Claire Bertin-Lang is a woman wearing many hats. While running her own company—CBL Liquid Consulting—she also serves as the Mixology Producer for the StarChefs International Chefs Congress and the Beverage Director for Eat Drink SF, San Francisco’s premier food, wine, beer and spirits festival. The bicoastal beverage guru certainly has her finger on the pulse of the spirit world and offered a few Thanksgiving cocktail recipes (below).
The first recipe features Aviation Gin {an IntoxiKate favorite from the New York City Wine & Food Festival}, a gin with a very clean flavor on the forefront and none of that strong Juniper on the finish. For more information on Aviation gin, check out the podcast featuring Bertin-Lang below.
The Leaf Peeper Punch
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle Aviation gin
18oz apple cider
8oz fresh lemon juice
8oz maple syrup-syrup (combine 4oz each of maple syrup and warm water, let cool)
DIRECTIONS
In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine all ingredients, stirring well to incorporate. Garnish with lemon wheels and whole star anise pods. Serve.
(For a single serving, combine 2 oz Aviation gin, 1.5oz apple cider, .75oz fresh lemon juice and .75oz maple syrup-syrup. Shake and strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange wheel and star anise pod.)
Northern Lights
Created by Jesse Vida of BlackTail NYC
INGREDIENTS
1 dash Burlesque Bitters
.75oz fresh lemon juice
.5oz rich simple syrup (combine 2 parts sugar to 1 part warm water, let cool)
1 spoonful cranberry jam
1.5oz Krogstrad Aquavit
DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake, and strain into a cocktail glass or coupe. Serve.
