Get Skinny for the Summer

Everyone loves a margarita with a kick, but no one likes the extra calories! The NEW Skinnygirl Spicy Lime Margarita is a perfect balance of natural flavors like cool lime and spicy chili, mixed with premium blue agave silver tequila. Pour over ice in a festive margarita glass with a twist of lime. It's a delicious and low-cal way to feel the heat!

At Joe Canal's, we also carry a pretty extensive selection of the other Skinnygirl Ready to Drink cocktails. Open, pour and enjoy! From sparkling and sweet to our new Spicy Lime Margarita, you'll find a low-cal cocktail for every taste. In addition, we carry Skinnygirl Moscato and Prosecco.

Bethenny Frankel, the founder of Skinnygirl® Cocktails, Wine and Vodka, will be at our Woodbridge store on Saturday, June 6th, from 3-5 pm, for a bottle signing!

Summer Cocktails

We're exactly two weeks out from Memorial Day, so we need to gear up for fresh summer cocktails, like these:

Watermelon Tequila

Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
8 cups diced seedless watermelon (1 pound)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 3/4 cups blueberries
3/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, plus 8 sprigs for garnish
1 1/4 cups silver tequila (try Sauza 901 or Peligroso Silver)
Ice

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a simmer with the sugar and stir over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute; let the sugar syrup cool. As an alternative, use store-bought simple syrup.

In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the watermelon juice, pressing gently on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp.

In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the lime juice, blueberries and mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle the blueberries and mint. Add the watermelon juice and tequila. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours.

Pour the cocktail into tall ice-filled glasses. Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.

Sunset Punch

Because sometimes, a punch bowl is the best choice.

Ingredients

8 ounces bourbon (Buffalo Trace or Maker's Mark)

8 ounces white vermouth (Cinzano Bianco)

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, plus lemon slices for garnish

1/4 cup simple syrup 

12 ounces chilled Gosling's ginger beer

In a punch bowl, combine the bourbon, vermouth, lemon juice and syrup. Add the ginger beer and lemon slices and serve over ice.

The Colorado Cooler

From the state that "enjoyed" snow on Mother's Day for the second consecutive year.

Ingredients
1 ounce chilled club soda
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
2 ounces malt whiskey, preferably Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey
Ice
2 dashes of celery bitters (optional)
4 cherries, preferably Rainier, pitted, plus 1 cherry for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the 4 pitted cherries. Add ice and all of the remaining ingredients except the club soda and garnish. Shake well. Strain into an ice-filled collins glass, stir in the club soda and garnish with a cherry.

California Caipirinha

Pitcher drinks are also good for entertaining.

Ingredients
6 limes, cut into eighths
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
16 ounces Pirassununga 51 Cachaça
4 ounces Quady Winery Essencia Orange Muscat
4 ounces Simple Syrup
Ice

In a pitcher, muddle the lime wedges with the sugar. Add the Cachaça, Orange Muscat and Simple Syrup and stir well. Add ice, stir again and strain the caipirinha into ice-filled rocks glasses.

Happy Mother's Day Grab Bag

Thank you for reading our posts, but, more importantly, thank you for shopping with us at Joe Canal's in Lawrenceville and Woodbridge.

CONSTRUCTION ALERT

The parking lot re-paving project in Woodbridge will begin early Monday morning, May 11, weather permitting. There will be disruptions to the normal traffic flow, so please exercise more than the usual caution. We should have temporary directional signs in place during the project. We will be open normal hours throughout. The project should last a few days.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Click here for one set of suggestions
Click here for another

Events in Lawrenceville

We'll have our regular weekend wine tastings, 4-6pm today, and 2-4pm Saturday. Click here for the tasting menu.

Next weekend, we'll have a Blind Tasting of Pinot Grigio on Friday and Saturday, as well as a tasting of Plungerhead wines earlier on Saturday. Click here for our Event Calendar.

Save the Date: We're hosting an after hours Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer Wine Event on Sunday, May 31. Details will be available shortly.

Events in Woodbridge

We're also having our regular weekend wine tastings. The hours are 4-6pm today, and 1-3pm on Saturday. Click here for the menu.

Outside of the regular wine tastings, we have seven other events on the calendar, between now and the end of June. Click here for the full agenda, which includes a Bridal Event, craft beer tastings and more.

