Wine Spotlight: Ninety Plus Cellars

With a mission to bring higher quality wine to the market for a better price, in 2009, founder Kevin Mehra brought his idea to life.  They are focused on getting wines from all over the world, putting their label on them, and selling it for less to consumers. 90+ Cellars wants their customers to get the best quality wine, so when you buy a bottle from them, you can be confident you’ll get a great wine, every time.

Based out of Boston, MA, Ninety Plus Cellars has done a fantastic job at integrating their brand into the marketplace. From being the official wine sponsor of local professional baseball teams, a Wine Truck and even a Wine Club, 90+ Cellars is way more than just a wine company.  Ninety Plus Cellars is about enjoying wine wherever is convenient for you, and this is clear from them having wine at baseball games, on the road from their truck, and having it delivered to your door.

90+ Cellars is available in many retail locations in the Northeast, including Mystic Wine Shoppe, so it is easy to find your favorite bottle wherever you are! The Wine Club also makes it possible to try different wines throughout the year, so you will always be prepared for an event or dinner party!

With a wide variety of wines, you will be sure to get something that you like! Stop into Mystic Wine Shoppe to grab a bottle of one of our favorites from 90+ Cellars!

Learn more about their current wines.

Banner photo by Latitude Beverages

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Egg Nog White Russian

Not in the holiday spirit yet? This delicious Egg Nog White Russian will do the trick.  Another easy-to-make cocktail that is sure to have you singing fa-la-la-la by the time you finish this delicious cocktail.

First step, put on your Holiday playlist and get ready for some serious cheer!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of Vanilla Vodka – we used Stoli Vanilla
  • 2 ounces of Kahlúa
  • 2 ounces of Egg Nog
  • Splash of milk
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cinnamon and sugar
  • Whipped Cream

 

Make the cocktail: 

  • Mix vodka, Kahlúa, and egg nog in shaker
  • Pour mix over crushed iced
  • Add splash of milk, stir
  • Put on whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar

What are your go-to holiday cocktails? We hope you add this one to your list.  Have a very merry holiday season!

Taylor – the official cocktail-maker at MWS

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Brewery Spotlight: Smuttynose Brewing Co

Hit the road and take a day trip to visit one of our favorite local breweries, Smuttynose Brewing Co. Located in Hampton, NH, this inviting brewery will not leave you disappointed. With a 9-hole disc golf course, tasting bar/beer garden, retail store, and restaurant, you will find something for everyone to enjoy!

Can’t make it all the way to NH? We carry many of their seasonal brews!

Location: Located just across the border of MA, in Hampton, NH, Smuttynose is the perfect destination for a day trip with lots to do in the surrounding area as well. You could even make it a weekend trip to Hampton, NH, for a getaway during these cold winter months!

Variety: Smuttynose has a wide variety of beers depending on what you are looking for that day! With year-round options, seasonal, sours, and more, you will not be disappointed in the beer selection available at Smuttynose. 

Food: Located across the parking lot from the brewery, The Restaurant at Smuttynose will leave you feeling full after you enjoy your day walking around the brewery and enjoying some beer tastings. With daily and weekly specials, the food at Smuttynose will be the perfect way to end your visit. In addition, the new, revamped Heritage Room is located directly above the restaurant. This loft space is a great option to hang out with friends, or you could reserve this space for a party or function you are hosting!

We love when we can support our local New England Breweries. If you find yourself unable to make the trip to NH this winter? Stop into Mystic Wine Shoppe to shop our selection of beers from Smuttynose! 

 

Photo Credit:  Smutty Nose Brewery Website

 

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Brewery Spotlight: Champlain Orchards

Fall is in the air! As the weather gets colder it’s the perfect time to take a trip to VT and grab a hard cider! Fresh from Vermont, Champlain Orchards is the perfect destination to walk around, pick some apples, and have fun with friends.

Interested in taking the trip? Here is a little more about this wonderful destination –

  • Location: Located in Shoreham, Vermont this orchard is the perfect getaway for the day or weekend to enjoy the crisp, fall air with friends and family. Champlain Orchards is a place everyone will enjoy with lots to do!
  • Variety: At Champlain Orchards, their Orchard-Made Cider is crafted using locally sourced Vermont fruit. Overlooking Lake Champlain, their cidery presses, ferments, and crafts every cider at their orchard. With core and seasonal options, you will not be disappointed with the selection of ciders here!
  • Food: With over 115 apple options as well as pears, peaches, plums, and more, you will find the perfect snack to enjoy alongside your choice of cider! Champlain Orchards also offers delicious homemade donuts and pies to enjoy if you are craving a sweet treat.
     

Not able to make the trip to Vermont? Look no further than Mystic Wine Shoppe for all your cider needs! Take a quick ride to our shop in Arlington and browse our selection of ciders from Champlain Orchards.

Orchard Photos by Champlain Orchards

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Apple Cider Rum Cocktail

Who else is a sucker for apple cider this time of year? It’s basically at every grocery store and farm stand now until January (woohoo). So we’re taking advantage of this sweet and tasty drink adding in some rum and topping off with sparkling cider for a simple yet delicious cocktail!

