Did you follow along with Discover Albany Education & Heritage Coordinator Maeve McEneny for the "Spirit of Albany" Facebook Live series? She told tales of the Prohibition era while some of Albany's top spirits & cocktail experts whipped up drinks inspired by this fascinating time in history. Keep reading for cocktail recipes and details on the craft beverages featured in the Facebook Live video series.

 

Spirit of Albany Speakeasy 518

Speakeasy 518

Speakeasy 518 Manager Emmanuel Treski expertly mixed up two cocktails, regaled viewers with fun facts about Prohibition and spoke about the fun events hosted at the downtown Albany venue. Watch the Facebook Live here! 

Applejack Flip (predates in the late 1690s)

  • 2.5 oz applejack
  • .50 oz gomme (gum) syrup
  • 1 whole egg

Method of preparation: Shake all ingredients with ice for no less than eight seconds and no more than 12 seconds. Get rid of the ice you shook the cocktail with. Shake again for as long as you want to, but for at least a minimum of eight seconds. Strain cocktail slowly into a glass to not break the meringue that you formed with the second shake. Garnish with fresh nutmeg. 

Jack Rose 

  • 2 oz applejack 
  • 1 oz lime/lemon juice 
  • .75 oz grenadine (preferably made in house)

Method of preparation: Shake for no less than eight seconds no more than 12 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry or lime wheel. 

 

Nine Pin Spirit of Albany

Nine Pin Cider

Nine Pin Cider Founder Alejandro del Peral joined Maeve in Washington Park to celebrate Nine Pin Cider's one year anniversary of planting Albany’s Urban Orchard and to discuss Prohibition's impact on the cider industry. Watch the Facebook Live here!

Nine Pin Two Spies

Nine Pin's "Two Spies" is a small batch cider that can purchased exclusively at the tasting room in Albany's Warehouse District. This cider is a blend of New York Northern Spy and Spigold apples harvested from Samascott Orchards. It was fermented with a white wine yeast producing a rich hard cider with bright apple notes, a complex body and a clean finish. Both of the apple varieties are historically old and especially the New York Northern Spy variety would have been grown before Prohibition. 

 

Spirit of Albany Albany Distilling

Albany Distilling Company

Albany Distilling Company Co-owner Rick Sicari discussed Albany's first distillery since Prohibition and crafted a Prohibition-inspired cocktail. Watch the Facebook Live here!

Manhattan (with a twist!)

  • 2 oz Ironweed Bourbon 
  • 1/2 oz amaro
  • 1/2 oz cherry simple syrup
  • Dash of orange bitters
  • Finish off with an orange twist

 

Spirit of Albany Amber Ale

CH Evans Brewing at the Albany Pump Station

Albany Beer Historian Crag Gravina, CH Evans Brewing at the Albany Pump Station Head Brewer Sam Pagano and Maeve stopped at  Lost & Found Bar & Kitchen to celebrate the tapping of the 19th Century Albany Amber Ale. Watch the Facebook Live here!

19th Century Albany Amber Ale

The 19th Century Amber Ale is the latest collaboration between Craig Gravina and Sam Pagano. This ale is a recreation of a mid 1850’s amber that was once brewed right here in Albany! Brewed with 100% NYS malt, this brew is chewy and full of malt flavor while still maintaining maximum drinkability at 4.8% abv. Drink it on tap at Nine Pin Cider, Lost & Found, the Albany Pump Station and more while supplies last.