New Products

Hennessy 250 Collector Blend. Commemorating our 250th anniversary, The Hennessy 250 Collector Blend pays full tribute to two-and-a-half centuries of excellence, international expansion, and visionary passion.

This distinctive cognac is the product of an exceptional blending and aging process, born of the creative inspiration of Hennessy Master Blender Yann Fillioux. It is an expertly assembled blend of eaux-de-vie aged 15-35 years, selected to achieve a harmony between power, vivacity, and elegance. The blend completed its aging in ideal conditions: resting in 250 specially crafted barrels of 250 liters each, carefully stored at ground level near the banks of the river Charente.

Rich and expressive on the nose, developing complex aromatic tones ranging from vegetal to spicy: bitter orange and freshly grated nutmeg, licorice, dried peppermint leaf and delicate spices, in particular saffron. While exhibiting its power on the palate, this cognac also possesses great elegance, with wonderful persistence on the finish, a delightful nuance of spicy complexity.

Each limited edition bottle is individually numbered, and enclosed in a specially designed gift box: a graphic silver map on a luxurious copper metallic surface — evoking Hennessy’s 250-year adventure of international expansion, crafting the future since 1765. Only 3 bottles are available per store.

Chateau St. Jean 2011 Merlot. A perfect Mother's Day red. The Sonoma County Merlot offers bright notes of red cherry and fresh raspberry fruit as well as a dark spice component on the nose. The aromas lead to a juicy palate with core red fruit flavors and warm mocha coffee notes. The wine is well structured with polished tannins and a lingering finish.

Please note that this is not a new product, but a new, lower price, facilitated by our tremendous buying power. This price will go into effect later today.

Blood Oath Bourbon. A masterful union of well-bred bourbons. The first, a spicy bourbon with a mash bill favoring rye, barrel aged for a subtle woodiness. This, artfully braided with a smooth, but never soft, wheated bourbon or memorable curves. Finally, a more experienced, oaky bourbon with a rye-based mash. None overpowers the other, agreeing to co-exist in harmony.

The Nose: Vanilla, spice. Peppery, with maple caramel and chocolate notes. Plenty of oak and an apricot finish.

The Palate: Rich notes of vanilla and cocoa, smooth honey with notes of tobacco and orange.

The Finish: Smooth, long and dry with a touch of spice and fruit.

Only 6 bottles of this one-off whiskey are available per store.

Happy Mother's Day! Have a great weekend!

More Mom-Friendly Suggestions

You've probably heard that Mother's Day is this Sunday. If your plans for Sunday include wine, beer or spirits, we're happy to offer some suggestions that will brighten Mom's day.

Luna di Luna Prosecco

Nothing starts a celebration like sparkling wine. Whether you're making a toast, or mixing a Bellini or a Mimosa, the bubbles are a sign of good times.

We made a special purchase of Luna di Luna Prosecco, and it's priced very aggressively. Luna di Luna is one of northeastern Italy's best known brands, and this is a delicious prosecco with a fine mousse. Only $9.98 in the Bottle Club®.

Of course, this is the perfect time of year for a fresh rosé wine. We have an assortment of the 2014 vintage rosés in stock, so have a sip of summer.

Laudun Chusclan Gard Saurine Vin de Pays Rosé

Don't worry about the official and very long name of this wine. Let's just call it "Saurine rosé" and enjoy! The blend includes Grenache for structure and Carignan to give it depth. Only $7.96 in the Bottle Club®.

Saurine on display in Lawrenceville

Blis Blast Hot Sauce

Beer not included

If you're the one in charge of the cooking on Sunday, we have a great, new hot sauce that's perfect for wings or anything else that needs a little kick. Blis Blast Hot Sauce combines over three different chilies aged over the course of a year in a variety of oak barrels, including Founders Brewery KBS Barrels! The result is a jam packed, bursting with flavor hot sauce that leaves you wanting more! This one is a staff favorite! Be sure to try Blis Blast Hot Sauce today, Because Life Is Short! Available in Lawrenceville only.

