Sips & Synopsis

• This Weeks Makings

• Trivia Question

• Drink of the Week - Paper Plane

• Designing the In-Between Drink

• Bonus Cocktails

• Mocktail Moment - Honey Citrus Spritz

This Weeks Makings.

Late February lives in the middle.

The evenings still get dark early. The mornings feel a little brighter. We crave something lighter than January, but we are not ready for full spring refreshment.

This week we are talking about the in-between drink. The cocktail that bridges seasons. Something with warmth and lift. Depth and brightness.

In this issue:

• Why transitional cocktails matter

• How bartenders design drinks between seasons

• A Drink of the Week that balances winter and spring

• Bonus cocktails for this liminal moment

• A zero proof option that feels fresh but grounded

Trivia Question❓

What does the term “aperitif” literally mean?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Paper Plane

Bright citrus meets winter depth.

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz bourbon

• 0.75 oz Aperol

• 0.75 oz Amaro Nonino

• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake until well chilled.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Why this drink matters
The Paper Plane is perfectly balanced between bitter, sweet, strong, and sour. Bourbon gives warmth. Lemon brings brightness. Aperol and amaro create herbal complexity. It feels like winter meeting spring in a single glass.

Designing the In-Between Drink

Seasonal drinking is not just about ingredients. It is about mood.

In winter, we lean toward depth. Brown spirits. Spice. Rich textures. In spring, we crave lift. Citrus. Herbs. Effervescence.

But there is a space between those two impulses.

Bartenders often navigate this transition by adjusting structure instead of switching spirits entirely. They keep the warmth of whiskey or rum but introduce brightness through lemon. They soften heavy vermouth with a touch of honey. They use dilution intentionally to lighten mouthfeel.

The in-between drink holds contrast.

A little strong. A little bright. A little comforting. A little awakening.

If you want to experiment at home, small adjustments make a big difference:

• Dehydtrated citrus for garnish

• A quality mixing glass for controlled dilution

• A channel knife or peeler for expressive citrus garnish

Transitional drinks are about balance. Not reinvention.

Bonus Cocktails

Gold Rush

A whiskey sour with honeyed softness.

Ingredients
2 oz bourbon
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz honey syrup

Directions
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Why it works
Honey adds warmth and roundness, making this feel richer than a classic sour while still bright enough for the season.

Southside

Fresh herbs signal spring without abandoning structure.

Ingredients
2 oz gin
0.75 oz fresh lime juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
6 mint leaves

Directions
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Why it works
Mint and lime bring lift, while gin keeps the drink grounded and structured.

Mocktail or Zero Proof Option

Honey Citrus Spritz

Bright enough to feel fresh. Warm enough to feel comforting.

Ingredients
2 oz fresh orange juice
1 oz fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz honey syrup
3 oz chilled sparkling water

Directions
Shake orange juice, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass over ice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.