Retail Cocktails for Spring

Each new season offers the promise of better days, and this is helpful if you had a disappointing previous season. This is especially true of Spring.

If the holiday season was soft, and there are overstocks to liquidate to make room for spring inventory or for the new models of cars, you may need a bit of solace. Or if you are celebrating a strong finish and excited about the new styles to be delivered, it’s time for celebration. Either way, I suggest you also try these retail cocktails especially tailored to be enjoyed this time of year.

Secret Shopper

Lots of retailers employ secret shoppers to visit stores and report back on the customer service, store standards, inventory availability, etc. These visits can be long and detailed or just cursory. This light and refreshing beverage is just the thing to evoke images of the swimsuits and palm trees to come.

Ingredients           
2 measures of white rum

1 measure of fresh lime juice

2 dashes of Midori (melon liqueur) or a similar green liqueur

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until it looks like a smoothie. Pour into a chilled goblet and garnish with an umbrella through a lime wedge.

Supply Chain       

There’s nothing more important this time of year than new, fresh inventory when last season’s inventory is gone. At the same time, replenishable basics need to be 100 percent in stock.

This is a great cocktail for after a visit to the distribution center . . . especially if it’s in Plano, Texas, or Memphis, Tennessee.

Ingredients           
1 measure tequila

1 measure white rum

2 measures fresh squeezed pineapple juice

1 measure coconut milk

Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and add the crushed ice. Shake vigorously until it forms a bubbly frost. Immediately pour into a hurricane glass and garnish with a slice of pineapple. Delicious through a straw—or through multiple straws for a team-building exercise.             

Liquidation Sale 

There are always liquidation sales this time of year to make room for the spring assortments, both in the stores and in the distribution centers. This is a very enjoyable beverage to enjoy after work, but be careful with it: you don’t want to be the one liquidated by HR to make room for new arrivals.

Ingredients

2 measures of a quality vodka

1 measure of cherry brandy

1 measure of yellow chartreuse

Put all the ingredients into a mixing glass and pour over ice cubes. Stir vigorously and pour into a chilled martini glass. No garnish is necessary, but if you do want one, I suggest a sprig of mint.

New Arrivals 

New Arrivals are never more important than this time of year. This cocktail has been updated from an earlier version. It’s a refreshing way to celebrate after a major floor move or visual presentation change.

Ingredients

1 measure of gin

fresh squeezed juice of ½ lemon

chilled sparkling dry white wine

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Add the gin, lemon juice, and sugar to a tall glass and stir to mix. Add the ice cubes and top off with enough sparkling wine to fill the glass. Serve with an orange slice.

New Beginnings 

Seasonal transitions are exciting, offering the hope and promise of a new beginning. By the time the previous season is ended, you’re tired of even looking at the inventory. The new look, fresh styles, and new visuals are all reasons to celebrate. Enjoy!