Signature Dish

McClintock’s Back Bar highlights homemade spirits, local ingredients

McClintock’s Back Bar is tucked away on South Carroll Street, just a few doors down from McClintock Distilling. The menu features cocktails made with McClintock’s “farm-to-bottle” spirits, said bar manager Phil Ford, and makes use of local ingredients whenever possible. Like the allorganic distillery, the Back Bar is a “Frederick-Central” operation, Ford said. It procures honey from local apiarists, cider from McCutcheon’s Apple Products and spices from The Spice & Tea Exchange, incorporating them into an array of both yearround and seasonal drinks. The Back Bar aims to serve cocktails that showcase McClintock’s spirits, and Ford said the simplest recipes do that best. The Back Bar’s take on an old fashioned is by far its most popular, Ford said, and its success has motivated him to scale back the complexity of other menu items to replicate its straightforward, no-frills appeal.

— Jillian Atelsek McClintock’s Back Bar manager Phil Ford uses local ingredients whenever possible. The Ideal Old Fashioned is made with McClintock’s Bootjack Rye whiskey. Staff photo by Bill Green

McCLINTOCK’S BACK BAR

35 S. Carroll St., Suite 200, Frederick 301-825-5921 mcclintocksbackbar.com Facebook: McClintock’s Back Bar Instagram: @mccbackbar Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Wednesdays through Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, closed Tuesday Price range: $9 to $10 cocktails Bar manager Phil Ford recommends: The Ideal Old Fashioned, named for the Ideal Garage Company, which used to operate out of Back Bar’s current building. The drink is made with McClintock’s Bootjack Rye whiskey — which “starts off bold on the palate with a classic Rye spice but finishes with a mellow sweetness reminiscent of a bourbon,” according to the distillery’s website — and simple syrup. It’s garnished with orange and an Amarena cherry.