (CEO), Max Dworin (COO) and Kelli Adams (Chief Creative Officer). Commented Mitchell in a prepared statement: “Tequila soda is hands-down my favorite drink, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to create a beverage brand that is rooted in quality and shared experiences.”


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About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."


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