Cocktails with Backstories

Cocktails with Back Stories

Summer will see a return to storied & classic cocktails…. but with a contemporary twist

Just like high fashion, cocktail trends come and go, and according to Shayne Conlon, Food & Beverage Director at Inn by the Sea, classic drinks are due for a major comeback.

“Apart from the ageless ingredients, people enjoy the nostalgia of classic drinks and their histories,” says Conlon. “I see today’s cocktails as updated versions of the traditional ones but presented with a contemporary twist. Guests enjoy all the fun of tapping into a nostalgic vibe or a cocktails with backstories while mixologists elevate the original recipes with high quality local spirits, fresh ingredients or adding a twist to make the drink their own.”

Vanilla Moxie- celebrating 200 years of the way life should be:

Conlon has created a whimsical cocktail as a nod to Maine’s bicentennial celebration. Vanilla Moxie is made with local spirits- Sebago Lake, Spider Island Rum, New England Distilling Tidewalker Bourbon, and Moxie house-made simple syrup and soda water. Moxie, Maine’s official soft drink, is both reviled and adored by state residents. Originally created in 1876 by Maine-born Dr. Augustin Thompson as medicine, the beverage had gentian root, sassafras, wintergreen and perhaps cocaine as ingredients. The drink was rebranded and reformatted as a soft drink with carbonation in 1884. To celebrate 200 years of Maine, Conlon is serving Vanilla Moxie from glass bottles hidden behind the Sea Glass bar as a throwback to Maine’s history of prohibition and the state’s enduring love affair with Moxie. Cheers!

Smoked Paloma- Ode to the Dove

Nothing says spring or summer like the popular Tequila Paloma-(Dove in Spanish)- a refreshing bubbly sweet and sour cocktail that is said to be the most popular drink in Mexico. Offering an alternative to a traditional Margarita, the grapefruit, tequila-based cocktail was created in the late 50’s and became trendy in the 90’s. Conlon has made it a signature drink in Sea Glass lounge by adding Mezcal to the mix, replacing grapefruit with grapefruit simple syrup, topping the cocktail with Fever Tree soda and rimming it with yellow sugar. Salud!

Negroni- stirred not shaken

The first Americano cocktail, history tells us, was served in Milan, Italy in the 1860’s. Later, that popular cocktail was rocketed to fame by Ian Fleming as the drink of choice for his glamorous spy, 007. But well before that, in 1920, the Americano also prompted the invention of the Negroni when Italian Count Negroni ordered an Americano but insisted on adding gin. And so the standard Negroni was born with gin, vermouth and Campari as ingredients. Today’s trend, according to Conlon, sees a resurgence in popularity for adding liqueurs to cocktails to enhance their depth with sweet, citrus, or bitter notes. Sea Glass’s unique play on the traditional Negroni pulls the Campari out of the cocktail and replaces it with Amaro. Saluti!

Ocean view Sea Glass restaurant and lounge at Inn by the Sea is located at 40 Bowery Beach Road in Cape Elizabeth and is open year around, to the public for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. 207.799.3134 www.innbythesea.com

About Inn by the Sea:

An idyllic oceanfront escape, located on a mile of unspoiled sand beach, just 7 miles from Portland, Inn by the Sea is Maine's premier beach destination offering elegant hospitality in 61 upscale rooms and suites, with full- service SPA, cardio room, heated pool and captivating cuisine served in ocean view Sea Glass restaurant. Children and dogs are warmly welcomed to this Preferred LVX® member and Virtuoso® property.

← Go Back