The Shaken Cocktail joined forces with St. George Spirits for our first spirits tasting event of 2024. This exclusive affair took place at Valerie, a renowned craft cocktail bar nestled in the vibrant heart of New York City on West 45th Street. The enchanting setting for the gathering was The Blushing Bar, Valerie’s mezzanine-level haven for craft cocktails. As guests arrived, they were warmly welcomed with a signature drink, the Genny & George, skillfully crafted with St. George’s Terroir Gin.
Rob Ortiz, a seasoned professional in the industry and the Vice President of Sales for St. George, skillfully conducted the St. George Spirits Tasting. With his expertise, Ortiz curated a delightful experience for the attendees, showcasing a diverse selection of six spirits. To start things off, he surprised the guests with a palate-pleasing amuse-bouche of their Basil Eau de Vie, reminiscent of the flavors found in a refreshing caprese salad.
The Terroir Gin, a signature offering from St. George, took the stage after the basil brandy. According to Ortiz, the owner’s inspiration stemmed from gazing at his Christmas tree, wondering what it would taste like. It has the unique process of distilling actual Douglas fir trees. The result is a forest encapsulated within your glass, where the distinct essence of Douglas fir, California bay laurel, and a subtle hint of citrus. Distinguished from other gins on the market, it showcases a remarkable blend of 12 botanicals, delivering unparalleled flavor that unravels further with each sip. Ortiz’s personal preference lies with the Terroir Martini, although the gin stands beautifully on its own.
Their Green Chile Vodka followed the Terroir Gin. Featured in The Cat’s Pajamas cocktail, it boasts a lively vegetal flavor with hints of sweetness and a gentle touch of heat. This vodka celebrates the myriad of flavors found in fresh peppers, both sweet and hot. Next up was the Baller Single Malt Whiskey, an American creation that draws inspiration from Japanese whiskey. It gains its unique character from being aged in carefully crafted umeshu casks, resulting in a delicate blend of crisp malt, subtle maple charcoal smoke, and tropical sherry-like notes.
Our fifth offering was their remarkable Spiced Pear Liqueur, known for its decadent apple pie-like taste. Lastly, we were presented the sixth and final spirit in our tasting experience, their NOLA Coffee Liqueur. When combined with their Spiced Pear Liqueur in the Love Affair cocktail, it’s a match made in heaven.
Each sip of the tasting exuded a remarkable sense of individuality. The distinct character of St. George Spirits was unmistakable, exemplifying their maverick mindset. Ortiz’s captivating storytelling vividly highlighted the brand’s vibrant history and the exceptional team responsible for crafting these exquisite spirits.
During the tasting, attendees savored a diverse array of passed hors d’oeuvres from Valerie’s bistro-inspired menu. Subsequently, they mingled with fellow members of the Shaken community while indulging in specialty craft cocktails. These exquisite libations were carefully concocted by Valerie’s esteemed Head Bartender, Gigi Maguire, and the talented Beverage Director, Marshall Minaya, utilizing spirits featured in the tasting. The event attracted both novice cocktail enthusiasts and seasoned industry professionals, ensuring a delightful experience for all.
Discover the assortment of specialty St. George Spirit craft cocktails and embark on an exploration of their exquisite libations with the below cocktail recipes, exclusive to The Shaken Cocktail.
1. Genny & George
Genny & George, a delightful gin-based beverage concocted by Gigi Maguire and Carlos Kennedy-Lopez, showcases an intricate blend of flavors. The libation begins with an absinthe rinse, followed by St. George Terroir Gin, génépy, Aperol, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and cucumber. It’s an herbaceous and botanical refreshing tipple.
2. Spicy G&T
Marshall Minaya skillfully concocted the Spicy G&T, a unique twist on the traditional Gin and Tonic that incorporates the vibrant taste of poblano pepper. This exceptional drink harmoniously combines the special St. George Terroir Gin with a homemade poblano liqueur, enhanced by invigorating cucumber bitters and finished with the delightful effervescence of Fever Tree light tonic.
3. The Cat’s Pajamas
Marshall Minaya, the creative genius behind The Cat’s Pajamas. He artfully combines St. George Green Chile Vodka, alpine liqueur, refreshing lemon, luscious honey, a hint of absinthe, and beautifully garnishes it with a fragrant sage leaf. It’s tantalizing and spicy libation.
4. Baller Affogato
Jay Niland, is the mastermind behind the enchanting Baller Affogato, a cocktail that draws inspiration from the classic Italian dessert. This exceptional drink harmoniously blends together the richness of St. George Baller Single Malt and St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, the distinctive flavors of Amaro Nonino and raspberry syrup, all gracefully poured over a lavish serving of vanilla ice cream.
5. Love Affair
