La-Tessa
So, I started the new year on a pretty good start. My bestie came in town, bearing the very best of surprise gifts: an exclusive Uncle Nearest holiday cocktail kit!
It’s a really cool kit, complete with:
- 3 bespoke cordials
- cherry bitters
- recipes for 3 new cocktails
- an Uncle Nearest branded jigger
- an Uncle Nearest branded face mask
I finally got around to making all three cocktails, so here’s my 2 cents on them. Oh, and there was no official name given to the cocktails so I just made up my own. 😉
Uncle Nearest Cocktail Cordials
Each cocktail is prepared the same way, the only difference being which cordial you use:
- 1 oz cordial
- 2 oz Uncle Nearest bourbon
- 5 drops of cherry bitters
Caramel Apple Delight
The sweetest of the 3 cordials included. I found it more caramel-y than apple though. Now, I gotta admit, I have a hard time conceptualizing sweet bourbon pairings in my head, so I approached this one with a bit of trepidation.
Turns out, there was no need to be afraid, the caramel compliments the Uncle Nearest very well. I’d definitely recommending trying this one as an after dinner treat.
Spiced Dreams
Seeing that I LOVE chai tea, I was looking forward to trying this cordial the most. It smells delicious and you can see bits of the spices floating around in it. While not as sweet as Caramel Apple Delight, it has a pleasant & sweet top note that compliments the spices & the bourbon well.
The flavor profile of this one is very much so like chai tea, but not quite as bold. I have to say, this is my top choice for a night cap. There’s just something about chai that relaxes me and puts me in a good mood.
Ruby Falls
Saving the best for last. This Cranberry Orgeat cordial produced, hands down, my favorite of the 3 cocktails featured here. Again, 
a bit of unease crept into my spirit when I thought about pairing cranberry & bourbon. I mean, Vodka or Prosecco are my normal go to’s for all things cranberry related. But hey, I’m always up for a new adventure.
So I got this gem mixed up, closed my eyes, and gave it a trepid taste. Oh, I quickly opened them back up when the first drop hit my tongue. It was delicious!! Very light and bright tasting. I was totally blown away at how well the cranberry cordial compliments the bourbon. I found it to be the least sweet of the 3. Turns out a little sweet/tartness and the caramel tones of the Uncle Nearest is a perfect combination.
So there you have it, my thoughts on the 2020 holiday cordial set from Uncle Nearest. I thought they were unique and tasty. Cheers to this venture, and the hopes I can get my hands on their next cocktail set.
