Hella Good Cocktails!

Article by Amy Rutherford & Claire Moskal, Photos by Claire Moskal

We are so excited to bring Hella Cocktail Co. back to Red Barn Mercantile. We’ve been big fans for a while, but somehow, they got lost in the shuffle. Never fear, they’re back, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share them with you.Started by three buddies in 2007 (you can see them all at the end in this American Express commercial) who wanted to democratize craft cocktails. By using pure cane sugar, fruit juice concentrates, fruit peels, natural extracts, spices, and bitterroot (no artificial flavors, dyes, or high-fructose corn syrup here!), they have crafted bitters for the professional bartender and craft cocktail enthusiast alike. With bold flavors formulated with specific spirits in mind, we believe their spirits make a helluva good cocktail.  Today we wanted to share a cocktail recipe from Hella Cocktail Co. for The Martinez, often called the "Father of the Martini." This historic recipe is nuanced and well balanced; it emerged in print sometime in the 1860s! The Martinez is rich and aromatic enough for a cold-weather night yet floral enough for a hot summer day. It’s a great cocktail for someone who wants something a bit darker in flavor and richness but without brown spirits.   Pick up the necessary aromatic bitters from the shop, and don't forget a bartender's knife to make the perfect orange garnish. Cheers, and happy cocktail crafting!