Holiday menu | KRG Hospitality

February 8, 2023by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Rosa is Pink, Lowlands Agave is Blue

Rosa is Pink, Lowlands Agave is Blue…

by David Klemt

Código 1530 is proud to present Valentine’s Day cocktails from Travis Pentecost of Tu Madre and Abby Blanchard of Broken Shaker.

Even more relevant for Valentine’s Day, each of the tequila-forward four recipes below is made with Código 1530 Rosa Blanco. As you can tell from the bottle image above, Rosa Blanco is a rosé tequila.

This particular tequila’s characteristic comes from the aging process. As the name implies, Rosa begins life as a blanco. But after one month in uncharred Napa Valley Cabernet French White Oak wine barrels, the liquid takes on a pink hue.

Produced using lowlands Blue Weber Agave, Código 1530 is precise about Rosa Blanco’s aging time. Too short and the barrels wouldn’t influence the tequila. Longer than one month and the wine barrel flavors would overpower the agave.

Código 1530’s exacting production and aging techniques result in their signature blanco delivering soft red wine notes on the palate, and a subtly floral finish. Rosa’s aging process enhances Blanco’s rich and bright earthy, mineral, and citrus notes.

If you have guests who are tequila fans—particularly those who love blanco—Rosa Blanco is a great conversation starter and upsale.

Kisses and Roses

recipe by Travis Pentecost (Tu Madre)

1.5 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Tequila
0.5 oz. Chinola
1 oz. Fresh lime juice
0.75 oz. Orgeat
2 dashes Plum bitters
Lemon slice to garnish
Edible flower to garnish

Add all ingredients to a shaker and strain into a Collins glass. Garnish with lemon slice and edible flower.

Will You Cherry Me

recipe by Travis Pentecost (Tu Madre)

1.5 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Tequila
0.5 oz. St-Germain
1 oz. Prickly Pear liqueur
1 oz. Fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Cherry bitters
Fresh mint leaves to garnish
Lemon slice to garnish
Edible flower to garnish

Add all ingredients to a shaker and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaf “bouquet,” lemon slice, and edible flower.

Sandia Margarita

recipe by Travis Pentecost (Tu Madre)

2 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Fresh watermelon juice
1 oz. Fresh lime juice
1 oz. Pina Agave
2 dashes Peach bitters
Fresh mint leaves to garnish
Orange slice to garnish
Gummy watermelon candies to garnish
Edible flower to garnish
Salt for rim

Add all ingredients to a shaker and strain into a prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with “bouquet” of fresh mint leaves, orange slice, gummy watermelon candies, and edible flower.

You Up?

recipe by Abby Blanchard (Broken Shaker)

2 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Fresh lime juice
0.75 oz. Simple Syrup
3 Raspberries, muddled
Raspberries to garnish
Raspberry gummy candy to garnish (optional)
Edible flower to garnish (optional)

Add all ingredients to a shaker and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with raspberries. Optional garnishes: addition of raspberry gummy candy and/or edible flower

Images: Código 1530

Disclaimer: Neither the author nor KRG Hospitality received compensation, monetary or otherwise, from Volley or any other entity in exchange for this post.

Stay Weird neon sign with purple background

December 5, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Stand Out with Weird Holidays: Dec. 2022

Stand Out with Weird Holidays: December 2022

by David Klemt

Want to stand out from from other restaurants and bars in your area? Then commit to keeping it weird.

Several “holidays” are set against every date on the calendar, and December is no exception. These holidays range from mainstream to “weird.” For example, I’m sure you’re familiar with Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and a little event we call New Year’s Eve.

Pay attention to the “weird” or unique holidays to raise eyebrows, carve out a niche for your restaurant or bar, and attract more guests. Why do what everyone else is already doing?

Of course, you shouldn’t try to celebrate every holiday, weird or otherwise. And this month’s list in no way includes every odd holiday.

