The Sterling Orange
A birthday cocktail created by our very own Master Distiller.
A birthday cocktail created by our very own Master Distiller.
-2 oz. Shmidt Spirits Silver
-3/4 oz. Tonic
-1/2 oz. Orange Juice
Add all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake until chilled, then strain into a glass of your choosing.
Garnish with a twist of citrus peel.
For his birthday, Master Distiller Brian J. Roan wanted to invent a new cocktail to feature his favorite of the three Shmidt Spirits—Silver. He decided to revisit a youthful favorite cocktail—the screwdriver—but added a classy kick of tonic syrup for a more mature flavor. So consider this cocktail his gift to you.
It’s a simple drink, but the flavor and the character are there. Silver can disappear into a fruit drink easily, while still granting a little bit of that rye character. What’s missing is the barrel and the color. The tonic adds a small touch of complexity, and wraps up this drink nicely.
Black-eyed Susan (Shmidt Spirits Remix)
The official drink of The Preakness, made with Shmidt Spirits liquor.
The official drink of The Preakness, made with Shmidt Spirits liquor.
-1 oz. Shmidt Spirits Cobalt (instead of bourbon)
-1 oz. Shmidt Spirits Silver (instead of vodka)
-1 oz. Peach Schnapps
-2 oz. Orange Juice
-2 oz. Sour Mix
-Cherries for garnish
Add all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake until chilled, then strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
Garnish with cherries (or orange wedge (or both!)).
The Preakness is this Saturday! If you're not from Maryland, you might not know how much of a big deal that is for us here at Shmidt Spirits. You also might not know that every jewel in the Triple Crown has a dedicated cocktail. We decided to see what we could do with the Black-eyed Susan, the signature cocktail of the Preakness, with some Shmidt Spirits liquor. Unsurprisingly, our spirits only make it more delicious!
With the subtly flavoring of our Cobalt and Silver, the ingredients in this drink meld together with sweet, harmonious perfection. The peach and orange are accented by the run sweetness and subtle vanilla of the Cobalt, with the buttery crisp silver underlying it all for an extra kick. Make one and raise a glass to your mount of choice today.
Viridian Negroni
The indelible Italian cocktail gets a Shmidt Spirits redo.
The indelible Italian cocktail gets a Shmidt Spirits redo.
-1 oz. Shmidt Spirits Viridian
-1 oz. Campari
-1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
-1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
-Citrus peel, for garnish
Add all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake until chilled, then strain into a glass of your choosing.
Garnish with a twist of citrus peel.
You may not know this, but the Negroni—the Italian classic—is rumored to be the result of an Italian count who wanted more kick in his Americano. How did he do this? He asked the bartender to replace the soda water with gin. Bold move. Then again, bold moves make great cocktails. And you can be the addition of our ultra-smooth Viridian gin and a hint of simple syrup only makes it better.
Our Viridian gin is a bit more subtle with the juniper than the standard gin that would be used for a Negroni, so we decided to lean into that subtlety and sweetness with the addition of a bit of simple syrup. The result is a twist on the Negroni that takes the cocktail to a more flirty, playful place. Like everything we do here at Shmidt Spirits, we think the minor changes make all the difference in putting us a cut above.
Cobalt Daiquiri
The poolside classic has been turned into a delicious Cobalt cocktail.
The poolside classic has been turned into a delicious Cobalt cocktail.
-2 oz. Shmidt Spirits Cobalt
-1 oz. Lime juice
-3/4 oz. 2:1 Demerara simple syrup
-Lime, for garnish
Add all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake until chilled, then strain into a glass of your choosing.
Garnish with a twist of lime.
Give that summer-like weather is just around the bend, we thought it best to give you a summer-ready cocktail recipe this week. This daiquiri is given an extra punch with our delicious Cobalt rye, and you can bet it's just what you need to cool you off.
It may seem excessive, perhaps even a little ill-advised, but the combination of all of our spirits with the added sweetness and tartness of the other ingredients actually creates a surprisingly balanced and smooth drink. We were just as surprised as you will be!
Shmidt Faced
The famous night-on-the-town cocktail, reimagined for Silver.
A Long Island Iced Tea, with a Shmidt Spirits spin.
-1 oz. Shmidt Spirits Silver
-1 oz. Shmidt Spirits Cobalt
-1 oz. Shmidt Spirits Viridian
-1 oz. Simple syrup
-1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
-1 oz. Lime juice
-1 oz. Lemon juice
-Mexican coke
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, and add all ingredients except for the Mexican coke.
Shake until chilled, then strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
Top with Mexican Coke.
Garnish with lemon or lime wedges or wheels.
