I usually write about beer collaborations, so I think this is my first story about a gin collab. But, that is exactly what is happening. 1220 Artisan Spirits the botanically-inspired St. Louis distillery, and Pastaria, one of my favorite Italian restaurants by my favorite James Beard Award-Winning Chef Gerard Craft, are releasing “Origin Expressions: Pastaria Gin.” The collaboration spirit will launch on Saturday, Oct. 1 alongside Pastaria’s new happy hour cocktail menu.
Along with additional drinks, the Pastaria gin will be featured in three specialty cocktails on the menu. Crafted with a flavor profile of a classic Negroni cocktail in mind, Niche Food Group’s Bar & Beverage Director Melinda Cooper and 1220 Head Distiller Andy Burgio worked together to create a gin featuring ingredients of Croatian juniper, coriander, orris root, orange peel, grape skins and rosemary.
Following their gin collaboration with The Lucky Accomplice, this is the second release of 1220’s “Origin Expressions,” a line of spirits dedicated to exploring the infinite expressions of gin through creative partnerships with hospitality leaders.
The new gin will be available for purchase at 4 Hands Brewing Co. (1220 S 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63104) and Pastaria Deli & Wine (7734 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105) on Saturday, Oct. 1.
“This is the first time that I created a gin with a specific cocktail in mind. The ideal Negroni gin should be well-balanced and juniper-forward with good texture and body,” says 1220 Head Distiller, Andy Burgio. “We ended up creating a recipe that features an abundance of juniper, which gives the spirit its body, as well as orange peel, grape skins and rosemary to brighten and add complexity.”
“I loved working with this gin to build out Pastaria’s new happy our menu with new fall and winter cocktails,” says Melinda Cooper, Niche Food Group’s bar & beverage director. “We created a gin that complements our approachable, spice-forward Italian menu beautifully. I think people will enjoy the subtle shift in the new cocktails.”
On Saturday, Oct. 1, Pastaria will launch the gin alongside its happy hour, which will be available seven nights a week from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pastaria will feature three cocktails to their new beverage menu highlighting the gin, including The Divine Hammer with 1220 Pastaria Gin, Génépy, and Elderflower liqueur topped with prosecco and a dash of lemon; Pear Today, Gone Amaro, a fall play on a Negroni with 1220 Pastaria Gin, St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, and Lazzaroni Amaro with an orange twist; and Don Collins with 1220 Pastaria Gin, raw sugar simple syrup, topped with San Pellegrino Limonata.
The new gin will be available for purchase at 4 Hands Brewing Co. (1220 S 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63104) and Pastaria Deli & Wine (7734 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105) on Saturday, Oct. 1.
