As it turns out, today - May 13th - is World Cocktail Day. Not because someone randomly decided we all needed an excuse (though we’ll gladly take it), but because this date marks the anniversary of the first recorded definition of the “cocktail” back in 1806—when it was described as a spirited mix of sugar, water, bitters, and, of course, good company.
Now, speaking of good company…
In the middle of last month, just before our rebranding launch, I found myself in Houston, Texas, celebrating a dear friend’s milestone birthday. Naturally, I couldn’t resist turning the trip into a small adventure of my own: a suitcase full of samples, a few brave introductions, and the quiet hope that Les Collines might find its way onto a few new shelves.
It did.
The new look was warmly received (a few Houston stores now carry our jars, which still feels a little surreal), but one stop in particular stood out: a restaurant called The Board Room. A place dedicated - quite beautifully - to boards of all kinds. Cheese, charcuterie, dessert… the kind of menu that almost feels incomplete without a spoonful of something preserved.
After sharing the story behind Les Collines, I stayed for a bite and ended up chatting with the bartender. One conversation led to another, and we landed on a cocktail on their menu that used blackberry syrup.
Without thinking too much, I said: “That could be replaced with our blackberry jelly.” There was a brief pause. The kind that could go either way.
Then, without hesitation, he said: “Let’s do it.” He grabbed the jar (still sitting on the bar), got to work, and a few minutes later returned with their La Morada, reimagined.
We took a sip.
And… we both just looked at each other.
Because something happened.
The flavor wasn’t just sweet, it was deeper, fuller, more expressive. The blackberry didn’t sit quietly in the background. It showed up.
Moments like that are the reason we do this. Because preserves were never meant to be confined to toast, they bring structure, depth, and character in ways simple syrup simply can’t.
So, in honor of World Cocktail Day, we’re sharing that very recipe with you:
(A small invitation to experiment, to play, and perhaps to discover that your favorite jar has been waiting for this moment all along.)
Cheers to unexpected ideas, good conversations, and the kind of magic that happens when you say, “let’s try it.”
Sincerely,
Gian
