The Rafter Room offers cocktails upstairs in Tempe’s Social Hall

The Rafter Room opened this weekend offering guests a rum and tequila focused cocktail list. The newest cocktail hideaway is upstairs in the loft of Tempe’s Social Hall which opened in January. With the completion of The Rafter Room the two-story facility offers guests over 10,000 square feet of space perfect for happy hour and hanging out.

Social Hall cocktails

The Rafter Room design

The Rafter Room was designed Camila Gibbs and offers ” a moodier, edgier evolution” compared to downstairs. The converted barn has triple vaulted ceilings, vintage voting booth lights, patina walls and a raised stage for presentations and live music. According to co-owner Mike Kenney “The space has an industrial, secret hideaway type of vibe that really sets it apart from the restaurant down below.”

All photos courtesy of Social Hall

Social Hall cocktail and food offerings

The Latin inspired menu downstairs will be available upstairs with Pork Belly Street Tacos, Chicano Steak Frites and Huevos Rancheros and more. “Expect an elevated tequila and rum bar program, small-batch and barrel-aged spirits, among other offerings,” said Kenney.

The cocktail program was created to compliment the menu of Social Hall.

Social Hall is at 715 S. McClintock Dr. Tempe 85281. 480-747-3851. For more information see their website.

Village of Elgin Distillery wins national award for rum

Whether it’s a local chef, restaurant, beverage or food Arizonans always like to see our homegrown business’s win awards and earn national and international attention, respect and acclaim. Raise your glass for a recent win for Village of Elgin Distillery and its Regal de Vida Rum.distillery

The American Craft Beverage’s distillery was won Best in Show and Best in Class- Rum during the American Craft Spirits Association’s Convention and Trade Show. It was at the Fifth Annual Judging of Craft Spirits awards dinner that the winners were announced.

Regal de Vida beat over 500 entrants from 37 states and the District of Columbia that were considered by judges in 6 main categories….Whiskey, Gin, Rum ,Vodka, Grain Spirits and Brandy & Specialty Spirits.

Village of Elgin Distillery distills other award-winning spirits including Arizona Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Tombstone Arizona Bourbon, Tombstone Single Pot Malt Whiskey, Tombstone Arizona Rye, Double Black Rum and other ultra-premium artisanal spirits at their southeastern Arizona distillery.  To produce high quality small batch spirits the distillery uses artisanal distilling techniques.

The Tasting Room is currently open 10 am – pm  Thursday – Monday  (10 am – 5 pm  Saturday). Tuesday/Wednesday by appointment. The Village of Elgin Winery is in the heart of Elgin at 4731Ž2 Elgin Road, Elgin, AZ 85611. Call them at 520-329-5266

 

Nico Heirloom Kitchen debuts new cocktail menu

Gilbert’s Nico Heirloom Kitchen is debuting a new cocktail menu with 8 new cocktails. Several use barrel ages spirits including gin and rum.

Smoke n Barrel

Here are the new cocktails and their ingredients.

Rose Guerra – Raspberry vodka, fresh raspberries, peach puree, fresh lemon juice, French rose

Smoke n Barrel – Barrel-aged Appleton estate rum, Cynar 70, banana liqueur, Green Chartreuse, espresso, vanilla tobacco syrup, cream

Nonna’s Cider – Glen Grant Scotch, Apple pie liqueur, Ginger liqueur, Frangelico, fresh lemon juice, Fever tree Ginger Ale

Plymouth’s Peak – Barrel Aged Plymouth’s Gin, fresh lemon juice, Lavender syrup, Creme de Violette, Cassis Sherry blend, Cherry bitters

Carda Bonds – Rittenhouse BIB, fresh lemon juice, Meletti 1870, Amaro Nonino, Cardamon bitters, Absinthe, lemon essence

Del Strappo – Exotico Reposado Tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Cinnamon Agave, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, Serrano bitters, vanilla extract

Bella Nueva (Ice Queen’s at Virtu spin-off) – Peppercorn infused Tito’s vodka, Strawberry shrub, Luxardo Maraschino, Orgeat, fresh lemon juice, Rhubarb bitters, Champagne foam

Pink Sangria – French Rose, Vodka, Peach liqueur, Strawberry puree, Soda water.

Nico Heirloom Kitchen is at 366 N Gilbert Rd Gilbert, AZ 85234 http://www.nicoaz.com/

 

Pomelo at The Orchard introduces Summer Sippin’ Special!

Summer is slowly coming to end as kids head back to school and your favorite football team return to training camp. In Arizona we have a longer summer than most and you still have to stay hydrated and refreshed and Pomelo at The Orchard is helping you do both with their Summer Sippin’ Special! through the end of August.

Pomelo at The Orcahrd

All day everyday ALL of Pomelo’s specialty cocktails will be $5. This includes cocktails that use top shelf spirits as well.

