Cork Monkey

09/13/2024

Fall or Summer? We’re Not Sure Anymore! ☀️🍂

☀️🍂 Syracuse, is it fall or summer? Because this warm weather is making us want to switch our hoodies for shorts! Don’t let the calendar fool you – we’re celebrating these sunny days with a lineup of refreshing summer sips! From crisp rosés to tropical cocktails, we’ve got just what you need to enjoy this surprise heatwave.

Come in and stock up on your favorite warm-weather beverages while it lasts – who knows when the real fall will show up! 😅

09/12/2024

Top Shelf Thursday: Discover Premium Spirits! 🌟

🌟 It’s Top Shelf Tuesday! Discover our selection of premium liquors, perfect for those who appreciate the finer (liquor) things in life. Whether you’re a fan of smooth whiskeys, aged rums, or rare tequilas, we have something special waiting for you. Come in today and treat yourself!

09/11/2024

Discover Your New Favorite Wine! 🍷

🍷🍇 Get ready to elevate your wine game with a Cabernet Sauvignon! Known for its bold, full-bodied flavor, this red wine is a classic choice for those who love rich notes of dark cherry, blackberry, and a hint of oak.

🌟 Pro Tip: Let wine breathe for 15-30 minutes before serving to bring out its deep, complex flavors. Cheers to finding a new favorite red!

09/08/2024

🌟 Weekend Vibes 🌟"
Is it just us, or did this week feel like it had 100 days—even with a short week? Good news—you’ve made it to the weekend, and that deserves a drink or three. Whether you’re Netflix and chilling or hitting the town, we’ve got the perfect bottle to make sure your weekend doesn’t suck. 🍷🍹

09/06/2024

🎉 Celebrate in Style 🎉
Hosting a get-together and want to be the hero? Forget chips and dip—bring the booze. We’ve got everything from wine that says “I have my life together” to tequila that says “Let’s forget last night.”

Stock up and be the reason your friends actually RSVP “yes.” 🍾

09/05/2024

🏈 NFL Kickoff Ready? Let’s Go!
Football is back, and so is your excuse to drink on a Thursday, Sunday, or Monday (not that you needed one)! Be prepared that your significant other may be disappearing from time to time.

Whether they're tailgating, couch coaching, or pretending to care about their fantasy team, we’ve got the booze to ensure your kickoff party is a touchdown. Swing by and stock up—because no one wants to run out of booze in the 4th quarter.

09/04/2024

🥃 Whiskey Wednesday 🥃

It’s Whiskey Wednesday, aka the reason we survive the week. Whether you’re into bourbon, scotch, or something that puts hair on your chest, we’ve got you covered. Come grab a bottle before someone asks you to do something productive.

09/02/2024

As we salute the hard workers who keep this country running, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the well-deserved long weekend. Whether you’re grilling, chilling, or soaking up the last days of summer, we’ve got the perfect libations to elevate your festivities! 🌞🔥

From refreshing canned cocktails to crisp wines and all your favorite spirits, our shelves are fully stocked to make sure your Labor Day celebrations are unforgettable. Need a cocktail recommendation? Stop in and ask—our team is here until 5pm to help you craft the perfect drink!

Cheers to a relaxing and enjoyable holiday! 🥂

09/02/2024

Open today from 9am-5pm. Happy Labor Day everyone!!!!

08/31/2024

A new era of Syracuse 🏈 kicks off today—good luck to the Orangemen for a successful and healthy 2024 season! 🍊

Now, let’s talk tailgating. Serving drinks at your tailgate is like picking the right plays for the game; it’s all about strategy. Keep the drunkenness low (meh) and spirits high with the right cocktail.

We’ll be sharing some top-notch drink recommendations throughout the season, but we’d love to hear your go-to tailgate libation! What’s in your cooler?

