Meet Our Friends
There's nothing like spending time with friends, enjoying great, craft cocktails and making memories. We'd like to introduce you to a few of our friends and their favorite cocktails. Check back often as we introduce more of our friends. If you're one of our friends who enjoys making and creating great cocktails let us know. We'd love to feature you and your favorite cocktail.
Chris Hanson
My beverage journey has been a fun ride! I landed in St. Louis 20 years ago from the Northeast to work for Anheuser Busch. I spent 10+ years there, mostly focused on building my foundation in the beer culture. Specifically Belgian beer culture working on Hoegaarden, Leffe and Stella Artois, amongst others. After leaving AB, I dove headfirst into craft beer. Like a lot of people, COVID sent me in a new direction - in my case, a virtual cocktail class that got me completely hooked. I love experimenting - different spirits, making my own syrups, and using fresh herbs and ingredients. Cheers!
History: The 'Basil Faulty' (or Basil Fawlty) is a modern craft cocktail named after John Cleese’s iconic, abrasive hotel-owner character from the 1970s British sitcom Fawlty Towers. It is not a historic 19th-century drink, but rather a punning contemporary creation featuring fresh basil.
There are many variations with different ingredients. This is one of my favorites. Refreshing - combination of apple, lemon (citrus) with basil gives the cocktail a different vibe.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz of Rye
- 1/2 oz Elderflower (St. Germain)
- Basil: 1-2 fresh leaves
- Lemon: 1/2 juiced
- Apple 1/4 chopped
Muddle chopped apple, basil and lemon juice. Add elderflower and Rye. Shake and add to chilled glass. Recipe calls for Collins, but I like Nick & Nora (Romeo) glass. REFRESHING!
Cindy Ormsby
I’m a lifetime St Louis resident, married 45 years to Mike. I’m a recently retired attorney who loves traveling and reading. Cheers!
My favorite cocktail is a Gin Gimlet.
Recipe:
Ingredients: 2 oz gin; .75 oz lime juice; .85 oz simple syrup.
Method: shake with ice; strain.
Glass: martini or coupe.
Garnish: lime wedge.
Mike Ormsby
I’ve enjoyed living in St Louis since marrying Cindy and moving to her hometown. I enjoy traveling and have taken up playing pickleball several times a week in my retirement. Cheers!
My favorite cocktail is a Kentucky Gold.
Ingredients: 2.25 oz bourbon; .75 oz maple syrup; .75 oz lemon juice.
Method: shake with ice; strain.
Glass: low ball.
Garnish: orange peel with clove inserted, grate cinnamon stick on top.
Mark Witzling
I’ve learned the most about beverages directly from my brother-in-law “Uncle Kevin”, first from tasting beers at his home bar and then migrating to bourbons and other cocktails. Currently, my favorite cocktails are probably a nice Vieux Carre, and I enjoy the Honey Bourbon and the Double Oaked Rye from Starlight. I’ve enjoyed helping “Uncle Kevin” when he’s brewing and together we’ve created a few Abstract Ales with flavors inspired by colors used in some of my paintings. Images of the artwork become the images on the bottle labels. Professionally, I’m a full-time artist. My art is in private collections in the US, Europe and Asia. I have twice been awarded residencies at Chateau Orquevaux in France and Wildacres Retreat in North Carolina. I was previously Executive Director of Craft Alliance in St. Louis and had a long career in brand marketing.
My artwork can be viewed at www.markwitzlingart.com. It looks great behind a home bar.
My favorite cocktail is the Vieux Carré.
3/4 ounce Sazerac Rye Whiskey
3/4 ounce Remy Martin Cognac
3/4 ounce Cocchi Sweet Vermouth
2 teaspoons Benedictine
4 dashes Peychauds Bitters
4 dashes Angostura Bitters
Method: Stir with ice
Glass: Old Fashioned (rocks)
Garnish: A slice of lemon peel
Some of the Abstract Ales with recipes inspired by Mark's art.
L-R Vol. 2-Abyss
Vol.3-LMNOIPA, and
Vol.4-Cigar Lounge