On Tuesday night I attended the launch of Dry Line Cape Cod Gin at Outlook Kitchen in the Envoy Hotel on the Boston Waterfront. Although it’s hard to get me to an event, there was no way I’d miss this.
Dry Line Gin is crafted by South Hollow Spirits at the Truro Vineyards. I spend many summer afternoons on the lawn enjoying lunch from the food truck Crush Pad. (They also produce Twenty Boat Rum, which you may have spotted on my bar tray.)
South Hollow Spirits is the Cape’s first craft distillery since Prohibition. Dry Line Cape Cod Gin is a small batch, twice-distilled spirit made from organic sugar cane juice that is fermented for three weeks. After the first distillation, the gin is moved to steel drums to steep for 48 hours with botanical-filled hemp bags.
The botanicals used to distill Dry Line include Eastern Red Cedar juniper berries (sourced on their own property), orange peel, lemon peel, cardamom, allspice, coriander, orris root, grains of paradise, angelica root, anise, and dried cranberry. The spirits absorb essential oils from these botanicals, then redistilled, and brought to 94 proof.
Local graphic designer, who also used to own Farm Gallery, Susie Nielsen, designed the bottle and labeling, which is exquisite. Here are images from the launch party on Tuesday. Everything was delicious, including the four gin drinks served. (No, I did not drink them all.)
Dry Line gin drink served upon arrival.
We were seated in a private dining room with a glass wall to the kitchen. I was lucky enough to sit between Kristin Roberts and Dave Roberts Jr. (head distiller). It’s a family business. Their dad was there too.
The arugula and pear salad was served with the Boston Tea Party Cocktail made with Dry Line gin, peppermint lemon infused tea, lemon juice, muddled strawberries, and basil. My favorite. (Please serve this at the Truro Vineyards drink shack this summer!)
Cool lighting installation on the wall behind our table.
Tagliatelle pasta with onion puree, cherry tomatoes, peas, spinach, and Grana Padano. Served with SeaPORT Martini made with Dry Line gin infused with citrus, pink & black peppercorns, and port. (Sorry I didn’t take a photo of that one, which was actually too strong for my sensitive self.)
The evening’s menu. (Oyster shell from last month’s Timberland dinner at Row 34, but hey, it’s Cape Cod appropriate.)
Lemon tart made with Meyer lemon curd, meringue, and mint for dessert. Served with Bee’s Knees cocktail: Dry Line gin, lemon juice, honey syrup.
All photography by Marni Elyse Katz / StyleCarrot
Dry Line Cape Cod Gin is available in select bars, restaurants, and liquor stores throughout Massachusetts starting May 20, 2016. Also available at South Hollow Spirits/Truro Vineyards or online.
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