The Fantastical Spirits of Matchbook Distilling, Tuesday December 1

Eight-thousand pounds of blood oranges, hand-cut and macerated in gin. A boatload of pineapples smoked in an earthen pit to create a wild fruit eau de vie. Two tons of strawberries distilled and blended with strawberry wine and botanicals. Eighteen-hundred pounds of Long Island sunchokes roasted in burlap sacks and fermented with honey and champagne yeast.

These are just a few of the alchemical experiments Matchbook Spirits out of Greenport, NY has undertaken on its dreamy slice of Long Island. On Tuesday December 1, we'll welcome founder and distiller Leslie Merinoff in to launch her singular portfolio in New Orleans with her entire core lineup including Late Embers Sunchoke Honey spirit, Ritual Sister smoked pineapple spirit, Daytrip Strawberry Amaro, Elsewhere Blood Orange Aperitivo + more. Expect martinis, spritzes, and a master-class level amount of knowledge from Merinoff herself.

As a former cocktail book writer and disenchanted recipe tester, it's difficult to convey the level of enthusiasm I have about Matchbook and its fantastical yet deeply intuitive spirits. For years, I've been watching from afar as Merinoff toils in literal tons of bumper crop carrots, wades through discarded whey from a local goat farm, and puzzles through koji strains—all to create some of the most stunning spirits you'll taste on this earth. We will be the FIRST shop to welcome these spirits into New Orleans and the only to carry the entire core lineup, perfect timing for holiday gifting. The evening includes tasting, a light spread of snacks, and 10% off all bottles featured on the tasting.

BONUS: If you join wine club, you receive 10% off all ticketed events at the shop (limit 2 tickets per event).