Curating the Perfect Cocktail... a Bartender's Passion

Words by Darlene Greene / Photos provided by Old Edwards Inn, Ginger Moseley

What makes the perfect cocktail? The flavors; the style glass in which it’s served; the twist, olive or fruit that decorates it; or the memory the taste evokes which may have you dreaming of that charming bar, fun restaurant or exciting vacation spot again?

Answer: All of the above!!!

Cocktails can be simple, fancy, straight up, over ice with various decorative touches including fancy straws and little paper umbrellas. There are places where, with the purchase of a signature cocktail, you will receive a souvenir glass to take home with you. Wherever your travels take you, you are likely to find a restaurant or bar that has created custom cocktails. And, of course, this often means taking a “classic” cocktail like a martini and adding something else to establish a new taste sensation for their patrons. Other times, the specialty drinks on the menu are truly new, original creations by the bartender or chef.

Years ago, I had the good fortune to meet an extraordinary bartender who has a truly alchemical touch for curating cocktails. Joel introduced me to my very first Chatham Artillery Punch in Savannah’s own Shrimp Factory. Joel made the punch using the original recipe which is enough for a full artillery battalion and their ladies. (You can find a pared-down version of the original recipe in the Spring Issue of The Southern Edge, page 42.) We made it a point to visit Joel at the Shrimp Factory to enjoy his cocktail creations and food recommendations anytime we visited Savannah.

Several years later, Joel relocated to Highlands, NC and is now the Head Bartender at Four65, a wood-fire bistro and bar, part of the Old Edwards Inn & Spa. The menu includes handcrafted wood-fired pizzas, cast-iron sandwiches and fresh salads using ingredients from their own gardens and local growers. In a recent visit, I was able to experience a truly unique libation created by Joel and his former bartending associate, Kevin. A smoked bourbon cocktail infused with fig and vanilla--this delicious cocktail takes 2 months to make and is not on the menu because they can’t make it fast enough to meet the demand. So how did this delicious drink come to be?

Once he joined Four65, Joel had the opportunity to create custom cocktails using local herbs, fruits and spirits whenever possible. Also, by taking advantage of seasonal fruits and herbs, the cocktail menu is ever-changing and offers lots of variety. Using locally sourced ingredients ensures that patrons can experience a taste of the current season as well as the unique flavors of the area.

Since smoked bourbons have become very vogue in the bartending world in recent years, Joel and Kevin wanted to create something that was not only tasty but original. After experimenting with various techniques, Joel and Kevin found a winning combination. Using a Rare 101 proof bourbon from Kentucky, in a very large 5-gallon glass jar, they add fig, vanilla and then fill the jar with smoke from cherrywood. Once the jar is filled with smoke, they seal it and wait. Patience is key. After 2 months of turning the jar daily, the bourbon is infused with the slightly sweet taste of the figs and the warmth of the vanilla and wood smoke. The finished cocktail is then poured over a single square ice cube and finished with chocolate bitters and Luxardo cherries. It is smooth, satisfying and perfect on a cool fall afternoon or winter evening. Due to its popularity, Joel now makes it year-round. Kevin left Four65 this past Spring to pursue another opportunity, but Joel continues to create custom cocktails using the freshly made simple syrups, ginger beers and other mixers he and the staff produce on site. A Moscow mule with Four65’s home-made ginger beer is a treat for your tastebuds. Or try a Rose465, a lovely combination of gin, mint, lemon, peach and sparkling rose.

When asked how he got to this stage of his career, Joel says his love of local ingredients and learning what his customers like is a big part of his inspiration. He truly enjoys meeting people, sharing his craft and introducing new patrons to something they might not otherwise try. Joel is always honored when a patron asks for a specialty drink they have had elsewhere. “Some of my peers find it frustrating when a customer says I had this really great drink on my last vacation, can you make it?,” Joel says with a smile, “but I see it as an opportunity to help someone re-live a happy experience. It is also a challenge to try and re-create what someone describes to me. I love it when I get it right.”

As with anything, great cocktails begin with quality ingredients, and Joel is very proud of the fact that Four65 makes their own mixers and ginger beer from scratch on site using locally sourced produce, herbs, and juices.

Just as the cocktails are carefully curated, the Chef does the same with the menu. “The atmosphere at Four65 has a very Mediterranean feel and the pizzas have a Neapolitan flair,” said Joel. “The dough, the sauces, everything is made from scratch here.”

“Great cocktails, great food and a wonderful atmosphere where our guests feel welcome and comfortable, that is what we work to achieve,” said Joel. “We love what we create here at Four65 and we love sharing it with our guests. Highlands is a great place to live, work or play. Come visit us!”

FOUR65

465 Main Street Highlands, NC

four65.com