Drawing inspiration from the classic Long Island Iced Tea, the Shmidt Faced is our attempt to create a drink that contained every one of our spirits. Ice-cold and packing a wallop, this is the drink to get you ready for a day at the beach or relax you after a long day of yard work.
It may seem excessive, perhaps even a little ill-advised, but the combination of all of our spirits with the added sweetness and tartness of the other ingredients actually creates a surprisingly balanced and smooth drink. We were just as surprised as you will be!
Silver Cosmo
The famous night-on-the-town cocktail, reimagined for Silver.
The famous night-on-the-town cocktail, reimagined for Silver.
-1 1/2 oz. Shmidt Spirits Silver
-1 oz. Cointreau
-1/2 oz. Lime juice
-1/4 oz. Simple syrup
-1/4 oz. Cranberry juice
-Lime wheel (garnish)
Fill cocktail shaker with ice.
Add all ingredients. Shake until chilled.
Strain into stemmed cocktail glass (usually a martini, in our case we used a coupe).
Garnish with lime wheel.
Nothing says 'sophisticated urban night on the town' quite like the cosmo. We decided that our Silver whiskey would be the perfect substitute liquor for this bright cocktail, and adjusted the recipe slightly to help bring that flavor to the fore.
The fun of Silver is that it is a whiskey that maintains its character but can still act as a clear liquor, like a tequila or vodka. It imparts the grain-base you would expect from a whiskey without the overpowering color or burn. you might anticipate. The Silver Cosmo proves this, and in turn becomes a more distinctive, more flavorful version of the drink you love.
The Silver Slice
A recipe for our signature Silver cocktail.
Our signature Silver cocktail, the Silver Slice, garnished with a lemon and lime wheel.
- 2 oz White Whiskey
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
- 1/2 oz Egg White (Optional)
Shake all ingredients over ice.
Strain into chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with lemon or lime wheel.
The Silver Slice was invented in the tasting room of Shmidt Spirits to answer one of the biggest questions we would receive from people who sampled our curious, unique Silver spirit, a young whiskey finished in a chardonnay barrel: What is this good in?
Silver could take the place of tequila or vodka easily, but we wanted to create a drink that was true to its refreshing spirit without coasting off the backs of other liquors. So we took a classic whiskey sour as our jumping-off point and soon enough Master Distiller Brian J. Roan had created the Silver Slice, a chilled cocktail that his own father would describe as tasking like Italian ice from his hometown of Queens, New York. With its uniform proportions of common ingredients and its delectable sweetness, the Silver Slice is a primed for parties, after-dinner drinks, or a warm day in the sun.
Tom Collins
A deliciously sweet gin drink to take you into the warming months.
A deliciously sweet gin drink to take you into the warming months.
- 2 oz. Viridian Gin
- 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
- 1 oz. Lemon Juice
- Seltzer
In a Collins glass filled with ice, add Viridian, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
Stir to mix.
Top with seltzer and mix gently.
Gin is such a delightfully light spirit that it seems made to be enjoyed with a fizz and some fruitiness. Thus, we present the Tom Collins, an effervescent classic that is made all the better with our Viridian gin.
Since our Viridian gin already has a hint of orange peel and a gentle undertone of lavender you don’t need much more to make a great cocktail than the addition of sweet simple syrup and delightfully sour lemon juice. Topping with some seltzer helps to dilute the flavor just enough to make it more subtle and smooth. Not to mention the addition of the bubbles help to add a note of playfulness to the drink. Garnish with your favorite fruit and prepare for a calming, relaxed evening.
Viridian & Tonic
A play on the classic gin and tonic, formulated especially to compliment our Viridian gin.
A play on the classic gin and tonic, formulated especially to compliment our Viridian gin.
- 2 oz. Viridian Gin
- 1/2 oz. Tonic Syrup (Jack Rudy)
- 2 oz. Seltzer Water
- 3 Dashes Orange Bitters
In a Collins glass filled with ice, add Viridian, tonic syrup, and bitters.
Stir to mix.
Top with approximately two ounces of soda water and mix gently.
When you’ve created a gin as delicious as ours, you don’t have to do much to it in order to make a mix drink that is perfect for warming weather. In the case of our Viridian and Tonic, all it took was a little bit of orange bitters and some tonic syrup to show off our delicately flavored gin for the star it is. .
A perfect drink to beat the heat or wind down on a cooling evening, the Viridian and tonic draws on the lavender and orange peel inherent in our Viridian gin, and underlines both. Jack Rudy tonic syrup gives just the right undertone to draw forth the delicious sweetness of our gin, and the orange bitters compliment the citrus notes already present.
