The USA Trade Tasting (USATT) is an annual wine and spirits show where brands exhibit their products and connect with distributors, importers, retailers and press. This 2 day event was held on May 15 ^th and 16 ^th at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC. Below are some of the current and up and coming trends in wine and spirits industry.

Pink Gin

Ladies, there is a new millennial pink drink that’s trending, pink gin! Move over frosé, pink gin cocktails are going to be the hottest drink this summer. Musgrave Pink Rose is produced and bottled in South Africa. This gin is infused with rose water to give it a beautiful pink hue. Musgrave Pink won the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2017 and Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Award in 2016. Rose Terres de Mistral Gin is handcrafted in small batches and enhanced with 12 provencal botanicals to give the gin exotic notes and gorgeous color.

Coffee

Caffeine lovers can now enjoy the rich and full-bodied flavored of coffee in their wines and spirits. Andrew Peace Wines from Australia released a Café de Cabernet, a Colombian Coffee infused Cabernet Sauvignon. FAIR. Café Liquor from France, won best tasting liquor at the 2010 New York Spirit Awards. FAIR uses certified Arabica coffee beans that are organically grown and Fair Trade Certified for the best coffee flavor.

Fun and Fruity

Even if you are not going away this summer, drinking rum punch can make you feel like you’re on the beach on a tropical island.  Mabi Punch  is infused with fresh, exotic and sun ripened fruit and is blended with brown sugar cane and native rum from Guadeloupe. Mabi is an indigenous tree in the Caribbean and its bark is used to make tonic beverages. In Guadeloupe, harvesting the fruit is a way to protect and save the trees. Mabi Punch won the Medaille d’or Paris 2015, hopefully this award-winning liquor will be making its way to the states soon.

Cambusier makes French fruit liqueurs in 13 different varieties. The fruit is organically-farmed, sustainably-farmed, and picked directly, perfect for craft cocktails.

Lautergold have been making liqueurs from the fruit on Ore Mountain in Saxony, Germany since 1734. These premium liqueurs use high quality fruit for the best taste.

Western Son Distillery , makes flavored vodkas in small batches from 100% American yellow corn. These flavored vodkas are gluten-free, kosher, vegan and naturally flavored.

A touch of Sweet and a touch of Heat

Even though the Mary Poppins song states “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,” a touch of honey and maple syrup also helps cocktails go down smooth. Several exhibitors showcased spirits with honey and maple syrup. Tomahawk Maple Whiskey uses eight-year-old Canadian rye whiskey and maple syrup for an incredibly smooth taste.  Western Honey Pepper Whiskey is an American small batch whiskey, made with premium bourbon and is blended with chili peppers and honey. This whiskey starts off hot, but finishes sweet.

Belle Isle Honey Habanero is award-winning moonshine infused with habaneros and honey for the perfect balance of sweet and heat. Since moonshine is made with corn, this distilled spirit is the perfect gluten-free option.

If you’re looking to spice up your margaritas this summer, Dano’s Dangerous Tequila released a Fresh Pineapple & Jalapeno Blanco Infusion. This tequila is made with 100% Blue Agave Blanco and  fresh pineapples and jalapenos, no artificial flavors or extracts. Just like the name implies, this tequila is dangerously smooth, so drink responsibly.

If you’re looking for some sweet without the heat, try Alvisa Honey Brandy. This Spanish brandy is aged for 10 years with a touch of pure honey. Alvisa Honey Brandy has a dark amber color, complex aromas, and is best served on the rocks.

Time for Dessert

If you are looking for something sweet to sip on after dinner, these wines and spirits are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Ginja 9 is a sour cherry liqueur from Portugal. Sour cherries (morello cherries) are infused in alcohol and lightly sweetened with sugar. Pour Ginja into into chocolate cups, for the perfect finish to any meal.

The Kourtakis family has been making wine since 1895. Two of their standout wines include Muscat of Samos Kourtaki, a Sweet White Wine and Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras, a Sweet Red Wine. These sweet wines are perfect for dessert and are a great substitution if you like Moscato or Ice Wine.

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