Business & Tech

10 Middletown Restaurants Host Moonshine on Main Cocktail Crawl

Ten restaurants and a cupcake shop on Main Street in Middletown will take part in the city’s first Moonshine on Main cocktail crawl.

The cocktail crawl, which will take place from April 19 through Memorial Day, May 27, will feature Connecticut-made Onyx Moonshine cocktails designed by the resident mixologists of Middletown’s finest restaurants and bars.

In addition to the cocktails, NoRA Cupcake Company, winner of many recent accolades, has designed an Onyx Moonshine-soaked cupcake called the Jamaican Moon.

Onyx Moonshine co-founder, and Middletown native, Adam von Gootkin’s family owned the renowned Chafee’s Hotel on Court Street in Middletown, which was reputed to operate a speakeasy during prohibition.

“After exactly 80 years, Connecticut Moonshine has returned to Middletown,” von Gootkin said. “We hope this cocktail crawl will attract people from across Connecticut to see how Middletown has revitalized its Main Street, and has attracted some of the greatest bars and restaurants around. And of course, the moonshine cocktails are out of this world.”

Patrons are invited to explore Main Street and enjoy local Connecticut Moonshine in uniquely designed cocktails that complement the restaurant’s menus. They are also invited to vote for their favorite cocktail by visiting the online poll located at: facebook.com/onyxspirits. The restaurant with the most popular cocktail will win a ‘Moonshine on Main’ Cocktail Crawl trophy.

Restaurants include:

The individual creations, all personalized by restaurant and using moonshine are:
  • Eli Cannon’s (Created by Eli’s): Eli’s Pale Moon-Rita — Onyx Moonshine, Eli’s 19th Anniversary Ale, RIPE Agave Margarita Mix, Sugar Lemon Zest Rim, and a Candied Ginger Garnish. 
  • Esca Restaurant and Wine Bar (Created by Sarah Reed): Green Moon Tea  — Onyx Moonshine, Fresh Muddled Lemon and Thyme, Crop Organic Meyer Lemon, Zen Green Tea Liqueur, Ginger Syrup, Club Soda, and a Lemon Garnish. 
  • First and Last Tavern (Created by Marc Galanto and Amy Butterworth): Onyx Lemon Drop Martini — Onyx Moonshine, Limoncello, Fresh Lemon Juice, Sugar Rim, and a Lemon and Swedish Fish Garnish.
  • Forbidden City Bistro (Created by Mario): Onyx Pear Martini — Onyx Moonshine, Caramel Vodka, Pear Liqueur, Pear Nectar, Ginger Honey, and a Rim of Chinese Spices and Sugar.  
  • Iguana Ranas Taqueria (Created by The Martinez Family): Desert Mirage — Onyx Moonshine, Prickly Pear, Mango Puree, Aloe Vera, Splash of Lemon Lime Soda, and a Mango and Prickly Pear Garnish. 
  • Keagan’s Irish Pub (Created by Bubba and Wally): Keagan’s Punch — Onyx Moonshine, Midori, Pineapple Juice, Sprite, and a Cherry Garnish.
  • Krust Pizza Bar (Created by Kevin Wirtes): Onyx Apple Pie — Onyx Moonshine, Apple Cider, Hot Licks Cinnamon Bourbon, Hell Fire Bitters, Ginger Beer, and an Apple Slice Garnish. 
  • La Boca Mexican Restaurant (Created by Alana Campanelli): Watermelon Crush — Onyx Moonshine, Watermelon Pucker, Lemonade, Club Soda, Sugar Rim, and a Watermelon Garnish. 
  • Mezzo Grille (Created by Tyler Maxwell): Basil Blast — Onyx Moonshine, Onyx Moonshine, Muddled Basil and Lime, Agave Nectar, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Sour, Club Soda, and a Basil Garnish. 
  • NoRA Cupcake Company (Created by The NoRA Team): Jamaican Moon — Chocolate Rum Cake Filled with Coffee Butter Cream, Soaked with Onyx Moonshine, and Topped With a Chocolate Whip Cream and a Kahlua Vanilla Whip Cream. 
  • Tuscany Grill (Created by Ruth Shea): The Peach Pie — Peach and Vanilla Bean Infused Onyx Moonshine, On the Rocks, Cinnamon Sugar Rim, and a Peach Slice Garnish Soaked in Onyx Moonshine.
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