For a lot of New Yorkers, when summer time arrives, it’s time to move out east. Extra particularly to the Hamptons, a cluster of cities located on the South Fork of Lengthy Island recognized for his or her seashores, scene-y eating places, and jaw-dropping worth tags.
Although rosé has dominated poolside coolers within the Hamptons for a few years, even this elite space of the U.S. couldn’t resist the draw of canned arduous seltzers and teas. However moderately than sipping White Claws like the remainder of the nation, it’s solely becoming that the notoriously unique set of zip codes additionally has its personal area of interest arduous seltzer manufacturers.
Talkhouse Encore, a spiked seltzer that was launched in 2021, debuted with a reputation you’d solely acknowledge when you’re aware of legendary Amagansett music venue Stephen Talkhouse. Opened in 1970, the long-lasting late-night spot has hosted musical performances from the likes of Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, and even the occasional shock look by Paul McCartney. Not solely do stars take the stage on the venue, however many celebs, together with Jon Bon Jovi and Jimmy Buffett, have frequented concert events within the intimate, standing-room-only area. Ruby Honerkamp, whose household based and manages Stephen Talkhouse, began the drinks model as a technique to seize the power of the Talkhouse and recreate canned variations of the venue’s most ordered drinks.
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Whereas Stephen Talkhouse is cemented into Hamptons lore, there’s a more moderen facet to the scene out east, primarily pushed by the hit Bravo! actuality TV present “Summer time Home,” which debuted in 2017. Whereas followers of the present eagerly watch the gang of buddies spend their weekends partying (and combating) throughout the Hamptons, locals aren’t as happy. Scorching spots just like the Surf Lodge and even the complete city of East Hampton have banned the crew from filming in public, hoping to keep away from the Jersey Shore-ification of their beloved trip cities.
An early “Summer time Home” plot line follows entrepreneur Kyle Cooke engaged on his newest enterprise, Loverboy, a line of glowing arduous teas. Cooke’s companion, Amanda Batula, and buddy Carl Radke (who’re each co-stars) additionally obtained in on the mission, and the present documented the model’s rollout within the Hamptons market. Regardless of backlash from the group, the present has continued to develop in reputation and is now filming its tenth season. (It’s not clear if the Loverboy model has grown with it, because the present often discusses the corporate’s monetary struggles.)
So which native Hamptons arduous bev is price testing ought to you end up browsing at Ditch Plains or taking within the sundown at Navy Seashore this summer time? Right here’s our tackle Loverboy and Talkhouse Encore.
The Loverboy Lineup
Loverboy began as a line of glowing arduous teas, however has since expanded to cocktails, non-alcoholic teas, and even a brand new product line of THC seltzers known as Flowerboy. The merchandise, which vary from a Pear Kiwi Spritz and Spicy Margarita to a Cosmopolitan and White Tea Peach, are so assorted that it appears like they’ve misplaced the thread a bit. We opted to attempt the “Cool Classics” selection pack, which options 4 of the model’s all-time favourite flavors: Lemon Iced Tea, Half & Half, Black Cherry, and Strawberry Lemonade. The pack, which comes with eight 11.5-ounce cans, might be present in outlets for round $18 to $20 retail.
The arduous teas are all made with natural brewed tea, malt alcohol, and a few combination of synthetic sweetener, pure flavors, and fruit juice that offers them every their distinctive taste. Each can on this selection pack is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, made with none added sugar, and is available in at 90 energy and 4.2 % ABV.
Our favourite of the bunch was the Lemon Iced Tea, which is billed as being “kissed with ginger.” The ginger and lemon flavors come by means of properly, giving it related qualities to a Mule. And our least favourite was the Strawberry Lemonade, which tasted a bit too synthetic.
Total, the drinks are gentle and crushable, however the style of synthetic flavoring is difficult to disregard. The shortage of an actual spirit (like vodka) or fruit juice makes the palate come throughout as skinny, with solely the essence of the flavour it guarantees. Every can left us with the lingering impression of Splenda or Stevia. In case you go for certainly one of these, we are saying go in on a pack of the Lemon Iced Teas.
The Talkhouse Encore Lineup
Completely different from the malt-based arduous teas of Loverboy, Talkhouse Encore merchandise are made with both vodka or tequila. A range pack of Encore seltzers contains the Blood Orange Tequila Soda, Grapefruit Tequila Soda, Lime Vodka Soda, and the newly launched Iced Tea & Lemonade Vodka Soda. The model additionally lately launched a Pineapple Tequila Soda and affords a Cranberry Vodka Soda and its tackle a Hamptons Mule. Every can is 5 % ABV and the flavors fluctuate from about 1.8 grams of sugar to 4.9 grams because of the inclusion of actual fruit juice (not added sugars). At about $25 for an 8-pack of 12 ounce cans, Encore prices a bit greater than Loverboy, however you get a bit extra liquid and alcohol in your buck.
The Lime Vodka Soda and Grapefruit Tequila Soda each supply basic recent citrus flavors that come throughout like a cocktail combined up at dwelling with liquor, a spritz of fruit juice, and glowing water. We’d attain for both of those for refreshment on scorching summer time seashore days or whereas dancing the evening away at Talkhouse (the place the Encores are aplenty). We additionally loved the Iced Tea & Vodka taste in addition to the Hamptons Mule, which each come throughout as extra of a full-on cocktail than a tough seltzer. We notably liked the wealthy ginger beer taste within the Mule. In each taste profile and high quality, the Talkhouse Encore seltzers take the cake.
The one draw back to the Encore lineup is that the drinks are tougher to seek out, and solely out there in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. However that’s to be anticipated from an unique Hamptons institution.
