{"id":7618,"date":"2016-07-15T19:08:41","date_gmt":"2016-07-16T02:08:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7618"},"modified":"2016-07-15T15:10:58","modified_gmt":"2016-07-15T22:10:58","slug":"cocktail-corner-wine-meets-cocktails-and-mocktails-with-stolen-fruit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=7618","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Wine Meets Cocktails\u2014and Mocktails\u2014With Stolen Fruit"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Stolen

Stolen Fruit Mixers, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! \u00a0By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Winemakers have traditionally seduced\u00a0delicious tastes\u00a0from the vineyard and chefs blend verjus\u2014the fresh pressed juice from green grapes, varietal grape juice, and grape skins\u2014to bring flavor to the forefront of their\u00a0creations. Now these same techniques have been used to craft a fun, new line of\u00a0grape-based mixers: adding the nuance and complexity of wine grapes to a range of cocktails and mocktails.<\/p>\n

Using the fresh pressed juice of grapes dropped during thinning and dried wine grape skins, Sonoma-based Stolen Fruit<\/a> takes what is normally discarded from the winemaking process to create the base\u00a0for each mixer. Then the concentrated natural juice of a specific grape varietal such as Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier or Grenache, is blended in along with complimentary fruit and botanicals to build a layered, balanced drink base.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0flavors include:\u00a0Lemongrass Ginger Sauvignon Blanc<\/a>, Jasmine Juniper Viognier<\/a>, Hibiscus Grenache <\/a>(my favorite), Blood Orange Muscat<\/a> and Fig Grains of Paradise Zin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We tried them out last weekend and they’re delicious, with or with the booze! Mix them with sparkling water or club soda or lemonade for a non-alcoholic drink that still feels fun and festive. Add in\u00a0sparkling wine and\/or your favorite spirit and you have a terrific cocktail. We tried Stolen Fruit with Pisco, Rye, Vodka and Prosecco. I liked them all, as well as in combination with Jardesca<\/a>, a refreshing wine-based aperitif.<\/p>\n

Created by\u00a0Dry Creek\u00a0Valley AVA grape growers Doug and Susan Provisor, owners of Provisor Vineyards<\/a>, and Healdsburg-based Chef Peter Brown<\/a>, these\u00a0versatile mixers are a great addition to your home bar, as well as nice gift for your host.<\/p>\n

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Stolen Fruit Cocktail Mixers ($18) are initially available for purchase online at stolenfruit.com<\/a>, which also has recipes for cocktails, mocktails and food pairings, as well as on Amazon. \u00a0Check them out and let me know what you think.<\/p>\n

Cheers!\u00a0Click here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine<\/em> <\/a>on July 15, 2016.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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