Paulius Musteikis
Memories of summer linger with the popular Honey Cap.
It’s not too late to catch the last days of warm outdoor seating at Old Sugar Distillery, 931 E. Main St. Open Thursdays through Saturdays, the small area of picnic tables out front lends itself to convivial back-to-school conversation over favorites like the Honey Cap.
Made with Old Sugar Factory Honey Liqueur and splashed with additional honey and lime, it’s something like a sweet Brazilian Caipirinha (normally made with cachaça, a cousin to rum). The drink goes down mighty easily, and it’s possible to forget that the smooth, honeyed concoction with just a hint of acidity even contains alcohol. But the Honey Liqueur — made with Midwest-sourced dark brown beet sugar — clocks in at 80 proof, producing a heady drink.
But if you’re already embracing the chill rather than savoring the remaining light, the Fall Special conjures the world of orchards, hayrides and corn mazes. Made from Cane & Abe Rum, Reed’s Spiced Apple Cider Brew and a dash of cinnamon, this combination was once properly called a Stone Fence. In the colonies, the combination of rum and cider was the most popular drink. Every farm had an orchard and rum was the currency of the early cash-strapped economy. At Old Sugar, this American heritage drink is updated with a satisfying, ginger-y kick.