Sazerac
The New Orleans classic takes a big leap forward with Shmidt Spirits Cobalt.
The New Orleans classic, made all the better with Cobalt.
- 2 oz Cobalt
- 1 Sugar Cube (or 1 tsp. Honey)
- Absinthe
- 3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
Chill glass with water and ice.
Stir Cobalt and sugar (or honey) until fully dissolved.
Empty water from glass, then add a small amount of Absinthe, just enough to coat interior of glass by tilting and turning glass.
Pour Cobalt into glass, then add three dashes of Peychaud’s bitters.
The City That Care Forgot has given this country a lot of outstanding things, but the one that holds closest to the hearts of cocktail lovers has to be the Sazerac. The inclusion of the fabled green fairy, absinthe, in the recipe may seem intimidating, but this drink is as inviting as it is delicious.
The real barrier for entry to this cocktail is its reliance on rye whiskey, which even with the inclusion of sugar and absinthe can still fight a bit too hard for some tastes. Cobalt, however, with it’s rum-finished sweetness, makes a Sazerac of exceptional smoothness.
The Bitter Shmidt
Created entirely on accident, the Bitter Shmidt is a delicious, curious chilled beverage to greet the warming weather.
Created entirely on accident, the Bitter Shmidt is a delicious, curious chilled beverage to greet the warming weather.
- 2 oz. Viridian Gin
- 1 oz. Campari
- 1/2 oz. lemon Juice
- Soda Water
Shake Viridian, Campari, and lemon juice with ice.
Strain into ice-filled highball glass.
Top with approximately two ounces of soda water and mix gently.
Sometimes, the best things in life happen by accident. Chocolate chip cookies and chimichangas are all, if legends are to be believed, the result of happy accidents. Likewise, the Bitter Shmidt is the result of a colossal mistake make by Shmidt Spirits president Arthur Shmidt. Trying to make a play on a Pimm’s Cup, Arthur accidentally replaced Pimm’s with Campari (no one knows why). This, plus the over-substitution of gin, created a brand new, wonderful drink.
The Bitter Shmidt begins with a chilly, easy-drinking hint of grapefruit that mellows out into a smooth, slightly battered Campari finish. Easy-drinking but with a distinctive character, the Bitter Shmidt is a brand new cocktail that should help those warming spring and balmy summer days slip on by. Mix up a pair for your friends, and let them know this curious concoction can only be made with Shmidt Spirits Viridian.
Whiskey Highball
Easy to make, and inviting to the palate, the Whiskey Highball is a cool and effervescent staple you'll want to revisit again and again.
The Whiskey Highball is a cool and effervescent staple you'll want to revisit again and again.
-2 oz. Shmidt Spirits Cobalt
-1/4 simple syrup
-Soda water
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Pour in Shmidt Spirits Cobalt.
Top with soda water, then add simple syrup.
Gently mix.
Simplicity itself, the Whiskey Highball is a classic and classy bit of refreshment. Easy to make, and inviting to the palate, the Whiskey Highball is a cool and effervescent staple you'll want to revisit again and again.
This is another classic cocktail that seems tailor-made for the Distinctively Finished taste of Cobalt. With nothing but soda water and simple syrup as backup, the delicious Caribbean rum finish of our Cobalt rye whiskey is given a heft spotlight. Fizzy, sweet, and inviting, you won’t want to put this one down.
Waldorf
A play off of the Manhattan with a touch of the spirit of a Sazerac,
A play off of the Manhattan with a touch of the spirit of a Sazerac,
-2 oz. Shmidt Spirits Cobalt
-1/2 oz. vermouth
-3 dashes Angostura bitters
-Absinthe (to coat glass)
-Lemon twist
Shake Cobalt, vermouth, and bitters with ice until chilled.
Pour into a coupe glass rinsed with absinthe.
Twist lemon peel and garnish.
A play off of the Manhattan with a touch of the spirit of a Sazerac, the Waldorf was invented in the early 1900s at the hotel that served as it's namesake. The recipe has changed over the years, but the taste is still classic and delicious.
This is a strong drink with lots of character, and the addition of Shmidt Spirits Cobalt into the mix adds ever more to that character. The rum sweetness on the finish of our rye melds with the taste of vermouth and the aroma of licorice coming from the absinthe rinse to make a beautifully complex drink. And because it’s chilled, this drink is perfect for finishing off a long summer day with a warm summer night.
French 75
A perfect way to elevate a simple champagne toast into a truly memorable cocktail.
Named for the 75 millimeter guns the French used during WWI, this champagne cocktail packs a pleasant wallop.
- 1 oz. Viridian Gin
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 1/2 oz. lemon Juice
- Champagne
Shake Viridian, simple syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
Strain into champagne flute.
