Bottles to Buy Now

Ready to stock the bar with the hottest spirits tasted at Tales?

Whether discovered in a Tasting Room, at invite-only afternoon soirées or judged in a blind tasting by a panel of esteemed judges, there are always spirits we can’t wait to get our hands on, following the global drinks industry conference, Tales of the Cocktail.

Here, the Milk Punch Media round-up of bottles and party tricks on our radar right now for happy hour or your next party.

1Automatic Jones Earl Grey Negroni by The Family Jones

When a just-launched, ready-to-pour negroni takes home RTD of the Year at the New Orleans Spirits Competition during Tales, that’s a must-have for negroni lovers! The Family Jones Distillery of Denver, known for working with organic certified farms throughout Colorado, crafted a beautifully bottled negroni for their Automatic Jones line made with Earl Grey Juniper Jones Gin. Pour over ice and stir. Garnish with a twist orange.
Order it.

2 Distillery of Modern Art Nouveau Gin

When six gins compete for Gin of the Year with a panel of 2024 judges that includes industry luminaries Philip Duff, Vivian Pei, Natasha Bahrami aka The Gin Girl and Abigail Gullo, the winning bottle piques your curiosity. Hello, Hotlanta! The judges chose Distillery of Modern Art Nouveau Gin, made at the craft distillery in Chamblee, Georgia. Retailing around $35, Nouveau needs to be next in your gin tasting collection.
Order it.

3Purity Connoisseur 51 Reserve Organic Vodka

Vodka drinkers, heads up! Purity Vodka is sweeping spirits awards with its “crown jewel,” Connoisseur 51 Reserve Organic Vodka. Tied for Vodka of the Year at the New Orleans Spirits Competition at Tales, this Swedish vodka is copper distilled with organic barley and winter wheat, boasting tasting notes of citrus, pepper, vanilla and freshly baked bread. Purity was also pouring in Tasting Rooms at TOTC. For around $25 per bottle, sample it at home and you be the judge.
Order it.

4Curious Elixir No. 9 Booze-Free Cocktail

Zero Proof doesn’t have to mean zero fun. Even better if it’s served as a little party trick! Curious No. 9 has been on our radar all summer and we finally sampled this beautiful sparkling rosé-flavored booze-free cocktail infused with mood-boosting South African kanna, allowing you to “get weird without getting wasted.” Serve chilled in a wine glass garnished with limes, berries or edible flowers. Pro tip: Offering non-alcoholic cocktails is de rigueur at private parties.
Order it.

5Solid Wiggles Jelly Shots

Craft-made gelatin shots are a thing, but one company in Brooklyn has made it a creative mail-order business. When partygoers arrived at each Ketel One Vodka shindig, they were offered the cutest jelly shots by Solid Wiggles. Think Cosmos and Lemon Drops made by a mixologist with pastry chef precision. We couldn’t wait and ordered Watermelon Gin Fizz jelly shots and a Margarita cake for the very next party on the horizon!
Order it.

6Cut Above Zero Proof Mezcal

For more sessionable drinking, savvy drinkers are splitting the base spirit in their cocktails with a zero proof spirit. That’s what Cut Above, a Houston-based company we met at Tales, does best! We sampled their “Smoke on the Ranch” cocktail made with Zero Proof Mezcal, cucumber, lemon, and peppercorn, topped with Topo Chico. At home, we’re thinking lower proof Mezcal Margaritas: 1 ounce of tequila and 1 ounce Cut Above Mezcal for a delicious low ABV cocktail.
Order it.

7Beautiful Botanicals: Tanqueray No. 10 Gin

“The martini is the most elegant cocktail,” expressed bar educator Tiffanie Barriere, aka The Drinking Coach, in a martini master class hosted by Tanqueray No. Ten.  With a lush mix of botanical aromas permeating the historic venue, “Martini Gras” celebrated the small batch gin bursting with bright citrus. We didn’t need another reason to love this gin martini modern classic—it’s simply a staple that needs to be in your bar.
Order it.