Like many of you I have been participating in virtual happy hours with my friends from near and far. It is a great way to connect and boost our spirits. We all have our go-to drinks. At a time when we’re all suffering from cabin fever why not try something new? Here are a few recipes using ingredients from local producers.

Colorful cocktails close up

The Queen Bee

1 1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz Mother Shrub Salted Honey

3/4 oz lemon juice

1/2 oz orange liqueur

Add all ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a glass.

Black Walnut Old Fashioned

1/2 slice orange (half-moon shape)

J.Q. Dickinson’s Craft Cocktail Salt

1 tsp brown sugar

5 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters

2 oz high quality bourbon

Rub the rim of an old fashioned glass with the orange. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt to lightly coat.

Add the sugar and bitters to the glass. Muddle with a splash of water until the sugar starts to dissolve. Add the bourbon and stir. Add a large ice cube and the orange slice.

Bloody Bangkok Margarita 

1 Tbs J.Q. Dickinson Craft Cocktail Salt

1/2 tsp ground ginger

Juice from one lime

Juice from 1/2 lemon

2 tsp honey

2 oz blanco/silver tequila

4 oz Bloody Bangkok Bloody Mary Mix

Mix the cocktail salt and the ginger on a rimming plate.

Rub the rim of a margarita glass with 1/2 lime. Coat the rim of the glass lightly with the salt.

Place remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Mix well with a spoon to dissolve the honey.

Add lots of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the glass. Great as a mocktail too!

Cherry Bomb

1 1/2 oz light rum

1 1/2 oz Mother Shrub Black Cherry

orange flavored seltzer

orange wedge and cherry for garnish

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add the rum and shrub. Top with the orange seltzer.

Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.

Try it as a refreshing mocktail too!

Thanks to our friends at Mother Shrub and Back Pocket Provisions for their inspiration and recipes.