Two James’ Laura Finlay has been with the distillery for about 10 months now. She started last November and has seen the Corktown tasting room grow immensely. Her drink recipes are regularly featured on the bar’s menu and she’s especially proud of the Flibbertigibbet, a gin drink that’s become a staple at Two James. Word is Esquire will be focusing on that cocktail when they visiting the distillery in a couple weeks.
When Laura's not crafting cocktails for the bar's loyal patronage or media outlets, she splits her time between her band, an electronic pop duo called Sleepless Inn and doing yoga at Be Nice, a philosophy-based studio that's located above the Majestic on Woodward in Detroit. You can catch her performing at P.J.'s Lager House on Oct. 5.
When we popped in on a busy Wednesday afternoon, Laura served us a Turn to Stone — and, yes, the drink's name is a cheeky reference to the ELO song. The cocktail will likely remain a featured drink throughout the fall, and with a bourbon base and some maple syrup it's as savory as it is tasty.
Drink Recipe: "Turn to Stone"
2 ounces Bourbon • 3/4 ounce peach nectar
1/2 ounce maple syrup • 1/4 ounce rosemary
1/4 ounce lemon
Build in a shaker with ice, shake over rocks in a rocks glass, garnish with rosemary.
