Gift Idea #3: The Not-So-Classic Not-Champange Cocktail Kit

Originally published on December 9, 2011.

A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: Part of the reason that people never thought we had spritis is because the shop name was Frankly Wines. If it had been Frankly Wines & Spirits, that would have solved the problem. But it wouldn’t really have fit on the sign. (And when I first opened that shop, I had a wine-only license.) Customers take the names of alcohol-related shops very literally. You think I would have learned that lesson and names my new shop Copake Wine & Spirits Works. But nope, I went with just Copake Wine Works. It fit on the sign, it evoked the nearby Copake Iron Works. And honestly, even though we do sell spirits, we’re not the typical “liquor store” that “& Spirits” or “& Liquor” evokes. I think even if we did have that catagory in our name, people would still walk into the shop and ask where the liquor is.

I worked in marketing for many years before opening this store, so I know a thing or two about the theortical application of reach and frequency in the midst of major media clutter. But with the store, I’m living the reality. Every chance I get, I mention that we now sell spirits. It’s in the newsletter. Every newsletter. For the last six months. We have a big sign at the store with a big arrow pointing at the spirits shelves. And those shelves happen to sit right next to the cash register, where there’s usually a helpful Frankly Wines employee ready and willing to answer questions.

And one of those questions is often, “Is there a store around here that sells spirits.”

Now from this position, if the person asking the question were to just turn their head a half click and focus, they would see several shelves filled with spirits. Actually, they probably did see the shelves. They just didn’t SEE them. Such is the nature of our cluttered environment.

Anyhow, this is a long way of introducing some of the gift options we’re most excited about this year Cocktail Kits!

Because they involve sprits.
Which we know sell.
Right up there by the cash register.
Right in front of your eyes.

The Not-So-Classic Not-Champagne Cocktail Kit: All boxed up and ready to go, this could be the perfect gift for your favorite budding mixologist, bar chef, or whatever they want to be called these days. Each kit includes everything you need to make Nick’s not-so-classic take on a classic Champagne cocktail. It’s the perfect accompaniment to brunch, with just a little sweetness, a hint of berry fruit notes from the cassis, and a lovely floral lift from the Elderflower Liqueur. And bonus – the bottles are really, really pretty.

Each kit includes 1 bottle each:

Pierre Chermette Crème de Cassis
Chase Elderflower Liqueur
Vullien Sparkling Vin de Savoie
+ a recipie card

Price: $65