04/02/2026
Last week we pulled up to Empire’s Spring Trade Tasting at Guardian Works and baby… the beverage world is shifting.
What I always love about Empire’s spring tasting is that it gives you a real-time look at where the spirits industry is headed. More brands are realizing the way people consume spirits, wine, and cocktails is changing. And one thing that has grown more and more at these trade shows? THC drinks.
Honestly, I’m glad.
A lot of us love a good afternoon cocktail, but everybody is not trying to be fully committed to a nap and poor decision-making by 2PM — especially if you still have to pick up kids from school or get them off the bus at 2:25. Sometimes you want the vibe, not the spiral.
What stood out most to us was the variety. It’s always great to taste brands you already know and love, but the real fun is discovering something new in every category.
A few brands that really stole the show for me:
Melograno Cocktails
Forbidden Fruit Lemonade
Agua Sol
Bolle Drinks
Belvedere Vodka
The High Pour
Toucan Cocktails
And one more standout was a whiskey from Charleston, South Carolina from Cannon Distillery. I unfortunately lost that footage because my Meta glasses died on me mid-moment, which feels very disrespectful, but it’s fine because now I clearly need to make my way there for a full tour.
Everything that Chef Mark, Taylor, and l tried had great quality, and that’s what makes this industry so interesting. You get to see how brands are rethinking flavor, experience, and how people want to drink now.
Also, this was our first time attending the spring trade tasting at Guardian Works, and the venue was a really nice space for it.
If you attended the Empire Spring Trade Tasting, what was something new you tried and loved?
