Potent Potables

No we are not talking Celebrity Jeopardy here, we are referring to the first legal spirits distillery in Minnesota since prohibition. It was announced this week that 11 Wells Spirits is setting up shop in Saint Paul. Located at the Old Hamm's brewery complex, they hope to begin distilling spirits this coming January. It seems a very fitting location for a distillery. Named after the 11 wells on site, 11 Wells Spirits will be utilizing the water from its namesake well number 11.

Saint Paul is a very logical location for a craft distillery. With the current popularity of classic and craft cocktails, high end and craft spirits are gaining popularity, and Minnesota has all the right ingredients needed for making spirits. Minnesota has pure water, plentiful grains, and is home to two cooperages to supply the barrels needed to age the spirits.

At this time, the distillery plans to produce Gin, Rum, Bourbon, Rye, Malt Whiskey, and a corn based liquor called Minnesota 13. Minnesota 13 is named after a strain of corn developed by the University of Minnesota to thrive in the short Minnesota growing season. This unique corn liquor gained acclaim during prohibition as a premium quality moonshine.

We look forward to tasting some of the distillate in the coming year. We will keep our fellow hedonists updated as we hear of news regarding 11 Wells Spirits.

Photo Courtesy 11 Wells Spirits

Try this classic cocktail

This is one all you flying aces will enjoy. The pale blue color beckoned us to take our taste buds on an adventure, much like a clear day and favorable tail wind calls a barnstormer. Aptly enough, this cocktail is named the Aviation. It is a seemingly long forgotten cocktail that we were pleasantly surprised to stumble upon.
We surmise that the lack of popularity was because many bars in the early twentieth century did not carry Marischino or Creme De Violette (essential ingredients in our humble opinion). And certainly it did not help that many recipe books omitted the Creme De Violette, which left us with a bastardized cocktail missing the beautiful pale blue color and lacking the floral notes of the violette liqueur. 
Fast forward to present time where we can once again obtain Marischino and even Creme De Viollete with a teeny bit of searching. Trust us, a little bit of effort is well worth it to make this classic cocktail.

Aviation

2 oz. Hayman's Old Tom Gin

1/2 oz. Marischino liquer

1/2 oz. Creme De Violette

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice until well chilled.  Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an edible flower or twist of lemon if desired.

Cheers!

Cocktail to Try

Despite this weeks weather, we at The Hedonistic Bar are looking forward to warmer weather.  Here is a light refreshing drink perfect for spring and summer weather. It has a nice tart flavor for people that are fans of something a little sharp in taste.

Gin & Sin

1 oz. Plymouth gin

1 oz. fresh lemon juice (we prefer Meyer lemons)

1 tbs. fresh orange juice

1 dash of grenadine 

Combine all ingredients and shake with ice.  Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a thin lime wedge.

Cheers!