Make the simple syrup ahead of time by combining 1 cup sugar with 2 cups boiling water. Or save yourself some time and buy Keep It Simple syrup. Stir to incorporate and place into the refrigerator to cool. This should be made a day before and will last 7 days if kept cool in a sealed container. BRITTANY NICOLE JONES Jones is co-owner of One for the Road, a Richmond-based mobile cocktail bar serving at weddings and other events and consulting for beverage programs. JOSH EVANS Roman Holiday ▷ 2 OZ. BELLE ISLE RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT MOONSHINE (RICHMOND) ▷ 1 OZ. APEROL LIQUEUR ▷ 1 OZ. VERMOUTH DE CHAMBÉRY ▷ 1 OZ. FRESH LIME JUICE ▷ ½ OZ. SIMPLE SYRUP ▷ 2 OZ. TONIC ▷ 1 FRESH LIME WHEEL FOR GARNISH "As soon as I heard about the Behind the Bar follow-up for local cocktails, I immediately thought of Reservoir Distillery. I reached out to Reservoir and they immediately scheduled a tour and tasting with me. I am so incredibly excited about what they're doing. "I've chosen to use their Hunter & Scott Bourbon Whiskey for my local cocktail. Hunter & Scott was their answer to bartenders wanting a whiskey they could mix in a cocktail without the guilt of using their premium bourbon, rye or wheat whiskies. The building where Reservoir distills and ages their brown water was once home to the 7UP bottling plant. The label design of Hunter & Scott pays homage to the original bottling line's electrical panels, so I wanted to pay my respects by incorporating the fresh lemonlime soda into my local cocktail." The Fresh Up Fizz ▷ 2 OZ. HUNTER & SCOTT BOURBON WHISKEY (RICHMOND) ▷ ¾ OZ. LEMON ▷ ¾ OZ. 7UP OR LEMON-LIME SODA REDUCTION ▷ BASIL LEAF ▷ EGG WHITE ▷ BASIL SPRIG FOR GARNISH Add ice to a double highball glass (10 oz.) and build the cocktail in order of ingredients as listed. Stir, then garnish with the fresh lime wheel. Quadruple the recipe if you're looking to serve from a pitcher or punch bowl. A pro tip is to keep your larger batch cool in the refrigerator, and when ready pour or ladle into glasses filled with ice. Use this method rather than filling your serving vessel with ice so your drinks will not become watered down and lose their zip. BRITTANY NICOLE JONES SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2018 19