Top with Champagne.
Legend has it that Harry S. Truman, while on the battlefield in World War One, stood alongside France’s 75 millimeter guns and declared, “I’d rather be right here than be president of the United States.” This drink takes it name from those fast-firing guns, the sound of celebratory cheers taking the place of the report of fired munitions.
The French 75 originally called for gin, though brandy became more trendy as time went on. In making our own, however, we went back to the traditional recipe, with our floral- and citrus-infused Viridian making an excellent, light and sweet partner to the effervescence of the champagne. So mix up a batch, and raise a glass to whatever is worth celebrating.
Mulled Wine
Nothing evokes the memories of a cold winter night like some mulled wine.
Fight the chill will this delightfully spiced, warmed up, spiked wine.
- 1 bottle red wine
- Shmidt Spirits Cobalt
- 1 sliced orange
- 1 sliced lemon
- 1 tsp. pepper corns
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp. cloves
- Honey
Place dry ingredients into a pot or sauce pan that is large enough to hold a bottle of wine.
Heat the ingredients briefly on a low heat, then add in the wine.
Heat the ingredients briefly on a low heat, then add in the wine.
Let simmer a few minutes, then strain out the solids leaving just the wine.
Add honey and Cobalt to desired taste and strength.
You can keep the pot over a low heat or simply cover to keep warm, serving garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange/lemon slices.
Nothing evokes the memories of a cold winter night like some mulled wine. Perfect for sharing, this deliciously warm concoction also leaves your home smelling amazing.
You can just use wine, but those who want a bit more sweetness and warmth in their cup can use Shmidt Spirits Cobalt to bring things up a notch. The rum sweetness and rye spice of the Cobalt perfectly compliment and underline both the boldness of the red wine and the clove and peppercorns.
Irish coffee
A warm treat made all the sweeter thanks to Shmidt Spirits Cobalt.
A delicious, sweet way to warm up during the winter months.
- 2 oz Cobalt
- 2 oz. Bailey Irish cream
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 6 oz. coffee
Pour whiskey into warm coffee glass.
Add simple syrup and stir until dissolved.
Pour in coffee, and then stir in Irish Cream slowly.
Word has it that this spectacular drink was invented at Ireland’s Shannon airport. Meant for disembarking passengers, the concoction was tried by an American, who brought the recipe back to the States.
Luckily, one needn’t have crossed the Atlantic to earn this drink. If you’re feeling a winter chill and need a little boost, this is a simple, delicious treat in which to indulge. The addition of Cobalt into the mix adds an even more subtle, distinctive note of sweetness, and the rye spice ups the warmth of the drink as well.
Hot Toddy
A warm, spicy drink for cold weather nights.
A warm, fragrant spiced tea with a kick.
- 2 oz Cobalt
- 6 oz. Hot Water (Or Favorite Tea)
- 1 oz. Honey or Simple Syrup
- Lemon Wheel
-Cinnamon Stick
Bring water to just below a boil (or steep tea as usual).
Add in honey and Cobalt and stir until honey is dissolved
Add cinnamon stick and lemon wheel to garnish. Keep in mind, these elements will also intensify flavor.
The hot toddy, if certain sources are to be believed, began as a remedy for head colds. Times have changed, though, and alcohol is seldom if ever recommended as a treatment for any illness.
So who would we prescribe a hot toddy to? Anyone feeling the chill of winter who wants a warm drink with a delicious seasonal spice to warm them up. Knowing that our Cobalt rum-finished rye whiskey has spice and sweetness to spare, we used an orange and cinnamon tea to blend with our spirit and simple syrup, creating a smoothly balanced delight. Garnishing with a cinnamon stick and a lemon wheel adds even more flavor, and a lovely winter aesthetic.
Cobalt Manhattan
Our subtle twist on the classic cocktail.
The classic cocktail subtly redesigned with Cobalt in mind.
- 2 oz Cobalt
- 3/4 oz. Tribruno Sweet Vermouth
- 1 tsp. Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
Stir with ice.
Strain into chilled glass.
Garnish with brandied cherries.
Supposedly born in the late 19th century, the Manhattan is a classic American cocktail—bold, simple, and delicious. Any rye or bourbon worth its salt should be able to carry this delicious drink to success.
In making our own version of the Manhattan, Shmidt Spirits Founder & CEO Arthur Shmidt made a simple but key change. Rather than use Angostura bitters, he swapped in the New Orleans classic Peychaud's bitters. He found these bitters to be more aromatic, less bitter, and a better companion for our rum-sweet rye concoction. With brandied cherries for a garnish, this drink is classy as it is tasty.