Cheers

www.cheersonline.com 25 APRIL 2014 | W hether they are called apptails, couptails, or minis, appetizer-sized cocktails are small in size, but big on charm. ey appeal to indecisive guests who just can't pick one drink from the list, as well as those concerned about the amount of alcohol in ordering several full-sized libations. Mini cocktails also enable a bar or restaurant to showcase and sample signature drinks. Casual American dining chain Houlihan's. for instance, o ers a mini Martini ight of three small sips for $10. "People love to 'taste around' when it comes to cocktails," explains Suzanne Frentress, director of brand marketing for the 83-location chain. " e mini Martinis have a cute factor which guests love, and allow them to try di erent avors." All mini options include one variety of Absolut vodka, along with fresh juices and other mixers. e Hibiscus Mini mixes Absolut Hibiskus with Solerno blood orange liqueur, lemon and cranberry; the Key Lime Mini combines Absolut Vanilia with key lime, house made fresh sour and half and half; and the Mandarin Mini uses Absolut Mandrin, Malibu coconut rum, mango and fresh lemon and orange juices. TAPAS TASTING e mini cocktail trend is akin to the small-plates dining experience, says Richard Vickroy, assistant manager of the Houlihan's in Hershey, PA. "It's like going to a tapas restaurant and having a little bit of this and a little bit of that." e small "couptails" o ered at e Southwestern-focused Anasazi Restaurant and Bar, pack a lot of avor into their tiny size. "Guests view them as they do tapas, and also appreciate the fact that the drinks don't contain mixers or sweeteners," says bar manager James Reis, who created the couptails. " is allows them to enjoy the bold avors of high-quality liquors." e four couptails o ered at the 92-seat restaurant, which is located in Santa Fe's Inn of the Anasazi, are priced at $6 to $7 each. e Bon-Bon combines Maestro Dobel tequila with Grey Goose Cherry Noir vodka and Godiva Chocolate liqueur, while e Republic stirs Campari with a blend of Bowmore 12-Year Scotch, preserved lemon and lemon juice, garnished with a blue- cheese stu ed olive. e Kiss Kiss mixes Bushmills Irish Honey Whiskey with Pama pomegranate liqueur and Bols Amaretto, and the Gold Dust Women is made with G'Vine Nouaison gin, Esprit de June liqueur and Solerno blood orange liqueur. FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT Beyond providing guests with opportunities to taste several tipples on a menu, small cocktails can also whet their whistles and tide them over until the craft cocktail they order can be executed. Guests at the 60-seat New York craft cocktail bar Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog receive a demitasse cup of punch as they are seated. " e amuse bouche o ers a sense of belonging—you feel at ease, comfortable and at home," says Dead Rabbit bar manager Jack McGarry. "It's important that guests have something to drink right away, as that means they are prepared to wait ve to ten minutes for a well-made cocktail." Welcome punches served include Cross Punch, with pineapple-infused Pisco Porton, Green Chartreuse, chamomile tea and lemon; Counter Punch, with Jameson Black Barrel W hether they are called apptails, couptails, or minis, appetizer-sized cocktails are small in size, but big on charm. ey appeal to indecisive guests who just can't pick one drink from the list, as well as those concerned about the amount of alcohol in ordering several full-sized libations. Mini cocktails also enable a bar or restaurant to showcase and sample signature drinks. Casual American dining chain Houlihan's. for instance, o ers a mini Martini ight of three small sips for $10. "People love to 'taste around' when it comes to cocktails," explains Suzanne Frentress, director of brand marketing for the 83-location chain. " e mini Martinis have a cute factor which guests love, and allow them to try di erent avors." All mini options include one variety of Absolut vodka, along Make Mine a MINI The trend of miniature cocktails offers several big advantages By Kelly A. Magyarics Casual dining chain Houlihan's offers a fl ight of three Mini Martinis for $10. R. LOPEZ 24-27 apptails CH0414.indd 25 4/4/2014 11:23:37 AM

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