pink twizzler (was the pink derby)

In March of 2020, I hosted a post-Speedrack afterparty at Silvertone where I organized a fundraising effort to benefit the Ellie Fund charity. My contact there recently reached out to see if I was interested in contributing a cocktail to their gala in honor of their 25th anniversary. Since the event would be held virtually this year, I schemed with them to create a cocktail followed by a video demonstrating how to make it. We wanted to work with Angel's Envy Bourbon as the spirit, and the idea of a Brown Derby elongated with sparkling wine was formed. For a name, I proposed the Pink Derby for both the libation's color (especially when made with sparkling rosé) and in symbolism for the breast cancer ribbon, and they opted for the Pink Twizzler since the gala was usually held at a movie theater in Newton, MA, and the event this year on April 25th coincides with Hollywood's biggest awards night of the year. The Brown Derby as an inspiration was also perfect for its genesis traces back to Hollywood as well. More on the charity, the drink, and the video below.Pink Twizzler (was the Pink Derby)
• 1 1/2 oz Angel's Envy Bourbon
• 1 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice
• 1/2 oz Honey Syrup (equal parts honey and hot water, mixed)
• Optional: 1 piece Grapefruit Peel (around 3/4 inch x 2 inches)
Shake with ice, add 2-3 oz dry sparkling wine (sparkling rosé if possible but white is fine too), and strain into a cocktail glass, flute, white wine glass, or an iced-filled Collins. Optional: garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Here's the text that went along with the video:

The Ellie Fund's 25th anniversary Red Carpet Gala that they are hosting virtually on April 25th at 6pm before Hollywood's biggest award night. The Ellie fund was founded in 1995 and for the last 25 years has provided essential support services for breast cancer patients to ease the stresses of every day life as they receive treatment. Ticket sales for the gala will help support the assistance provided to around 600 Massachusetts patients each year, and this year’s performer lineup is amazing.

For something to drink while watching the gala, here's the Pink Twizzler that I crafted for this event. It is based off a classic Hollywood cocktail called the Brown Derby created in the 1930s in honor of that Los Angeles establishment. The Brown Derby is a combination of bourbon, pink grapefruit juice, and honey, and here with the addition of sparkling wine, we'll transform it into the Pink Twizzler. The whiskey we’ll be using is Angel's Envy Bourbon which is a high rye Bourbon finished in ruby port casks, and this finish elegantly donates light cherry, cranberry, and chocolate notes along with a delicious roundness to the spirit.

So remember to buy a ticket, make the drink, and enjoy the show on April 25th. Information can be found here under "Events":

https://www.elliefund.org/

You can watch the video here on YouTube replete with a jazz soundtrack and me wearing a smoking jacket and a tie (luckily, I still remembered how to tie one after this pandemic-induced period of casual fashion). Originally, we were to film at the theater, but the bar there had been packed away and the mirrors on the wall were a bit distracting. Therefore, I did it in my dining room in front of my cocktail glass cabinet.