Steven Grasse of Art in the Age gets it. If you’ve never heard of him or Art in the Age, familiarize yourself. Art in the Age currently creates four spirits, and I’ve never found spirits so pure and flavorful. To call them liqueurs is a misnomer, but it is the only practical way to describe them. Their (ginger) SNAP was my introduction, and, after that, ROOT was an easy progression. Steven takes a historical approach to his organic spirits and even bases his SNAP on his great grandmother’s ginger snap recipe.
Inspired by an 18th century Pennsylvania folk recipe, ROOT’s ingredients list is as follows: birch bark, smoked black tea, cinnamon, wintergreen, spearmint, clove, anise, orange, lemon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamon, and cane sugar. On the nose I smell caramel with equal parts clove and wintergreen. Add club soda and you’ll have the most delicious (alcoholic) root beer you’ve ever tasted. Allow me to emphasize again, these spirits are well-made and balanced. They are not overly sweet like a liqueur and the essence of the base flavor shines.
Check out more of Steven’s philosophy in this video and the link below to their site featuring the full lineup of organic spirits.
Bonus Recipe: Top Shelf ROOT Beer Float
Art in the Age Presents: Steven Grasse from Art In The Age
I created The Humble Garnish because I’m passionate about cocktails. Occasionally, I am provided with products for review or other perks. Many product links on this site are affiliate links that give me a very small kickback, and costs the buyer nothing extra. For example, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases after a link leading to Amazon is clicked. Other links may earn me affiliate commissions as well. This helps offset the cost of creating content for the site – things like camera gear, software, alcohol, glassware. I have at times accepted and at other times declined free products. I promote what I love and use, and rarely will write about a product that I don’t appreciate or own. If I don’t like a product or service, I often simply choose not to write about it.
– Andrew
Great article. Sounds like a tasty treat. I look forward to the drink sample.. Cheers!