The first thing in the box was an envelope with 3 cards in it. 2 were the recipes and 1 was an introduction card with the small shopping list on the back. The card read:
"Dear Friend,
Ah, sweet, Summer. This may very well be our favorite cocktailing season. Something about the warm days and late sunsets just begs for celebration. This month's collection has been crafted especially for those impromptu moments when you feel like reveling in the joys of life, love or the simplicity of a really great cupcake. Times like these should be shared with friends- and lots of them! These cocktails are easy to make, full of flavor and perfect for chatting the night away beneath the twinkling summer sky.
-J"
The back of the card reads:
"Summer Entertaining doesn't have to be time-consuming or stressful. This month's cocktail collection is perfect for batching so you can spend less time prepping and more time laughing. Here's how; follow the same recipe using full size bottles and you'll go from a single serve cocktail to a pitcher full of delight in no time. Add your personal flair to each and you'll have the fixin's for a full fledged summertime soiree."
Then it lets you know what you need for each drink.
This is my box, the presentation is AWESOME. I love the box, and the way that it's set up. I also love that the envelope has a wax stamp with the logo of Julibox!
These are the cards that included the drinks! I received Honey Bee Lemonade and Sangria Parisienne.The first cocktail is Honey Bee Lemonade. This called for 2 of the included alcoholic beverages.
"What is summer without lemonade? It is the quintessential beverage that refreshes like no other on warm, sunny days. Drinking "lemon water" sweetened with honey, dates back centuries. And while we are sure it was a wildly popular novelty combining lemon juice, water and honey, we cant help but to think that it hasn't quite been perfected until now. Our invigorating update features a mouthwatering combination of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, kissed with honey and the tangy citrus notes of Italian Limoncello. Go ahead, say 'Ahhhh'."
The first were these 50 ML. Bottles of Wild Turkey American Honey! Now I don't know about you, but when I read the name of this, I immediately thought of American Honey by Lady Antebellum! Wild Turkey American Honey is an "exceptionally smooth liqueur blended with pure Honey and Bourbon Whiskey. These bottles are both 71 Proof. This alcohol is noted as having caramel, honey, vanilla and orange flavors.A 750 ML bottle goes for about $22, making each of these bottles about $1.45
The next alcoholic beverage for this drink is a 50 ml bottle of Caravella Limoncello. This is a lemon flavored alcohol that is made in Italy. I actually couldn't make out the words on the bottle. I'm really not sure what Limoncello is, but I assume it's an Italian liquor. This is noted as having, of course, a lemon flavor. This is used to make the "lemonade" flavor.A 750 ML bottle goes for about $19 making this bottle $1.25
In order to create the Honey Bee Lemonade, you need both of the drinks above, Granulated Sugar, a lemon and a optional mint or thyme leaf for an aromatic twist.
Of course, you can tweak the recipe to accommodate full sized bottles. But this is what the recipe uses (the 50 ML bottles).
1. Juice one medium sized lemon into the mixing glass of a cocktail shaker. (Luckily, I had gotten one free in the mail, yippeee!)
2. Add 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar.
3. Add one 50 ML bottle of Wild Turkey American Honey Liqueur and one half 50 ML bottle of Caravella Limoncello.
4. Add ice and shake until very chilled.
5. Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with mint.
What I love is that the card gives you a toast to say! The toast for this drink is:
"Always remember to forget the troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember the blessings that come each day."
This was the first drink we all tried. We had made 2 of each drinks (and still had enough left over). I had 5 people, including myself, try the drink to get a good testing. Keep in mind, we're not huge drinkers. We have a drink here or there, but stay away from alcohol a lot. Here are the results:
Mom: Way too strong, good flavor otherwise.
Dad: Bourbon was way too strong. Would be good for someone who likes strong, whiskey.
Justin: Gross!
Me: Okay, can feel the burn of the Whiskey too much for it to be enjoyable. Love the Limoncello though!
Melissa: Tasted way too sweet, but was also too strong.
This drink was a little strong, as we've all said, but it's could be better with less of the Wild Turkey in it! Again, you're able to tweak the recipe to how YOU like it or want it.
Here is the picture of our lemonade :) This was 1 mixture and we had enough for another 2 glasses! :)
The second drink was Sangria Parisienne. This called for the other 3 alcohol beverages.
"Who doesn't love a glass of traditional sangria, chock full of all the delicious flavors of summer? Yet, we sometimes find ourselves longing for this versatile cocktail without all of the prep. In our delightfully simple version, we've paired bright citrus notes with the unique flavor of Espirit de June. Made with the flowers from vintage grapevines, June adds a fruity floralcy that makes this cocktail shine."
The first drink in the mix is a 50 ML bottle of Espirit de June. This is a 56 proof, Herb/Spice liqueur. The scent says otherwise for me. I think it smells very fruity. This is a unique, rare liqueur crafted with vine-flowers of Ugani Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet, and other grape varieties, blossoming only for a few days in June.A 750 ML bottle goes for about $31 making this 50 ML bottle about $2.05
Next is this 50 ML bottle of Ketel One Oranje. This is a very smooth, orange vodka, produced in Holland. This product is a wheat vodka. It is handcrafted in small batches and infused with fresh natural orange flavor.A 750 ML bottle is about $25, making this 50 ML bottle about $1.65
Last but not least is this 187 ML bottle of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc. This is a slightly acidic, coveted wine. It, from the website, has crisp and bright flavors of ripe pineapple and gooseberry.A 750 ML bottle of this runs for about $6.99, making this sample about $1.68
In order to make the Sangria Parisienne, you need the 3 drinks above, an orange, a lemon, granulated sugar, and an optional item of raspberries or peach slices for a colorful, fruity addition.
1. Place 3 slices of orange and 3 slices of lemon in the mixing glass of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add 2 tsp. of sugar and muddle to extract the juices.
3. Pour one half bottle of Espirit de June, one half bottle of Ketel One Orange and one half bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc into the shaker
4. Add ice and shake until very cold.
5. Strain into a wine goblet filled with cracked ice and garnish with an orange wheel.
The toast for this drink is:
"To all the days here and after; May they be filled with fond memories, happiness, and laughter."
This, obviously, was the second drink tried. We also made two of these and still had a little left over. The same 5 people tried it.
Mom: Much better than the Lemonade!
Dad: Loved it, couldn't even taste the liqueur.
Justin: Didn't really like it.
Me: Loved it! So smooth, didn't even realize there were 3 different alcoholic beverages in them. So good, would be perfect for a summer night.
Melissa: Liked it better, it was sweeter but still better.
We cut the orange wrong, so we couldn't do a wheel, a wedge is just as good though :) It's funny that it looks identical to the lemonade.
TOTAL: $9.53
While I don't like that you're not getting the amount of alcohol for your money, I do like that it's a unique experience. It's a good way to open your mind and taste buds to new beverages you normally would have skipped over. I do wish there were bigger "samples" in there, and that it would equal even to a little bit under the box, not $30.47 under! That's a lot to be missing out on money wise. This could have been fixed by either throwing in another drink recipe and ingredients, or sizing up the bottles already in there. That's something that turns me off, is it always that underwhelming? Or is it just this box? I would love to try this box again in the future, maybe things will have changed :) I'm hopeful!
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