BOOTLEGGER’S VERSIONS! AND THE CLASSIC COCKTAILS 10 This story began during Prohibition in Charlotte, NC. Frank Ratcliffe, a dapper and handsome young man with a quick smile, recognized a need within the community and sought to fill it. (Okay, let’s face it: he was a bootlegger) But unlike many “moonshiners” of the era, Frank focused on more than just “corn liquor”. He developed his own versions of wine, vodka, rum, whiskey... even brandies. Before he passed away, he buried his knowledge in seven mason jars in a secret location. His lovely wife Velma didn’t know exactly where. We didn’t find them on the first try, or the second... and that’s how we learned that sometimes you just have to dig a little deeper. Now we invite you to enjoy his time-honored recipes. To learn more about Frank Ratcliffe and the Seven Jars, visit our website... www.sevenjarsdistillery .com or better yet, visit us in person at our Charlotte Distillery. sometimes you have to dig a little deeper Our Story... The first use of the name “Old Fashioned” for a Bourbon whiskey cocktail was said to have been at the Pendennis Club, a gentlemen’s club founded in 1881 in Louisville, Kentucky. OLD FASHIONED Ingredients • 1.5 oz Seven Jars Preamble Straight Bourbon Whiskey • 2 tsp simple syrup • 1 tsp water • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters Procedure: Combine water, simple syrup and bitters in a lowball (whiskey glass). Add ice and stir. Add Seven Jars Preamble Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Garnish with cherry and orange slice. Ingredients 1.5 oz Seven Jars Apple Pie Whiskey 2 tsp simple syrup 1 tsp water 2 dashes Angostura Bitters Procedure: Combine water, simple syrup and bitters in a lowball whiskey glass. Add ice and stir. Add Seven Jars Apple Pie Whiskey. Garnish with cherry and orange slice. FRANK’S OLD FASHIONED (A simple substitution of Seven Jars Apple Pie Whiskey transforms this classic into a bootlegger’s favorite!) HISTORICAL ORIGIN 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Many people don’t realize that Mecklenburg County was essentially under Prohibition from 1909 until 1947, a full 25 years longer than it lasted in most of the country. Our Story... MARTINI (Gin & Vermouth) This is one of two classic drinks presented in this book where we don’t have a Seven Jars product as the main ingredient (yet!). However, the Bootlegger’s Version of this classic actually contains TWO versions, each featuring a different Seven Jars Vodka. There are two things to note in the Classic Martini recipe; the ratio of Gin to Vermouth, and whether the Vermouth is truly a “Dry” Vermouth or a “Sweet” Vermouth. One thing that is NOT up for debate is how the drink is served; it must be as cold as possible (thus James Bond’s insistence that his martini be “Shaken, NOT Stirred”) In keeping with the more traditional recipe that was popular during the time frame of the Flamingo Club, we offer the following classic recipe: Ingredients • 2 Oz Gin We prefer Cardinal Gin, made by our friends at Southern Artisan Spirits right here in North Carolina • 1 Oz Dry Vermouth • 1 Dash Angostura OR Orange Bitters (This one is entirely optional) • 1 Green Olive Procedure: Frost a martini glass in the freezer or refrigerator. (alternatively fill martini glass with ice, add water while mixing drink) In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the gin, vermouth and bitters. Shake vigorously until the drink is thoroughly chilled. Pour the ice water out of the martini glass and shake any excess water from the glass. Strain the drink into the martini glass. Garnish with olive and serve. Ingredients 2 oz Seven Jars V odka 1 Oz Dry V ermouth 1 Dash Angostura OR Orange Bitters (This one is entirely optional) 1 Green Olive Procedure: Frost a martini glass in the freezer or refrigerator. (alternatively fill martini glass with ice, add water while mixing drink) In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the Seven Jars V odka, bitters and vermouth. Shake vigorously until the drink is thoroughly chilled. Pour the ice water out of the martini glass and shake any excess water from the glass. Strain the drink into the martini glass. Garnish with olive and serve. VODKA MARTINI Ingredients 2 1/2 Oz Seven Jars Pickleback V odka 3/4 Oz Olive Juice (just the brine from an olive jar) 1 Dash of Dry V ermouth 3 Green Olives Procedure: Same as V odka Martini but garnish with THREE olives instead of one. 