Focus on the days that are authentic to your brand; resonate with your guests; and help you grab attention on social media.

For November’s list, click here.

December 5: Bathtub Party Day

So, technically this day is about encouraging people to take a bath rather than a shower. However, this can be a great day for celebrating gin and prohibition-era cocktails.

Why gin in particular? For many, winter is gin season. Additionally, when people think of prohibition they tend to think of “bathtub gin.”

December 6: World Trick Shot Day

This is another holiday that celebrates something specific. In the case of World Trick Shot Day, it’s the basketball trick shot.

However, not every venue has basketball available to their guests. Many eatertainment venues do, but the same can’t be said for every restaurant or bar. But if your business has other bar games on offer, you can certainly adapt this holiday to encourage your guests to take their best shots.

December 8: National Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

Yes, Halloween is over. That doesn’t mean people won’t dress up and have some fun. From Doctor Who to Marty McFly, there are plenty of characters, movies, and TV shows out there your guests can use as inspiration to celebrate this holiday.

December 11: International Mountain Day

Our mountains are incredible, powerful, and crucial resources. So, on this holiday, highlight brands from mountainous regions and those committed to sustainability efforts.

December 12: Gingerbread House Day

This one can get messy but it can also draw in a lot of guests. There are a few ways to go about celebrating Gingerbread House Day, of course. One way I can think of is to encourage your guests to come by and help decorate a large gingerbread version of your restaurant or bar.

December 16: National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

Fine, this isn’t exactly the weirdest holiday out there. At this point, the ugly Christmas/holiday sweater is a movie and television show trope. That doesn’t make it any less fun.

Come up with your own twist to bring guests through your doors this National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. That can mean creating a particular theme for ugly sweaters, for example.

December 21: Phileas Fogg Win A Wager Day

When I came across this holiday I knew I’d be including it on this list. The name of the day is ridiculous, and the specificity is impressive. How could I resist?

This holiday, should you choose to accept celebrating it, is dedicated to Phileas Fogg. Who’s that? Fogg is the character in Around the World in Eighty Days who accepts the challenge referenced in the book’s title.

December 22: National Re-gifting Day

People participate in a lot of holiday gatherings throughout December. Many take place before the start of Hanukkah or Christmas Day.

That means a lot of people get gifts before December 22 that they’d perhaps rather not keep. So, encourage your guests to roll in on National Re-gifting Day for a drink, a bite, and an exchange of gifts.

December 23: National Pfeffernüsse Day

No, this isn’t a weird holiday—it’s mostly a fun word to say: “pfeffernüsse.” For non-German speakers, that’s probably a “weird” word. Most importantly, it’s a delicious, spiced cookie that makes for a great treat or fun interpretation as a holiday season cocktail.

December 30: No Interruptions Day

We all need time to disconnect, to log off and be unreachable. Your restaurant or bar is the perfect place for people to hit “do not disturb” on their devices and escape before New Year’s Eve.

Image: Dan Parlante on Unsplash

October 10, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Possess this Scary Spirit for Halloween

Possess this Scary Spirit for Halloween

by David Klemt

If you truly want to imbue your cocktails and the guest experience with the otherworldly this Halloween, you need this spirit.

In fact, this bottle likely contains the most “spirit” forward spirit one can possess. It’s also one of the rarest. Oh, and it took a rest for 30 days inside the Occult Museum.

On October 13, Harridan Vodka will launch their Paranormal Reserve officially. And if you’re after a true small-batch vodka, you’ll want to keep an eye the Paranormal Reserve countdown timer.

This is your opportunity to create and host a frighteningly unique Halloween LTO promotion.

Conjuring the Halloween Spirit

Does the Occult Museum sound familiar to you? If so, you’re likely a horror film fan or into the supernatural.

For those who don’t know, the Occult Museum was started in 1952 by Ed and Lorraine Warren. The two paranormal investigators collected a vast array of artifacts that they claimed came into contact with evil.

