Women are raising the bar in the Northwest. In Kathy Casey’s column, Shake, Swizzle & Stir, of our spring issue, we celebrate our innovative and spirited women who are shaking up the norm in a historically male-dominated industry. We are shining a spotlight on female distillery founders who are true pioneers and sources of inspiration for women everywhere, and their products are as delicious as they are unique.
Located right off the shipping canal between Puget Sound and Lake Union in Seattle, the Old Ballard Liquor Co. is solely owned-and-operated by Lexi, a former ship’s cook and boat worker turned craft distiller. Old Ballard’s Cherry Bounce is made exclusively with Northwest sour Montmorency cherries sourced directly from a grower in Othello, Washington. Amazingly fresh, the fruit makes it to the infusion process within 12 hours of being picked from the tree!
The Cherry Blossom cocktail combines the botanical notes from the gin with the wonderful fruit flavors of the Cherry Bounce to make a drink that quietly evokes cherry orchards on a breezy summer day.
Cherry Blossom by Kathy Casey Food Studios
Makes 1 cocktail
1 ounce your preferred Northwest gin
1 ounce Old Ballard Liquor Co. Cherry Bounce
½ ounce simple syrup*
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
Garnish: Amarena cherry
Measure the gin, Cherry Bounce, simple syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, cap and shake. Strain cocktail into a martini glass or coupe. Garnish with an Amarena cherry.
*To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup boiling water with 1 cup sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Cool and store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
