Sips & Synopsis - This Weeks Makings

• New Year = New Opportunities

• Trivia Question

• Drink of the Week - New Years Glow

• Ice Infusions

Hello, friends! A new year brings fresh opportunities, renewed energy, and, of course, new cocktails! Whether you’re embarking on Dry January or just looking for lighter options, we’ve got you covered with both non-alcoholic and spirited drinks this week. Let’s toast to a year filled with flavorful adventures, good company, and memorable moments—cheers to 2025!

Trivia Question❓

What is the key ingredient in a traditional mocktail known as a "Shirley Temple"?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Drink of the Week

Bright, citrusy, and slightly sparkling, this mocktail is the perfect way to feel festive without the alcohol.

Easy tips to get pomegranate seeds out without the mess

• Step 1: Fill a bowl with cold water and place it in the sink

• Step 2: Score the pomegranate skin in quarters from top to bottom, but don’t cut through the seeds.

• Step 3: Gently pull apart the sections.

• Step 4: Use your fingers to peel the seeds away from the pith while submerged in the water to avoid juice stains.

  Why It Works: This method keeps the seeds intact and reduces juice splatter and the seeds sink to the bottom, and the pith floats, making it easy to separate.

Fun Fact: The Origin of Dry January

Dry January began in the UK in 2013 as a public health campaign by Alcohol Change UK. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, with millions of participants each year embracing the challenge to reset and refresh their relationship with alcohol.

For the Cocktail Crowd: Ginger Lime Spark

A zesty, fizzy drink with a warming touch of ginger—perfect for chilly January nights.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka (or skip for a mocktail)

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• 1/2 oz ginger syrup

• 3 oz ginger ale or club soda

• Lime wheel and candied ginger for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a shaker with ice and add vodka, lime juice, and ginger syrup.

2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.

3. Top with ginger ale and stir gently.

4. Garnish with a lime wheel and candied ginger.

Bar Hack of the Week: Ice Infusions

Elevate your drinks with infused ice cubes! Freeze water with citrus slices, fresh herbs, or edible flowers to add flavor and flair to your cocktails and mocktails. It’s an easy way to make even the simplest drink feel special.