Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1036886
october 2018 / the tasting panel / 83 Instead, they sought to balance their botanicals with flavors drawn directly from their surroundings. With a nose of lemon and orange zest, a balanced juniper backbone, and lingering notes of honey and mint on the finish, Seersucker appeals to seasoned gin and vodka drinkers looking to broaden their horizons. "For us, Seersucker has always been a platform to grow the gin category domestically and make it friendlier," Trey says. This April, the Azars took their dedication to approachability to new lengths with the release of their Seersucker Southern Style Lemonade and Limeade, currently available in 13 states. Though the new expressions must be labeled as "flavored" by law, Trey says they avoid the connotation of a sugary, syrupy product by shunning the use of additives in favor of naturally sourced ingredients. That ingredient list is impressively concise for the 70-proof beverages: Seersucker Southern Style Lemonade adds fresh lemon juice and lavender to a Seersucker Gin base, while the Limeade sees the addition of fresh key lime juice and mint. Because of their interest in simplifying home bartending, the Azars always knew they wanted to introduce lemon- and lime-flavored gin to the domestic market. "Anyone can go to a bar and see a professional make an incredible seven-ingredient cocktail, but with the Seersucker Lemonade and Limeade, people can go home and make themselves a great drink with two or three ingredients," Trey says. While their implications for home bartending help the new products excel in off-premise settings, their on-premise potential is also sizable, especially at accounts that aren't heavily craft-oriented or lack juicing programs. "Even the mixologists we've tasted on Lemonade and Limeade have been deeply conflicted about how much they've liked a 'flavored' spirit," Trey says with a laugh. Seersucker Southern Style Limeade A 70-proof treat for the senses. Aromas of fresh-squeezed lime perfume the air. Tingling the palate, a hint of salinity opens up an array of gardenia, lanolin, and honeysuckle. Spearmint lends a clean mouthfeel, while dots of juniper and basil set off to the finish. 92 —M.M. Seersucker Southern Style Lemonade Meyer lemon has never smelled so intriguing—like a sea breeze blowing through a coastal orchard. The zest of the lemon comes forward with the initial sip, blossom- ing into a fruit basket of cantaloupe, Golden Delicious apple, and a spray of white pepper. Dried lavender forms on the finish, changing the landscape to a field of flowers. 93 —M.M. CLOVER CLUB ◗ 2 oz. Seersucker Lemonade Gin ◗ ½ oz. fresh lemon juice ◗ ½ oz. simple syrup ◗ 5 raspberries ◗ 1 egg white Combine and dry shake. Add ice, shake again, and strain straight up.