Since 2014, the Baker Brothers have been hand-crafting super-premium spirits in the hills of Litchfield, Connecticut. Initially known for their line of bourbons, they gradually added vodka, gin, rye, and now their Agave Spirits to their exceptional product line. Their motto is "The Spirit of Hard Work" something to which they excel.  

Product Information: Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits, 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume), made from 100% blue agave. Each botte is hand-numbered listing batch and bottle number. Retail: $34.95.  

Bottle Notes: "We imported Agave Nectar from Mexico then fermented and distilled it here in Litchfield, CT to produce our own Agave Spirits. We then rest it in on our retired bourbon barrels. You'll enjoy a well-balanced spirit with sweet and spicy notes highlighted by caramel, agave, white pepper & honey. Distilled and bottled by Litchfield Distillery."  

Tasting Notes: Our bottle was listed as Batch 1, Bottle 184. The color is a lovely deep gold derived from resting the fermented spirit in their retired bourbon barrels. The nose is richly aromatic with sweet honey and caramel notes, and on the palate, there is a perfect blend of caramel, honey, and wood notes with a spicy finish. Delicious to enjoy as a sipping spirit, it is also a very versatile spirit to use in 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 Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits.  

Luxury Experience Cocktail and Culinary Menu  

The Cocktail Menu

The Culinary Menu

The Cocktail Recipes 

Luxury Experience - Red Dress was named for the brilliant red color of the cocktail and is our playful reference to the David Bowie song, Let's Dance, where he sings, "Put on your red dress and dance the blues." The color comes from homemade hibiscus water, which is combined with Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits, Fifth State Distillery Orange Chocolate XS (made in Bridgeport, Connecticut), fresh lime juice, and agave nectar. Dress with a sugar rim and a lime wheel and you are ready to party.  

Luxury Experience - Red Dress
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass Used: Margarita Glass 

Cocktail Ingredients:
 

Hibiscus Water Ingredients:
 

Method for the Hibiscus Water:  Add the dried hibiscus flowers and water to a large pot. Bring to a boil and let boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain liquid into a glass jar and discard flowers. Refrigerate until ready to use. Can be made 1-day ahead. 

Note: Aguas Frescas (Fruit based waters with the addition of lime juice and sweetener) are very popular in Mexico. In addition to using homemade hibiscus water in our cocktails, it is perfect to enjoy on its own or by adding some lime juice and sweetened to taste if desired.

Method for the Cocktail: Rim a Margarita glass with lime juice by running a cut lime along the rim edge. Add sugar to a saucer. Invert glass and gently twist the lime rim in the sugar. Set aside. Can be made hours ahead making them perfect for parties. 

Add the Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirts, Fifth State Distillery Orange Chocolate XS, lime juice, homemade hibiscus water, and agave nectar to a shaker. Add 4 ice cubes and shake hard to dissolve the ice. Strain into the sugar rimmed Margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

Luxury Experience - Where There's Smoke (there's fire) is our refreshing cocktail with a kick! For this cocktail, we infuse Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits with Don Chilio® Chile Crisp^TM Sliced Jalapeno Pepper (where the fire comes from) and combine it with Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur made with VSOP Cognac, fresh pink grapefruit juice, and add 1-2 dashes of Stubb's Mesquite Liquid Smoke (where the smoke comes from). Garnish with a generous grapefruit peel twist and float a dried chile. 

Luxury Experience - Where There's Smoke (there's fire)
Yield: 1 cocktail
Glass Used: Martini Glass 

Cocktail Ingredients:
 

Method: Infuse Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits with 1 Don Chilio® Chile Crisp^TM Sliced Jalapeno Pepper and let rest for at least 1 hour (could be left up to 1-day ahead).  

The Culinary Recipes 

In addition to cocktails, Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits is a delicious addition to savory as well as sweet culinary recipes.  

