2 minute read
Get into the Holiday Spirit with Spirit Trends
by Expert Contributor Elyse Lovenworth, Beverage Director at Firepoint Grill
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you’re looking forward to nights out with friends or hosting the big holiday family party, plan to impress with your knowledge of what’s trending in the spirit world during this spirited season.
Low-Proof and Non-Alcoholic Options
Catering to the growing population of health-conscious consumers, spirits advertising Low ABV, Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free and even No Alcohol are on the rise. Looking to follow this “healthier drinking” trend? Next time you’re out on the town, ask about Mocktails. Once reserved for pregnant or under-age patrons, mocktails are now hitting menus far and wide. Restaurants are creating elevated and tasty drinks using only non-alcoholic ingredients.
Craft breweries are also starting to dial back the alcohol by volume (ABV) in their beers. While old mainstream favorites like Miller and Coors have always averaged about 3.5% ABV, craft beers have been known for high ABVs, sometimes hitting 8 - 9%. Nowadays, some of the top-selling craft beers are “session” ales, combining the traditional hop-forward flavor profile of an IPA but containing much lower alcohol volume.
Low-Proof spirits like Ketel One Botanicals and No-Proof spirits like Seedlip are great options, too. Using similar methods of distilling botanicals like juniper and rose petals, these spirits are often compared to gin, minus the burn. They’re flavorful, aromatic and can be mixed with tonic or hot teas for the season’s cold nights.
Tequila, Tequila, Tequila
One of the only spirits experiencing a boom right now is tequila, which naturally has less sugar and calories than other spirits when made with 100% agave. If you’re a fan of Blanco or Silver tequila, you should try aged or “rested” styles like Reposado or Añejo, which spend varying amounts of time aging in a barrel before being bottled. Also be on the lookout for Mezcal. Tequila is made using the blue agave plant, but Mezcal can be made from over 30 different varieties of agave. Mezcal gets a smoky flavor from the production process where the hearts of the plants, or “piñas,” are cooked in pits in the ground.
Shop Local
For years, the Craft beer industry controlled the drinking-local market, unless you were lucky enough to live near a beautiful wine region. Nowadays, local distilleries are popping up in small towns everywhere. Although most of us have our go-to brands from larger producers, local distilleries are producing some top-quality spirits for reasonable prices. Check out Brandywine Branch distilling in Elverson, PA; Stateside in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia; and Boardroom Spirits in Lansdale, PA.
With all these healthier options, you can look forward to sipping on something new for your toast to the holiday season!
Expert Contributor Elyse Lovenworth, Beverage Director at Firepoint Grill
Firepoint Grill - part of the Paxos Restaurants family
3739 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
484-428-3093
www.FirepointGrill.com
