High Camp Flasks Firelight Flask: A Review

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When it comes to enjoying your favorite beverages on the go, the High Camp Firelight Flask stands out as a top-tier choice. This flask isn’t just about carrying drinks; it’s about enhancing your outdoor experiences with style and functionality.

Design and Build Quality

The Firelight Flask is available in two sizes: the 750 mL and the 375 mL versions. Both are crafted with double-wall vacuum insulation, ensuring your drinks stay at the perfect temperature for up to 24 hours. The flask is made from stainless steel, which not only adds to its durability but also gives it a sleek, modern look.

One of the standout features is the integrated low ball tumblers. These magnetic tumblers attach seamlessly to the flask, making it incredibly convenient to carry and use. Whether you’re sharing a drink around the campfire or enjoying a quiet moment in nature, the Firelight Flask makes it easy to pour and enjoy.

Functionality

The Firelight Flask is designed with the adventurer in mind. Its leak-proof cap and wide mouth make it easy to fill and clean. The flask’s capacity is generous, allowing you to carry enough for yourself and a friend. The 750 mL version can hold a full bottle of wine or your favorite cocktail, making it perfect for longer trips or larger gatherings.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Firelight Flask excels. The vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for extended periods, which is ideal for outdoor activities where you might not have access to refrigeration. Whether you’re sipping hot coffee on a chilly morning hike or enjoying a cold cocktail on a warm evening, the Firelight Flask ensures your drink is just the right temperature.

Personalization and Gifting

High Camp Flasks also offers custom engraving options, making the Firelight Flask a great gift for special occasions. Whether it’s for a wedding party, a corporate gift, or a personal milestone, the ability to personalize the flask adds a thoughtful touch.

Conclusion

Overall, the High Camp Firelight Flask is a versatile and stylish accessory for anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures. Its combination of durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal makes it a standout choice in the world of portable drinkware. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just enjoy a good drink in the great outdoors, the Firelight Flask is sure to enhance your experience.

Have you tried the Firelight Flask or any other products from High Camp? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila: A Luxurious Sip of Tradition

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Aged to Perfection

Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila is aged for an impressive seven years in French oak barrels. This extended aging process imparts a deep, complex character to the tequila, setting it apart from its younger counterparts. The result is a spirit with a marvelous dark amber color and a rich bouquet of aromas, including fruits and toasted oak.

Flavor Profile

The first sip of Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila reveals a symphony of flavors. You’ll notice prominent notes of vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate, balanced by a smooth, elegant finish. This tequila is designed to be savored, making it perfect for special occasions or quiet moments of indulgence. The sweetness and complexity make it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a refined, dessert-like tequila.

Craftsmanship and Quality

Handcrafted from the finest blue agave, Mandala Extra AƱejo stands out for its purity and depth. The meticulous production process ensures that each bottle meets the highest standards of quality. The tequila is distilled in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, a region renowned for producing some of the world’s best tequilas.

Presentation

One of the most striking features of Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila is its presentation. The bottle itself is a work of art, often adorned with intricate designs that reflect the cultural heritage of Mexico. This makes it not only a delightful drink but also a beautiful addition to any collection.

Perfect Pairings

Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. Its rich, sweet profile complements desserts like chocolate cake or crĆØme brĆ»lĆ©e. For a more savory pairing, try it with aged cheeses or a charcuterie board. The versatility of this tequila makes it a fantastic choice for both casual sipping and gourmet dining.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila is a luxurious and sophisticated spirit that offers a unique tasting experience. Its complex flavors, elegant presentation, and rich heritage make it a standout choice for any tequila lover. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila is sure to elevate the moment.

Have you had the chance to try Mandala Extra AƱejo Tequila? What are your thoughts on its flavor and presentation? Let me know in the comments below!

home bar photo

Building and Stocking a Bar at Home

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We’re thrilled to have been featured in Porch.com’s recent feature: “Building and Stocking a Bar at Home: 101 With the Experts.” They asked our editor Greg Mays “What is the best recipe you can give us to make a Martini at home, and which are your favorite variations?”

Here’s an excerpt:

“Welcome to what is potentially the most explosive topic in the world of cocktails: the Martini. Folks are very particular about their Martini preferences. Vodka or gin? Dirty or ā€œcleanā€? Wet or dry?

There are some universal tenants to a great Martini, and the #1 ingredient is COLD. Make sure your glassware is in the freezer for 10+ minutes beforehand, and make sure you have a lot of clean ice. Because the drink is so polarizing, Iā€™m going to give you my favorite 2 recipes.”

Read the whole story here: Building and Stocking a Bar at Home: 101 With the Experts.

Non-Alcoholic Whiskies: Ritual and Monday

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The past year or two, I’ve begun to see non-alcoholic versions of popular liquors appear on store shelves and in social media advertisements. There are NA versions of every major base spirit that are made by one or both of the brands in this post, but today we’re going to focus on Ritual and Monday’s Whiskeys.

Whether you bill it as “Zero Proof” (Ritual) or “Zero Alcohol” (Monday), the effect is the same. These are whiskey-flavored whiskey substitutes without a drop of alcohol. There are, of course, several reasons for such a thing, and with the 2020 pandemic increasing many people’s alcohol intake, there may not be a better time to introduce these. They each make for a good cocktail whiskey substitute as well.

