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Columbus Food Scene- Craft Cocktails from Curio at Harvest

I live in Los Angeles. Backroom speakeasies. Craft cocktails. Handmade bitters. These are the things that define cocktail culture in LA. But it wasn’t always that way. Because there’s a revolution going on in the culinary world and it’s hero is booze. Really good booze.

The trend is following the same path as the foodie revolution of the 1980s. The time when people began to look at dinner as more than mere sustenance. It started at edges of the country in cities like LA and New York but it didn’t take long for the word “fusion” to take on a new meaning all across this country.

Like the frisée salad before it, carefully constructed, pre-Prohibition era-inspired craft cocktails are becoming big business. And it’s happening everywhere. Don’t tell Carrie Bradshaw but splashing a neutral spirit with something red and calling it a cocktail is quickly going the way of the VCR. Craft cocktails are the new hallmark. Small-batch spirits, unusual liqueurs, housemade syrups and a bitters for every occasion. This is what’s in our glasses these days and Columbus, Ohio is right on board with a master mixologist of their own. Travis Owens.

Harvest PizzeriaI’ve spent some time recently in Columbus and sampled a great many of their bars. While this trend towards craft cocktails can be seen at other establishments. It seems to me that no one is embracing this chic, slightly retro style of cocktailing in Columbus, Ohio at quite the same level of sophistication as Travis Owens. However the venue might surprise you– it’s neither a backroom or in any strict sense a speakeasy. Though it is attached to a very unlikely establishment. A pizzeria. Curio @ Harvest Pizzeria.

I spent some time at Curio and on one of those occasions got to watch Mr. Owens in action. His cocktails are all impeccably made. They often sport witty names like Blood & Smoke. Some are riffs on classics and most have a bit of understated southern charm. Making Curio the coolest place in Columbus. From what I can see the crowds are drinking this place up. I’m pleased to say I’ve never seen such a high-end bunch of lowlifes.

The Hickory Stick Cocktail by Travis OwnesThe Hickory Stick serves 1 CLICK here for a printable recipe

There’s hickory growing in the woods all around Columbus, Ohio. It’s been used for smoking the German style meats favored by Ohio’s immigrants since the 19th century. So take your time and sip this one slow why you think about all that.

  • 1/2 oz old forester bourbon
  • 1/4 oz fernet branca
  • 1/4 oz curio classico ‘bitters’
  • 1/2 oz antica sweet vermouth
  • 1/4 oz aya dry vermouth
  • 1/4 oz demerara
  • 7 dr liquid ‘smoke’
  • 1 lemon peel ‘chip’

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain over 2 medium cubes into a chilled old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon chip.

 

Room with a Grand View from Travis OwensRoom with a Grand View serve 1 CLICK here for a printable recipe SEE VIDEO BELOW

This cocktail gets its playful moniker from Watershed Distillery located in Grandview, Ohio.

  • 2 oz watershed four peel gin
  • 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz clove infused honey syrup
  • 1 T egg whites
  • 4 dr angostura bitters
  • Herb for garnish

Combine all ingredients except allspice dram and bitters into a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ICE. “Dry shake” to emulsify, 8 to 10 seconds. Add 3 or 4 ice cubes and shake vigorously until frothy. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Strategically place 4 drops angostura bitters in a circle on top, then use a skewer to connect the dots. Garnish with something herbal.

 

The Waylon Margarita by Travis OwnesThe Waylon Margarita serves 1 CLICK here for a printable recipe

  • 2 oz blanco tequila
  • 1/2 oz ginger-kale juice
  • 1/2 oz agave nectar
  • 1/2 lime, juice only
  • 1/4 oz royal combier
  • 1 very large ice cube
  • 1 t smoked salt
  • 1 piece candied ginger, optional
  • 1 sli lime, optional

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker full of ice. Add a small slash of soda. Shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain over 1 large cube into a chilled double old fashioned glass that has been 1/2 rimmed with smoked salt. Garnish with candied ginger or lime slice.