Craft spirit tasting rooms are serving spring cocktails with a taste of the warm and sunny months ahead.
Hanson of Sonoma Distillery, Sonoma: "Ladies in Lavender" is one of several spring cocktails Hanson of Sonoma recently added to their drinks menu. Organic Meyer lemon vodka is mixed with Meyer lemon juice, lavender syrup, egg white (or aquafaba), and is garnished with fresh lavender. Hanson of Sonoma is open seven days a week from 11 a.m - 5:30 p.m. Reservations highly recommended. 22985 Burndale Road, Sonoma, 707-343 1805, hansonofsonoma.com (Courtesy of Hanson of Sonoma)
"The Road to Hana," another spring cocktail from Hanson of Sonoma, features 2021 Limited Release Organic Ginger Vodka, passionfruit, lime, and agave. (Courtesy of Hanson of Sonoma)
The family behind Hanson of Sonoma Distillery. (Courtesy of Hanson of Sonoma)
Spirit Works Distillery, Sebastopol: "The Red Moon" is one of several cocktails Spirit Works will be mixing up to welcome guests back when their tasting room reopens on May 5. Along with Sloe Gin, it features a hopped grapefruit and rosemary syrup, lime juice, and rosemary cocktail spice bitters. 6790 McKinley Street #100, Sebastopol, 707-634-4793, spiritworksdistillery.com (Courtesy of Spirit Works Distillery)
“We love [The Red Moon] cocktail for the spring months because it presents delicious blooming and bright flavors of grapefruit, rosemary, and lime,” says Spirit Works Distillery co-owner Ashby Marshall. (Courtesy of Travel Agent Apparel)
Newly named Spirit Works Head Distiller, Krystal Goulart. (Courtesy of Spirit Works Distillery)
Young & Yonder Spirits, Healdsburg: Every month, this wife and husband-owned distillery adds a new cocktail to their tasting room menu. "La Royale," with H.O.B.S. Gin, fresh lime juice, and hibiscus syrup, is a spring favorite. The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; reservations strongly encouraged. 449 Allan Court, Healdsburg, 707-473-8077, youngandyounder.com (Courtesy of Young & Yonder Spirits)
“This cocktail is inspired by the beautiful spring colors, (which we are able capture with the hibiscus syrup) and the freshness this season brings,” says Young & Yonder co-owner Sarah Opatz. The distillery also sells a kit to make the La Royale cocktail at home. (Courtesy of Young & Yonder Spirits)
Owners Sarah Opatz and Josh Opatz, behind the bar at Young & Yonder Spirits. (Courtesy of Young & Yonder Spirits)
Barber Lee Spirits, Petaluma: A riff on a Mai Tai and Pina Colada, "Better Days" was created during pandemic lockdown in anticipation of the distillery’s recent white rum release. The cocktail includes white rum, apple brandy, orange liqueur, coconut milk, and pineapple juice. The tasting room is open Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 120 Washington Street, Petaluma, 707-971-7107, barberleespirits.com (Courtesy of Barber Lee Spirits)
“It’s perfect for spring: rich and frothy with enough juiciness to make it refreshing for warm weather, but enough booze to warm the soul when the sun goes down,” says Barber Lee Spirits co-owner Michael Barber. (Courtesy of Barber Lee Spirits)
The distilling team behind Barber Lee Spirits: (left to right) Aaron Lee, Lorraine Barber, and Michael Barber. (Courtesy of Barber Lee Spirits)
Griffo Distillery, Petaluma: A handful of cocktails, including "The Spicey Tiger," recently made their debut on Griffo's new spring cocktail menu, aptly named "The Light at the End of the Tunnel." The tasting room is set to reopen in mid-June. Until then, cocktail kits are available. 1320 Scott St, Suite A, Petaluma, 707-879-8755, griffodistillery.com (Courtesy of Griffo Distillery)
Co-owner Jenny Griffo says she is especially fond of The Spicey Tiger. Along with vodka, it includes a pineapple Szechuan pepper mixer, lime juice, and chipotle lime salt. (Courtesy of Griffo Distillery)
Griffo Distillery’s husband and wife team, Jenny and Michael Griffo. (Courtesy of Griffo Distillery)
Sipsong Spirits, Windsor: Sipsong Spirits doesn’t have a tasting room, but you can sip their "Fight Like a Girl" cocktail at Montage Healdsburg. In spring, you’ll find the seasonal gin and tonic mixed with either kumquat or raspberry syrup. Distiller Tara Jasper created the cocktail while battling cancer. With the purchase of every cocktail, she makes a donation to Bright Pink, a nonprofit health organization focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. 100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com/healdsburg, sipsongspirits.com
Sipsong Spirits founder and distiller Tara Jasper. (Courtesy of Sipsong Spirits)
Local distillers are in good spirits right now. As Sonoma County continues to ease pandemic restrictions, craft spirit tasting rooms are able to reopen and expand their offerings. To welcome guests back, they are serving up spring cocktails with a taste of the warm and sunny months ahead. Click through the above gallery to see what some of our favorite distilleries are mixing up for their guests.
