Foodie Friday: Fruit & Herb Cocktails with Rosé Gin

It’s summer (finally) and I’m happy to have landed on Cape Cod. This year our whole little family of four will be spending the entire time here. The boys are working at two of my favorite North Truro establishments, which is fun, because I get to see them in action when I’m out for lunch.

It’s also pretty easy to celebrate the season at home. StyleCarrot partner Wayfair, which is sponsoring this post, asked me to share some tips using items from its Kitchen and Tabletop section. Well, that was easy.

Raspberry Martini With Rose GGin

Obviously, I headed right for the drinkware and barware page. My cabinet of cocktail essentials was not nearly as stocked as one might imagine. This stainless steel cocktail muddler with copper finish mashed up those organic raspberries quite nicely. What to pair with it? Dry Line Rosé Gin from South Hollow Spirits, right here in Truro.

Raspberry Martini With Rose Gin Rose Gold Shaker

A rose gold cocktail shaker and a set of martini glasses with the simplest of lines makes for an  easy preparation and elegant presentation. Garnish? Yes please. Lemon thyme and lemon verbana from my backyard herb garden.

Ice Cubes With Fresh Fruit Metal Straw

Not feeling like an alcohol-soaked afternoon? A metal  straw and homemade fruit-filled ice cubes in Pellegrino works too.

Herb Infused Blackberry Cocktail

Or fruit-soaked sangria in a stemless wine glass. I’m loving these lemongrass picks for perching garnishes on the rim.

Herbs Growing In My Garden In Cape Cod

A glimpse of my garden. Yeah, it’s a bit unkempt, but the mess is mostly the stuff growing on the hill behind it. The left photo pictures chives with fading purple blooms, along with sage and lemon verbena. On the right is lemon thyme, used as ground cover.

Bar Styling For Summer Entertaining

And here’s the whole setup. Happy summer everyone.

Foodie Friday: Dry Line Artisanal Gin

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.)

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Distilled With Peppercorns

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.

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Bottle + Launch Party Invite

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.)

Cocktails Made With Dry Line Cape Cod GIn

Dry Line gin drink served upon arrival.

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Launch At Outlook Kitchen + Bar

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.

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Boston Tea Party Cocktail

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!)

Outlook Kitchen + Bar Wall Installation Lighting

Cool lighting installation on the wall behind our table.

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Party At Outlook Kitchen + Bar

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.)

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Launch Party Menu At Outlook Kitchen + Bar

The evening’s menu. (Oyster shell from last month’s Timberland dinner at Row 34, but hey, it’s Cape Cod appropriate.)

Dry Line Cape Cod Gin Bee's Knees Cocktail

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.

Craft Spirits In Cape Cod


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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