Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
april 2016 / the tasting panel / 101 it more of a carrot, and did it with a wink and a nod," is how he summarizes that experience. One drink, for example, involved creating an olive-flavored Dirty Martini by blending olives and gin, then centrifuging them clear, fin- ishing the drink with a circle of pimento oil. It was a cocktail that excelled in sophistication compared to its briny partner. Other career highlights include being on the opening staff of agave cocktail pioneer Mayahuel and working as Head Bartender for Danny Meyer's Tabla. In other words, Denton is most definitely up to the challenge of making drinks that match our springtime desire for freshness. Denton, who is an avid gardener, recommends working with root veg- etables like beets and carrots, which grow through the winter and can be made into juice, and favors herbs, which find their "time to shine" in spring. But the simplest solution to the advent of warm weather, says Denton is "the spritz—it's where it's at." Low in alcohol and high in refreshment, spritz variations are a simple and fun drink choice. That's probably why they're so popular as pre-dinner aperitif drinks in France and Italy, where they take the form of Kir Royale or Aperol Spritz, and of course as the brunch drink du jour across the U.S. A fondness for tequila is evident in Denton's spring mixology approach. Recently, he visited the Avión distillery, and was "delightfully surprised to see how hands-on it is," given that many tequila brands are more industrial. "I think the word 'craft' is thrown around all the time, but they've been really doing it since they started," about four years ago, says Denton, emphasiz- ing factors such as the estate-grown agave, and the fact that the distillery hand-bottles. Below, two of Denton's recipes for spritzy spring drinks using Avión tequila, to be enjoyed on a patio with a bowl of fresh chips and guacamole. Avión Sunrise This one is about "updating lowbrow classics," says Denton. In that vein, it's a take on a Tequila Sunrise, made more sophisticated by the addition of Lillet Rouge. ◗ 2 oz. Avión Silver Tequila ◗ 2 oz. orange juice ◗ 1 oz. Lillet Rouge ◗ Lime cut into halves In a highball glass, add ice cubes and Lillet Rouge. Squeeze the lime into the glass and add other ingredients. Use the squeezed lime as garnish. Avión Fizzy Aviaon A riff on the classic Aviation cocktail, which consists of gin, lemon juice and Maraschino liqueur. ◗ 2 oz. Avión Reposado Tequila ◗ ¾ oz. lemon juice ◗ ½ oz. Maraschino liqueur ◗ Splash seltzer In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients except seltzer with ice cubes. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass, top with seltzer or sparkling water.