One of these objects is Annabelle, a cursed Raggedy Ann doll. According to lore, the doll is so dangerous it’s kept inside its own glass case. A sign attached to the case reads, “Warning, Positively Do Not Open.”

So, what could possibly be frightening about a Raggedy Ann doll? Well, this one is said to have an interesting “attachment.” That is, a demon in search of a human host that has attached itself to the doll.

To keep the demon from achieving its goal—which it reportedly began pursuing in 1970—Annabelle’s case has been blessed. The case has inscriptions of the Lord’s Prayer and Saint Michael’s Prayer. Also, it’s said that Ed Warren would recite a binding prayer over the case from time to time to ensure the demon couldn’t escape.

Supposedly, Annabelle nearly killed a priest who mocked it when he visited the Occult Museum to scrutinize the Warren’s claims of its demonic possession.

This story and more are told in The Conjuring movie series. In particular, Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, and Annabelle Comes Home. Given that it’s October, it’s the perfect time to watch the first installment and doll-focused movies of The Conjuring universe.

In fact, this would be the month to design a promotion around The Conjuring watch parties with themed LTO cocktails.

A Frightful Rest

Okay, so I can already hear some of you asking what this has to do with Harridan Vodka. Well, calm down—I’m getting to it.

The Warren Occult Museum, located in Monroe, Connecticut, closed to the public in 2019. In other words, if you didn’t get to visit prior to its closure, you’ll most likely never have the chance to see Annabelle or the other occult artifacts contained within.

But you can purchase a bottle of 44-percent ABV vodka that rested for 30 days inside the Occult Museum: Harridan Vodka Paranormal Reserve.

Just 666 bottles are available, and 665 took their 30-day slumber right next to Annabelle. These bottles will retail for $199 on Thursday, October 13.

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A post shared by Harridan Vodka (@harridanvodka)

Obviously, that leaves one bottle we need to address. Bottle number 666 was rested inside Annabelle’s case. And while the other 665 bottles are housed inside black Ouija-themed boxes, number 666 is contained within a glass case similar to Annabelle’s.

Of course, this unique bottle comes with an appropriately otherworldly price tag: $13,000. And, hey, the person who makes this bank-balance-slashing purchase might just be in possession of the world’s only vodka infused with evil.

If you’re one of the few who manage to get their hands on these Occult Museum-rested Harridan Vodka bottles, it’s fair to say you can name your price for the opportunity for guests to buy an ounce.

Happy Halloween, ya filthy animals!

Images: Harridan Vodka

March 1, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Stand Out with Weird Holidays: March 2022

Stand Out with Weird Holidays: March 2022

by David Klemt

Want to stand out from from other restaurants and bars in your area? Then commit to keeping it weird.

Several “holidays” are set against every date on the calendar, and March is no exception. These holidays range from mainstream—it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day!—to “weird.”

Pay attention to the latter to raise eyebrows, carve out a niche for your restaurant or bar, and attract more guests. Why do what everyone else is already doing?

Of course, you shouldn’t try to celebrate every holiday, weird or otherwise. And this month’s list in no way includes every odd holiday.

Focus on the days that are authentic to your brand; resonate with your guests; and help you grab attention on social media.

For last month’s list, click here.

March 2: National Old Stuff Day

There are a couple of ways to celebrate this holiday. Both require a bit of tact. On the one hand, you could showcase your big age-statement spirits. But on the other, you could lean into this holiday and try to move dead-stock spirits.

March 3: National Cold Cuts Day

People like to joke that packaged cold cuts and cheese singles make for a more “basic” form of charcuterie. This could be a great day to steer into that joke and build a simple, fun, and affordable charcuterie plate.

