Sips & Synopsis - This Weeks Makings

• Make Room for Both

• Trivia Question

• Drink of the Week - Blood Orange & Bourbon Smash

• Balanced Bartending

• Mocktail Moments - 3 Variations

✨ Weekly Summary:

It’s week two of January, and whether you’re diving into Dry Jan, dabbling in moderation, or staying true to your bourbon stash, we’ve got a glass for you.

This week, it’s not about what’s “in” or “out.”
It’s about building a bar cart that makes room for both intention and indulgence.

✔️ Featured Cocktail: Blood Orange & Bourbon Smash
✔️ 3 Zero-Proof Mocktails worth sipping slowly
✔️ A short story on balanced bartending
✔️ Glassware + mixer links to upgrade your at-home pours
✔️ A quote & trivia to keep you inspired

Trivia Question❓

Which citrus fruit, known for its deep red hue and tart sweetness, peaks in the winter months and is not technically its own species?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

🍊 Drink of the Week: Blood Orange & Bourbon Smash

Winter citrus meets deep, rich bourbon in this vibrant seasonal smash.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1 oz fresh blood orange juice

• 0.5 oz lemon juice

• 0.75 oz simple syrup (or honey syrup)

• 4–5 fresh mint leaves

• Garnish: blood orange wheel + mint sprig

Directions:

1. Muddle mint with syrup in a shaker.

2. Add bourbon, citrus juices, and ice.

3. Shake until well chilled.

4. Strain into a rocks glass over ice.

5. Garnish with mint and a blood orange slice.

Refreshing, zesty, and just indulgent enough for January.

One Cart, Many Choices

You don’t need to pick a lane.
A well-stocked bar cart isn’t about excess, it’s about options.

This week, the cocktail and the mocktail sit side-by-side.
One warms. One refreshes. Both are worth savoring.

So whether you’re saying “yes” to bourbon, “no” to alcohol, or “maybe later” to everything, your glass can still be full of flavor. This is what it means to drink with intention.

🛍️ Bar Cart Upgrades:

Crushed Ice Mold – For perfect smashes & spritzes
Set of 6 Lowball Glasses – Classic & durable
Ginger Syrup – Bold, spicy, cocktail-ready

Mocktail Moments: Flavor-First, Spirit-Free

1. Ginger Grapefruit Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 0.5 oz lime juice

• 0.5 oz ginger syrup

• Sparkling water to top

• Garnish: grapefruit twist

Directions:
Shake juices and syrup with ice. Strain into a tall glass, top with sparkling water, and garnish.

2. Pineapple Jalapeño Spritz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pineapple juice

• 0.5 oz lime juice

• 0.25 oz honey syrup

• 1 slice jalapeño (muddled)

• Sparkling water to top

• Garnish: pineapple wedge or chili salt rim

Directions:
Muddle jalapeño with syrup. Add juices, shake with ice, strain, and top with sparkling water.

3. Coconut Chai Cooler

Ingredients:

• 2 oz brewed chai tea (cooled)

• 1 oz coconut milk

• 0.5 oz maple syrup

• Dash of cinnamon

• Garnish: star anise or grated nutmeg

Directions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a lowball glass. Cozy and complex.