Award-winning wine brand Invivo X, SJP has collaborated with renowned New York-based mixologist and “Bartender of the Year” Meaghan Dorman to create a new cocktail for spring using wine or more specifically, Sauvignon Blanc.
Now on the menu at Dear Irving on Hudson in New York City, the special recipe is also available for budding bartenders across America to make at home.
Inspired by Sarah Jessica Parker’s home city, New York, “The City Shandy” features Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, recently awarded 92 points by Wine Spectator for its 2021 vintage.
The citrus flavors in the wine combines with pear brandy, ginger beer, and a dash of cranberry juice to create a mouth-watering long cocktail served in a Collins-style glass. Filled with warming spice flavors, the concoction has depth with a refreshing, long finish, so every sip can be savored.
Featuring wine in cocktails is tipped to be one of the hottest drinks trends of 2022 as it offers drinkers a lighter style of cocktail: wine cocktails grew by 102 percent in dollar volume in March 2021 compared to the year prior, according to Nielsen.
Mixologist Meaghan Dorman, Bar Director for Dear Irving and Dear Irving on Hudson, said, “Coming into spring, wine-based cocktails are an excellent way to keep it light but unique. The elegant oak influence in Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc inspired the choice of pear brandy in this recipe, which blends deliciously with the wine and gives the mix a spirit backbone, just like the city it’s inspired by.”
“The City Shandy” will be available on the menu at Dear Irving on Hudson throughout the month of March and for every purchase Invivo is donating proceeds to ROAR – a community organization dedicated to advocating and rebuilding the hospitality industry in New York.
Meaghan, who has received a number of accolades, including Imbibe’s former “Bartender of the Year” and G’Vine Gin Connoisseur Competition’s “Best Technical Skills,” added, “The opportunity to collaborate with a celebrated New Yorker like Sarah Jessica Parker and the team at Invivo to support our restaurant community’s ongoing recovery is a natural fit for Dear Irving. ROAR has taken a multi-faceted approach to rebuilding our city’s food and beverage scene and we’re happy to bring more support to the cause.”
Invivo is a New Zealand wine and beverage producer, founded by wine entrepreneurs Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron. In 2019, they launched their collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker, Invivo X, SJP, that features a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and French Rosé with a new collection on the way later this year. Sarah Jessica is on the board of Invivo USA and is hands-on with the wines — designing the labels and tasting and blending each new vintage to make sure her taste preferences are reflected in the flavor profiles.
Invivo Co-Founder Tim Lightbourne said, “The cocktail culture in New York has such a rich and diverse history, there’s definitely a special kind of feeling you get when stepping into a beautiful bar like Dear Irving on Hudson to enjoy the experience of sitting down to enjoy a well-made cocktail. We’re excited at Invivo to be working with Meaghan, her team and ROAR.”
Invivo X, SJP has been awarded a number of accolades since its launch in 2019, including Wine Spectator’s “Top 100 Wines”, three 90+ points by Wine Spectator for its first three vintages in a row, and “Best Launch of the Year” by the Drinks Business Awards. Giving back is important to the team at Invivo. In 2021, they partnered with FEED to donate school meals to children worldwide, and this month Invivo X, SJP is donating proceeds to ROAR to help the restaurant and hospitality industry, which has been affected by events of the past two years.
The City Shandy
- Build in shaker
- Add 1 oz pear brandy (Purkhart Poire Williams used)
- Add 2.5 oz Invivo x SJP Sauvignon Blanc
- Add ice and shake about 5 seconds
- Strain mixture into ice-filled Collins’s glass
- Top with 3 oz ginger beer (Fever-Tree used)
- Float .5 oz cranberry juice over top, will fade down into drink
- Garnish: lime wheel perched side, toothpick of 3 fresh cranberries (if available)
Drink can be made in glass over ice and stirred if you don’t have a cocktail shaker at home. Drink can also be made with Invivo x SJP Rosé, will add a lovely hint of stone fruit. Invivo X, SJP can be found locally at Bottle Hampton.