March 5: Cinco de Marcho

Now, we don’t support overserving. It’s not safe, it’s not responsible, and it can result in severe legal ramifications for operators and their teams. That said, Cinco de Marcho occurs just shy of two weeks before St. Patrick’s Day. The point behind the holiday is to get ready for St. Patrick’s Day. So, it could be a good idea to highlight your Irish whiskeys, gins, and beers in the lead-up to St. Patrick’s Day to leverage the interest in them for longer.

March 14: National Potato Chip Day

I really shouldn’t have to tell you what to do on this day. If you have the ability, show off your house-made potato chips. Other than that, if you sell chips by the bag, build a drink-and-chip LTO around them.

March 15: National Everything You Think is Wrong Day

Whew! That’s a bold statement, one that’s sure to get some blood boiling and arguments started. This probably isn’t the time to talk politics with guests. If you’re bold enough to tackle this holiday, maybe create a trivia night around the facts that most people tend to get wrong about different spirits, beers, and wines.

March 18: National Awkward Moments Day

Life is full of awkward moments. You probably witness quite a few each week within your four walls. For this holiday, encourage people in your area to treat themselves to a good meal and/or drink to try and forget their latest awkward moments.

March 22: (Inter)National Goof Off Day

It’s unfortunate that simply trying to have a good time is considered “goofing off.” But, that’s where we are, apparently. This is the perfect holiday to encourage your guests to enjoy an afternoon, evening or night at your place to escape their stressful lives, if only for an hour or two.

March 25: Waffle Day

You may be surprised to learn the sheer number of foods you can waffle. Well, this is the holiday for you and your kitchen team to build a specialty waffle menu to blow your guests minds. Interestingly, this is the day Sweden celebrates Waffle Day. So, if you can’t do it this year or simply want to repeat it, National Waffle Day is celebrated August 24.

March 28: National Something on a Stick Day

You can waffle a lot of foods but I’m willing to bet you can put way more foods on a stick. I smell an LTO menu…

March 31: National Tater Day

Roasted, fried, air fried, mashed, smashed, baked, twice baked, riced, totted (I dunno, I’m hungry writing this and want tater tots)… Celebrate everything a potato can do on this holiday dedicated to the humble spud.

Image: Dan Parlante on Unsplash

Código 1530 Tequila Rosa Blasberry Margarita

February 18, 2022by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

5 Premium Recipes for Margarita Day

5 Premium Recipes for National Margarita Day

by David Klemt

National Margarita Day is just around the corner and our friends at Código 1530 Tequila sent us five recipes for your cocktail menu.

For years, the Margarita has reigned supreme, steadily claiming the number-one spot on most-popular cocktail lists around the world. While this cocktail is now seeing its grip on the crown loosened by the Negroni and Old Fashioned, it’s hard to ignore the lure of a well-made Marg.

That’s even more true when its made with incredible tequila.

Each delicious, refreshing recipe below is made with super-premium Código 1530 Blanco or Rosa. However, you and your bar team should certainly experiment with other expressions in the range.

Considering the quality of Código 1530, operators can boost revenue by charging a premium for these magnificent Margs.

To learn more about Código 1530 Tequila and the creator of these recipes, company mixologist Collin De Laval, check out Bar Hacks episode 57.

Blanco Margarita

2 oz. Código 1530 Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Triple sec
1.5 oz. Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
0.5 oz. Agave nectar
Lime wedge or wheel for garnish

Prepare a rocks glass by rimming it with salt. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, pour into the prepared rocks glass with ice, and garnish with a lime.

Cucumber Mint Margarita

1.5 oz. Código 1530 Blanco Tequila
1 oz. Cucumber juice (freshly pressed, preferably)
1 oz. Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
0.25 oz. Agave nectar
Mint leaves, some to garnish
Salt and Tajín (50/50 mixture for rim)
Cucumber ribbons to garnish
Lemon wheel to garnish

To build, prepare a glass by rimming with lemon and rolling in salt and Tajín mixture and adding crushed ice. Add Código 1530 Blanco, cucumber and lemon juices, agave nectar, and mint leaves to a shaker with ice. Shake, strain into prepared glass, and garnish with cucumber ribbons, lemon wheel, and mint leaves.

