Our Best Valentines Day Cocktails
Our best Dry January Zero-Proof Cocktails
Layered Mai Tai
Famous Last Words
This cocktail, Famous Last Words, is the creation of Seattle-based bartender, Sean de Anda - also the mastermind behind Orasella’s Botanical cherry. It’s a riff on a Last Word, a classic gin-based cocktail, and a lovely contrast to the flavor of the cherry which finishes off the cocktail beautifully. Enjoy.
Salt and the Nightjar
Does it ever strike you as odd when a dessert calls for salt? The amazing thing about this naturally occurring mineral is that it brings out all kinds of subtleties that we’d otherwise lose amongst more overpowering flavors. Such is the case with cocktails. Salting a cocktail helps brighten citrus and acts as a bridge between spirits and the more subtle non-alcoholic ingredients mixed with it. With that in mind, I give you one of Orasella’s first salted cocktails. Cheers, friends, and a very happy New Year.
Chocolate Coconut Sundae
One question I’m asked frequently is, “I don’t drink, what are other ways to enjoy your cherries?”. Well friends, here’s my go-to response. It’s simple and you probably have all the ingredients in your pantry. Enjoy it any old day or dress it up to serve a crowd. Cheers and here’s to the onset of ice cream season.
Nostalgia in a glass
Cherry coke brings about memories of childhood, hot summer days and playing Marco Polo with the 6 new friends you just met at the community pool. This evolved version gives the classic cherry coke just enough of an upgrade to have you pining for the grown up version of the same scenario, hot summer days around a fire pit swapping stories with six of your best friends. Cheers to the onset of warmer weather.
Pomelo Spritz
Harvest Delight Zero-Proof Cocktail
Lavender Spritz
Holiday Spritz
This cocktail is one of a handful on Orasella’s website that was constructed by our co-founder, Anne SanGiovanni. It’s pure nostalgia, inspired by a holiday punch popular during the 1980’s.
Unlike its predecessor, this version is light, not too sweet and infinitely adjustable to please all your holiday guests. Cocktail or mocktail, large or small batch, it’s up to you. Make a big batch of the cranberry citrus base before everyone comes over and you’ll have time to enjoy friends and family while foregoing work. Happy holidays, friends.
Apple Cider Spiced Stone Fence
Orasella's Vodka Ginger Soda
Midnight City
Seattle has a reputation for enjoying coffee. Those of us who live here put it in nearly everything - ice cream, chocolate, and, of course, our cocktails.
Coffee is an exceptional pair to some of the deeper spirits. And this cocktail, which pairs coffee with amaro and rum, is one of my favorites bartender, Damon Dhanens, has created for Orasella. I am sure you will enjoy it as well. Cheers!
Hibiscus Zero Proof Cocktail
Some recipes are total keepers. This one, my bartender friend, Sean, crafted is one. It’s so easy and equally delicious. It had to be because I sampled it all over the Pacific Northwest this summer. I think I’ve made this cocktail over 200 times and it’s always is finished by the drinker. Light, not to sweet, not too tart - it’s a crowd favorite perfectly refreshing for those last remaining days of summer.
Pappy & Co's Tart Cherry Margaritas
Charred Rhubarb Margarita
Industry food shows are one of my favorite things about owning a business. Fueled by 100% passion, late nights, second jobs, and dreams…they bring together a subset of incredibly passionate people. And did I mention the swag? That’s the best part. No one wants to haul everything home so a massive swap happens at the end of the show allowing you to take home products no one else may have seen.
And that is exactly what happened with my new friends from San Juan Island Sea Salt. We hit it off, and this week’s cocktail was born. All their salt is harvested from the waters right off Washington’s San Juan Island and, if you’ve been to the Seattle area, have seen our gorgeous Madrona trees - the wood of which is used to smoke their salt. This cherry salt marriage happened just in time for margarita season.
Pappy & Co's Basil Manhattan
Orasella's L.A. Twilight
I love variations as they provide two things: an immediate indication that you’ll probably like a cocktail and, if you’re making it at home, a way to spice up your routine.
This variation on a standard gin and tonic at once elevates it and will have you experimenting with some new spirits. And who doesn’t like that? Cheers, friends.