What a great opportunity to quench your thirst with Pomelo’s 2 signature cocktails Bellissimo and 12th & Barbados. The Bellissimo, is made with  Pomelo Vodka, blackberry thyme syrup, fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling wine. 12th & Barbados, made with Plantation 5-year Rum, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, fresh lime juice and Mango Reàl.

Pomelo at The Orchard is at 7100 North 12th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 http://www.pomelophx.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proof Canteen celebrates Thirsty Thursday with a Pop-Up Tiki bar

Loopholes in life are meant to be taken advantage of and Proof Canteen at The Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale is taking advantage of their “Libation Loophole” for a limited time on Thursdays. Proof is committed to sourcing all their ingredients for the menus from the United States but bends the rules for their tiki styled cocktails at their pop-up tiki bar.

“Spring in Scottsdale is the perfect time to enjoy tiki-style drinks,” says Proof General Manager Karma Tsepal. “We wanted to have a little fun with the cocktail menu, and decided to break our liquor embargo on imported spirits – if only for a limited run!”

Watch the sun set over the ocean desert from Proof’s patio and enjoy a refreshing rum cocktail like the Flaming Zombie Bite, Bitter Burro or Lava Flow and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the beaches of the south Pacific and may not want to return to reality. The specialty drinks range in price from $12-$16.

The Bacon Bun Bao with house made bacon, Thai bird chilis, jicama slaw and mint along with The Shrimp Bibimbap with prawns ancient grains and a sunny side up egg are part of the small bites menu to compliment your cocktails.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Proof Canteen at 48-513-5088

A visit to 888 Distillery, Cisco Brewers and Nantucket Vineyards

A short bike ride from Nantucket harbor, amongst the farms and fields sits a small complex of unsuspecting barn like building that houses Cisco Brewers CiscoBrewers.com which is a distillery, a brewery and a winery. Not something you would expect on this island with its early American settlements and hub for whaling of centuries gone by, but in 2012 anything is possible, after all early settlers to this part of the country are said to have drunk more beer than water and always made room on ships for barrels of rum and other libations.

On a recent visit I got to meet some of the fine people who have made these business’s thrive dating as far back as 1981.

Nantucket Vineyards was the 1st of these 3 establishments. When owners Dean and Melissa Long tried to grow grapes on the island, they realized this was not going to happen they decided to source grapes for their wines from Washington, California and New York. Using old world wine making techniques and 21st century technology they are make 10 wines, a port and sangria with traditional varieties and some island favorites such as Blueberry Sangria, Cranberry Pinot Gris and Peach Viognier just to name a few. All wine are very drinkable and are refreshing on a summer’s day. Most retail for under $20. The wines are found throughout Massachusetts in restaurants and retailers and can be shipped out-of-state.

Cisco Brewers began to take shape in about 1992 when Randy and Wendy Hudson returned to the island and started home brewing. Listing 13 beers in various styles it looked like there were more available in the tasting room as they do a couple of ciders and seasonal beers as well. A few beers were tasted on this visit including the Moor Porter which has a full-bodied taste as well as some chocolate and coffee nuances. The cider was crisp and clean and went down really well on this August afternoon. Cisco beers can be found up and down the east coast in 14 states and D.C.


In 1997 Dean and Melissa applied for a spirits license in the hopes of making grappa and fruit brandies, but it wasn’t until 2000 when the license was granted making 888 Distillery a reality. Being named after the 888 well where they get their water they are making several different vodkas plus gin, bourbon and rum. Made in small batches and using natural ingredients and both the cranberry and blueberry vodkas use locally grown fruit. Despite all the spirits being above 68% proof none of those tasted came across as “hot” but well-balanced and flavorful and very obvious aromas. The Hurricane Rum, Nor’ Easter Bourbon and Gale Force Gin were all very pleasant and made my mouth water for more. Several of the vodkas have scored well in the World Spirit Championship including the original that outscored Ketel One and the distillery has garnered national press in both print and on TV.

3 of the more interesting spirits I tasted were the Pineapple Jalapeno liqueur which definitely had the kick one would expect from the spicy jalapeno that seemed dominant. To cool my mouth down I was presented with a taste of Blueberry Mint vodka which had cleansing mint taste with a hint of blueberry. What really caught my eye on the back bar was the jar of horseradish, garlic and peppercorn infused vodka which is in the experimental phase and has a dominant garlic flavor. A very popular choice for their Bloody Marys. The 888 spirits are found in most states on the eastern seaboard and D.C. and some have made their way out west to Colorado.

All 3 producers make very worthwhile libations that are worth not only your business but also a visit to their humble alcohol amusement park. Thanks to Tyler, Pete and Frazier for their hospitality and knowledge. Cisco Brewers are at 5 Bartlett Farm Rd. Nantucket, Ma. 02554 (508)325-5929