Luxury Experience - Agave Spirits Shrimp Shooters combines Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits with tomato juice, siracha, lime juice, minced green zucchini, minced roasted red pepper, and chopped shrimp for layers of flavor. Garnish with a whole shrimp and fresh cilantro and you have a tasty starter. 

Yield: 4 
 

Method: In a mixing glass, add the Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits, tomato juice, lime juice, and 1-2 drops of Siracha (or to taste). Stir to combine. Divide the minced shrimp, zucchini, and red pepper in 4 small glasses. Top with the liquid ingredients. Garnish each glass with a whole shrimp and fresh cilantro.  

We created Luxury Experience - Spirited Avocado Mousse with Tomatillo Cilantro "Soup" as a light and lovely summer dessert celebrating the flavors of Mexico with Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits, agave nectar, avocado, sweetened condensed milk, lime, tomatillos, and cilantro. Although we use homemade Greek yogurt (which Edward makes weekly), you can use store bought Greek Yogurt.  

Mousse Ingredients:
 

Method for the Mousse: Add the Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits to a small bowl. Sprinkle the envelope of unflavored gelatin over it and stir to combine. Let rest. 

Meanwhile, mash the avocado and set aside. In a large pot, add the sweetened condensed milk and yogurt and bring to a boil. Add the lime juice, agave nectar, and avocado. Stir to combine and pour mixture into a food processor and process until smooth. Return mixture to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the gelatin mixture and heat until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes.  

Wrap 6 half-cup molds or custard cups with plastic wrap (or lightly spray molds with vegetable oil) so the mousse will not stick. Divide the mousse mixture between the 6 molds. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours until set. 

Tomatillo Cilantro Soup Ingredients:
 

Method for the Tomatillo_Cilantro "Soup": Add all ingredients to a large pot and bring to a boil. Let boil until tomatillos are tender and sauce is thickened. Remove from heat. Let cool. Spoon into a glass jar and refrigerate until ready to use. May be made a few days ahead.  

Note: Tomatillos are used heavily in Mexican cuisine including green salsa. They resemble green tomatoes and have a paper-like husk that must be removed. They are slightly sticky when you remove the husk. Wash thoroughly before using. 

Until next time, cheers, its cocktail time! 

Background Information on "The Batchers of Litchfield Distillery" - David, Jack, and Peter Baker 

David, Jack, Peter 

The Bakers - David, Jack, and Peter, grew up in Connecticut in the water bottling business, bringing Crystal Rock water to discerning consumers for three generations. With their dedicated family-business focus they launched Litchfield Distillery in the heart of the northwest of Connecticut's beautiful farm country, where they craft their exceptional line of bourbons, vodka, and gin in small batches from the best of locally sourced ingredients from the area's farms. Litchfield Distillery - The Spirit of Hard Work. 

Originally known for their exceptional bourbons: Double Barreled Bourbon Whiskey - 10 years, Double Barreled Bourbon Whiskey - 5 years, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Cask Strength, Port Cask Finish Bourbon Whiskey, Vanilla Bourbon, Maple Bourbon, Cinnamon Bourbon, Coffee Bourbon, they have expanded their artisan line of spirts to also include Gin, Vodka, Rye, and their latest Agave Spirits. 

Tours and Tastings: Monday - Sunday beginning at 11:00 am. The last tour begins at 4:00 pm. On Sundays, the last tour begins at 3:00 pm. Tours and tastings are free. Everyone must wear a mask and practice social distancing protocols. 

The Distillery Store Hours: Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. 

For more information on Litchfield Distillery, purchasing their products, or visiting them, please call them at +1-860-361-6503 or visit their website: www.LitchfieldDistillery.com  

Read about Litchfield Distillery products and read Luxury Experience's Culinary and Cocktail Recipes in the Liquor Cabinet section. 

Litchfield Distillery
569 Bantam Road
Litchfield, Connecticut 06759
United States
Telephone: +1-860-361-6503
Website: www.LitchfieldDistillery.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/litchfielddistillery/
Twitter: @litchfielddist
Instagram: @litchfielddistillery 

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