One thing we’re learning is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to reopening after Stay at Home orders. Some places are seeing their restrictions extended and some people just don’t feel comfortable heading out to their favorite watering holes yet. Whether you’re ready to be back at it or are taking a slower approach to being out and about, the concept of a virtual happy hour may be here to stay.

We have two virtual happy hours to consider for your next virtual watch party. This spring, Emily Pleasant from Spirit Hub chatted with Montanya founder Karen Hoskin about rum and daiquiris, and more recently, Karen joined Jesse Torres of American Elm for a virtual happy hour.

They both offer so much great conversation it’s hard to sum them up in a few words. You can watch them both here:

Spirit Hub and the Daiquiri

An inside look at one of Karen’s favorite cocktails, the daiquiri—don’t let its simplicity fool you. The predecessor to the margarita, the daiquiri can be as traditional or versatile as you’d like. You can make it tart or sweet, serve it straight up or on the rocks, and with or without a rim (though you’ll see Karen is a bit of a traditionalist!). Karen demonstrates her preferred method all while covering the importance of a good lime, making a better simple syrup, not shortchanging the shake, and what she sees as the real purpose of a garnish. She also talks about another cocktail, the Ti’ Punch, which swaps out Platino for different types of rums.

American Elm and A New Recipe

Karen hosted one of the launch events for Valentia at American Elm, a bar and restaurant in Denver, Colorado with an excellent bar program and a strong commitment to hiring and training female bartenders. (You might have caught our profile on American Elm—if not, check it out!) In May Karen chatted with Jesse Torres, and covered so many great topics, including the way that Montanya’s story becomes part of what people love about our rums, the arrival of a new hand-built still, and being a B Corp. You can check out the video by clicking the image below (you will be transferred to Instagram) and find a recipe below:

Cocktail Recipe "That's Fire"

Created by Kelcie Phinney at American Elm

1.5 oz Pineapple-infused Montanya Exclusiva Rum
.5 oz Ancho Reyes
.75 oz Lime Juice
.5 oz Pineapple Syrup
6 drops Habanero Tincture 
2 drops Saline

Method:

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake well with ice. Fine strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel.

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