08/30/2024

It's the unofficial last weekend of the summer—how did we already get here?!? 😱 Enjoy it while it lasts, because next week, those yellow buses will be back on the road. We can't help those students (you know, laws and all), but we can definitely remind them to respect their parents for surviving school without Google! 😅

And teachers, we've got your back! Stop in and stock up for the school year ahead. 📚✏️

08/29/2024

Country Music 🎶 returns to the Amp tonight as Walker Hayes takes the stage! 🎤 The tour is called the "Same Drunk Tour," and honestly, we're ALL in just for that title. If you're tailgating, let's keep it simple and sweet with the perfect drink: the 'Country Again Cocktail.' 🍹

Ingredients:
2oz. Tequila
2oz. Mineral Water or Sparkling Water
Orange Zest, garnish with an orange peel

Simple, effective, and downright delicious! Cheers to a night of great music and good vibes! 🎸

08/25/2024

Who is ready for a Sunday Funday? Today is National Whiskey Day. Whiskey & bourbon are some of the most popular libations in the market. While you enjoy your favorite whiskey, we will make you either a trivia or bar debate expert with these fun facts about whiskey & bourbon:

Frank Sinatra was buried with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s

Kentucky is home to more barrels of maturing bourbon than people

The co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson, demanded whisky on his deathbed but was refused it

After Prohibition ended, 69-year-old James B. Beam got his distillery up and running in just 120 days.

Last year World Whisky Day was celebrated in 47 different countries by more than 25,000 people

08/24/2024

Although the weather earlier this week would argue with us, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful weather. So, embrace this balmy summer day with a jug of sangria. With red wine, Spanish brandy, sparkling water, cinnamon, and chopped fruit, it's a lovely sharing cocktail! Happy 80 degrees and sunny!

08/23/2024

Is anyone going to the Amp tonight to enjoy the Impractical Jokers? There is no joking around about how good that group is. We should leave them with jokes, but how long does it take the Joker to hatch an evil plan? Jester minute! He may be the villain, but the Joker can be funny too. And this cocktail dedicated to him is fantastic! A tasty blend of vodka, Cointreau, lemonade, and orange soda!

08/21/2024

The annual New York State Fair opened its gates this morning, starting 13 straight days of fun & festivities. One of the more popular concession stands, all over the fairgrounds, is the wine slushie! Many of you will attend the Fair and partake in many foods and drinks, but you can easily make your own at home. You only need three ingredients: red or white wine, strawberry daiquiri or piña colada mix, and fresh or frozen fruit. You can make them either in the freezer or in the blender. If you don’t have a blender, or if you want to prep your wine slushy in advance to enjoy later, you can combine the ingredients in a pitcher and put it in the freezer. Or blend it all for instant gratification! Done and enjoy!

08/18/2024

The vast majority of us love a bottle of wine or two. Whether sweet or dry, red or white, the wine industry doesn't suffer options for the consumer. But let's talk about Pinot Noir today (August 18th) because a website said it is National Pinot Noir Day. It is one of the most versatile grapes out there and enjoyed derivatives of wine all over the world. And it is perfect for a bottle of wine with your Sunday dinner. Come check out some of the Pinot we have in stock!

08/17/2024

It's a great day to try this delicious Gin cocktail because it is a true taste of summer. It tastes just like a fruit punch with an additional punch - you see what we did there! Mix your favorite Gin, mix in some lemonade, sliced cucumbers, sliced oranges, and strawberries. Tasty and refreshing!

08/16/2024

Today (August 16th) is National Rum Day. So here is a surprising fun fact - 26% of Americans consider rum to be their go-to liquor. When ordering a cocktail at a bar, Rum checks in at 28%. And when at home, people choose 30% as their cocktail when on the couch. Hundreds of years of popularity, so yeah, we're here to celebrate this adaptable liquor. Stop in and stock up to grab any of our delicious bottles!!

08/15/2024

- woman, late-30s, talking with her friend in the vodka section - "My six-year-old was looking at pictures of me when I was 18, and she keeps saying 'You still look the same!' I might write her siblings out of the will completely and leave everything to her. IDK, but I am considering it!" Ahhh, the next generation. They are playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers!

