Christopher James

Last weekend’s New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs was THE event to attend for all things…well, wine and food-related. While I enjoyed partaking in the various food and wine activities, one session I truly appreciated was the Local Craft Cocktails session conducted by Mixologist Extraordinaire Christopher James of The Ryland Inn.

The 2013 winner of The Iron Shaker competition created five craft cocktails that were simply outstanding. For those of you who’ve not had the pleasure of enjoying a Chris James-created cocktail, make a point to go visit him at The Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station. Chris serves up the very best drinks I’ve ever had and puts a great deal of thought into the ingredients he uses including juices, bitters and even the ice. The locally-made booze Chris used in the cocktails was:

• Dutch’s Sugar Wash Moonshine from Pine Plans, NY
• Brooklyn Gin from Warwick, NY
• Laird’s AppleJack from Scobeyville, NJ
• Widow Jane Bourbon from Brooklyn, NY
• Bootleggers 21 Vodka from Roscoe, NY

Spring Sparkler in Flute

While all five drinks were stellar, here’s one you’ll enjoy as the weather warms up a bit:

Spring Sparkler

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces Brooklyn Gin
• ½ ounce Campari
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 1 dash Dutch’s Prohi-bitter

Directions:

1. Shake all the ingredients and strain into a chilled flute.
2. Top with 1½ ounces brut Champagne.
3. Garnish with a horse’s neck of lemon peel.

Cheers to well-made cocktails and artisan mixologists like Chris.

Veronique