   

Domaine de la Colombe Rosé Coteaux Varois en Provence 

From the winery: "Jubilant red strawberries jump from the glass on this cheerful rosé. The Coteaux Varois is a smaller appellation in the center of Provence. Composed of Cinsaut and Carignan growing in chalky soils, this ultra-fresh wine has fine structure and a fruity profile. A touch of grape tannins on the finish means this is great with a meal, especially alongside pesto, vegetables, herbed chicken, and prosciutto."

From Brandon Bartfalvi, Senior Wine Manager in Lawrenceville: "A light to medium bodied Rose offering light peach and citrus notes with a juicy but clean finish.  Pick up a case or more so you can have it all summer!"

This wine sold out quickly last year. We agree with Brandon, especially at this great Bottle Club® price: $9.96.

Because our Store Manager in Lawrenceville, Toni Carver, is an expert on whisk(e)y, we know that plenty of other mom's enjoy the brown spirits as well. Consider this special offering:

Compass Box Hedonism Quindecimus

Compass Box Whisky has a great backstory: an American making cutting-edge whisky in Scotland.

Hedonism Quindecimus uses grain whiskies of varying ages from five distilleries
to create a riotous, intergenerational celebration of all that the interplay
between grain spirit and American oak can deliver. The joie de vivre of youth and complexity of age combine to create something seductive, mouth-coating and irresistible.

The combination of grain whiskies from different distilleries and of varying ages has created extraordinary complexity and juxtapositions of flavor. Indulgent yet lively, unctuous yet light, you will find a deep, sweet caramel coconut succulence combining with exultant tropical fruits.

46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and natural color. This is an allocated whisky with extremely limited availability. $179.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Happy Mother's Day!

Something New for Mom?

Let us be on the list of people reminding you that this Sunday is Mother's Day. Whether you're bringing her a present or bringing a bottle to share, we have a long list of new products that should be of interest. Here are some of the new delivery highlights:

Viniq Ruby

This stylish shimmery red liqueur will have everyone talking, with a delicious flavor that is sweet and refreshing. With flavors of red berries, and a one-of-a-kind shimmer, Viniq Ruby tastes great and looks stunning. A fusion of Premium Vodka, Moscato, and Natural Fruit Flavors paired with a bold new look is the perfect complement to glam up your night.

Serve it by itself, on the rocks, or pour into delicious mixers to begin the evening. Try this fruity and refreshing cocktail called the VNQ:

Ingredients: 
2 oz. Viniq Ruby 
2 oz. club soda 
Lime squeeze 
Fresh berries
Pour all into a highball glass, add ice, berries and enjoy.

Viniq Ruby is available in both 750ML and 375ML sizes.

Domaine Saint Mitre Cuvee M Rose 2014

This offers a harmonious blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache. 

Ideal for every moment of conviviality around the table, you will be seduced by the aromas of strawberry and raspberry crisp and by the freshness of citrus notes.

Color: pale pink 
Nose: red fruit and touches of citrus, floral, intense 
Palate: fresh fruit (strawberry and raspberry crisp), hint of citrus. 

Beautiful elegance and finesse, good freshness. 

This is only available in Lawrenceville, for $11.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Tijuana Sweet Heat Tequila

Tijuana Sweet Heat Tequila has the bold bite of an authentic Mexican tequila, plus a sweet touch of pure agave nectar. Sweet agave syrup is quite clear right from the start and it’s complemented by white pepper, bell pepper, dill, and roasted agave. On the palate Tijuana Sweet Heat is very sweet. The thick agave syrup is right there in the entry overshadowing the other flavors in the mix. It isn’t until the midpalate that the underlying tequila qualities start to emerge, with soft white pepper and cinnamon backed by roasted agave and agave syrup. The finish holds on to a touch of the spice with a very small pepper kick. Only $14.99.

Anderson Valley Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice® is a slightly sweet, malty session beer with a creamy mouth feel and clean finish. With hints of caramel in the nose and a touch of spice, it’s become affectionately known as “cream soda for adults”. The unique flavors and superior drinkability make for the ultimate refreshment on a hot summer day. Currently available in Woodbridge only, in bottles and cans.

