Illes Flavors & Seasonings

Considering the success of trendy beverages like Chai Tea and the U.S. populations' growing interest in global flavors, what do you all think will be some successful new beverages? Have been hearing quit a bit lately about Latin American Horchata. Anyone else?

During Cinco de Mayo I tried a Horchata based cocktail with rum and Frangelico that was quite tasty. Here is the recipe!

Ice
2 ounces Horchata
1 1/2 ounces aged dark rum, such as Ron Zacapa Centenario
1/2 ounce Frangelico

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add remaining ingredients. Stir vigorously with a barspoon until chilled. Pour into a rocks glass and serve with a swizzle stick.

In the "spirit" of your question John, I can't seem to pick up a food magazine without something written about mixology and boutique mixers. In Bon Appetite I saw a blurb about an importer who has found a market with "cocktail geeks" who love niche brands. He is bringing things like pine flavored Austrian liqueur, Creme de Violette or a Scandinavian liqueur called Punsch. Mixology has been a trend that I see only getting more and more traction!! Great Question!

Here are a few more interesting beverages gaining momentum:

Salty Watermelon Pepsi. Popular in Japan

Kombucha: Popular in Canada. Described as "often "vinegary and pungent, and not particularly pleasant to drink. And yet it is rapidly growing in popularity. Users say that kombucha energizes them and aids in their digestion."

And finally from Ireland, Tea with Balls.

Here is a drink recipe that sounds good to me!

The King's Cobbler

Adapted by StarChefs.com
December 2011
Yield: 1 Cocktail
INGREDIENTS:
1 small strawberry (or ½ large strawberry)
2 ounces Zucca Rabarbaro (rhubarb amaro)
¾ ounce 1:1 simple syrup
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
1 strawberry fan
1 fresh mint leaf
METHOD:
Softly muddle the strawberry in a frosted tin glass. Add the Zucca Rabarbaro, simple syrup, lemon juice, and ice and shake 15 times. Single-strain over cracked ice in a double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a strawberry fan, a slapped mint leaf, and 2 small straws.

Mixologist Neal Bodenheimer
Cure
4905 Freret Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
www.curenola.com..

When we were all suffering from the oppressive heat we had last week across the nation, I cooled down with one of Sonic's new Island Breeze slushes (I picked the strawberry but there is a pineapple option too). They have created the perfect "escape to the islands" non-alcoholic drink! Think pina colada meets fresh fruit strawberry slush. It was deliciously refreshing down to the strawberries in the bottom of my cup when I took the last sip. If you get a chance you should try one... they're only around for the summer, though!