Like so many tales, Atost was launched throughout the pandemic of 2020 by two California natives, Cindy and Kyle Pressman. Cindy’s grandparents, agave farmers migrated from Mexico to work within the citrus fields of California. The Pressmans wished to create a product that may have a good time their hometown of Ventura, California but additionally honor Cindy’s heritage and the bounty of coastal California’s orchards. Each get pleasure from imbibing and wished to create a drink that merged each of their most well-liked drinks of alternative, wine and spirits. With this inspiration, collectively they created a West Coast tackle a European basic, the American Apéritif Atost.
The Pressmans supply fruits and botanicals like oranges, strawberries, and roses from native farms and infuse California grappa (a transparent grape-based distillate). They hand zest, chop, and mix the fruits earlier than infusing in a grape spirit and wine base in stainless-steel tanks. After the infusion course of they add cane sugar earlier than bottling.
Atost California Aperitif Evaluate
The result’s a deep ruby pink, bittersweet, and herbaceous beverage. The aroma is subdued, which makes the preliminary flavors a bit stunning initially. The bitterness hits the palate first with a definite dryness. At first it appears as if it is likely to be too bitter. The fruit flavors got here to the occasion slightly rapidly which offset the bitterness. On the following sip this drink turned tangy and candy with upfront natural notes which might be distinctive. The mouthfeel is mild and crisp which was surprising as a result of colour however slightly welcoming making a refreshing sip.
After sampling Atost neat, I attempted it over ice which introduced out the natural flavors much more. I’d counsel making an attempt it each methods to see how you like the flavors. Then I constructed the Atost Spritz per the model’s recipe.
Atost Spritz
2 ouncesAtost California Aperitif
4 ounceschilled glowing rosé
Recent orange slice, one strawberry sliced
Fill a big wine glass with cubed ice and add all elements. Give the liquid a fast stir earlier than sipping.
This aperitif was a superb ingredient for a spritz. The rosé softened the bitterness and created a improbable mixture of flavors. I additionally tried Atost in a Negroni and it made an amazing cocktail with a lighter profile. Give Atost a attempt for those who’re on the lookout for a novel perspective on the basic ruby aperitif at an affordable value.
36 proof.
A- / $28 / atost.co
Atost California Aperitif
USD28