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Frank Ratcliffe based his operation out of the Hotel Charlotte, delivering “tax paid” liquor to speakeasies and liquor houses throughout Mecklenburg County Our Story... PICKLED MARTINI This is one you HAVE to try - it will change the way you think about “dirty” drinks. We take the classic Dirty Martini recipe and substitute Seven Jars Pickleback Vodka for the Vodka! The original “Manhattan cocktail” was a mix of American Whiskey, Italian Vermouth and Angostura bitters. During Prohibition (1920–1933) Canadian whiskey was primarily used because it was available. MANHATTAN Ingredients • 1.5 oz Seven Jars Preamble Rye Whiskey • 3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth • 1 dash Angostura Bitters • 2 tsp water • 1 Maraschino Cherry Procedure: Combine bitters, water and cherry in a stainless shaker. Muddle, then add ice. Pour Seven Jars Preamble Rye Whiskey and Vermouth over ice and shake. Strain into a martini or lowball glass. Garnish with cherry. Ingredients 1.5 oz Seven Jars Preamble R ye Whiskey 3/4 oz Sweet V ermouth 2 tsp Honey 1 dash Angostura Bitters 2 tsp water 1 Maraschino Cherry Procedure: Combine bitters, honey, water and cherry in a stainless shaker. Muddle, then add ice. Pour Seven Jars Preamble R ye Whiskey and V ermouth over ice and shake. Strain into a martini or lowball glass. Garnish with cherry. HONEY MANHATTAN HISTORICAL ORIGIN 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Prohibition ended for Charlotte residents in 1947 when the Mecklenburg County ABC Commission was formed. Soon thereafter Frank opened a nightclub in uptown Charlotte at 110 W. Sixth Street, where Discovery Place now stands. The Flamingo Club offered live music, Filet Mignon for $4.50... and a full casino in the upper portion of the building. Our Story... We have a truly FANTASTIC recipe for a Banana Rum. Like all of our products, the banana rum recipe uses real fruit (in this instance bananas, obviously); but real fruit provides a challenge. It absorbs the alcohol, making the end product much lower proof. There are ways around this, but in the instance of banana flavor there is one major impediment: you cannot juice a banana. The banana rum recipe left to us is outstanding, BUT we have not been able to reproduce the flavor, keep the proof where we want it AND not have a good bit of the banana pulp in the rum; so keep in mind that we are still working on this one. In the meantime, this banana daiquiri recipe should hold you banana lovers over. DAIQUIRI A Daiquiri is one of the easiest drinks to make, and our Seven Jars Rum (made from Blackstrap Molasses) provides the perfect base. This classic Daiquiri recipe features our Seven Jars Rum and is easier to make than even the Bootlegger’s variation because it does not require a blender. Nothing wrong with a blender at all, BUT it is true that few, if any of the truly classic cocktail recipes require a blender. Ingredients • 2 oz Seven Jars Rum • 1 Oz fresh lime juice • 1/2 Oz Simple Syrup Procedure: Frost a daiquiri glass in the freezer or refrigerator. (alternatively you can substitute a large martini glass or even a margarita glass) In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the Seven Jars Rum, lime juice and Simple Syrup. Shake vigorously until the drink is thoroughly chilled. Strain the drink into the daiquiri glass. Ingredients 2 oz Seven Jars Rum 1 Large Banana 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1 Oz Simple Syrup Procedure: Add all of the ingredients into a blender. Fill approximately 1/2 way with ice. Blend until smooth, usually about 1 minute. Pour into a tall highball glass and serve. The amount of ice you use will actually dictate how much end product you create; if you fill the blender all the way up with ice, be sure to double the ingredients. BANANA DAIQUIRI Okay, here is one instance where the Bootlegger’s Version truly differs from the classic cocktail in a big way. We still use our elite Seven Jars Rum , but we also break down and use a blender. The original recipe calls for mashing a banana, adding shaved ice and the other ingredients; while you can certainly still do that, virtually everyone has a blender these days, so why not take advantage of it? You will note