Domestic travel is on the cusp of a resurgence with states across Australia beginning to relax lockdown measures. International travel? That’s a different story.
With many countries around the world struggling in the fight against COVID-19, we’ve been given conflicting information on when international travel will resume to a sense of normalcy anytime soon. Some people say we will be able to carry on with our wanderlust as early as the end of this year, some are saying it won’t be well into next year. The only sure thing right now is our ability to take ourselves to different destinations without physically crossing borders.
One way we’ve been encouraging that at the AU review is by sourcing food and drink recipes so readers can travel with their taste buds, whether that’s in the kitchen or behind a homemade bar. Now, we’re going to be hopping around some of the world’s most vibrant cocktail cultures and pulling a few drink recipes from the best local spots. Get your mixers out, because you’re about to become the best, most well-travelled home bartender there is.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Never underestimate the southwest. Rich in American history and full of natural beauty, states like New Mexico, Utah and Colorado are some of the most rewarding places to visit in the states. And with that comes many strains of art, culture, and a rich identity within the culinary world. Cocktails aren’t left out of that equation, a great example being the vibrant Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital and a constant source of energy for the outdoor adventurer; one who needs a stiff drink after all those high plateaus and stunning rock formations.
Such a demand has led to a no-fuss cocktail culture, with perfect riffs on classics and just as many unique creations. To get a snapshot of where the scene is at right now, we’ve sourced some inventive cocktail recipes from some of the SLC’s best bars so you can transport yourself to the scene via your amateur mixing skills.
“My Favourite Redhead” from Harp and Hound
Ogden, a city north of Salt Lake City, is often considered and extension of the larger metropolitan area and has its own fair share of things to do. Harp and Hound is one of the gastropubs located downtown, often referred to as one of the best spots in the area with a vegan-friendly menu to boot. Here, co-owner Dave Morris offers up his popular “My Favourite Redhead” so you can recreate it at home.
Ingredients
– 2 1/2 oz (74ml) Makers Mark
– 2 dashes of Regan’s Orange Bitters (or substitute)
– Marashino cherries
– Cherry juice
Method
1. Mix Makers Mark and bitters in 9oz Rocks Glass
2. Fill glass with Fever Tree ginger beer
3. Garnish with marashino cherries
4. Add a drizzle of cherry juice. It will sink to the bottom.
“Detox Sour” from Post Office Place
An extension of Salt Lake City’s favourite sushi spot, Takashi, Post Office Place is a bar with a serious buzz surrounding it all throughout the week. Manager Crystal Daniels also puts much thought into the drinks list, which includes a few health-conscious gems to temper the usual alcohol-heavy concoctions. Take this “Detox Sour” for example, decidedly a healthy whisky cocktail which draws on the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric and the endless health benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients
– 0.5oz (15ml) Waterpocket Penellen Liqueur (or a non minit amaro)
– 0.5oz (15ml) Robbers Roost Whiskey Light Whiskey (here’s the description so you can decide on a substitute)
– 2 tablespoons turmeric black pepper honey (recipe below)
Method
1. First make a cup of black pepper honey by combining 2/3 cup honey (raw honey preferred), 1/3 cup boiling water and 1 teaspoon turmeric.
2. Mix all ingredients stated above, shake with ice, and add a little more turmeric for good measure.
“Rocket Power Gin Cocktail” from New World Distillery
You can’t leave Salt Lake City and boast about drinking your way across the southwest city without a visit to New World Distillery in the pristine Ogden Valley. The source of many small batch, super premium spirits, it’s here where locals get their dose of highly localised, unique spirits imbued with the spirit of Utah. The distillery is committed to 100% transparency, and regularly makes use of local ingredients, in addition to always putting the spotlight on responsible stewardship of the environment.
The soulful philosophy behind New World Distillery results in some really creative, fresh creations, like the stimulating “Rocket Power Gin Cocktail”, created by the distillery’s brand ambassador Elyse Evans.
Ingredients
– 1.5oz (44ml) Oomaw Gin (read about it here and decide on a good substitute – because you can’t get it in Australia)
– 1 oz (30ml) carrot juice
– 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric
– 0.5oz (15ml) lemon juice
– 0.25oz (7.5ml) simple syrup (recipe here)
– 4 dashes Honest John Orange Bitters
Method
1. Shake all ingredients. Pour into glass over ice and garnish with mint spring.
To plan any future travels to Salt Lake City click here.
