Shift Drinks . . . The Aftermath . . .

I have a new respect for those who work in the bar and restaurant industry this morning. Seriously.

Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers and myself had the honor of guest bartending the final Shift Drinks party at Pops for Champagne Monday before it moves over to The Exchange June 7.

Let me tell you that this is not easy work. We shook up three signature cocktails for a few hundred folks that included chefs, servers, bartenders, restaurateurs, booze distributors and others in the biz. It was nonstop busy until last call.


Inovasi's "No Drama" Gin, produced by North Shore Distillery and only available at Inovasi. (Photo: Inovasi)


The true star of the bar was the secret weapon des Rosiers brought along with him from his Lake Bluff restaurant.

Inovasi's brand-new "No Drama" Gin—sold exclusively at the restaurant and produced by North Shore Distillery—offers delightful citrus notes and is 110 proof (the average gin is about 80 proof!). The super-premium spirit complemented two of our signature cocktails, and guests were even ordering it on the rocks.

It was such a hit that des Rosiers almost ran out of the 12 bottles he brought for the event.


Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers (Photo: Inovasi)


Recipes . . . for those who missed out!

Deep Cherry

1 oz Wild Tuscan Cherry Puree
3 oz El Dorado White Rum
1 Lime Wedge, squeezed and shaken
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Splash of Sprite

All shaken served on the rocks.

Not So Serious Martini

2 oz Inovasi "No Drama" Gin
.75 oz Thatcher's Elderflower Liqueur
.75 oz Cava
Large Orange Peel freshly peeled

Shake gin and Elderflower and pour in martini glass. Top off with Cava. Garnish with orange peel.

Naughty Negroni

1/2 oz Campari
1 oz Inovasi "No Drama" Gin
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
4 oz Moscato d'Asti Sparkling Wine
Large Orange Peel freshly peeled

Shake Campari, gin and vermouth, pour in martini glass. Top off with Moscato. Garnish with orange peel.

Thanks to hosts Colleen Healy, Daniel de Oliveira and Reuben for making our turn behind the bar just a little bit easier!

The June 7 Shift Drinks at new home The Exchange features culinary king Michael Carlson and the entire staff from Schwa.

I guarantee there will be a lot of scotch poured that night . . .