Rosa Blasberry Margarita

2 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
1.5 oz. Lime juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
0.5 oz. Agave nectar
Handful of raspberries, some to garnish
Handful of blueberries, some to garnish
Soda water to top

Add berries and lime juice to shaker, and muddle. Next, fill shaker with ice and add Código 1530 Rosa and agave nectar. Shake, strain, and garnish with berries.

Rosa Skinny Margarita with Lavender

2 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
1 oz. Lime juice (freshly pressed, preferably)
1 oz. Agave nectar
Lime wedge or wheel to garnish
Lavender to garnish (optional)

For this simple but refreshing Margarita, add the first three ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake, strain, and garnish with lime wedge or wheel and lavender.

Watermelon Mint Margarita

2 oz. Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
3 oz. Pressed watermelon juice (freshly pressed, preferably)
0.75 oz. Lime juice (freshly squeezed, preferably)
0.25 oz. Agave nectar
Watermelon slices to garnish

Fill a shaker with ice and add Código 1530 Rosa, juices, and nectar. Shake for 30 seconds, pour into glass, and garnish with watermelon slices.

Images: Código 1530 Tequila

Coquito cocktail garnished with cinnamon stick

December 14, 2021by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

The Winter Cocktail Your Menu Craves

The Winter Cocktail Your Menu Craves

David Klemt

Sure, you can throw eggnog onto your menu and call it a cold day but what about a tastier winter rum cocktail that will wow your guests?

It’s the Coquito and we celebrate it on Tuesday, December 21 this year.

This creamy and rich rum drink makes an ideal LTO during the winter holiday season. And what better day to launch it than National Coquito Day?

So, let’s dive into the Coquito.

Origins

This delicious rum cocktail comes to us from Puerto Rico. There, it’s a traditional Christmas drink.

The name translates to “little coconut” in Spanish. Given that it’s made with coconut milk or cream of coconut, the name makes a lot sense.

Simple, straightforward, rich and creamy, the Coquito is easy to make and easier to drink.

Spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, this amazing drink embodies the flavors of the season.

Recipe

Bacardí lays claim to the original Coquito recipe. Like the phrase “No Negroni without Campari,” the rum brand says, “It’s not an original Coquito without Bacardí.”

The Bacardí Coquito recipe is as follows:

1L bottle of Bacardí Superior Rum
15 oz. Cream of coconut
14 oz. Condensed milk
12 oz. Evaporated milk
2 Tbsp. Vanilla extract
Cinnamon to taste

Add all ingredients to a punch bowl and refrigerate until well chilled. Pour into mugs or cordial glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Traditionally, the Coquito is served in a shot glass.

However, there are several alternative ways to make the Coquito. For example, the Liquor.com Coquito recipe:

750 mL White, añejo or spiced Puerto Rican rum
56 oz. Sweetened condensed milk
48 oz. Evaporated milk
24 oz. Cream of coconut
4 tsps. Vanilla extract
4 tsps. Ground cinnamon
1 tsp. Ground nutmeg
Cinnamon sticks (one stick per bottle of prebatched Coquito, two per individual serving)

Add all ingredients except for rum and cinnamon sticks to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly, bring to a simmer, and then let cool. Add the rum and stir. Pour into bottles that can be sealed, and add one cinnamon stick. Seal bottles and store in refrigerator (some sources say the Coquito can be stored for up to two weeks). Serve in rocks glasses and garnish with two cinnamon sticks.

Riffs

Some people add eggs to the saucepan version of the Coquito. The thickness of the drink can also be altered by reducing or increasing heating times.

Alternatively, swapping the cream of coconut out in exchange for coconut milk means a lower fat content. Obviously, that will affect mouthfeel and thickness.