You’ll love it!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces apple cider
  • 3 ounces dark rum, we used Plantation Original Rum
    • Tasting Notes: The rich and intense style of Jamaica and Barbados, with their notes of plum, banana, and vanilla, is enhanced by meticulous blending and further maturation, in France. The result is a profound structure spiced with notes of cinnamon and clove, whose smoky quality adds texture.
  • Splash of sparkling cider
  • Apple slices

 

Make:

  • Mix together apple cider and dark rum
  • Add a splash of sparkling cider
  • Top with apple slices

 

We hope this cocktail adds some joy to your fall!

Thanks for reading along!

 

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Pumpkin Beers We’re Loving This Fall!

The weather is cooling down, and Fall is right around the corner… yup, it’s officially pumpkin season!  We’re celebrating all season long with some amazing pumpkin beers. So stop in and grab some great pumpkin brews – you won’t be disappointed.

Here is a sample of the pumpkin beers we are carrying this season!

From Heavy Seas Brewery, The Great Pumpkin Beer is the perfect way to kick off fall! A pumpkin ale brewed with pumpkin and spices aged in Bourbon barrels; The Great’er Pumpkin is bound to put you in the fall mood!

From the Southern Tier Brewing Company, Pumking will recreate your favorite Thanksgiving dessert, Pumpkin Pie, in this beer. You will have to try this Imperial Pumpkin Ale and see how it compares to a true pumpkin pie!

Even more exciting than the Pumking beer from Southern Brewing Company is their Pumking Nitro Cans! The King of Pumpkin Beers is now in cans and on nitro! Pumking’s magical spell will electrify your senses as you hear, see, smell and taste Pumking Nitro.

The pumpkin beer options don’t stop! From Dogfish Head Brewery, this pumpkin ale is full-bodied with smooth hints of pumpkin, brown sugar, and spice! The perfect combination to create a pumpkin beer to enjoy when the weather starts to cool!

 

To celebrate the fall season, Shipyard Brewing Company has brought back their Pumpkinhead beer! With a blend of spices, including cinnamon and nutmeg, this beer is a must-try!

 Cisco Brewers, a Massachusetts favorite, has created their Pumple Drumkin beer this fall season! Brewed with pumpkin and spice, it is a great option to get you in the fall mood.

Last but not least, we have Wormtown Brewery’s Fresh Patch Pumpkin Ale in stock for the season. With pumpkin, spice, and a fun Halloween can, you will feel ready to take on the cold weather ahead while drinking this beer!

As you can see, we’re is stocked on all of the pumpkin beers you could want! So come stop by and pick some up for you and some friends to try and let us know what your favorite is!

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Brewery of The Month: Idle Hands Brewer

The August sun is out… let’s go grab a beer! Based out of Malden, MA Idle Hands Brewery is the perfect option for a fun (& beer) filled summer’s day. Have you been?! We have been loving it and want you to as well!

  • Location: Conveniently located in Malden, a four-minute walk from the Malden Center stop on the MBTA Orange Line (20-minute ride from downtown Boston) and Haverhill Commuter Rail (10-minute ride from North Station.) This brewery is in the heart of Boston and is a perfect place to meet up with friends no matter where you are coming from.

  • Variety: At Idle Hands Brewery, they have a wide variety of in-house beers. Varying from their seasonal Endless Summer West Coast  IPA to their Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout–there is a beer for everyone at your party. They currently have 11 beers on tap.

  • Food: Cold beer and fried chicken…does it get any better than this? Every weekend at Idle Hands Brewery, they serve Hot Chix Boston (a local fried chicken restaurant) to be paired with their beers. It most definitely does not get better than that!

  • We Carry It: Want to give it a shot before going to the brewery? No problem. Here at Mystic Wine Shoppe, we carry their Four Seam Ale! Come by and pick up a 4-pack!

 

Brewery photos by: Idle Hands Brewery

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The Rum Punch Special

This is one TASTY rum cocktail!  We wanted to use fresh fruits to create the tastiest rum punch around and I think we nailed it.  The trick to this great punch is using fresh-pressed juice. There is nothing quite as good as fresh juice.  Many of you may not have a juicer, so don’t panic, you can always use a strainer/muddler to get a similar juice or head to Whole Foods and pick up a pint.

The delicious dark rum from Bully Boy Distillers is smooth, making for a great accompaniment to any cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1 fresh pineapple
  • 1 lime
  • A handful of fresh basil
  • 3 ounces of dark rum – we used The Rum Cooperative by Bully Boy Distillers
  • 2 ounces coconut water

Make:

  • Remove the skins from the pineapple and lime. Then cut up into small pieces.
    • Place in the juicer with basil
    • If you don’t have a juicer use a muddler and strainer to make your own juice
    • If you don’t have a muddler or strainer – head over to Whole Foods or another local store to grab fresh-pressed juice.
  • Mix juice, rum, and coconut water together
  • Pour over ice
  • Garnish with a pineapple wedge
  • Enjoy!

Check out the behind-the-scenes photos!

Have you ever used fresh juice to make cocktails? We highly recommend it. Not only is the juice tastier but there are far fewer preservatives and sugar in the juice.  Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s both carry fresh-pressed juices.

Let us know what you think of this one! We sure LOVED it.  It’s perfect on a hot day like today (it’s currently 95 degrees out).

Thanks for reading – Taylor

 

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