Drinks that should be on your radar this spring

Your guide to refreshing beverages and a secret tip for the next time you pop into your local wine shop.

The main perk of working at a wine & spirit shop are the samples. There’s no better way to sell your product than to let others try it for free and experience it yourself.

One of the first things I do every morning is sample products. What jumpstarts your day faster than a cup of coffee and shots of wine first thing in the morning?

The products I sample are either from new producers or distributors, seasonal items, or recently purchased beverages we’re featuring. Most drinks are fine, some are good, and few are great (or also important, truly unique).

Facing the paradox of choice and beholden to limited finances, it’s difficult to go into a shop and buy something completely new to you. To help grease the wheels and introduce you to some new drinks for your next hangout, here are some beverages I think you should look out for along with where you can find them. Plus, a secret tip for the next time you pop into a wine shop looking to try something new.

Park-ready beverages incoming

6 Drinks To Try

1. Tsiakkas Xynisteri (White Wine)

My favorite underrepresented wines usually hail from the Mediterranean, like the fresh, mineral, fruity and salt flecked Assyrtiko wines from Greece or the fuller, citrusy, dry Falanghina wines from Southern Italy.

A new grape and region just dropped on my radar for my summer wine list, Xynisteri wines from Cyprus. Light, refreshing, and dry with aromas of fresh citrus, green apple, limestone, and sea salt. Close comparison to a lean, crispy Sauvignon Blanc.

I bought a bottle that’s just waiting for the next really hot day. Ideally, I’m on Rockaway Beach pairing this wine with ceviche from La Cevicheria.

Honorable Mention: Tsiakkas “Vagabond” Pet-Nat (excited to see more from this producer)

2. Le Moné (Lemon Aperitif)

A sure-fire hit at your next park or beach hang. Appease the low-ABV, low sugar, maximum flavor crowd with the easy, bright flavors of this bevvy. Made from NY wine, Californian Meyer Lemons, and a touch of agave, this is a not too sweet refreshing beverage that will pair perfectly with your Sandy Liang x Baggu picnic blanket and matching tote.

For this aperitif, make a simple cocktail. Pair with equal parts seltzer, or a nuanced play on the French 75 with a garnish of lemon (subbing the lemon juice & simple syrup with Le Moné).

3. Dio (French 75)

Speaking of French 75—who ever has a bottle of sparkling wine on hand? Every time I buy a bottle of fizzy, over half of it goes unused, so why not opt for something a bit more convenient? This ready to drink (RTD) cocktail from Dio is slowly changing my mind about the RTD category. The right touch of fizz, not-too-sweet-sweetness, with the palate of freshly sliced apple and pear. A perfect quantity in a can for a small heady buzz. Keep extra-chilled, give it a little shake, and drink straight.

4. Zachlawi’s Pistachio Arak (Semi-Sweet Liqueur)

Arak is a traditional Middle Eastern spirit that’s made from distilled dates or grapes and flavored with aniseed. I predict Arak is something you’ll be seeing on more cocktail menus as Middle Eastern cuisine is seeing a surge in popularity in the US. Arak is not a spirit for everyone, likely not a spirit for most people who weren’t acquainted with it at a younger age. (For traditional Arak, Massaya is my preferred brand. How to drink Arak—2:1 ratio (Water:Arak), transforms from clear → milky white with water).

This untraditional, Pistachio Arak from Zachlawi flips the script with their semi-sweet liqueur version. The aromas are boldly fragrant with toasted pistachio and coconut, with the palate of sweetened coconut milk and a velvet creaminess that lingers with a delicate touch of anise and licorice.

As I sweat through spring & summer, I’ll fantasize about splashing this over ice cream, an affogato, or 50/50 substitute with Kahlua for your espresso martinis.

Honorable Mention: Zachlawi’s Black Arak (similar to a semi-sweet coffee liqueur, but more licorice and vanilla-forward)

5. Standard Wormwood’s Bittersweet Wermut (Vermouth)

Based in Industry City, Brooklyn, this distillery experiments predominantly with wormwood, the bitter botanical that’s commonly used for vermouth.

Their Bittersweet Wermut was a standout. Made with a Cab Franc base, it has the aroma of fall spices like cloves & cinnamon, but tastes strongly of berries, fresh flower & light oak with a semi-sweetness. It’s a surprising combination that makes it all the more tasty.

It’s perfectly balanced neat. This vermouth can also be served over ice and/or a splash of seltzer. Although, the flavors would match well in a fruit-driven and floral Boulevardier or classic Negroni.

Honorable Mention: Standard Wormwood’s Rose Aperitivo

6. Atheras Spirits’ Louisa Liqueur (Semi-Sweet Liqueur)

This very unusual liqueur tastes exactly like lemon-grass, made with Hierba Luisa, which is a grass originating from India and South America, known for its lemon essence. It has a distinctive deepened herbal and citrus flavor with a long finish. It’s one worth trying for the unique experience or for the lemongrass lovers out there.

I’m imagining a lemongrass tiki drink or this in a refreshing mojito (subbing out rum or playing with the ratio).

Lastly, here is my secret tip.

For the next time you head to a wine shop, if you’re interested in any of the spirits, it never hurts to ask if they have a sample available. Oftentimes, shops get free sample bottles from the distributor/producer to allow for the staff (and sometimes, customers) to drink and the shop may have some still around!

Show your interest in the beverage, don’t ask for more than one or two samples at max, and be gracious. They just want you to try something they’re equally enthusiastic about after all.

What beverages are you excited for this summer?

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