and a secret ingredient. The water is purified Texas rainwater that comes from a 30,000-gallon rainwater collection system at the Kovacses’ home. After a two-week fermentation, the mash is strained and distilled only once, and the finished product is unfiltered. Both moonshines are as smooth as fine-aged whisky. The prickly pear cactus version has an aroma much like tequila, but the taste is of an earthy vodka. The jalapeño ’shine has a definite nose of fresh jalapeño, but there’s very little heat left on the palate as the capsaicin dissipates during the distillation process. Be forewarned, though, the prickly pear cactus moonshine weighs in at 102 proof and the jalapeño version at 80. To showcase their products, the Kovacses purchased the old Comfort Cellars Winery property and renovated the tasting room that’s situated in a charming old home on Comfort’s Front Street. Visitors can taste the straight moonshine, or meander over to the cozy bar and purchase from a selection of mixed drinks made from it. There’s a lounging room adjacent to the bar, with plush leather chairs and couches, as well as outside seating. Tours of the distillery are also available. But the couple feels like they’re just getting started. Moon-
3D mammography is at HCM. 3D technology captures images of the breast from different angles to produce
shines made from Fredericksburg peaches, Medina apples and
a highly accurate picture. This allows
Poteet strawberries are in the works, and they’re developing a
radiologists to see smaller cancers with
line of products they call “dulces” that have a cactus-moonshine
much more detail than a traditional
base mixed with lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit zest, aged for
2D mammogram.
30 days, then strained—it’s their own twist on limoncello. They’re also working in conjunction with several Texas wineries—helping them distill their wines into brandy for use in fortified ports. When asked what the future holds, Cayce says they’ve been amazed by the growth of the craft distillery industry in Texas since the groundbreaking law change in 2013, and they’re very excited to continue to be part of that growth. “We think that we’ve achieved a unique niche within the industry,” she says. “We eagerly look forward to growing our moonshine brand in many new directions.”
Schedule today! HCM BREAST CENTER
(830) 990-6181 Brune Professional Building 808 Reuben St, Fredericksburg hillcountrymemorial.org/bc
A Spoonful of Shopping Helps the Mammogram Go Down The HCM PINK CARD , a discount card from local retailers, will be given to women who receive their annual mammogram at the HCM Breast Center.
Go online for a list of participating vendors. hillcountrymemorial.org/pinkcard
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