It's already started — the shortening days, changing leaf colors, and hints of pumpkin spice and three-leaf binders on the wind. Let's face it. Back-to-school season is here, which means that school supplies are in order, especially for teachers, who do so much for students from kindergarten to college. 

From crafting syllabi to decorating classrooms, not to mention the hours spent planning lessons and activities, if anyone could use a drink this time of year, it's teachers. We've got your #schoolsupplies right here. Our wine and spirits experts have paired core school subjects with classic wines and cocktails that are definitely worthy of further...ahem, study (heh-heh). Ready for Greene Grape study hall? Read on!

English: Liquid Fables 📚

English is all about classic stories and what we can learn from them. Born in Beacon, NY, Liquid Fables is a line of locally blended canned cocktails inspired by the enduring power of stories and fables to connect people across time, place, and cultures. The Boy Who Cried Wolf is bubbly blend of vodka, strawberry, and ginger beer that is floral and genuinely refreshing, with lush fruit and spice notes that linger sip after sip. No lies!

Bright and zesty, there’s no need to rush through the Tortoise & the Hare, made from vodka (distilled with NY grain), fresh lemon and mint. With just 7% ABV, this low-alcohol, effervescent sipper is a great partner for everything from late-summer picnics to cozying up with a favorite book.

Science: Pares Balta 'Grosella' 2021⚛️

All wines dabble in science in some form, but Pares Balta is especially connected to the science of innovation and agriculture. A family run winery with roots dating back to 1790, the winery practices organic and biodynamic farming exclusively, under the watchful eyes of winemakers María Elena Jiménez, a trained chemical engineer, and Marta Casas, a pharmacist. 'Grosella' is one of their newest release, a lovely chillable red full of crunchy, perfumed red fruits, vibrant, mouthwatering freshness, and fine minerality. Made from the little-understood and less cultivated ancestral varietal, Sumoll, this is an all-day, all-night sipper that shines alongside appetizers and light mains.

Math: 2:1:1+ 🧮
The Cocktail Equation

To quote mathematician Dean Schlicter, "go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics." Cocktails are no exception. To strike the perfect balance and flavor, it's vital to combine the right amount of each ingredient with just the right amount of technique. Take the margarita -- the best ones are a balanced equation of tart to sweet and savory with delectable results, and a near infinite varieties. Here is our cocktail equation that can not only create a killer margarita, but a host of other drinks, too: 2 to 1 to 1 plus.

Here's how it works: Combine 2 parts of a base spirit, such as tequila or whiskey, with 1 part sweet, such as a simple syrup or liqueur, and one part sour or acid, such as orange, lime, or even sherry. Finally, add the 1+, 1 part of something that will add a kick of flavor, such as herbs, bitters, or even a finishing salt. 

Ready to put it all together? Solve for our Myrtle Ave Margarita. 

2 oz Mijenta Tequila Blanco
1 oz Fresh lime juice 
1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Lime wheel and Tajin, for garnish

Rub the rim of a serving glass with lime juice, then rim the glass with Tajin and set aside. Combine the tequila, lime juice and elderflower liqueur in a cocktail shaker. Top the mixture with ice. Shake about 30 seconds, or until the mixture is incorporated and thoroughly chilled (you can tell by the frosting on the outside of the shaker). Strain into serving glass and enjoy! 

And, as a THANK YOU to all the teachers, professors, and learning leaders out there, we're offering a special discount. Beginning Friday, 8/25/23 to Saturday, 9/09/23 — the first day of school for New York City's public schools, teachers (K-12) and college faculty can present a valid school ID at Wine & Spirits and receive 10% off your purchase (in store only).