that this is actually a close cousin to the Pina Colada, but instead of pineapple juice this one uses lime juice, keeping it in the Daiquiri family. SIDE NOTE 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION A young singer named Velma Corey was hired to perform at Frank’s Flamingo Club; after he heard her sing for the first time, they were married within 5 weeks and stayed happily married until his death 27 years later. Our Story... BLOODY MARY Okay, so there are two ways to do this one; you can make it from scratch, or you can buy a mix. If you choose to go with the mix, the recipe is simple; 2 oz of Seven Jars Vodka to 8 oz of mix. (Our all-time favorite in this category is McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix) If you want to make your own, here is the classic formula for success: Ingredients (Bloody Mary Mix) • 2 Oz Seven Jars Vodka (per glass) • 3 Cups Tomato Juice • 3 TBS Lemon Juice • 1.5 TBS Worcestershire Sauce • 1 TBS Prepared Horseradish • 3/4 Tsp Tabasco Sauce • 3/4 Tsp Celery Salt • 1/2 Tsp black pepper (Fresh ground, course is best) Procedure: Mix all ingredients (except Seven Jars Vodka ) into a non-reactive (no aluminum, cast iron or unlined copper) container. Stir vigorously; refrigerate until chilled, preferably overnight. Add ice to highball glass; pour 2 oz Seven Jars Vodka over ice. Fill glass with Bloody Mary Mix. PICKLED MARY (A simple substitution of Seven Jars Pickleback Vodka transforms this classic into a bootlegger’s favorite!) 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Frank’s business drew some unwanted attention. In 1954, he was called as a key witness against Charlotte Police Chief Frank Littlejohn. Among other charges, Littlejohn was accused of corruption for allowing Frank’s casino to operate in Charlotte. Frank refused to testify, taking the fifth amendment, and Littlejohn was acquitted of all charges. Our Story... Ingredients (Bloody Mary Mix) 2 Oz Seven Jars Pickleback V odka (per glass) 3 Cups T omato Juice 1/3 Cup Pickle Juice (ONLY for true pickle lovers - be sure to test without adding pickle juice first) 3 TBS Lemon Juice 1.5 TBS Worcestershire Sauce 1 TBS Prepared Horseradish 3/4 Tsp T abasco Sauce 3/4 Tsp Celery Salt 1/2 Tsp black pepper (Fresh ground, course is best) Procedure: Mix all ingredients (except Seven Jars Pickleback V odka) into a non-reactive (no aluminum, cast iron or unlined copper) container. Stir vigorously; refrigerate until chilled, preferably overnight. Add ice to highball glass; pour 2 oz Seven Jars Pickleback V odka over ice. Fill glass with Bloody Mary Mix. MINT JULEP Frank and Velma both loved horse racing and any list of “Classic” cocktails in their book would not be complete without this thoroughbred! Ingredients • 2 1/2 ounces Preamble Straight Bourbon Whiskey • 5 to 6 Mint sprigs • 2 sugar cubes or 1/2 ounce simple syrup • 2 tsp of water Procedure: There are several secrets to the classic Mint Julep that you need to know: Secret #1: Muddle the mint gently with the simple syrup and water - don’t rip it to shreds. If you use sugar cubes, be sure to take the time to meld them thoroughly with the mint and water – you want the sugar fully dissolved. After muddling add ice. Secret #2: Use cracked (or even shaved) ice – ice cubes are a no-no! After adding the ice, pour the Bourbon over the ice and stir. Garnish with mint if desired. BLUEBERRY MINT JULEP (Utilizing Preamble Straight Bourbon Whiskey, this variation is colorful and a refreshingly flavored Mint Julep!) 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION After the Littlejohn trial, Frank closed the nightclub. Frank and Velma settled down to a “normal” life, but they loved to travel and frequently went to horse races. The Mint Julep is forever identified with the Kentucky Derby, and is a perfect showcase drink for Seven Jars Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Our Story... Ingredients 2 1/2 ounces Preamble Straight Bourbon Whiskey 5 to 6 Mint sprigs 2 sugar cubes or 1/2 ounce simple syrup 2 tsp of water 6 to 8 Fresh Blueberries Procedure: In this instance, the Bootlegger’s version is a simple addition - fresh blueberries. Be sure to muddle the mint first with the sugar then add the blueberries. The idea is to squeeze the juice from the blueberries but not grind them to a pulp. COSMOPOLITAN So there is some credibility to