Several sales, ideas and cocktail recipes that you can enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend

The New York Exclusive by Columnist, Tony Bowles

9 min readMay 21, 2020

Memorial Day weekend is normally a time for getaway trips, barbecues, ceremonies and parades, and shopping — but life is different now. Even though New York recently announced its phased reopening and issued a new safer at home advisory, gatherings of 10 or more people are still not allowed.

How do you plan to spend Memorial Day weekend this year? What are the judgment calls you’re making to feel safe while also finding a way to unwind?

Though the official holiday will still occur in a few days, it might look very different this year than ever before, given the new social normals we all face.

Cocktail, Recipes and More

BACARDÍ Real Rum Cocktails

Perfect for those who’s looking for an easy, yet refreshing rum cocktail to enjoy all summer long — the new BACARDÍ Real Rum Cocktails are convenient, low ABV (5.9%), portable, single-served and best of all- made with a base of award-winning BACARDÍ white rum and available in three delicious flavors BACARDÍ Lime & Soda, BACARDÍ Limon & Lemonade and BACARDÍ Rum Punch (MSRP: $12.99). You can purchase these new cans in four packs of slim 355mL cans via Drizly, Minibar and Instacart.

Martini & Rossi Frosé and Frosecco

With summer on the horizon and Memorial Day being around the corner, Frosé and Frosecco will help you kick off the season from the comfort of your home. Martini & Rossi Frosé is a premium frozen Rosé wine cocktail, and Martini & Rossi Frosecco is the first ever packaged frozen prosecco, perfect for elevating and simplifying at-home pool or patio-side occasions this summer. Simply freeze, sip straight from the recyclable pouch, or serve these delicious cocktails in your favorite glass for digital get-togethers with friends, or a relaxed day at home.

Martini & Rossi’s offerings are a range of premium frozen wine cocktails (6.5% ABV) made with Italian wine and all-natural fruit flavors, and made without any artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup or artificial coloring.

Miami Cocktail Company Organic SPRITZ

Made with organic, authentic and wholesome ingredients, Miami Cocktail Company Organic SPRITZ are all natural and gluten-free. Each brightly colored variant (Paloma, Margarita, Mimosa, Sangria and Bellini) is only 110 calories with no added sugar, making it a delectable and clean-drinking option that pleases every palate. Delivery is available nationwide on MiamiCocktail.com.

Chandon AluMini Rosé

Chandon AluMini single-serve Rosé is perfect for your outdoor Memorial Day BBQ, or enjoying a virtual happy hour with friends and family.

Moët Hennessy

Afraid of missing rosé season? Look no further. While we’re all currently at home, Moët Hennessy has a multitude of options for your “summer in a bottle” fix. With the warmer weather quickly approaching and Memorial Day coming up, we wanted to make sure you’re aware of Moët Hennessy’s many rosé brands for any trend pieces you might have tied to the (somewhat different) 2020 rosé season!

With a variety of blends and bottles, Moët Hennessy’s large umbrella encompasses numerous refreshing options that will allow you to sip on rosé to feel like you’re away.

Bonterra Rosé

This month marks the release of Bonterra’s new 2019 Rosé, a Grenache-based blend that exudes aromas of ruby red grapefruit, red cherry and watermelon while flavors of pomegranate, red berries and a hint of peach meet the palate. If a glass of wine isn’t hitting the spot for your reader’s backyard, rooftop or open-window happy hours, We suggest going for the canned variety or turning the Bonterra Rosé into a refreshing twist on a Frosé.

Kendall-Jackson’s Virtual Wine Tastings

Hosted by America’s favorite winery Kendall-Jackson and winemaster Randy Ullom, At Home with Kendall-Jackson offers wine lovers in quarantine with the opportunity to participate in engaging educational virtual wine tastings. Taking place every Sunday throughout the month of May at 7:00 p.m. EST / 4:00 p.m. PST, tune into @kjwines Instagram or Facebook for a short video that showcases a variety of rotating themes like Pinot Noir & Pantry Staples, Mom’s Favorite Chardonnay, Deep Dive into Sustainable Wines, Memorial Day BBQ Grilling with Jackson Family Wine Chef Justin Wrangler and Picnic Picks: Exploring Wine & Cheese Pairings.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Though we may not be traveling this Memorial Day — what better way to kick off the long weekend than with National Chardonnay Day on May 21. Pop open a delicious bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne made from 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes, and raise those glasses in a champagne toast to summer, and celebrate all there is to be grateful for.

With notes of lemon and citron beautifully combined with aromas of pineapple and passion fruit Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is the perfect champagne to pair with aperitifs while you savor the summer weather. Pour a glass from Ruinart’s renowned bottle that dates back to the 18th Century — and taste the elegance of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, distinguished for its high Chardonnay content.

Ruinart is available for home delivery on Drizly.com.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

A fresh juicy wine with vibrant acidity and plenty of weight and length on the palate. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is a pale yellow color with notes of passion fruit and guava, in addition to intense citrus notes of grapefruit, lemon, and a zesty concentration. Perfect for all occasions and particularly delicious with fresh seafood and vegetables.

