SIGNATURE DRINK

SIGNATURE DRINK»

Juice Box G&T

INGREDIENTS: —1.5 oz. Royal Foundry Craft Spirits Gin —16 oz. nonflavored tonic —4 apples, sliced and cored —2 cinnamon sticks

DIRECTIONS: Create an apple cinnamon tonic by steeping one cup of tonic with three sliced and cored apples and two cinnamon sticks. Simmer for about 4 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes, then strain and add remaining cup of tonic. Refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to use. (Note: add carbonation with a soda stream if possible.) Pour gin into a lowball, top with apple cinnamon tonic and garnish with a fresh or dried apple slice.

NEW VENUE SPOTLIGHT»

GOOD SPIRITS

Tucked in Minneapolis’ Harrison neighborhood lies the latest addition to the city’s craft distilling scene. But unlike other distilleries, newcomer Royal Foundry Craft Spirits (RFCS) is focused on more than stills and spirits; the distillery was designed as an event destination.

The British-inspired distillery not only creates its own spirits on-site, but it also features a cocktail room, outdoor patio, a British cycle speedway track (the first of its kind in the nation) and three unique event spaces created by co-owner and chief distiller Andy McLain (who grew up across the pond) and co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer Nikki McLain, CMP specifically for planners (read more about her on page 48).

“We knew we were looking for a space with upwards of 10,000 square feet and an outdoor space to build our speedway, but being a planner I also knew we needed elements like high ceilings, plenty of natural light, few pillars and neutral décor to create that ultimate versatile and transformative space,” says Nikki. “A lot of times you’re choosing an event space because it either looks a certain way or you can adapt the space to match your vision. The space has an industrial vibe but it’s designed as a blank canvas to feel entirely new as you add elements like florals, décor or F&B.”

Décor includes industrial-style tables and chairs, plush jewel tone lounge seating and iconic British touches including the Union Jack flag, a classic British phone booth and a curved white tiled back bar wall sure to remind any globe-trotter of a London tube station.

The 2,900-square-foot Barrel Room is an ideal fit for vendor fairs, weddings or corporate meetings, accommodating up to 350 guests cocktail-style or 250 seated. The 1,100-square-foot Gaming Area accommodates 40-70 guests and includes access to the distillery’s removable Skittles pub bowling lanes. The 650-square-foot Crown Room, with a darker, more cozy pub feel, can accommodate up to 35 guests for small meetings, seated dinners or social celebrations. Full buyouts are available and private groups can work with the RCFS team— which creates its own inventive bitters, syrups, tonics and shrubs in-house—to develop custom cocktails for their event.

Get Connected

ROYAL FOUNDRY CRAFT SPIRITS royalfoundrycraftspirits.com nikki@royalfoundrycraftspirits.com

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