What's in the Bottle? by Michael Fox What goes into a bottle of our ARBOR Summer Gin: ●
Corn grown just outside of Dexter, Michigan at the Cares Family farm.
●
The historic Dexter Mill, founded in 1919 and now owned by Keri Bushaw, stores and processes the grain.
●
Our distillery then mashes, ferments, and distills the corn into a neutral grain spirit and we add over 20 botanicals, fruits, and vegetables.
●
These botanicals give the gin its distinctive taste, which we feel is a beautiful representation of a Michigan summer. Watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, juniper, mint, basil, lavender, rosemary, tarragon, and alfalfa (just to name a few!) are added to the still.
●
●
These ingredients are not extracts or concentrates. They are whole fruits and vegetables, often purchased just down the street at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, or from a local produce vendor. The distillation process leaves us with two by-products that go on to have a second life of their own. The spent grain is collected in large containers and picked up by local farmers who use it to feed their livestock. The spent botanicals from the gin are often used by Michigan breweries and meaderies in their seasonal beer or mead offerings. This secondary use of the ingredients helps to reduce waste and provide a much-needed product at no cost to another local business.
In addition to making a delicious gin and tonic, ARBOR Summer Gin is great in any cocktail that requires gin. A couple favorites are:
SUMMER GIMLET
MISCARITA
●
2oz ARBOR Summer Gin
●
●
1oz Simple syrup
1oz Ann Arbor Distilling Water Hill Misco
●
1oz fresh lime juice
●
0.5oz ARBOR Summer Gin
●
0.5oz Triple Sec or orange liqueur
●
0.5oz agave nectar
●
1oz fresh lime juice
Pour into shaker with ice. Shake hard, then strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wheel.
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake hard, then empty into a rocks glass rimmed with salt. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry in roles covering every aspect of the business and including fine wine, craft spirits, and craft beer. He currently directs sales and distribution at Ann Arbor Distilling Company, where his love for the industry shines through.
July2022 | 31
