Look out there, just beyond the horizon. Can you see it? It’s the serene sight of an early-January oasis. Miraculously, the sinks contain no glasses, the partygoers’ last sled has fled, and the memories of another one for the ages are stacked nice and neat in the rearview, no worse for wear. 

Such a beautiful space of stock-taking and quiet contemplation might call for a few things. A good book and a hot bath wouldn’t hurt. But then there’s the matter of the taste buds, which require their own set of salves and stimuli. 

A long exhale that doesn’t skimp on excitement, our next box plays around with the small (lol) life concepts of purpose and potential, putting you in control of the experience with plenty of tweaks along the way according to preference and lifestyle. It’s quite simple. Ever mindful of the sheer diversity of drinks-lovers out there, our bartenders have each engineered their creation to be soul-invigorating in several ways: made with a base of either vodka or gin, or as a non-alcoholic version. Three chameleonic cocktails are coming your way! 

Like it or not, the new year is a fresh chance to call some shots and be deliberate with our decision-making. Opt for the Clear Choices Box today and—in early 2025—the outcomes for future-you will be effortless and delicious!

Question for all the flappers and flimflams still hanging around a century later: what could be cooler than the celebratory standard known as the Bee’s Knees? The Cat’s Pajamas! Based on the Prohibition hit that took all the juice joints by storm, Greg Mayer’s festive coupe marries your chosen spirit of vodka, gin, or zero-proof alternative with lemon and a honey that’s jazzed up by the gorgeous flavor combination of lavender and sage, finished with a pinch of salt. Floral, herbal, and sharp as can be, it’s a throwback you’ll be thrilled to throw back—and it’s all going down hotsy-totsy on a night when the cold doesn’t stand a chance.

Greg began his career in the hospitality industry working in kitchens as a line cook and transitioned to roles behind the bars of many hot spots nationwide. Over the past few years, Greg represented the iconic Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey in NYC. Now he’s back in creation mode, working on cocktails for the Shaker & Spoon community! 

It doesn’t take a cartoon crew of crime-solvers to sniff out the mystery of how bright citrus and floral herbs may lead to a memorable cocktail experience. But here’s Lindsay Matteson deputizing Daphne Blake to crack the case anyway. With red-orange looks to match the locks of the daring 2D detective, this cocktail walks on the refreshing side of winter with an orange-thyme cordial, your spirit of choice (gin, vodka, or zero-proof alternative), super lemon juice, and grapefruit soda. Serve it to start off the night (or the day—as it’s a fantastic brunch option!) and watch as the responses are reduced to a dazed utterance of “ZOINKS!”

Lindsay is a bartender and bar manager who has played a role at such notable bars as the Flatiron Lounge, Pouring Ribbons, canon, and Amor y Amargo, where she served as the head bartender. Most recently she was the bar manager at Barnacle, an Italian aperitivo bar, and the classic oyster joint the Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle, WA. Today, she consults on bars and teaches internationally on the overlap of hospitality and mindfulness for the bartender. She also paints cocktails and has a book of her art available on Etsy.

Don’t just break off a piece of the vodka, gin, or zero-proof old fashioned known as TakTik—always opt for a full serving! Even that may not be enough to keep track of the many sensory interplays found in Sother Teague’s cocktail, which pays homage to the creativity with which they flavor their candy bars in Japan with the help of a mellowing matcha infusion and the additional pitch-in of coconut syrup and cacao bitters. A finishing snow of white chocolate on top delivers the utmost decadence and makes this a glass you’ll crave a hearty nestl(é) with! 

Sother is the beverage director at New York’s Amor y Amargo and host of The Speakeasy on Heritage Radio Network. In 2018, he was honored with Wine Enthusiast’s Mixologist of the Year Award, and he has authored two books, I’m Just Here for the Drinks and Let’s Get Blitzen, and created Driftwood Bitters and Garden Party Bitters. Catch up on all the Sother favorites in the S&S catalog, including The Weekender, Ash and Elm, Dragon Tears, and Fruitcake Weather.

Crystal’s not just for the glassware! The see-through spirits and N/A options you’ll explore in the Clear Choices Box will lead to some full-body relaxation.

🐝🍊🍫,
The Shaker & Spoon Team

*not vegan: botanical honey syrup contains honey and white chocolate contains dairy.