the argument that the Cosmopolitan cannot be considered a “classic” cocktail, certainly not in a list of drinks that were popular in a prohibition era. However, we are including it in this list simply because of the variation! The Strawberry Cosmopolitan utilizes a strawberry shrub, which was very popular during prohibition (and in fact long before that due to lack of adequate refrigeration). SO, even though the Cosmopolitan didn’t really come about until sometime in the 1980’s, when made with Seven Jars Vodka it is so good, and so popular among the ladies that we felt it deserved a place in this collection. Ingredients • 1 1/2 oz Seven Jars Vodka • 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice • 1 dash Cranberry Juice • 1 oz Cointreau • 1 burnt lemon peel Procedure: In a stainless shaker, combine the lime juice, Cointreau, Seven Jars Vodka. Add a dash of Cranberry Juice; fill with ice. Shake thoroughly, chilling the mixture. Pour through a strainer into a Martini glass. Take a peel of lemon rind and while squeezing over the top of the cocktail, lightly singe the lemon peel. Properly done, this produces a flash of flame (be careful not to burn yourself!) that will impress your friends and certify you in their minds as a highly skilled mixologist! For the less daring, you can substitute a lime wheel for the lemon peel! STRAWBERRY COSMOPOLITAN We already admitted that the Cosmopolitan made this list largely due to this variation. Substituting strawberry shrub for cranberry juice is a great way to change virtually ANY drink into something totally new and different. However, when done with a Cosmopolitan, you create something that will have your friends raving about your talent and knowledge - not to mention having them coming back for more! Ingredients 1 1/2 oz Seven Jars V odka 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1 dash Strawberry Shrub 1 oz Cointreau 1 burnt lemon peel Procedure: In a stainless shaker, combine the lime juice, Cointreau, Seven Jars V odka. Add a dash of the strawberry shrub; fill with ice. Shake thoroughly, chilling the mixture. Pour through a strainer into a Martini glass. T ake a peel of lemon rind and while squeezing over the top of the cocktail, lightly singe the lemon peel. Properly done, this produces a flash of flame (be careful not to burn yourself!) that will impress your friends and certify you in their minds as a highly skilled mixologist! For the less daring, you can substitute a lime wheel for the lemon peel! 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Frank leased the former Flamingo Club building to a young restaurateur named George Fine, who opened up a restaurant called The House of Steaks. The House of Steaks was one of the top restaurants in central Charlotte for over 20 years. Mr. Fine moved his restaurant to South Boulevard and renamed it The Beef and Bottle. It remains a top Charlotte restaurant to this day. Our Story... STRAWBERRY SHRUB The topic of Shrub use in cocktails could be the subject of an entire book itself (in fact, it is!). Shrub was a way to preserve many different types of fresh fruit prior to the widespread use of refrigeration. Due to their widespread abundance during season, coupled with the rather short life of the ripe fruit, strawberries were a highly popular fruit to use in a shrub. All shrubs are basically a combination of fresh fruit, sugar and vinegar. The vinegar acts as a preservative and has the added value of being beneficial in many other ways. There are recipes for “cold process” shrub and “hot process” shrub; we prefer the hot process in our shrub preparation. Ingredients • 32 oz Strawberries • 16 oz Sugar in the raw • 16 oz Apple Cider Vinegar (by weight) Procedure: In a large pot over medium heat, warm the apple cider vinegar. Add sugar. Continue to heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add in strawberries, and allow to simmer until the strawberries are soft and mushy. Now comes the tricky part; begin straining the mixture through a series of stainless steel mesh screens. Start with a larger sized mesh, working down. You can strain shrub as little or as much as you want; for a relatively clear liquid strain through a coffee filter in the last stage. We prefer to leave some of the pulp in the shrub, but it is truly optional on your part. Shrub can be stored (without refrigeration) for