NEW TREATY OAK SPIRITS FOCUS ON THE TERROIR OF TEXAS

What kind of distillery would turn off the taps of vodka and rum production in a state thirsty for those spirits?

Treaty Oak Distillery did, and has relaunched with a new focus: whiskey and gin.

“A few years ago we stopped to reconsider what it meant to be a Texas distillery,” founder Daniel Barnes said.

That meant putting the Texas in a Texas product. To that end, Treaty Oak’s gins — Waterloo No. 9, Waterloo Antique and Waterloo Old Yaupon — are made with local citrus and yaupon holly (a tea leaf native to Texas) and wildflower honey from Dripping Springs, where the distillery is based. The whiskeys use Texas corn and wheat, especially noticeable in the Ghost Hill Bourbon. (The other whiskeys are Red Handed Bourbon, Red Handed Rye.)

Look for cocktails made with Treaty Oak at Eight Row Flint, Four Seasons Houston Hotel, Doris Metropolitan and State of Grace. Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors in River Oaks created a limited-edition cocktail made with Waterloo Old Yaupon Gin. It makes a refreshing warm-weather sipper.

Once Yaupon a Time

1½ ounces Treaty Oak Waterloo Old Yaupon gin

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

½ ounce Fever Tree Ginger Beer

¼ ounce Campari

½ ounce simple syrup

10 mint leaves

Instructions: Place ingredients in a mixer filled with ice. Shake well and double strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with mint leaves.

Written by: Greg Morago

Original article from: Houston Chronicle