Unique Craft Spirits are Rising Up from Across the Globe

Aug. 22, 2016

Sometimes the most innovative spirits come from the least likely places. Crisp, flavorful gins from northern Wisconsin. An all-natural aperitif from a 146-year-old Italian winery. Or how about sweet, honeyed bourbon from Wyoming? Today’s craft spirit boom has giving rise to thoughtfully made spirits produced in every nick and cranny of the globe. These below are just a few of our current favorite discoveries as well as a few suggested cocktails that we feel really showcase the spirit.

Contratto: Bitter and Aperitif

Today, with the revival of classic spirits and a booming cocktail culture, Contratto has introduced two new spirits: Bitter and Aperitif. Both of these low-alcohol spirits are based on original Contratto recipes from the 1930s. The essences of roughly 30 different premium natural herbs and botanicals are extracted by cold maceration, creating a sophisticated elixir with 100% natural flavors and colors. 

Contrattino 1 part Contratto Aperitif 1 part Extra Brut Combine all of the ingredients into a white wine glass with ice and garnish with a slice of lemon

Bitter Sweet 1 part Contratto Bitter 1 part Moscato d’Asti 1 part soda water Combine all of the ingredients into a white wine glass with ice and garnish with a slice of lemon

Death’s Door Spirits: Gin and Vodka

Proudly distilling in Middleton, WI, Death’s Door Spirits handcrafts using locally sourced ingredients, making small batches in copper pot stills. Death's Door Vodka and Gin are crafted from a base of local Washington Island wheat and malted barley from Chilton, WI. The gin has a surprisingly simple botanical mix of juniper berries, coriander and fennel.

Death's Door Rouge 1 oz. Death's Door Gin 1 oz. pomegranate liqueur 1 oz. red wine, dry 2 tsp. fresh orange juice Shake all ingredients in iced cocktail shaker. Strain into chilled cocktail/martini glass and garnish with orange twist.

The Caipiroska 2 oz. Death's Door Vodka 3/4 oz. Brown Sugar Simple Syrup 1/2 lime, quartered Place lime quarters in bottom of mixing glass, add brown sugar simple syrup and muddle.  Add vodka, ice and lightly stir. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.

St. George Spirits Green Chili Vodka and Terroir Gin

St. George Spirits master distiller Lance Winters has made a name for himself with a collection of gins that are unlike any other, including the intense and woodsy Terroir. Recently, Winters new line of vodkas have been earning plenty of acclaim, especially the stunning Green Chili, which is infused with serrano, habanero, red and yellow sweet peppers, giving the versatile spirit a snap of heat and fresh pepper flavor.

American Werewolf 1 1/2 oz St. George Terroir Gin 1 oz Bruto Americano 3/4 oz sweet vermouth Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until chilled. Strain into rocks glass over ice. Garnish with orange peel.

Green Chili Cucumber Gimlet 2 oz St. George Green Chili Vodka 1 oz fresh lime juice ¾ oz Simple Syrup 5 thinly sliced cucumbers Garnish: cucumber with Cilantro sprig Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish.

Wyoming Whiskey

Made using ingredients sourced exclusively from central Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin, Wyoming Whiskey offers traditional Bourbon from an untraditional place.  Hand-selected non-GMO corn, wheat and barley are all grown locally and the water is sourced from a mile-deep, limestone aquifer that has not seen the light of day in over 6,000 years.

Old Faithful

• 2 oz Wyoming Whiskey
• 1 Bar spoon Huckleberry jam (no sugar added)
• 1 (Heavy) bar spoon Honey Oleo
• 2 Dashes Peychaud’s
• 3 Sage leaves

Lightly muddle Sage leaves, honey oleo and Peychaud’s. Add Huckleberry jam and Wyoming Whiskey Stir and strain into a double Old Fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with a Sage leaf.