by Zev Gotkin – COLlive Magazine
As the Jewish community in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights prepares for the Purim festivities, we went to check out what is the preferred alcoholic beverage of choice for adult residents saying L’chaim.
Here’s a breakdown of the favored brands based on sales reporting from three local stores from both Jewish and non-Jewish customers. Please note that this isn’t a kashrus endorsement of these brands:
1. Smirnoff
A renowned brand of vodka, the one used by the Rebbe during farbrengens at 770 Eastern Parkway, is known for its smoothness and versatility in cocktails, ranging from classic martinis to vibrant fruit-infused mixes.
2. Glenlivet
An esteemed single malt Scotch whisky with a rich history dating back to 1824, offering a complex palate of fruity and floral notes with a lingering finish.
3. Casamigos
A premium tequila brand, which was the fastest-growing spirit brand of 2022, is celebrated for its smoothness and agave-forward flavor profile, perfect for sipping neat or in upscale cocktails.
4. Don Julio
Another prominent tequila brand cherished for its craftsmanship and commitment to quality, offering a range of expressions from Blanco to Añejo, each with its own distinct character.
5. Bacardi
A household name in the world of rum, Bacardi boasts a legacy of over a century, delivering a versatile spirit ideal for classic cocktails like the Mojito and Daiquiri.
6. Tito’s Handmade Vodka
An affordable American vodka brand made in Texas is crafted in small batches using corn and distilled six times, renowned for its exceptionally smooth texture and clean taste.
7. Ketel One Vodka
A Dutch vodka renowned for its crispness and smoothness, distilled from 100% wheat in copper pot stills, making it an excellent choice for both classic and contemporary cocktails.
8. (Removed due to Kashrus issues)
*
Based on sales reporting from the following stores:
Eber’s Liquor & Wine Inc
314 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
(718) 604-8700
Wine By The Case
511 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225
(347) 533-8586
Prohibition Wine and Liquor
271 Troy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
(718) 773-1620
Hennessy is wine based and is not kosher.
Be aware that there are severe kashrus issues with Hennessy.
Wrong demographic (Prohibition might’ve skewed the results).
It’s a little concerning how there was no mention of the dangers of alcohol, including alcohol poisoning, and much more, please make sure your children are safe this per Purim and low key Clase azul goes hard
Our Rebbe in our generation was not a fan (to say the lest) of glorifying Mashke – like was the custom by chasidim in previous generations: say lechaim when necessary in a modest proper responsible way.
“נבהלתי מהשמוע שמקדשין על היי”ש ומקדשין את שתיית היי”ש”
Lechaim velivrocha!
Purim there is a mitzva to drink wine