Thirsty Thursday - Cocktails with Wine

50/50 Bee Sting Martini

The classic martini is usually 3 parts gin to 1 part vermouth; in this rendition we’re using equal parts Bonny Doon Picpoul (the bee sting of the name) and Gray Whale Gin, with lemon bitters and lemon peel garnish

1 ½ oz Gray Whale gin

1 ½ oz Bonny Doon Picpoul

1 dash lemon bitters

Combine ingredients, stir (don’t shake), strain and serve up with a lemon peel garnish

Summer in Tours

The classic French 75 combines gin, champagne and lemon juice; we’re not going too far afield with this sparkling version featuring Loire Pet-Nat Rosé, Elderflower liqueur and gin.

3 oz Pet-Nat Rosé

1 oz Gray Whale gin

½ oz Elderflower liqueur

Combine ingredients and serve over ice

The Whiskey Rebellion

Sticking with the sparkling theme for a moment, the rye based cocktail rifts freely on the French 75 with lime juice, sparkling wine and rye

3 oz Sparkling wine

1 oz Redwood Empire Rye

½ oz fresh lime juice

½ oz simple syrup

Combine ingredients and serve over ice

Midnight in Manhattan

The Manhattan is usually whiskey and sweet vermouth. We’re using here rye, Electric Bee Primitivo and Lyon Orange Curacao to enliven the classic

2 oz Redwood Empire Rye

1 oz Electric Bee Primitivo

½ oz Lyon Orange Curacao

Combine ingredients, shake well, serve over ice with an orange peel garnish