Bar, nightclub and restaurant operators, managers, bartenders and other staff members have a lot to keep tabs on. From every day operations tasks to new product releases to spirit, beer, wine, cocktail and food trends, keeping on top of bar and nightlife news each week can be a project in and of itself.
That’s where we come in. To make things that much easier for you we’ve put together a detailed rundown of what happened this week that you should know. You need to know what international products are finally being distributed throughout America, what innovations are being made in glassware and bar and kitchen products, what and when music streaming services are featuring a new album, and so much more. In life, knowledge is power. In this business, knowledge is dollars.
Cachaça and Caipirinha fans rejoice! Novo Fogo is launching the world’s first sparkling Caipirinha in a can.
In a move that Novo Fogo refers to as “instant tropicalization in a can,” the USDA-certified organic cachaça producer is making Brazil’s national spirit and national cocktail truly accessible. The Novo Fogo Sparkling Caipirinha combines freshness, deliciousness, and shelf stability in a natural, flavorful, carbonated ready-to-drink package perfect for patios, pools, barbecues, sporting events, concerts, tailgating, and beaches. Bartenders can serve the Sparkling Caipirinha straight from the can, over ice, and choose whether or not to garnish the drink with a lime.
“This product has been years in the making. We wanted to highlight cachaça in an accessible way, without compromising our pursuit of exceptional quality and Brazilian tradition,” says Novo Fogo’s CEO, Dragos Axinte. “Cachaça is still growing its awareness in the USA, so we want easy ways to get people into the category. This product is for those cocktail lovers who live in the moment.”
The Novo Fogo Sparkling Caipirinha is available nationwide and online with an SRP of $3.99 per can. To learn more, please visit www.novofogo.com.
Do you own or work at one of the 60 best in America?
Because if you do, you may just be getting a visit from ITALICUS. They’ll be bringing a present from them to the US cocktail industry along for you. To celebrate the distribution of ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto in the United States, 60 of the best bars in the country will be given one of the first 60 bottles adorned with the medal of “Aperitif of the Year 2016” from the New York International Spirits Competition. Working with Royal Dutch Distillers, Rosolio di Bergamotto will first be rolled out in California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas, with other states following shortly thereafter.
Follow this link to watch their video.
Alexandre Gabriel’s new Cognac is already an award winner.
Widely considered Cognac’s most imaginative master blender, Alexandre Gabriel has released Pierre Ferrand Reserve Double Cask Cognac, the first Cognac by this revered house to be aged in two different casks. First, Reserve Double Cask is aged in traditional French oak. Then the Cognac is aged in casks that once held Banyuls, a fortified wine produced and aged in the south of France since the 13th century. The result is an entirely new taste reminiscent of the 1800s, the Golden Era of Cognac. Reserve Double Cask replaces the current Reserve and will be a permanent addition to Pierre Ferrand’s impressive portfolio. This is already an impressive offering, having won the Chairman’s Trophy in the Cognac category at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge. This particular award is the highest accolade that a spirit can win at this this prestigious global competition, and Reserve Double Cask received 98 points, an almost perfect score.
“I research the past as much as I look to the future when it comes to spirits production,” says Alexandre Gabriel, proprietor of Maison Ferrand and Pierre Ferrand Master Blender. “In the past, Cognac had even more character than it does today because master-blenders then aged their Cognac in many different types of casks to bring forward the beautiful flavor of the grape Cognac is made from. I have always been fascinated by these time-honored techniques and decided to create this special Reserve Double Cask not only to satisfy my curiosity, but to showcase the incredible range of Cognac flavors. It has become my go-to Pierre Ferrand for sipping. I also enjoy it with a large round pure ice cube, the way my grandfather used to sip some of his Cognacs.”
The liquid is bottled at 42.3% ABV, a nod to the Golden Era’s higher proof Cognacs. The SRP is $79.99 for a 750ml bottle.
GOVINO will showcase new whiskey glassware and custom printing at the 2017 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.
GOVINO Whiskey glasses
The shatterproof glassware innovator plans to debut their new whiskey rocks glass at the NRA Show in Chicago, which takes place from May 20 through May 23. Designed with their signature thumb notch, the 14-oz. GOVINO whiskey glass is also dishwasher safe. Not content to stop there, GOVINO is also set to debut digital advances in specialty printing. Launching this summer, GOVINO’s printing technology can easily adapt to any customer need, capable of customization at any volume in a multitude of colors and designs. Be sure to stop by booth 8839 if you’re attending the 2017 NRA Show in Chicago.
For more information, click here.
Publication Travel Agent Central wants you…
…to vote for the best rooftop bar in NYC. From their website:
“With the weather warming up, rooftop bar season is almost here, and with it, the chance to make your friends jealous with the perfect Instagram shot of a cocktail against a spectacular city view – you know the one. To celebrate, we’re spotlighting some of the most notable rooftop bars worldwide and pitting them against each other to determine which one truly makes the best Instagram post.”
Head over to the site, check out some stunning Instagram photos of these amazing rooftop bars, and cast your vote. Be sure to watch that space because more voting opportunities for rooftop bars in other cities are coming!
TouchTunes is promoting Sheryl Crow’s new album Be Myself…
Today, 9-time Grammy award recipient and American music icon Sheryl Crow will release her ninth studio album. Crow’s new album, Be Myself, sees her reconnecting to her 1990’s pop work with collaborators Jeff Trott and Tchad Blake.
"I really wanted to get back to how I got started on my second record and third record," Crow said in an interview. "I wanted to revisit that sound and that feeling. It was a complete blast and the most effortless thing I've ever done."
Crow stopped by TouchTunes’ New York City office this past March to speak about recording Be Myself and preview a few songs from the album.
…and they’re set to pre-release John Mellencamp’s album Sad Clowns & Hillbillies.
TouchTunes announced that rocker John Mellencamp will exclusively pre-release Sad Clowns & Hillbillies via their platform on Tuesday, April 25, three days ahead of the album’s official release date of April 28, 2017. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, Mellencamp holds the record for most tracks by a solo artist to hit number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Charts. Mellencamp’s upcoming full-length album, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, is the 23rd of his remarkable career and marks a return to the rocker’s eclectic approach to music.