When luck pairs a local meadery with a restaurant that sources only locally grown ingredients and regional wines, something special happens — and it’s quite sweet.
Mead Me at Bistro is a drink inspired by Beacon Meadery in Mattituck, says Robert Salvatico, president and COO of Hotel Indigo East End, which houses Bistro 72, an American restaurant and lounge with a farm-to-table menu ranging from tacos to flatbreads, burgers and seafood. The partnership came about after a chance meeting between executives from Bistro 72 and Beacon Meadery at the Long Island Food Council Summer Celebration, which hosted food and beverage tastings for more than 200 people.
“At Bistro 72, we use local ingredients from Long Island’s East End at any chance, and to work with this start-up for a light and crisp summer cocktail was a perfect match,” Salvatico says.
Mead Me at Bistro is made with Beacon Meadery Raspberry Mead, Deepwells Botanical Dry Gin (produced by Long Island Spirits, a microdistillery in Baiting Hollow), fresh raspberries, lime, and club soda.
“With few ingredients, each flavor can be tasted as they work together for this summertime cooldown,” Salvatico says. “The mead is sweet and a bit thick in texture; paired with gin and club soda it cuts to a fresh and light texture with plenty to dance on your pallet. The muddled fresh fruit adds little bursts of summer and the lime juice adds a zing to accompany the raspberry.”
To make the cocktail, muddle the fresh raspberries with lime. Add the Beacon Meadery Raspberry Mead and Deepwells Gin into a cocktail shaker. Shake and pour over ice in a collins glass. Top with club soda, and garnish with a lime wedge and raspberry.
“This new addition has been well received by guests,” he says. “With the growth in popularity of mead, it grabs attention with its fun name and bright color. Many people visit Long Island’s East End to try new spirits; having mead on the menu absolutely fits into the experience our guests are looking for.”
Bistro 72 is located at 1830 W. Main St. in Riverhead. It can be reached at 631-369-3325 or bistro-72.com
