If you’re looking for unique drinks to sip on this New Year’s holiday, several local liquor stores may have legal beverages that can liven up the parties.
At On the Side Liquor in Olean, N.Y., managers Jason Tucker and Ariale Miller said the trend is moving toward “Kinky” liquors, literally, with a popular brand of the same name becoming quite popular with customers.
“With the flavored vodkas, it seems every other week there’s a new flavor,” Miller said. “This week it’s the Cinnabon vodka that everyone is buying.”
“Each one has a recipe. A lot of people are putting whipped cream with an orange (vodka) to make a, sort of, Creamsicle,” she said.
Tucker said that also popular are flavored rums, which provide a variety of taste sensations. “And believe it or not, flavored bourbons are pretty popular now, too. Cinnamon and honey (flavors) are pretty big.”
He said another liquor that is popular is the Midnight Moon moonshine that is sold in a container designed like a mason jar. They believe the liquor has become popular because of the Moonshiners series on cable television. Some of the jars contain various fruits such as cherries, strawberries and cranberries.
“People seem to like the oddities now,” Tucker added, noting the unusual brands have become more popular in the past two or three years.
One of the more unusual liquors is Bakon Vodka which tastes like “someone cooked a piece of cooked bacon in vodka,” Tucker said. Customers claim the alcohol is quite good in a Bloody Mary drink.
“It gives it an extra kick and little more of a savory flavor,” Tucker said.
On another note, he said sales seem to be a little better than last year, possibly because customers are “a little more confident.”
At Cuba Liquors in Cuba, N.Y., store manager Rodney Stebbins said he also has seen the flavored rums and vodkas grow in popularity over the past couple of years, but also has seen increases in the cream liqueurs such as Baileys Irish Cream and Kahlua coffee liqueur.
“It’s been a good run, so far,” Stebbins said.
At the Pennsylvania Wine and Spirit Store in Bradford, customers have enjoyed both the cream liqueurs as well as local wines this holiday season.
Stacy Kriedeman, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board in Harrisburg, provided information for state stores located in McKean County.
She said some of the local liquors customers are purchasing for the holidays include Pennsylvania Dutch Eggnog “which is a very big seller this time of year.”
Other local favorites include Red Cat wine from The Finger Lakes as well as the Clarion River Red wine. Other seasonal favorites are Kahlua Peppermint Mocha Coffee liqueur and Baileys Irish Cream liquor.
“We’re really seeing flavored items during the holidays,” she added. “Champagne and sparkling wine really increase during the holidays, too.”
For those who imbibe in beer, the specialty brands also seem to be on the increase, said managers at local businesses.
At West End Beverage and Redemption business in Olean, owner Paul Carapellatti said he is seeing customers purchase more craft or microbrew beers.
“They’re buying the Sam Adams (brand) and specialty beers,” Carapellatti said. “And the older crowd is buying the 30 packs, the specialty or microbrews.” He noted wine coolers don’t sell as well during the holiday season, and are purchased more in the summer by women.
At Togi’s Sub Station in Bradford, owner Barb Stidd said the specialty beers are also trendy with her younger customers. She said the sought-after brands include chocolate-flavored beer and root beer-flavored beer. In addition, the Four Loko drink, with lowered caffeine content, remains popular.
“We still have good sales for traditional beers and are selling well to the older customers,” she said.
