Many people have a signature sipper. Mixologists tempt guests to shake up their drink order. These mash-up cocktails transform familiar flavors into a creative beverage trend. Ready to take that first sip?
While many classic cocktails swap liquors, evolve ingredients or add another creative twist, mash-up cocktails are different. The concept takes two very different flavor profiles and put them together.
The idea is to combine sweet and smokey or bitter and bright. By blending these flavor profiles, the new cocktail has a complexity that is quite intriguing. More importantly, it amplifies the excitement about the creativity that can happen behind the bar.
Which Mash-up Cocktails Will You Try First?
Negroni Pain Killer
Created by Catherine Manabat, Hospitality Director at New Riff Distilling, Newport, Kentucky, this cocktail hits all the flavor profiles. It has the bitterness from the Negroni and the fruitiness from the Pain Killer.
The flavor hits first with sweetness but never gets too cloying because of the bitter notes. It is a great opening sipper to start a fun night.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces New Riff Bourbon Barrel Gin
- ¾ ounces Campari
- ¾ ounces sweet vermouth
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker tin. Shake well. Strain into a large hurricane glass over crushed ice. Garnish with grated nutmeg and dehydrated orange wheel.
Piña Colada Old Fashioned
Created by Jennifer Carpenter, General Manager at Bistecca, Dayton, Ohio, this tropical take on an Old Fashion is the elevated Tiki cocktail that brings the warm breeze with just one sip. While the cocktail reads more Pina Colada than Old Fashioned, it is quite enjoyable.
Thinking about this mash-up cocktail, it would be great with a spicy jerk chicken or even a Jamaican Patty. The sweetness cuts through spicy flavors while the Rye adds a warmth. For someone who loves beachy vacation vibes with a splash of sophistication, it is a must try.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce frozen pineapple
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- 1 ounce white rum
- 1 ounce Detrick Rye
- 3 dashes of angostura bitters
- Pineapple and cherry for garnish
- shaved coconut
Instructions:
- Place frozen pineapple in a shaker tin and muddle. Add cream of coconut, rum, Detrick Rye whiskey and bitters. Shake and single strain into a chilled coup. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, cherry, and shaved coconut. Enjoy.
Bamboo Martini
From Kristy Bevis, beverage consultant at Odette, Florence, Alabama, this martini is sophisticated yet intriguing. There are sweet, bitter and bright. Even if you never order a martini, this cocktail cannot be missed.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ ounces Plymouth Gin
- ½ ounce Aurora Amontillado Sherry
- ½ ounce Dolin Dry Vermouth
- 4 dashes Regans’ Orange Bitters
- Castelvetrano olive
- Lemon twist
Instructions:
- Add gin, sherry, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass and stir with ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an expressed lemon twist and Castelvetrano olive.
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