Booze Bucket List: 6 Must-Try Sips
Step out of your adult beverage comfort zone this year by trying something new (to you!). The offerings here aren’t only unique but crafted locally, too. Enjoy—and remember to always imbibe responsibly!
Tart Pops Double Jammer
CHEERS TO (SOUR) BEERS
Recently released from Burning Barrel Brewing Co., Tart Pops Double Jammer is a bold smoothie sour that mimics everyone’s favorite childhood breakfast pastry. Each juicy sip is loaded with blueberries, strawberries, cake batter, pie crust, and cinnamon. As if it couldn’t get any sweeter, Burning Barrel makes all their smoothie sours with 100% real fruit. 11210 Sun Center Drive, Suite B, Rancho Cordova, 916-382-4846, burningbarrelbrewco.com
Recently released from Burning Barrel Brewing Co., Tart Pops Double Jammer is a bold smoothie sour that mimics everyone’s favorite childhood breakfast pastry. Each juicy sip is loaded with blueberries, strawberries, cake batter, pie crust, and cinnamon. As if it couldn’t get any sweeter, Burning Barrel makes all their smoothie sours with 100% real fruit. 11210 Sun Center Drive, Suite B, Rancho Cordova, 916-382-4846, burningbarrelbrewco.com
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Petite Sirah
BARRELS OF FUN
Can’t decide between wine or whiskey? Now you can savor the flavors of both, thanks to this big, brawny Bourbon Barrel-Aged Petite Sirah from Bogle Vineyards that combines luscious, jammy flavors and a rich mouthfeel with smoky, sweet notes. Aged in whiskey barrels, it’s infused with complexity, concentration, and a unique finish—a primo pick when you’re looking to savor something special alongside good friends and good conversation. 37783 County Road 144, Clarksburg, 916-744-1092, boglewinery.com
Can’t decide between wine or whiskey? Now you can savor the flavors of both, thanks to this big, brawny Bourbon Barrel-Aged Petite Sirah from Bogle Vineyards that combines luscious, jammy flavors and a rich mouthfeel with smoky, sweet notes. Aged in whiskey barrels, it’s infused with complexity, concentration, and a unique finish—a primo pick when you’re looking to savor something special alongside good friends and good conversation. 37783 County Road 144, Clarksburg, 916-744-1092, boglewinery.com
Canned Pinot Noir
GO ON A GRAPE ESCAPE
In case you haven’t heard, canned wines are what all the cool kids (21 and up, of course!) are drinking. Whether heading out on a hike or hitting the slopes, they’re palatable and portable—plus, they’re good for the planet. We’re currently crushing on the Canned Pinot Noir from Wise Villa Winery, which boasts flavors of cherry, raspberry, clove, vanilla, and dried roses, alongside a lush, firm finish. 4200 Wise Road, Lincoln, 916-543-0323, wisevillawinery.com
In case you haven’t heard, canned wines are what all the cool kids (21 and up, of course!) are drinking. Whether heading out on a hike or hitting the slopes, they’re palatable and portable—plus, they’re good for the planet. We’re currently crushing on the Canned Pinot Noir from Wise Villa Winery, which boasts flavors of cherry, raspberry, clove, vanilla, and dried roses, alongside a lush, firm finish. 4200 Wise Road, Lincoln, 916-543-0323, wisevillawinery.com
Lavender Lift
SHAKE YOUR BOOCH-Y
A buzzy beverage that’s gluten-free and good for your gut (thanks to its plethora of probiotics), hard kombucha is “the drink” for health-conscious consumers. Grass Valley’s family-owned and operated Gold Vibe Kombuchary makes some pretty fun flavors. Our favorite? Lavender Lift, which is made by brewing locally sourced, whole-flower lavender in jasmine tea and fermenting it with organic ginger and lemon. 12615 Charles Drive, Grass Valley, 530-802-7337, goldvibe.com
A buzzy beverage that’s gluten-free and good for your gut (thanks to its plethora of probiotics), hard kombucha is “the drink” for health-conscious consumers. Grass Valley’s family-owned and operated Gold Vibe Kombuchary makes some pretty fun flavors. Our favorite? Lavender Lift, which is made by brewing locally sourced, whole-flower lavender in jasmine tea and fermenting it with organic ginger and lemon. 12615 Charles Drive, Grass Valley, 530-802-7337, goldvibe.com
Happy Almonds
GO NUTS
Fans of beer and Almond Joy will jump for actual joy over this imperial stout from the talented team at Moksa Brewing—known for their out-of-the-bottle offerings that are made using high-quality ingredients alongside exceptional quality control. Released annually every winter, Happy Almonds is brewed with almonds toasted in-house, real coconut (over one pound per gallon!), and Mexican and Congolese vanilla beans. Pick up a bottle of the boozy, liquid dessert while it lasts. 5860 Pacific Street, Rocklin, 916-824-1366 moksabrewing.com
Fans of beer and Almond Joy will jump for actual joy over this imperial stout from the talented team at Moksa Brewing—known for their out-of-the-bottle offerings that are made using high-quality ingredients alongside exceptional quality control. Released annually every winter, Happy Almonds is brewed with almonds toasted in-house, real coconut (over one pound per gallon!), and Mexican and Congolese vanilla beans. Pick up a bottle of the boozy, liquid dessert while it lasts. 5860 Pacific Street, Rocklin, 916-824-1366 moksabrewing.com
Vintner's Road Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Finished
TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
Out of life’s many pleasures, red wine and whiskey top the list. You could concoct a New York Sour (a cocktail that mixes fruity red wine and smoky-sweet bourbon with lemon juice and simple syrup)—or you could pour yourself a glass of the Vintner's Road Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Finished from J.J. Pfister Distilling. After blending their flagship High Rye Bourbon, they age it in cabernet sauvignon wine casks for up to six months. The result? A 100-proof, 100% delicious spirit with allspice, dark caramel, black pepper, and saddle leather on the nose alongside layered notes of boysenberry, plum, and black cherry. 9819 Business Park Drive, Sacramento, 916-672-9662, jjpfister.com
Out of life’s many pleasures, red wine and whiskey top the list. You could concoct a New York Sour (a cocktail that mixes fruity red wine and smoky-sweet bourbon with lemon juice and simple syrup)—or you could pour yourself a glass of the Vintner's Road Bourbon Cabernet Sauvignon Finished from J.J. Pfister Distilling. After blending their flagship High Rye Bourbon, they age it in cabernet sauvignon wine casks for up to six months. The result? A 100-proof, 100% delicious spirit with allspice, dark caramel, black pepper, and saddle leather on the nose alongside layered notes of boysenberry, plum, and black cherry. 9819 Business Park Drive, Sacramento, 916-672-9662, jjpfister.com
by Megan Wiskus
Burning Barrel photo by Joe Matty. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations.