Beer and wine are mixing it up with spirits. And that means a new era for your palate.
Years ago, the notion of even allowing wine or beer near a spirit was the sign of a bartender either drinking too much or never being behind a bar before.
No more.
At Undercover Jetsetter, we’ve experimented and watched for years as some of the best mixologists tested and re-imagine this once forbidden recipe direction.
Granted, we never felt shamed. Heck, our viewers and friends gave us the thumbs up for a number of our unheard creations.
That’s right Undercover Jetsetters are Undercover Trendsetters too.
And now, we have even more affirmation from Cave On The Case, our new feature on Undercover Jetsetter, with Harry Cave, the Mixologist and General Manager at The Pour House in Shallotte, NC who is a Cocktail Creator Whiz, who we think is making this new trend even more common place.
We’ll show you some of ours and Harry’s concoctions that you must try.
First, let’s look at why this trend has finally caught on.
Palates Getting Bored
We all get tired of the same thing. How many times can you just have a gin and tonic or a Manhattan? We want to be jolted into some fun. And these craft cocktails offer a balance of flavors that offer a unique spectrum of tastes and aromas that can elevate a drink from good to unforgettable.
Wine, with its varying degrees of sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness, can add depth and complexity to cocktails.
Meanwhile, beer brings a diverse range of flavors, from the bitterness of hops to the richness of malt, creating a layered drinking experience. All of that has been enhanced over the last few decades as craft beers and micro breweries have boomed across the US.
Wine and beer complement or contrast with a wide range of spirits and mixers. A splash of prosecco can add effervescence and sweetness to a sophisticated cocktail, while a stout can introduce a creamy, rich texture. From the crispness of a lager to the tartness of a rosé, these beverages can transform the flavor profile of a cocktail, making it more dynamic and intriguing.
Social Landscape Shift
The shift to beer and wine mixing in cocktails is bringing more people together. There’s a growing appreciation for craft beverages, with consumers seeking out unique and high-quality drinking experiences. Wine and beer cocktails cater to this, offering a nuanced and sophisticated alternative to traditional cocktails. Moreover, these drinks foster a sense of inclusivity, appealing to both wine aficionados and beer fans, drawing a wider audience into the cocktail culture.
And that is great news for the cocktail world and for inventive mixologists – like Harry. 
Here is a recent Cave on The Case creation for the start of the baseball season. We call it the Grand Slam Thank You Ma’am. Why that name? It was a cute play on an old naughty phrase that included a baseball term.
Watch here as Harry mixes a baseball favorite – beer – with this refreshing and complex cocktail.
We created the Terini, a sidestep to our classic Terita, a margarita with Apricot Brandy. We then added Prosecco. Watch here.
Here’s one of our biggest hits. It is the Zintini. We mix Zinfandel, Bourbon, and Maraschino Liqueur and we watch the eye-opening ecstasy happen.
And last but not least, we invade and alter the martini world with our Gin Blanc.
We hope you’ll try these creations. But we also hope you will try to create some of your own at home. If you do, let us know here.
John Daly and Susan Anzalone are the Co-Creators and Co-Hosts of Undercover Jetsetter, a show on travel, food, wine, mixology and, of course, golf. They show you how to jet set the world and at home. They also co-authored the book, The TV Studio In Your Hand: How to Shoot, Edit & Deliver the Easy Way on Your iPhone. Join them for tips and hacks on the road, at home, or in the kitchen. Yes, as you will see, all on the iPhone.