up to a year. For best results, heat up after straining and pour warm into mason jars; seal and store in a cool, dry place such as your storage pantry. BONUS RECIPE Frank and Velma settled down to raise a family on his farm located “in the country” north of Charlotte. Eventually he built a nine hole golf course known as Paradise Valley Golf Club on the property. Slowly the area began to develop, and UNCC located immediately across the road from Paradise Valley. Our Story... SAZERAC Use Seven Jars Preamble Rye Whiskey to create what is TRULY an American classic cocktail that a lot of people have never tried. The Sazerac originated in New Orleans, and the classic Sazerac is unique in that it uses Peychaud’s bitters - you’ll notice otherwise some similarities to an Old Fashioned in this cocktail. These bitters were created by Antoine Peychaud, a French Quarter pharmacist (who knew pharmacists played such a key role in creating great cocktails!) Ingredients • 2 oz Seven Jars Preamble Rye Whiskey • Absinthe (for rinsing the glass) • 1 Sugar Cube (you can substitute 2 oz simple syrup) • 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters • 3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters • 1 Lemon Peel (for garnish) Procedure: Chill a lowball (whiskey) glass in the freezer. Rinse with absinthe, discarding any remaining absinthe; fill with ice. In a stainless shaker, muddle the sugar and bitters (or simply mix if using simple syrup). Add the Seven Jars Preamble Rye Whiskey, and strain into the lowball glass, pouring over the ice. Twist the lemon peel over the top of the drink, do not stir! Garnish with the lemon peel or discard as desired. Ingredients 2 oz Seven Jars Apple Pie Whiskey Absinthe (for rinsing the glass) 1 Sugar Cube (you can substitute 2 oz simple syrup) 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters 3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters 1 Lemon Peel (for garnish) Procedure: Chill a lowball (whiskey) glass in the freezer. Rinse with absinthe, discarding any remaining absinthe; fill with ice. In a stainless shaker, muddle the sugar and bitters (or simply mix if using simple syrup). Add the Seven Jars Apple Pie Whiskey, and strain into the lowball glass, pouring over the ice. Twist the lemon peel over the top of the drink, do not stir! Garnish with the lemon peel or discard as desired. APPLERAC Made with Seven Jars Apple Pie Whiskey, the Applerac is a flavorful variation on the classic Sazerac that will appeal to a wide variety of tastes. For those who don’t prefer the more spicy, peppery flavor of the Rye in the classic Sazerac, this version will prove to be a welcome change. The cocktail is prepared exactly the same, the only difference is the substitution of the whiskey used. 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Frank died very suddenly in 1977 of an aneurysm. His loss was devastating to the family, especially his wife Velma. But he had left something for them all. Over a year after his death, Velma went to their son, who was still living at home with her, and told him that his father had buried something for them... and that she needed to find it. This plaque is just a couple hundred yards from where the jars were buried which is currently located at the Paradise Valley Par-3 golf course. Our Story... MARGARITA As promised, here is the second classic cocktail that does not use a Seven Jars product. Tequila is not only unique in its flavor (and effects!) it is also something we could not produce even if we DID have a recipe from The Bootlegger. All tequila must come from Mexico, and more specifically produced from blue agave grown in certain regions of Mexico including Tequila and parts of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. By law, any spirits produced from Blue Agave plant outside this region is simply classified as “Blue Agave Spirits”. Yet a classic drink list would be remiss to not include this popular cocktail. Fortunately, the Bootlegger’s variation is actually a popular cocktail in itself, and utilizes our Seven Jars Vodka. Ingredients • 3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice • 1 oz Triple Sec • 1 1/2 oz Blanco Tequila (our personal favorite is Avion) • Kosher Salt • 1 Lime or Lemon Wheel for garnish Procedure: Prepare a lowball cocktail glass by first chilling the glass, then