08/11/2024

Sauvignon Blanc has been the most popular white wine variety in the U.S. for decades - well, that's what Google tells us. But, for real, it's one of the most tasty, drinkable wines to enjoy all summer. Even if you're a red drinker, no one will be too upset when you have this available to your friends and family. So be one of the more popular people at your gathering when you stop in and stock up on one of our recommendations.

08/10/2024

Have you tried the new Ketel One flavored Grapefruit & Rose? It is more artisanal, and they do a great job distilling the botanicals. You get the fresh grapefruit taste right away on the nose and the floral notes of the roses. At just 30% ABV, it is delicious and the perfect opportunity to start just a bit earlier in the day!!!

08/09/2024

- man, later-30s, living this life like what seems to the vast majority of Apple users - "Really, again?!? I have no idea why Apple is charging me $1.99, $9.99, or $17.99, and, at this point, I am way too afraid to ask!!!" A true statement - you may be better off not going through that rabbit hole. Instead, maybe you should stop in and try the Rabbit Hole bourbons we offer!!!

08/08/2024

Have you ever wondered why it is called the dog days of summer? Not to go all scientific, but it is all about science. Sirius, a.k.a. the Dog Star, is most visible in the starry night sky in August. So, celebrate with your favorite four-legged friends with fun yappy hours and puppy pawties all August with this Vodka Greyhound. Add your favorite vodka to your favorite grapefruit juice, and then garnish with a rosemary sprig!

08/04/2024

- woman, late-30s, expressing what is common for parents as the end of July arrives - "I hate when I've been at home with my kids for six months for summer break, but it's only been two months." As teachers commiserate as August nears their last full month, parents are in the midst of the dog days of summer. As always, and either way, we have your back!

08/03/2024

The Amp is an amazing venue to listen to your favorite artists. So tonight, we are going old school. SWV and Xscape bring back the '90s and early 2000s. For your cocktail recommendation, we say - rhythm & blues, meet lemon & ginger. The lemon and ginger spritz is a celebratory cocktail with an award-worthy flavor combination. Enjoy a delicious balance of fresh lemon juice, crisp ginger ale, and subtle notes of vanilla bean.

Ingredients
1.5 oz of vodka
1/2 oz of vanilla syrup
1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice
1.5 oz of ginger ale
Lemon twist for a taste

08/02/2024

The 'Brew at the Zoo' is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. And they do a fantastic job! But what if you couldn't attend the event and wanted to enjoy the relaxation in your home? Here's to the first annual 'Canned Cocktail Celebration!!!' Stop in and bring any of these delicious, canned cocktails home and let us know your favorite! No crowd. No traffic. No need to be out in the heat! As always, we've got your back.

08/01/2024

We are proud to be part of the extended Syracuse area and the many things the area offers each summer. So, this week, we wanted to highlight some events and then align them to recommendations we offer from our store. The inaugural Grateful Getaway will celebrate the music of America’s most storied jam band on the shores of Otisco Lake. If you're ready to celebrate, we recommend a slow start sipping on this bad boy. The Grateful Dead drink made with vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and raspberry liqueur is considered the sweeter cousin of the Long Island Iced Tea.

Ingredients
1 fluid ounce tequila
1 fluid ounce vodka
1 fluid ounce light rum
1 fluid ounce gin
1 fluid ounce raspberry-flavored liqueur (such as Chambord)
1 cup ice
1 tablespoon sour mix

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07/27/2024

Do you want to be swanky and sip slowly? Then enjoy National Scotch Day. Observed each year on July 27th, National Scotch Day celebrates the iconic whisky. To celebrate, we share this little joke to make you laugh while shopping for your favorite bottle. "An old woman drinks scotch for the first time. She thinks for a minute and then says: 'Strange, the stuff tastes exactly like the medicine my late husband had to take for twenty years!'" Celebrate accordingly!