Carolyn Fath
I’m almost embarrassed to say how long it took me to discover the Old Sugar Distillery.
I had seen its products — namely the Old Sugar Factory Honey Liqueur — on local cocktail menus for years, but it wasn’t until last summer that I ventured over to the unassuming location at 931 East Main St.
It quickly became a go-to spot thanks to a confluence of qualities — cool ambiance, ample seating, shockingly reasonable prices and one of those rare cocktail menus that can please everybody in the group. And the snacks are good too.
The bartenders at Old Sugar have a knack for blending unexpected ingredients, like a martini with grappa or an old fashioned with kombucha. But perhaps the most inventive take on a classic is the Gringo. On the menu, it’s described as “better than a White Russian” — a statement that is true in every way.
Instead of thick and heavy, the Gringo is light and refreshing, perfect for sipping in any season. It has one of their simplest recipes — horchata (Mexican rice milk) and honey liqueur topped with freshly grated cinnamon and nutmeg. The 80-proof liqueur makes it plenty boozy too, but the honey makes it go down easy.