                                                    Skinnygirl Spicy Lime Margarita

Everyone loves a margarita with a kick, but no one likes the extra calories! Our NEW Skinnygirl Spicy Lime Margarita is a perfect balance of natural flavors like cool lime and spicy chili, mixed with premium blue agave silver tequila. Pour over ice in a festive margarita glass with a twist of lime. It's a delicious and low-cal way to feel the heat! Only $12.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Serving suggestion

Get Lost

We're talking about Lost Spirits, a cutting edge distiller. Lost Spirits Distillery is a "Skunk Works" style project located in rural California. That means they create experimental products, using inventive processes. Working in small lots, Lost Spirits makes some of the most in-demand items on the market.

The distillery is sold out of product, but we have the exclusive New Jersey allotment of Lost Spirits Navy, Polynesian and Cuban Rums.

Lost Spirits are produced in a handmade copper pot still of their own design, and the ingredients are quite unique as well. Lost Spirits uses an older style of fermentation which uses dunder, a form of fermented fruit backset that, when combined with other elements of fermentation and distillation, produces a high ester type of rum that has characteristics of long aging in would and a very distinctive taste and appearance.

These three rums do not contain any flavoring additives, coloring additives, added sugar or caramel coloring.

The Navy Style Rum offers caramel, citrus fruit and dried plums wrapped in campfire and gun smoke, a long and smooth finish with touches of (if not the) highest density of rancio characteristics ever observed in a rum.

In stock now, at $39.99 in the Bottle Club®

The Polynesian Inspired Rum begins its life as the same white rum as the Navy Style. There are traditional methods like pot distillation, additive-free fermentation, Jamacian-style bacterial dunder, and sherry seasoned oak maturation. After that, Lost Spirits employes all new and diferent techniques. Charred oak phenols are severly limited, preventing the fruity carboxylic esters from completely maturing. In short, the aging process is inhibited at the point where the spirit is at its fruitiest.

All that science leads to a rum with rich caramel, butter pastries, molasses, cherries and pineapple, which gives way to sweet and wet pineapple juice with the addition of ice. Polynesian Inspired is designed for cocktails, not sipping, and is ideal to float on top of anything tiki.

Also in stock now, at $34.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Lost Spirits copper pot still

Lost Spirits Cuban Inspired Rum is crafted from just four simple ingredients: baking grade molasses, bacteria and yeast cultures cultivated on bananas and water. Once the ingredients have been sourced, they are "clean" fermented and then distilled through a pot still.

Following distillation, the rum is matured in a combination of new, toasted American oak casks and used, charred American oak barrels.

The results are a clean, crisp rum but with a massive aroma and flavor - much like we imagine the rum of old Havana. Lost Spirits Cuban Rum has a rich aroma of butterscotch, caramel, honey pastries and apple crumble that leads to notes of citrus, tropical fruits, vanilla and fudge on the palate. The finish is smooth and slightly sweet, with a hint of oak.

We are awaiting delivery of the 151-proof Cuban Inspired Rum. It will be priced at $31.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Monday Odds and Ends

It's a Monday, and we're all influenced by Short Attention Span Theater. We'll take on a variety of smaller topics today.

Social Media 

Click the links below for the appropriate destination. Remember that we launch a Twitter-exclusive coupon every Thursday. We follow back on Twitter.

Facebook Lawrenceville
Twitter Lawrenceville

Facebook Woodbridge
Twitter Woodbridge

Mother's Day

In case you needed another reminder, Mother's Day is this coming Sunday. With the warmer weather, it might be nice to share some rosé wine with everyone. Click here for a rundown on some of our newest arrivals.

Not mentioned in that post is another new arrival, the Chateau Mourgues du Gres Costieres de Nimes Rosé. This rosé is delicate and fragrant yet still has good structure, minerality and wild raspberry fruit which gives it charm. Currently, this is only available in Lawrenceville. It is on the tasting menu for this weekend.

                 Reorganized

We've changed things around in our stores, some subtle, and some overt. So your favorite wine might be in a different location. Please let a staff member know if you have any questions.

Lost

Lost Spirits Distillery, that is. Lost Spirits Distillery is a "Skunk Works" style project located in rural California. The distillery is sold out of product, but we have the exclusive New Jersey allotment of Lost Spirits Navy, Polynesian and Cuban Rums. Stop back to this blog tomorrow for an in-depth treatment of the Lost Spirits rums.

Woodbridge Parking Lot

The re-paving project will begin next Monday, May 11, weather permitting. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience the work will cause.