Tonight is the night! Minnesotans are gearing up to drink up at Minnesota Monthly’s second annual Fine Spirits Classic, a celebration of the 80-year anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. The event, held at Mill City Nights, will have a variety of spirits and cocktails from around the world all right here for you to sample.
Master distillers, bartenders, and industry representatives will be on-hand all night to dish all the details on what goes into making each of their signature drinks and liquors. Cuisine from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse will be served and music spun by DJ Twice As Nice.
This night also includes a few holiday-themed craft cocktails by Phillips Wines and Spirits which were made specifically for tonight. With the help of rock star bartenders Dan Oskey and Chad Larson they created these delicious concoctions:
Maple-Fig Boulevardier
In a mixing glass over ice, add:
1 oz. Cody Road Bourbon
1 oz. Gran Classico Bitter Liqueur
½ oz. Maple-Fig Syrup*
Stir for 10 seconds and strain into cocktail glass.
Garnish with a few dashes of Easy & Oskey Orange Bitters and orange peel
*Rosemary-Maple Syrup
In a saucepan over low heat, add:
½ cup Maple Syrup
1 tbsp chopped dry black mission figs
Heat until simmer. Lower heat and continue simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain.
Pamplemousse & Spruce
In a mixing glass over ice, add:
1 ½ oz. Aviv Vodka
¼ oz. Lemon Juice
½ oz. Rosemary-Honey Syrup*
Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail (martini) glass.
Top with sparkling wine
Garnish with a few dashes Easy & Oskey Autumn Spice Bitters and lemon twist
*Rosemary-Honey Syrup:
In a saucepan over med-low heat, add:
½ cup Honey
½ cup Water
1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
Heat until simmer. Lower heat and continue simmer for 5 minutes. Strain.
High West Son of Bourye Old Fashioned
2.0 oz. Son of Bourye
.25 oz. Cinnamon and Cardamom Tea Syrup
Lemon Peel
So what is the secret to what makes Phillips products so delicious? Practice. This Minnesota-based company has been around for more than 100 years and created the country’s first schnapps in the 1930s. Since then, they have branched off into a much more expansive liquor distilling company including Prairie Organic Spirits and Revel Stoke Spiced Whiskey. But through all that time it has still remained a family business, as Dean Phillips (the great-great grandson of the company’s founder, Ed Phillips) still serves on the board of directors.
These Phillips cocktails are only a few of the many that will be available at the Fine Spirits Classic. Come taste the best of the best when it comes to drinks and get a few new ideas for drinks you can make yourself!
You can purchase your tickets tonight at the door.
Fine Spirits ClassicӬ
When: Thursday, December 5, 6-9 p.m.Ӭ
Where: Mill City Nights, 111 5th St. North, Minneapolis, MN 55403Ӭ
Tickets: $55 • Designated Driver Tickets: $10”¨
All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Legal ID required. No children or strollers
