TINCANBANDITS Libation Recommendations

 Like Belly buttons, everyone has an opinion, but sometimes those opinions come in the form of recommendations and that is what I bring you today. If you are looking for a gift or something to bring to a holiday party, TINCAN has your back.

These are products that I like and would recommend to others. In no particular order:

I know that at least some of you have not heard of this delicious concoction from the south. This notion is based on the fact that I still run into "bartenders" (I use the term lightly here) who have never heard of Southern Comfort or SoCo. It is the "Grand old Drink of the South" and one on the oldest premade cocktails in existence. It was created in New Orleans in 1874 as a cocktail called "Cuffs and Buttons" and was a huge hit in the post war south. Eventually its maker began bottling it, most people call it a liqueur, but it is actually a whiskey based pre-made cocktail.

While in Key West we sampled this rum that was made locally, It is named for Ernst Hemmingway and his boat. Hemmingway's nickname was "Papa", and his boat was named Pilar for his wife. Any who, we picked up a bottle of this at a liquor store on Summerland Key and instantly fell in love. You can instantly smell the vanilla notes when you screw off the metal cap...oh did I mention that? The bottle is an homage to the US Military canteen, metal screw on lid (with a chain) and all.

They have several types mostly based on age, but we only tried the "Flagship Blond", If you want to know more, click here.

Another libation that I have come to adore is WOW, wow is an acronym, it stands for 'Wonderful Orange Wheat", you can probably guess that this is a wheat beer, brewed with orange peels and you would be correct. It is similar to a Blue Moon only lighter and easier to drink (not so heavy) which is good because I live in Arizona and sometimes you need to drink more than one. It is made in Phoenix by Four Peaks Brewing.

Flavored whiskey is still a fad here in America and I have tried many of them (I prefer my beloved Southern Comfort), anyway if you are looking for a great peach flavored whiskey, look no further than Bird Dog. Excellent flavor, no chemical aftertaste and not overly sweet (at least not to me).

Everyone needs Vodka in their liquor cabinet, even if you don't drink it much, it comes in handy for guests or when looking for a new cocktail to try as it is a neutral spirit and can be mixed with almost anything. Being that it is a neutral spirit, it should not have any flavor. One of the better vodkas I have purchased is also one of the lowest price (notice I didn't use the word cheapest). Here at my local Sam's Club it is selling for less than $13 for a 1/2 gallon (1.75 L). This vodka consistently outranks higher priced brands in blind taste tests. It is so good that Total Wine, BevMo! and other large retailers are now carrying the brand.

They also have a blood orange flavor that is really good, I bought some when it was on sale for $6.51 per liter.

When Country and Troprock star Kenny Chesney put his name on a liquor label he joined a growing list of celebrities to do so. Like some of them, he made sure the product was top notch. His Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum is far and away the best Coconut Rum available. The taste is authentic, not a hint of artificial chemicals. They also have 12 other flavors including my other favorite Banana Rum Cream. See more here.

Amarula is a specialty cream liqueur from South Africa, made from the Amarula fruit. I was introduced to it years ago by a friend who had visited the dark continent and brought some of this deliciousness with her, it has since become imported and is available most places.

The elephant on the front is their logo, an homage to the legend that when the fruit ripens and hits the ground, it will sometime open, then ferment in the sun and become an indulgence for the elephants, who then stagger about like drunken sailors. The liqueur is great straight over ice or mixed with chocolate.

Winter will be upon us soon (some are already experiencing it) and with it the Hot Chocolate season. My favorite hot chocolate is from Land O Lakes, you know those guys who sell the butter, removed the indian but kept the land......Anyway, it is great stuff and comes in 7 different flavors. I usually buy the variety pack which has Chocolate Mint, French Vanilla, Salted Caramel & Chocolate Supreme.

I know this isn't alcoholic, but you can add some vodka or peppermint schnapps to it, for the latter I prefer De Kuypers.