Gin is one of the
most diverse and aromatic of spirits due to the botanicals used, and if you
think that all gins are the same, you might want to try them again. Litchfield
Distillery Gin made in Litchfield, Connecticut
proves that the "nutmeg" state knows a thing or two about creating handcrafted
artisanal spirits. While their special blend of botanicals is proprietary, we
can tell you that after sampling their gin, it is absolutely delicious.
Product Information:
Litchfield Distillery Gin is distilled from grain married with their
proprietary blend of botanicals. It is 43% alcohol by volume (86 proof), and each
bottle proudly bears its handwritten bottle and batch numbers on the front of
the bottle. Our hand signed bottle was number 78, Batch 24. Litchfield
Distillery Gin retails for $34.95 for a 750 ml bottle. Litchfield Distillery Gin
is presented in a beautifully designed tall bottle with a blue label proudly bearing
their logo of a batcher rolling a barrel and a blue wax covered stopper.
Bottle notes: "One
day we looked around at our beautiful rolling hills and said, "Boy, wish we
could bottle this." So we did. We take
the best our local farmers have to offer and craft fine spirits, one batch at a
time. They do the growing. We do the batching. And you get a share in this
luscious little section of Connecticut called Litchfield County."
Tasting Notes: The
color is crystal clear. On the nose there are rich aromatics with juniper
berries and citrus notes, as well as hints of sweetness and anise. On the
palate, the flavors deliver a smooth and elegant finish.
An interesting fact about gin is
that it starts out as a vodka, to which botanicals including juniper are added.
Gins can vary greatly from brand to brand, due to the botanicals used, and the
amount used. The award-winning Litchfield Distillery Gin has a blend of
proprietary botanicals including juniper to create an ultra-premium product
that is delectably smooth with citrus notes and a slight sweetness. It is
fabulous to enjoy neat, over ice, in cocktails as well as culinary recipes.
Litchfield Distillery's motto is "The Spirit of Hard Work" which they clearly deliver
in the taste of their exceptional products. Cheers!
Luxury
Experience was "In the kitchen and behind the bar®" creating some incredibly special handcrafted
cocktail and culinary recipes to tempt your palate and inspire your own
creations using Litchfield Distillery Gin.
Luxury Experience - Litchfield
Distillery Gin Cocktail and Culinary Menu
The Cocktail Menu
Luxury Experience - Passion on the
Rocks
Luxury Experience - Gin-Ger Rogers
Luxury Experience - North Star
The Culinary Menu
Luxury Experience - Gin &
Tonic Cheesecake
Cocktail Recipes
Luxury Experience - Passion on
the Rocks is a playful reference to the passionfruit juice used in the
cocktail that combines ever so well with the Litchfield Distillery Gin, Chartreuse,
and fresh lemon juice. We used Chartreuse as it is also made from herbs, which
complements the herbs and botanicals used in the Litchfield Distillery Gin.
Luxury Experience - Passion on
the Rocks
Yield: 1 cocktail
Glass Used: Rocks Glass
Cocktail Ingredients:
1.25
|
Ounces
|
Litchfield Distillery Gin
|
0.25
|
Ounce
|
Chartreuse
(Yellow)
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1.75
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Ounces
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Goya
Passionfruit Juice
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0.25
|
Ounce
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Fresh
Lemon Juice
|
|
|
Lemon
Twist, garnish
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Method: Mix all ingredients in a mixing glass. Pour
into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a wide lemon peel twist.
We love movies from the 1930s and
Luxury Experience - Gin-Ger Rogers was named for the talented triple threat
(singer, dancer, actress) Ginger Rogers. This elegant beauty combines
Litchfield Distillery Gin, homemade ginger simple syrup, and Poland Springs
White Peach Ginger Sparkling Water. Garnish with a candied slice of fresh
ginger.
Luxury Experience - Gin-Ger
Rogers
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass Used: Martini Glass
Cocktail Ingredients:
2
|
Ounces
|
Litchfield Distillery Gin
|
0.5
|
Ounce
|
Ginger
Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
|
1.5
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Ounces
|
Poland
Springs White Peach Ginger Sparkling Water
|
|
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Candied
Ginger Slice, garnish
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|
Method for the Ginger Simple
Syrup: Add one-half cup of water and one-half cup of sugar to a saucepan.
Slice ginger into long slices. Add to saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until
liquid is clear. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove ginger slices to a plate
to use as garnishes. Refrigerate ginger simple syrup in a covered glass jar
until ready to use.
Method for the cocktail:
Chill a Martini Glass. Add all ingredients, except for the garnish to a mixing
glass. Add ice and stir to chill. Strain into the Martini Glass. Garnish with
candied ginger slice.