Both Ritual and Monday seem to base their flavor profiles on American whiskeys, the bourbons or Tennessee whiskeys we’re familiar with. Scotch drinkers may need to look for other brands to fit their bill.

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Yuzu Sour

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yuzu sour cocktail

I recently came across East Bev Co, a cocktail box subscription service that focuses exclusively on Asian and Asian-inspired ingredients. They were kind enough to send me a sample of one of their boxes, which includes ingredients to make 3 different cocktails, and comes with enough to actually make 4 of each. Helloooooo dinner party!

eastbevco recipe cards

East Bev boxes run about $50 per month, and includes all ingredients but alcohol. My 3 recipes this month called for Sake, so a single bottle would be perfect to make all 12 drinks. I chose the Yuzu Sour, and here’s how you do it:

Yuzu Sour (viaĀ East Bev Co)

  • in a shaker, combine:
  • 2 oz sake
  • 1 oz yuzu juice (provided)
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup (provided)
  • shake with ice and double-strain into a rocks glass filled with ice
  • garnish with bitters or a lemon peel (I did both!)

So you’re left with a deliciously tart, balanced drink with ingredients that you can’t usually find on the grocer’s shelf. For aficionados of Asian culture and for those who like to experiment with their food and drink, East Bev is a fun addition to a dinner party. Subscriptions are available here.

Dashfire Canned Cocktails

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dashfire canned cocktails

Dashfire has been making cocktail bitters for several years, and has entered the ready-to-drink cocktail space now with several canned drinks that you simply chill and pour, 

Now, we’re talking about simple cocktails that are about as simple as it gets. There’s no chance of user error here, and nothing to be intimidated by. Now, the philosophical side of this: the communal aspect of making cocktails together can’t be overstated, and there is a lot of freedom to adjust recipes according to your tastes when you make your own cocktails….but I think there’s a time and place for such a convenient package. Having cocktails packaged for on-the-go, like tailgating or camping, is a perfect opportunity for Dashfire’s canned cocktails.

How do they taste? The recipes are unique and definitely should be tried. The White Russian, for instance, is a Chai White Russian. The Martini is Lemon and Lavender (and uses vodka as its base). I noted the drinks that usually use vermouth (Martini, Manhattan) use Sherry instead. I drank most of mine on ice, but straight-from the can is likely what you’d be doing on a camping trip.

At retail, Dashfire cocktails are $4.99 per can (100 ml) and are available in mixed 6-packs as well.

RumChata Candy Cane

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rumchata candy cane

There’s no doubt that the Holidays are a great time of year to break out the RumChata. Show up to the party with a chilled bottle, and people will always be thrilled. Of course, this leave lots of opportunity to experiment with great Rumchata winter drinks.

RumChata, if you don’t know yet, is rum, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar. It’s great to mix with warm drinks (coffee, cocoa and tea) and it makes for some killer cocktails with lots of spirits. Here’s one I made called a Candy Cane:

Candy Cane (by Greg Mays)

  • in a rocks glass filled with ice, add:
  • 1 1/2 oz RumChata
  • 1 1/2 oz white rum
  • 3/4 oz of peppermint schnapps
  • stir gently to combine
  • carefully drizzle grenadine down edges of glass to resemble stripes

Special thanks to our sponsorĀ RumChata.

RumChata RRR Cocktail

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RumChata RRR cocktail

I have been glad to have RumChata join us as a sponsor for the past few years at Simple Cocktails, and I’ve been starting to wonder if I’ll run out of ideas for new RumChata cocktails. Today, I opened, the liquor cabinet, and thought to myself:Ā what do I love? Let’s make that a drink.

I grabbed RumChata, rye whiskey and aged rum. I poured equal parts and shook it on ice. I could not believe how delicious this cocktail was. Time to share the recipe…this is my current go-to RumChata drink!

RumChata RRR (by Greg Mays)

  • In a shaker, combine:
  • 1 oz RumChata
  • 1 oz high-proof rye (100+ proof)
  • 1 oz aged rum (5 years+)
  • shake with ice and strain into a cocktail coupe
  • garnish with a stemmed cherry
Thanks to our sponsor RumChata.

Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Vermouth

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Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale

Martini & Rossi is one of the staple names – maybe THE name – in vermouth to most people. It can be found in grocery stores, liquor stores and everywhere in between and is therefore the most likely vermouth you have tried.

I’ve covered at length the proper care vermouth must receive to stay flavorful. In fact, I opened a bottle myself recently to find it only lasted a week or so in the fridge before turning sour. I have also said something here at this very blog that I still stand by: pricier vermouth tastes a lot better than the cheap stuff.

That said, Martini & Rossi has given us a widely-distributed vermouth “upgrade” that’s a pretty smart choice to make if you’re having a night of Martinis or Manhattans. Usually, a bottle of “Martini” will run you about $10, and the Riserva Speciale is about $15-20.

For me, a chilled white vermouth is my favorite to sip with fish, and I’m happy to say that Riserva Ambrato is an excellent vermouth for just this. Serve on the rocks with a lemon peel. It has slightly bitter and dry notes of rosemary and herbs.

Riserva Rubino, the red vermouth in this brand, is great with richer flavors of meat or even my favorite pairing choice:Ā cigars.

If it’s hard to imagine a bottle of vermouth being delicious enough to drink straight, pick up a bottle of Martini Riserva Speciale, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.