Sorel Liqueur with Founder Jackie Summers | How to Drink It & Why It Matters | Part 2 | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- May 12
- 2 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Part 2 of the Sorel conversation goes deeper — past the founding story and into the practical questions every drinker wants answered: How do you actually use Sorel? What does it mix with? What are the cocktails that show off its unique hibiscus and spice character? Jackie Summers delivers.
Episode Highlights
Guest: Jackie Summers — founder, Sorel Liqueur
Spirit: Sorel Liqueur — hibiscus, sorrel, and warm spice
Focus: How to drink Sorel — cocktail applications and pairings
ABV: 15% (lighter than most liqueurs)
Price: ~$30
Part 2 of 2 in the Sorel series
The Cocktail Versatility Argument
Jackie's central argument in Part 2 is that Sorel's floral and spice character makes it one of the most versatile liqueurs in the bar — it bridges between spirits categories in ways that most products can't. It adds complexity to rum, it gives bourbon a different dimension, it creates something entirely new when combined with gin or tequila. The hibiscus acidity acts like a bitters component; the spice acts like a warming modifier.
Specific Cocktail Frameworks
Crystal and Roger taste through several Sorel cocktail builds with Jackie's guidance. The simplest — Sorel over ice with sparkling water — requires zero mixology skill and delivers immediate. More complex builds using Sorel as a modifier in Old Fashioned-style cocktails or Daiquiri-adjacent builds demonstrate its upper range. The takeaway: Sorel rewards experimentation.
Who Sorel Is For
Jackie makes the case that Sorel is specifically designed to bring people into the conversation who might otherwise sit on the sidelines — non-drinkers can enjoy Sorel mocktails, casual drinkers appreciate its approachability, and serious cocktail enthusiasts find genuine complexity to work with. It's one of the few bottles that genuinely spans that full range.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
Easiest intro: Sorel over ice with club soda. Three ingredients. Two of them are the same thing. It's ready in 30 seconds and it's excellent.
For whiskey drinkers: Add a splash of Sorel to a rye Old Fashioned in place of the sugar and bitters. The hibiscus adds tartness and the spice integrates beautifully.
For non-drinkers at a gathering: Sorel mocktails are the real deal — the flavor complexity holds up without alcohol. Make a version with sparkling water and fresh lime.
LC Verdict
Part 2 makes the practical case that Part 1's emotional story set up. Sorel is a genuinely useful and delicious addition to any home bar.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
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