Brooklyn is having its “It” moment in the culinary sun lately; some critics have hinted that the borough is poised to supplant Manhattan as New York’s locus of gastronomic cachet. A perfect storm of the Brooklyn hipster, do-it-yourself aesthetic and a general locavore spirit has given rise to an increasing number of artisanal food and drink makers. From homebrewers and jam canneries to pickle peddlers and old-fashioned candy makers, America’s fourth-largest city is turning into a utopia of small-batch everything. The latest offerings have been on display at numerous food festivals in the area, including the Paris-based Le Fooding, Smorgasburg and Googa Mooga, as are often chronicled by the new glossy Brooklyn Bound and food magazine Edible Brooklyn. “Made in Brooklyn” is now a badge of honor for its purveyors as well as a respected mark of authenticity for bearded, plaid shirt-wearing customers. Accordingly, community boozehounds may have noticed an uptick in homegrown alcohol brands, many of which were featured at this week’s Brooklyn Shaken & Stirred, a showcase of artisanal spirits and specialty drinks.
Brooklyn Republic Vodka
The first vodka to be made in Brooklyn since Prohibition, Brooklyn Republic Vodka is handcrafted and distilled using grains from the Midwest. After distillation, it’s transported to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where it’s purified and bottled in small batches. Vaunted New York City tap water gives this vodka a clean, smooth finish, making it easy to mix with in cocktails. More Information: www.brooklynrepublicvodka.com
Brooklyn Winery Wines
Harvesting grapes from all over the state, Brooklyn Winery has produced numerous red and white varietals onsite at its facility in Williamsburg since opening in 2010. Their Stainless Steel Aged Riesling defies the grape’s reputation for cloying sweetness, and the Stainless Steel Aged Chardonnay is refreshing in its lack of oakiness. More Information: www.bkwinery.com
Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin
Launched in February 2011, Greenhook Ginsmiths utilize a vacuum system to create a colder distillation temperature for their gin, which preserves more of the floral flavors of this spirit, particularly the dominant citrus notes. The brand also produces a Beach Plum Gin Liqueur as well. More information: www.greenhookgin.com
Van Brunt Due North Rum
This artisanal distillery based in Red Hook produces several beverages, including whiskey and grappa, but their Due North rum is the cream of the crop. The name is a play on an 18th-century sailors’ nickname for pure, unadulterated rum. The unprocessed sugar used in the distillation process lends a pleasant molasses flavor to this “liquid gold.” More infrormation: www.vanbruntstillhouse.com
Jack from Brooklyn Sorel
Sorel is a unique handcrafted liqueur that combines spices like cloves, nutmeg, and hibiscus with grain alcohol. A sip of the fragrant, gingery liquid tastes like autumn in a glass. Produced in Red Hook, this versatile beverage can be enjoyed hot or cold, alone or combined with any number of mixers. More information: www.jackfrombrooklyn.com
El Buho Mezcal
Mesquite-smoked agave from Oaxaca, Mexico, is used to create El Buho Mezcal, which is imported and distributed in Brooklyn. Translated to “the owl” in Spanish, El Buho has a complex, smoky flavor that works well as a shot or mixed with ginger beer in a cocktail. More Information: www.elbuhomezcal.com ( By Allison Berry – www.style.time.com )