The Best Tariff Friendly Cocktails

The weekend is for fun, so here are some affordable cocktails to kick back and relax

There has been a buzz about tariffs and the global stock markets are quaking. But most don’t realize at the end of hte day, as people settle down, their favorite cocktails will be hit. Foreign alcohol is significantly impacted by tariffs imposed by the current adminstartion. These tariffs include a 25% levy on all beer imports, additional tariffs on aluminum used in beer cans, and varying tariffs on wines and spirits from different regions. Popular brands such as Guinness stout (produced by Diageo), Italian Campari liqueur, and imported beers like Corona and Heineken are directly affected. Tequila has been on the list, but currently has escaped.  To help the wallet and the throat, here are the best tariff friendly cocktails.

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Strawberry Bourbon Basil Smash

What better way to relax than with some good, old-fashioned bourbon.  This cocktail combines the rich flavor of barrel aged bourbon with spring treats like strawberries and fresh basil.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup fresh strawberries, cut into chunks
• 5 leaves fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons simple syrup
• 3 fluid ops bourbon
• 1/2 cup ice, or as needed
• 3 fluid ozs sparkling water, or as needed

Create

1. Muddle strawberries, basil, lemon juice, and simple syrup together in a cocktail glass until smashed together and fragrant
2. Add bourbon and ice
3. Stir to combine
4. Top with sparkling water

Hard Ball

After a tough week or if you just want to start the evening off with a different note, consider this cocktail. The story of peanut butter whiskey, most notably Skrewball, begins with Steven Yeng, a Cambodian refugee who, after immigrating to the US, developed a love for peanut butter and later combined it with whiskey to create a popular cocktail at his bar, which eventually led to the creation of the brand in 2018. Skrewball is made in San Diego.

Ingredients

• 1½ ozs Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
• 4 ozs Berry flavored Hard Seltzer

Create

1. Combine ingredients in a highball glass
2. Add ice
3. Stir and enjoy

American Mule

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Cucumber Gimlet

This cocktail feels like you are diving directly into summer, skipping spring.  The cucumber brings a whole level of freshness.  Crisp, cool and completely tariff free.

Ingredients

• 3 cucumber wheels, thickly sliced
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 2 ozs gin
• 3/4 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Cucumber wheel, sliced thinly for garnish

Create