Further, using different brands and expressions of rum will affect flavor. In fact, some recipes call for chocolate-flavored rum or adding chocolate liqueur.

Finally, using a zero-proof alternative to rum will allow guests who aren’t drinking to participate and engage with your winter menu. Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, Dark Cane Spirit, and Spiced Cane Spirit are clever alternatives. Ritual Rum Alternative is also a great zero-ABV option.

So, there are several ways to make the Coquito your bar team’s own. Spices, liqueurs, milk versus cream, garnishes, and glassware can put your stamp on your Coquito.

Mark your calendars and ready your marketing channels: Tuesday, December 21 is National Coquito Day.

Image: Maria Moledo on Unsplash

December 13, 2021by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Winter Sangria for the Holidays

Winter Sangria for the Holidays

by David Klemt

Most people may associate Sangria with summer months and tropical locales.

However, Sangria can certainly shine during the winter months and holiday parties.

All you really need is a rich and perhaps somewhat sweet red wine and seasonal spices.

What is Sangria?

We celebrate National Sangria Day on December 20. That may seem strange to people who view it as a summer drink.

However, with the right wines and spices, Sangria easily transforms into a season-specific libation.

At its core, Sangria is a punch. It’s commonly accepted that this wine-based drink was created during the 18th century. Supposedly, the predecessor to Sangria (“bloodletting” in Spanish) was served cold or hot.

However, the cold version found its way onto American shores in the 1940s. There are stories that claim Sangria took off in the mid-1960s because of the 1964 World’s Fair.

So, what are the basics? Traditionally, Sangria consists of:

Red wine (Rioja is most traditional)
Chopped fruit (local fruits are most traditional)
Fruit juices (in place of some or all chopped fruits)
Sweeteners (orange juice and/or sugar)
An alcohol boost (brandy or liqueur)
Sparkling water or soda (for texture)

There are also Sangria recipes that use white wine, sparkling wine, and even combinations of red and white wine.

Winter Red Wines

Since you’ll be using seasonal fruits and spices to flavor your Sangria, the case can be made that the red wine base doesn’t matter.

However, your housemade recipe will benefit from careful consideration. Also, your guests will appreciate you putting some thought into your recipe.

The following red wines are excellent during the winter:

Red Zinfandel
Malbec
Petite Sirah
Petit Verdot
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz
Sirah/Syrah
Sangiovese
Grenache/Garnacha
Tempranillo

These varietals tend to have warming flavors and aromas, along with medium to full bodies.

Of particular note are Grenache, Garnacha and Tempranillo. Those varietals, along with red Riojas, are commonly used to make Sangria in Spain. By the way, Grenache and Garnacha are the same grape; it’s called Garnacha in Spain, Grenache anywhere else.

Winter Fruits and Spices

This is where you really make your winter Sangria stand out.

First, select your wine. Obviously, you don’t need to use one of your pricier wines. Get to know it, tasting it with your bar team. Consider what fruit notes and body characterize the wine. Note its level of sweetness.

Next, consider the spices that define the holiday and winter season. Cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, clove, ginger, and allspice all come to my mind.

Now, the fruits. Pears, pomegranates, cranberries, kiwis, oranges, grapefruits, Meyer lemons, kumquats, persimmons, and tangerines are all in season in the winter.

After that, decide if you want to add a modifier like Gran Marnier, brandy, ginger ale, or just sugar.

Then, experiment with your wine choice, spices, and fruits until your housemade Sangria is to your liking and authentic to your brand.

The final step? Costing and pricing. This will be a seasonal item or LTO, so you can probably get away with charging a bit more for it than you would for a standard cocktail.

Make sure to jot down your recipe. That’s not only so it remains consistent. Doing so will also help you create new Sangria recipes for each season.

And there you have it. Not only will you be able to wow your guests on National Sangria Day, you now have a Sangria recipe you can modify on a seasonal basis.

Image: Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash