The Roosevelt At Star Union Spirits
Star Union Spirits, an award-winning micro-distillery located inside Peru's historic Westclox building, offers an ever-growing selection of small batch Brandy, Vodka, Rum and Grappas, perfect stocking stuffers for any craft liquor enthusiasts. Drop by the distillery tasting room to sample sprits or enjoy a signature craft cocktail, like The Roosevelt. This cocktail incorporates Star Union's aged Apple Brandy and pays homage to former President FDR, who preferred his Manhattans to be made with Apple Brandy instead of Rye Whiskey.
Looking to buy a bottle of Star Union's Apple Brandy and recreate this cocktail at home? Here's the recipe for The Roosevelt: Add 3 oz. of Star Union Spirits Apple Brandy, 1/4 oz. maple syrup and 2 dashes of Black Walnut Bitters to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Add Fabbri Amarena Cherry to bottom of the martini glass. Drizzle syrup over sunken cherry. Savor the boozy goodness of this DIY craft cocktail.
Star Union Spirits 300 Fifth St. Suite 135, Peru starunionspirits.com
The ISC Experience Flight At Illinois Sparkling Co.
Illinois Sparkling Co. is deeply committed to quality and authenticity. Their line of traditional method sparkling wines demand close attention to detail, unmatched by other winemaking methods. Each bottle is personally handled from beginning to end, a time-consuming and labor-intensive process that yields impeccable results. Looking for introduction in the ISC's line of locally crafted sparkling wines? Look no further than their Experience Flight Trio.
This flight of three traditional method sparkling wines, The ISC Brut, Brut Ombré Rosé and Demi Sec Rosé, were hand-selected by the winemakers to show the variety and strengths of the ISC line. Proudly made with locally grown grapes and served at the Illinois Sparkling Co. and August Hill Winery tasting room in downtown Utica, these three wines are truly local products. When you order the flight at the tasting room, you'll be given a QR code that describes each entry in the flight, and gives you an inside peek at the hard work that goes into crafting traditional method sparkling wine.
Illinois Sparkling Co. 106 Mill St, Utica iscbubbly.com
Loco Cocoa At Clarks Run Creek Gift and Wine
Clarks Run Creek's signature winter drink, Loco Cocoa, returns to its beautiful downtown Utica wine bar and gift shop! This easy-drinking, alcohol-infused hot cocoa is the perfect beverage to prepare you for some holiday shopping in the boutique stores of North Utica.
Made with their house port wine and a signature hot cocoa mix, this spiced beverage is garnished with a spritz of whipped cream and served in a glass mug. Sip your cocoa while relaxing in Clarks Run Creek's spacious lounge or while browsing their selection of wine and gifts. After you've enjoyed your Loco Cocoa and sampled some local wines for yourself, consider picking up a few bottles of Illinois-grown wines as gifts. When you purchase a bottle of wine from Clarks Run Creek, you're not just shopping small, you're aiding Illinois' burgeoning wine industry!
Clarks Run Creek Gift and Wine 143 Mill St., Utica clarksruncreek.com