The North Star is the brightest
star in the Ursa Minor constellation and mariners know it as a guiding star. We
named this cocktail, Luxury Experience - North Star as a reference to
Litchfield Distillery's location in the north western part of Connecticut and
also as a nod to its award-winning star status.
Luxury Experience - North Star
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass Used: Martini Glass
Ingredients:
1.50
|
Ounces
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Litchfield Distillery Gin
|
0.50
|
Ounce
|
Fonseca
Bin No. 27 Fine Reserve Porto
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2
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Ounces
|
Coconut
Water without pulp
|
|
|
Carambola
Star, garnish
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Method: For a classic look,
chill a Martini glass and set aside. Add all ingredients except garnish to a
shaker glass, add 4 ice cubes and shake to chill the cocktail. Strain into the
chilled Martini glass. Garnish with the carambola star.
For a fun look for outdoor parties
or beach or boat portability, mix the cocktail and strain into a miniature
mason jar, add the carambola star garnish, and secure the top to the jar.
Refrigerate or place in a cooler until ready to serve!
VIDEO
Debra C. Argen talks about how to
make the North Star cocktail: https://youtu.be/zPN0Yp5tq5I
Culinary Recipe
We created Luxury Experience -Gin
& Tonic Cheesecake so could you drink your G & T and eat it, too!
Lime zest, tonic water, and Litchfield Distillery Gin in the cheesecake make it
ever so delectable, and the suspended G & T and lime top works its magic to
create the illusion of a cocktail.
Luxury Experience - Gin &
Tonic Cheesecake
Serves 6
Pans Needed: (2) 7-inch (17.7 -cm)
springform pans, line one with parchment pan
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177
degrees C)
Note: Before you start making the
cheesecake, place a marble slab or metal cookie sheet in the freezer. You will
use this to create the Suspended Lime Top.
Crust Ingredients:
0.75
|
Cup
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Vanilla Wafers, finely ground
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3
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Tablespoons
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Butter
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Method: Grind the wafers in
a food processor until finely ground; add butter and process until blended and
crumbly. Spoon the crumb mixture into the bottom of the springform pan. Pat
evenly and lightly.
Set aside.
Cheesecake Ingredients:
8
|
Ounces
|
Cream Cheese, (227 grams)
|
1
|
Large
|
Egg
|
0.25
|
Cup
|
Sugar
|
1
|
Large
|
Lime,
zested
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Lime Juice
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Tonic
Water
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Litchfield
Distillery Gin
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Method: Add all ingredients
to a food processor and process until smooth. Pour batter over crumb mixture.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until tester inserted in center of cheesecake
comes out clean. Set aside and let cool for 30 minutes.

Debra C. Argen, Litchfield Distillery Gin
Gin & Tonic Cheesecake
Suspended Lime Top Ingredients:
1
|
Large
|
Lime, cut
into 6-slices
|
0.75
|
Ounce
|
Lime
Juice
|
2
|
Ounces
|
Tonic
Water
|
2
|
Ounces
|
Litchfield
Distillery Gin
|
4
|
Tablespoons
|
Sugar
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Agar Agar
Powder (See note below)
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Method to Prepare Limes: In
a saucepan, add 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons water and bring to a boil.
Add sliced limes, gently flip slices in the glaze. Remove slices from pan and
set aside.
Method for the Suspended Lime
Top: Remove the marble slab or metal baking sheet from the freezer. Top
with parchment paper, remove the bottom from the second springform pan and flip
pan top side down on the parchment.
Note: Agar Agar Powder is a
vegetable gelatin substitute made from red algae with high gelling
properties. Unlike gelatin which must be
dissolved in cold water, Agar Agar must be dissolved in hot liquid. It quickly
sets on a cold surface like marble.
In a saucepan, add the lime juice,
tonic water, Litchfield Distillery Gin, 4 tablespoons sugar, and agar. Bring to
a boil, add the limes, and boil for 1 minute.
Carefully pour the hot liquid
inside the springform pan on the marble slab. Position the limes in the liquid.
The agar will start firming up immediately. Once firm, remove the springform
pan and you will have the suspended lime topping. Carefully remove from the
parchment and place on top of the cake. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Cheers!
We hope that you enjoy trying
Luxury Experience's cocktail and culinary recipes, and that they inspire you to
create your own recipes. Cheers!
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.
Litchfield Distillery
Exceptional Product Line includes: Bourbons, Rye, Vodkas, and Gin.
Read about other Litchfield
Distillery products with more great Luxury Experience's Culinary and
Cocktail Recipes in the Liquor Cabinet section.
For more information on Litchfield
Distillery Gin, purchasing their products, or visiting them in Litchfield,
Connecticut, please call them at +1-860-361-6503 or visit their website:
www.LitchfieldDistillery.com
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
Follow Litchfield
Distillery on Facebook: www.facebook.com/litchfielddistillery/
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© October 2020. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
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