Thursday, April 28, 2011

Obsession Worthy: Root

If you are a frequent reader of Gastronomista - you know we like our cocktails.  We like proper Manhattans served up, Bourbon on the rocks, Hefeweizen on a beautiful spring day.  We also love well crafted liquors that forgo excessive flavoring and coloring, and instead focus on the craft that is required to make an exceptional product.  This is precisely why we were so excited when we learned about Root Liquor



Root was created by Steven Grasse, who won our hearts years ago with his creation of our personal all-time favorite Hendrick's Gin.  He's done it again with Root - using the Pennsylvania Dutch and Native American recipe for Root Tea.  Root Tea is was originally brewed with Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Wintergreen birch bark, and other roots and herbs, and was believed to be an herbal remedy. 



When prohibition rolled into town, Root Tea was banned along with other alcoholic beverages.  Charles Hires, a Philadelphia pharmacist, created a virgin Root Tea by removing the alcohol and adding soda water and sold it as Hires Root Beer in 1866.  



Root has used as close to as authentic recipe as possible - minus the Sassafras of course - and has made one impressive liquor.  It is extremely close in flavor to what we remember Root Beer to be from our youth, and yet has that kick that we adore so much in our current adult beverages.  With flavors of caramel, vanilla, citrus, spearmint, and a tasty smoky finish - we certainly have a new house favorite. 

Illustration by It Looks Good To Me


It is pretty rare for a completely new liquor concept to hit the market - and even more rare for that concept to be so delicious (not to mention it's handsome packaging).  We are thrilled that Root has finally made its way to Brooklyn.  (Root's absence in New York was making us miss Philadelphia in new heart pounding ways). 


Check out the Art in the Age website - where you can get recipes for Root cocktails (in addition to recipes for it's sister liquor Snap).  We are also completely devastated by Art in the Age's logo and overall "unity of art, craft, design, & contemplation".  Spot on friends, spot on. 


Share This!