Meiomi Rosé

Delightfully dry with vibrant acidity, Meiomi Rosé opens to delicate aromas of strawberry, rose petal, and citrus. The palate offers mouthwatering flavors of juicy strawberry, watermelon, hay, and grapefruit rind with a cool minerality on the finish.

Roma Ricky

2 parts Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice

¾ Lime Juice

½ part Sugar Syrup

½ part Italicus

3 parts Sparkling Water

Combine all ingredients over ice in a highball glass. Lightly stir and garnish with Cucumber Spear.

Many Waters

1.5 parts Tullamore D.E.W. Caribbean Rum Cask Finish

Coconut Water

1 Brown Sugar Cube

3 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Lime wheel

Add Tullamore D.E.W. Caribbean Rum Cask, brown sugar

and bitters to a highball glass and muddle. Top the cocktail with

coconut water and ice, stir together. Garnish with lime wheel.

Cointreau Breeze

1.5 oz Cointreau

2 oz Cranberry Juice

2 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice

Directions

Combine all ingredients over ice in a chilled highball glass. Stir briefly. Garnish with an orange twist.

Summer Watermelon Spritzer

*The ideal simple serve cocktail for when you close your laptop on a Summer Friday.*

INGREDIENTS

2oz CÎROC Summer Watermelon

6oz Soda Water

Glass: Highball

Ice: Cubed
Garnish: Large watermelon slice, a sprig of mint, and lime wheel

Optional: Splash of fresh watermelon juice

PREPARATION

Add CÎROC Summer Watermelon and soda water into highball glass filled with ice.

Gently stir, place large watermelon slice into the glass and garnish top with sprig of mint and lime wheel.

Backyard Lemonade

1.5 oz the Botanist Gin

.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

.75 oz Fino Sherry

.5 oz Simple Syrup

2–5 Strawberries (halved)

5–7 Mint Leaves

Directions

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain into a Rocks Glass. Garnish with mint leaves or a halved strawberry.

One Hot Summer

5 fresh basil leaves

1/2-ounce fresh lemon juice

1/8 Teaspoon Vanilla extract

2 small serrano “wheels” (basically take the serrano pepper and slice it like you would a lime wheel)

1 and a half cups ice (add a 1/4 of water if you want it more like a slushy)

Directions

Blend on high for 20 seconds, strain into a cocktail glass and top with Red Bull Summer Edition Watermelon Edition. Garnish with a basil sprig!

RumHaven Colada

2 oz. RumHaven

2 oz. Pineapple Juice

1 oz. Coconut Cream

½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice

Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake vigorously. Strain cocktail into an ice-filled Collins glass. Garnish with pineapple and cherry.

Seagram’s Watermelon Twist Gin & Tonic

Ingredients

Seagram’s Watermelon Twisted Gin

Tonic water

Watermelon

Ice

Lemon (optional)

Mint (optional)

Recipe/Method

In a glass highball or rocks glass, add ice then a sliced watermelon wedge

Combine 1 part Seagram’s Watermelon Twisted Gin & 3 parts tonic water and pour over ice

Garnish with lemon slices & a sprig of mint

Pineapple Sauvignito

2.5 oz H3 Sauvignon Blanc

1 oz Plantation Pineapple Rum (Stiggin’s Fancy)

.75 oz Rich Simple Syrup (2:1 ratio, 2 parts sugar, 1 part water)

.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice

5–6 Mint Leaves

Soda Water

Steps

Add all ingredients except soda to a shaker tin with ice.

Shake for 10 seconds.

Strain over ice in a tall glass.

Top with soda.

Garnish with mint or a few pineapple leaves

Sales

Banana Republic

As we all begin to accept the new normal way of living, it is hard to believe that Memorial Day is this coming weekend! With the long weekend comes the prospect of Memorial Day Sales — the perfect opportunity to snag some great online deals and kick off your Summer in style! In advance of the upcoming holiday sale promotions, we are excited to share Banana Republic’s online offerings:

May 20th — May 25th

· Enjoy up to 75% off EVERYTHING

· Excludes third-party branded merchandise, face masks and Gift Cards

May 24th — May 25th

· Enjoy an extra 10% off EVERYTHING

· Excludes third-party branded merchandise, face masks and Gift Cards

PLUS!

· Banana Republic will also have ‘Surprise Steals’ running from 5/20–5/25 that will feature categories at deep discounts!

Brooklyn Bedding

Brooklyn Bedding, an American made, affordable luxury mattress and bedding brand, is offering 25% off sitewide from May 21st to May 25th. **The brand is also honoring 25% off at all times for Military, First Responders, Medical Professionals, Teachers and Students!

ettitude

This Memorial Day weekend, ettitude, the purpose-driven sustainable lifestyle brand, is offering 20% off all products — a great time to purchase a gift for Father’s Day! The sale will start Thursday, May 21 lasting through Monday, May 25.

Ettitude’s products offer quality sleep and bath essentials made from the world’s first CleanBamboo™ fabric. All products are 100% organic, vegan and cruelty free, eco-friendly, breathable and hypoallergenic.

PlushBeds

PlushBeds the leading organic mattress manufacturer, is offering up to $1,250 off their Organic Latex Mattresses and up to $600 off their Memory Foam Mattresses from May 19th to June 22nd.