Product Information: Fifth State Ginger Zap Vodka, 45 % Alcohol by Volume, 90-proof. Gluten-free. Column-distilled from corn and handcrafted in small batches. 

Bottle Notes: "Our award-winning Ginger Zap is handcrafted in small batches using out premium vodka which is intensely infused with as much ginger as we cold pack into it. The resulting spirit is bold, spicy, and can be enjoyed mixed in a wide range of cocktails, seltzer, or sipped on the rocks. Ginger Zap is truly local."  

Tasting Notes: Master Distiller Rob Schulten uses fresh ginger infused in vodka which gives Ginger Zap Vodka its pale-yellow color, with aromatic, heady, ginger notes on the nose, and ginger forward on the palate with a slightly spicy finish. This is a delectable spirit that can be enjoyed chilled, served over ice, or used in a wide variety of cocktail and culinary recipes.  

Luxury Experience was "In the kitchen and behind the bar®" creating some incredibly special handcrafted cocktails and a culinary recipe to tempt your palate and inspire your own creations using Fifth State Ginger Zap.  

Luxury Experience Cocktail and Culinary Menu 

The Cocktail Recipes 

Luxury Experience - Zap My Tea brings on the ginger with Java Love Tea & Co. Citrus Ginger Tea which is a blend of hibiscus flower, rosehips, ginger root, orange, and tangerine, Fifth State Distillers Ginger Zap Vodka, lemon juice, and honey. Serve chilled over ice for a very nice and refreshing summer cocktail or serve it hot in cooler months. Afternoon Tea never tasted better! This is a wonderful make ahead cocktail to serve in a pitcher at your next party.  

Luxury Experience -Zap My Tea

Method: Make the Java Love Tea & Co. Citrus Ginger Tea by steeping it for 3-5 minutes in 175-degree Fahrenheit water, add the honey, stir to combine, let cool, then refrigerate until ready to use. In a mixing glass, add all the ingredients and stir to combine. Pour into an ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a lemon slice and edible flower (optional).  

Luxury Experience - Provençal Summer Punch is a refreshing summer cocktail made with Fifth State Ginger Zap Vodka, Farigoule Herbal Thyme Liqueur, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and homemade mint simple syrup. Garnish with orange, lemon, and lime wedges on a skewer. For a "wow" presentation, we added fresh thyme and small slices of lemon peel to the water and froze them in our large round ice ball molds.  

Luxury Experience - Provençal Summer Punch  

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass. Pour into an ice filled snifter glass, garnish with orange, lime, lemon wedges on a skewer. 

Mint Simple Syrup Ingredients:
 

Method for the Mint Simple Syrup: Add water, sugar, and mint to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil until the liquid is clear and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator until ready to serve. May be made 1- week ahead. Simple syrup is a great addition to use in cocktails, to sweeten iced tea or lemonade, brush on cake layers before frosting, and can also be used in dressings or marinades.  

Luxury Experience - Seaworthy combines two great Connecticut-made ginger spirits, Fifth State Ginger Zap Vodka and Black Hog Brewing Ginga' Ninja (Red India Pale Ale brewed with fresh ginger), with Goslings Ginger Beer and lime juice for a refreshing, ginger forward cocktail.  

Luxury Experience - Seaworthy

Cocktail Ingredients:
 

Method: Build cocktail in a mixing glass. Pour into ice-filled glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

We love pairing cocktails to pair with dessert, and while Luxury Experience - Orange Ginger Martini is delicious to drink as a standalone cocktail, it is also the perfect companion to pair with a slice of Luxury Experience - Orange Ginger Cheesecake.  

Luxury Experience - Orange Ginger Martini

Method: Chill Martini glass. Build cocktail in a shaker. Add ice-filled glass. Shake hard to dissolve ice. Strain into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel. 

The Culinary Recipe

Luxury Experience - Orange Ginger Cheesecake is a "snap" to make and uses store bought gingersnaps in the crust and border. Fifth State Distillery Ginger Zap Vodka gives the cheesecake a subtle kick in the filling and topping.

Luxury Experience - Orange Ginger Cheesecake

Preheat oven: 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) 

Crust Ingredients:
 

Method: Crush cookies (about 10) in a food processor to equal one-half cup of crumbs. Add butter and process until crumbs and butter are thoroughly mixed. Set aside. 

Filling Ingredients
 

Method: In a standing mixer or food processor, add the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, orange zest, Fifth State Distillery Ginger Zap, and orange juice, and process until smooth. 

Lightly spray sides and bottom of springform pan. Cut a piece of parchment to cover the bottom of the pan. Place cookies (rounded side facing the wall of the form) along the sides of the pan (about 10-11 cookies). Carefully spoon cream cheese filling into the pan, ensuring cookies are standing up. Bake for 20      minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean. 

Topping Ingredients:
 

Method: Dissolve agar in Fifth State Distillery Ginger Zap Vodka and orange juice. Add all ingredients to a saucepan and heat to dissolve marmalade and agar. Remove from stove and let cool for a few minutes. Carefully spoon topping on the cheesecake and refrigerate for at 3 hours or overnight. 

Fifth State Distillery Information 

Founded by Rob and Bridget Schulten, the award-winning Fifth State Distillery located in Bridgeport, Connecticut has been turning heads with their delectable gluten-free spirits since they opened in 2016. Made from locally grown Connecticut non-GMO corn and distilled in small batches, their artisanal spirits are continuing to win awards with their innovative spirits profiles. "Made with pride in the great state of Connecticut." 

Purchasing Information 

Fifth State Distillery products that can be purchased throughout the state of Connecticut: Gin, Ginger Zap Vodka, Vodka, Simply Celery Vodka, CT Maple Whiskey, Wonderful Water (Nutmeg Liqueur), and Hand Sanitizer. 

Fifth State Distillery products that are only available for purchase at the distillery: Limoncello, Orangecello, Chocolate XS, Chocolate Orange XS, Cinnamon Zap Vodka, Seville Gin, Moonshine, and Barrel Strength Whiskey. 

Fifth State Distillery products that can be purchased throughout the state of Connecticut include: Gin, Ginger Zap Vodka, Vodka, Simply Celery Vodka, CT Maple Whiskey, Wonderful Water (Nutmeg Liqueur), and Hand Sanitizer. 

Until next time, cheers, its cocktail time! 

Bridget and Robert Schulten

For additional information on Fifth State Distillery as well as purchasing information please visit their website: www.fifthstatedistillery.com

Fifth State Distillery Hours: Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Friday - closed, Saturday from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Sunday closed. 

Read about our visit to Fifth State Distillery and more about their exceptional spirits in the Liquor Cabinet section: Touring Fifth State Distillery, Bridgeport, CT, USA and Fifth State Gin.

Fifth State Distillers
259 Asylum Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
United States
Telephone: +1-203-258-3422
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.fifthstatedistillery.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifthstatedistillery
Instagram: @fifthstatedistillery
Twitter: @5thStateDistill 

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