Mixology 101

A glass of delightfulness, compliments of Bradstreet Crafthouse Restaurant

Tuesday evening, I attended a mixology seminar at Bradstreet Crafthouse Restaurant in Minneapolis.  For those who have not visited Bradstreet, it is something special, a big-city bartender-y oasis here in our little hamlet.  And what fun it was. . . on the tasting menu were four classic cocktails - Gimlet, Dark and Stormy, Margarita, and Old Fashioned, which had been stripped down to their chassis and rebuilt with house-made bitters, syrups and pristine fresh juices per the cocktail stylings of our hosts: Toby Maloney and Jason Cott of Alchemy Consulting.

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Don't Forget the Gin . . .

 

Ingredients for Bee's Knees (along with the GIN of  course)

This weekend was all about the subtle flavors of gin at the Test Kitchen,  with very successful trials of the Gimlet and Gin Fizz Jelly Shots.  Additionally, we had a last-minute surprise entrant to the Halls of Gelatin - the Bees Knees, a completely delightful libation consisting of gin, honey and lemon.  The earthiness of the honey against the bright citrus proved a winning combination.

We were surprised at how subtly the gin, a fairly bold spirit in its natural state, takes to gelatin form.  This proved an unexpected about-face compared with our friend vodka, which can turn hostile and mean-spirited (aha! pun!) when gelatinized unless matched with the right balance of ingredients.

We will soon have some exciting news to share but will keep you in suspense, dear readers, a few moments longer.  Until then . . .

Cheers,

JSTK

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