MY PERFECT 3-PACK: KEVIN HINKLE

Our customizable holiday gift packs let you build the perfect gift of half-size bottles (aka "cute size) — Vodka, Tiki Rum, Standard Dry Gin, Bramble, Flora, Songbird Coffee Liqueur: Choose any 3 and we'll pack them in a ready-to-gift box right on the spot.

Need some ideas for mixing and matching?  Today we talk to Cardinal bartender and manager Kevin Hinkle, a traditionalist when it comes to both cocktails and holiday movies, but a man who breaks the rules when it comes to picking three spirits for a Perfect 3-Pack. Read on to see what we mean. 

(Yes, like Kevin, you can double up on spirits in your 3-pack. We call that "pulling a Kevin." Then you can give them individually as stocking stuffers!)

Who — any person, living, dead, fictional or famous — would you gift this 3-pack to?
Buddy the Elf, who is known to love coffee. He also loves syrup, so a bottle of that would accompany the gift-pack. (Perhaps from Burton's Maplewood Farm, where we get the syrup for our Nocino!)

What cocktail would you make using at least one of these spirits?
A classic Negroni, using Standard Dry Gin. Bartender video tutorial here!

What holiday movie would you watch while sipping said cocktail?
It's a Wonderful Life

MY PERFECT 3-PACK: EMILY

We're back with more mixing and matching of our customizable 3-packs. These combos have been as unique as our staff, and so have the answers to our questions. Today we talk to server/bartender Emily Darnell about her dream 3-pack combo. 

Server/Bartender Emily Darnell's Perfect 3-Pack: 

Who — any person, living, dead, fictional or famous — would you gift this 3-pack to?
Good friend Ranger Bud Stevens, Mt. Rainier park ranger and Crystal Mountain ski patroller

What cocktail would you make using at least one of these spirits?
Milk Punch, made with Tiki Rum and Nocino. Holiday spice and everything nice.

What holiday movie would you watch while sipping said cocktail?
Elf

MY PERFECT 3-PACK: MICHELLE

Our holiday gift packs were a hit last year, so we've brought them back and made them completely customizable. You can mix and match 375ml-bottles of our spirits to create the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Need some suggestions? We got you. This holiday season, we'll be bringing you this series of Cardinal Spirits staff members' "perfect 3-packs."

Today, server Michelle Gottschlich shares her perfect 3-pack: 

Who — any person, living, dead, fictional or famous — would you gift this 3-pack to?
My great grandmother, Vanetta

What cocktail would you make using at least one of these spirits?
A milk punch using the Tiki Rum and Songbird Coffee Liqueur. (Use our Milk Punch recipe, but substitute Coffee Liqueur for Nocino). 

What holiday movie would you watch while sipping said cocktail?
Gremlins (IMDB page linked. Christmas movie? Judge for yourself.)

(Editor's note: Michelle's Christmas movie selection caused quite the debate at the distillery over what constitutes a "Christmas" film. Thoughts?)

MY PERFECT 3-PACK: ALYVIA

Our holiday gift packs were a hit last year, so we've brought them back and make them completely customizable. You can mix and match 375ml-bottles of our spirits and make the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Need some suggestions? We got you. This holiday season, we'll be bringing you this series of Cardinal Spirits staff members' "perfect 3-packs." Follow along for some unique mix-ups and learn a little more about our spirited staff.

First off... Alyvia CAIN

Meet Alyvia Cain, Cardinal Spirits bartender-extraordinaire. Here's how she would use her perfect 3-pack:

Who — any person, living, dead, fictional or famous — would you gift this 3-pack to?
First Hollywood crush, either John Cusack or Keanu Reeves.

What cocktail would you make using at least one of these spirits?
A Bramble Russian, using 1.5 ounces of Songbird Coffee Liqueur, 1.5 ounces of Bramble, and 1 ounce of half and half. (Modify our classic White Russian recipe.)

What holiday movie would you watch while sipping said cocktail?
Love Actually, or the The Grinch with Jim Carrey.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CARDINAL SPIRITS!