Ünnecessary Ümlaut

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A surplus of geekery by :: Fred Abercrombie

Drink This: Botanica Gin by Falcon Spirits

I’ve been so engulfed in the flood of inventive, new craft beers hittin’ shelves that I haven’t checked out what’s been going on in liquor with hand-crafted spirits. This local gin is a bold reminder:  there’s plenty of creativity happening on the other side of the craft aisle…

Botanica-gin

There’s so much going on in Botanica Spiritvs Gin. All in a good way. And all with no surprise… It’s hand-made from a guy who used to be a UC Berkeley Biochemist with a penchant for digging up old cocktail recipes and obscure bitters. He pushed boundaries while exploring different roles, like wine maker and bartender, before compiling all his learnings and settling as a Distiller.

You can taste both the craft and the science in Botanica Spirtvs, too (you just can’t taste the ‘n’.) Using predominantly Vapor infusion, his team at Falcon Spirits have managed to layer in complex herbs and fruits that play as well together on the nose as they mingle ‘n pay off on your palate. Pretty impressive.

Botanica-gin-batch_umlaut

Yup, that’s real hand numbering. Not just “craft-y” design. Their Still can only produce 300 bottles in each batch so they’re able to assure quality and attention to detail.

Botanica-gin-side

TRACK SOME DOWN
If you’re in the Bay Area you’ll find bottles of Botanica at Ledger’s Liquors in Berkeley or in SF at The Jug Shop and K&L Wine Merchants.

Or see what some of the finer mixologists are doing with Botanica at Slanted Door SF or À Côté in Oakland. Cheers!

Follow Falcon Spirits on Facebook »

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Celebrate: International Bacon Day

What are you doin’ for International Bacon Day?
It’s this Saturday, September 5. Here’s some starters for ya …

Fused Bacon

FUSED BACON BLANKETS
This serendipitous concoction occurred at my InLaws in Cambria. Apparently if you lay a bunch of bacon close together and turn your back long enough, they’ll transform into a bacony blanket of bliss. Make two so you can curl up with one after you pass out from the first.

Bacon-Infused Old Fashioned with Baconized Makers Mark

BACON-INFUSED OLD FASHIONED
Not too long ago, Tyler made some Baconized Maker’s Mark and some some Baconized stickers that quickly Baconized every possible surface in the office. Say it again, Baconized!

2 ounces bacon-infused bourbon
1/4 ounce Grade B maple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Twist of orange

Full cocktail recipe at NYmag.

BACON UP WITH THE UMLAUT
HowTo: Make A Flaming Bacon Lance of Death
Eat: Bacon-Infused Ice Cream & Pig Nipples
Recipe for Bacon Explosion via BBQ Addicts