Culture: In the Spirit of Summer

Quench Your Thirst with Regional Summertime Spirits

Whether you prefer herbaceous or fruity, classic or contemporary, spirits are the key component to any summertime cocktail. Sure, there are those who will say any frosty beverage will quench your thirst when a heat wave hits, but some libations are more refreshing than others—and it’s never a bad idea to have a few of these recipes on hand.

The Northern Rockies are brimming with small batch distilleries, and indigenous, seasonal ingredients that lend themselves to regionally specific cocktails. Add “drink local” to your philosophy of conscious consumerism, or just experiment with something fresh, by adding one of these tasty combinations to your repetoire.

These makers, mixers and shakers shared the secret ingredients in their favorite drink, so that you can take your next cocktail hour to another level. – The Editors

Olive B’s Big Sky Bistro

Enjoy Olive B’s Montana huckleberry-inspired cocktails this summer on our outdoor patio in Big Sky’s Meadow Village Center. Olive B’s was voted Best Date Night Restaurant in 2017 by Explore Big Sky newspaper readers, and features Continental cuisine, hand cut steaks, fresh fish, wild game and a noteworthy wine list. Join us for lunch or dinner, Monday through Saturday. 151 Center Lane, Big Sky, Montana. For reservations visit olivebsbigsky.com or opentable.com (406) 995-3355

HUCKLEBERY MARTINI

3 1/2 ounces 44 North Idaho Potato Vodka
1 1/2 ounces Patrón Citrónge Orange Liquer
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce Huckleberry puree

Chill a martini glass and combine all ingredients in a shaker with lots of ice,
then shake until frosty. Strain the liquid into the chilled martini glass and
garnish with an orange wedge.

Photo by Jennings Barmore

The Spice & Tea Exchange

The Spice & Tea Exchange offers a wide selection of seasonings and exotic teas sure to please any food enthusiast or tea lover. 47 Town Center Avenue, Big Sky, Montana. spiceandtea.com/bigsky (406) 993-2163

MINT BASIL MOJITO

1 ounce Mint Basil Herbal Tea
1 1/2 ounces Ginger Sugar
750 ml Wildrye Distilling Silver Rum
4 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

64 ounces limeade, prepared and sweetened
1 quart unflavored seltzer water
10-12 fresh mint leaves
2 limes, cut into wedges

Pour the agave or honey into a small shallow dish, and pour the ginger sugar into a separate
shallow dish. Dip the rim of each glass into the agave/honey, then dip each glass into the ginger
sugar and twist the glass to coat the rim. Add a lime wedge and mint leave to each glass— using
a spoon, gently crush both to release juice and mint flavor.

Carefully add crushed ice to each glass. Add 1 to 2 ounces of infused rum, and pour limeade to
fill each glass 3/4 full. Add a splash of seltzer water, and gently stir the contents. Garnish each
glass with a mint sprig and lime wedge. (serves 8-12)

Mix mint basil tea and rum in a large pitcher and let infuse for 30 minutes. Place a funnel into
the empty rum bottle, then place a fine mesh sieve on top of funnel. Carefully pour the infused
rum through the sieve into the bottle, capturing the herbal tea. Place the lid back on the rum
bottle and put in the freezer for one hour to chill.

Photo by Jennings Barmore

Jackson Hole Still Works

Good friends, owners, and partners Chas Marsh and Travis Goodman are passionate about creating the highest quality grain-to-glass craft spirits, capturing the hard work ethic of the Western frontier into every bottle they produce. Each small batch of Jackson Hole Still Works liquor is produced by hand, which means that they have total control over every aspect of the distillation process. This begins with mashing their 100-percent Wyoming-sourced grains, to fermenting, expelling the alcohol, distilling, aging and bottling.

You can find our Great Grey Gin and Still Works Vodka on the shelves of your favorite Wyoming, Idaho, and—as of June 1—Montana bars and liquor stores. Do you want to see how it’s made and taste it at the source? Visit the distillery for a free tour and tasting. 3940 South Eagle View Drive, Jackson, Wyoming. jhstillworks.com (307) 699-8998

THE FEATHERED FRIEND

2 ounces Jackson Hole Still Works Great Grey Gin
1/2 ounce Aperol Italian apéritif
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce fresh lime juice
2-3 muddled strawberries (our favorite berries are
from Kate’s Garden in Billings, MT)

Shake all of the ingredients together in a tumbler, strain over ice and add 3
ounces of club soda into a Collins glass.

Photo courtesy of Jackson Hole Still Works