Designed for outdoor events like pool parties, tailgating, and camping, BuzzBallz are ready-to-drink cocktails made with juice and 15 percent ABV vodka, rum, or tequila, each packaged in portable, single-serve containers that are stackable, recyclable, and unbreakable. The drinks are available in 15 different flavors such as Pineapple Passion, Watermelon Smash, and Strawberry Rum Job. They cost about $2.99 per ball and are available in retail stores throughout the U.S.
Thanks to its purported detoxification properties, activated charcoal has become a dark-horse ingredient contender in the beverage industry. Because it tastes neutral, the potent powder has been added to lemonade, green juices, protein shakes, and, ironically, cocktails. For example, Pouring Ribbons in New York’s East Village serves up The Heart of Darkness ($15) with tequila, lime, mezcal, raspberry, and activated charcoal.
Parker Boase and Gregory Lucas, co-founders of Liquid Lab NYC, said that the spice best known for curry is becoming increasingly trendy ingredient in the beverage industry, including in the duo’s own Turmeric Gin Fizz, which is a twist on a classic Ramos Gin Fizz. “We’ve flipped it on its head,” they explained, using home-made turmeric-infused simple syrup, London dry gin, fresh lime, and Fee Brothers Burlesque Bitters, topped with a dash of ginger beer.
In addition to cocktails, turmeric-infused syrups, tinctures, and bitters will also be popping up in drinks as well. The Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based company offers mixology classes, customized cocktail catering, and consulting.
Spurred by the booming sparkling water business and the popularity of vodka-sodas, SpikedSeltzer founders Nick Shields and Dave Holmes decided to marry the two trends, launching an alcoholic seltzer brand in 2013. Popular with brides and social event hosts, the boozy sparkling water comes in four flavors (West Indies Lime, Valencia Orange, Indian River Grapefruit, and Cape Cod Cranberry) and contains 6 percent ABV with 140 calories, plus it’s gluten-free. Based in Norwalk, Connecticut, the company currently sells its products in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington D.C., Georgia, California, Bermuda, and the British Virgin Islands via liquor stores and supermarkets; in March, the brand will expand to all 50 states. Prices range from $8.99 for a six-pack of 12-ounce cans to $15.99 for a 12-pack.
Located in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Catskill Provisions specializes in raw, all-natural hand-made products, including pancake mix, maple syrup, chocolate truffles, and honey whiskey. The 80-proof hand-crafted rye is infused with honey from the region, giving it a hint of sweetness. It can be sipped on its own or blended into a cocktail such as an old-fashioned or a Wicked Bee’s Knees along with elderberry liqueur, lemon juice, and maple syrup. The whiskey ($43.75) is available for purchase online and at retail stores in the New York area.