wetting the rim and dipping in the kosher salt. Fill the glass with fresh ice. Add the lime juice, Triple Sec and Tequila together in a stainless shaker, fill with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain into the prepared glass, taking care to not wash the salt off the rim. Garnish with a lime or lemon wheel as desired. Ingredients 1 1/2 oz Seven Jars V odka 3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1 oz T riple Sec 1 Lime or Lemon Wheel for garnish Procedure: Prepare a lowball cocktail glass by first chilling the glass, then fill the glass with fresh ice. Add the lime juice, T riple Sec and Seven Jars V odka together in a stainless shaker, fill with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime or lemon wheel as desired. KAMIKAZE Fortunately, the Bootlegger’s variation is actually a popular cocktail in itself, and utilizes our Seven Jars Vodka Many people are unaware of the fact that this popular drink is actually just a Margarita made with Vodka instead of tequila! There are other slight differences, depending on where you order it though. In some locations, a Kamikaze is served as a shot in a shot glass. Others differentiate the Kamikaze from the Margarita by serving in a martini style glass instead of a lowball glass. Most every version of the Kamikaze deletes the kosher salt rim (as does ours) but that is truly optional. All of the choices are up to you, but we are offering this version as a true variation on the traditional Margarita by simply substituting our Seven Jars Vodka for the tequila. 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS BOOTLEGGER VERSION Velma insisted that they dig at night, so no one would know about the buried “treasure”. After almost 2 years of searching, they found what Frank had buried – seven mason jars, covered in aluminum foil. Inside was his legacy, left to make sure that if his family ever fell on hard times they would have the benefit of his years of experience. Our Story... Ingredients 2 oz Seven Jars Rum 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 1 Sugar Cube (you can substitute 2 oz simple syrup) 8 to 12 FRESH Mint Leaves 2 oz light coconut milk (if desired you CAN substitute coconut water) Club Soda Procedure: In a stainless shaker, muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves. Pour into a highball glass; add ice, then pour the coconut milk and rum over the ice. Gently stir, distributing mint leaves throughout the mixture. Fill remainder of glass with club soda and gently stir again. Garnish with additional mint leaves if desired. 10 CLASSIC COCKTAILS MOJITO When you make this classic with our craft style Seven Jars Rum, you’ll find a delightful, refreshingly simple drink that goes great on any hot summer day! The key to a great Mojito is not only using the right rum, but making sure that the mint is fresh and muddled properly. The idea of all muddling is to gently press the ingredient you are muddling to release the juices and flavors while avoiding bruising or worse grinding up the ingredient so that it becomes “floaters” in the drink. Ingredients • 2 oz Seven Jars Rum • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice • 1 Sugar Cube (you can substitute 2 oz simple syrup) • 8 to 12 FRESH Mint Leaves • Club Soda Procedure: In a stainless shaker, muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves. Pour into a highball glass; add ice, then pour rum over the ice. Gently stir, distributing mint leaves throughout the mixture. Fill remainder of glass with club soda and gently stir again. Garnish with additional mint leaves if desired. COCONUT MOJITO This quick and easy variation on the Mojito uses Seven Jars Rum and natural coconut flavors to add a true tropical taste! We dare you to try one of these and not picture yourself on a beautiful island beach! BTW, the first question we always get here is “What is the difference between Coconut Milk and Coconut Water?” The short answer is coconut milk is processed from the “meat” of a coconut. Coconut “water” is the liquid contained in a green coconut; it is high in potassium and considered by some to be a healthy drink. Coconut milk is actually comprised of coconut cream and coconut water, and may separate out at cooler temperatures. Properly mixed, coconut milk is thicker in texture and actually has a different flavor than coconut water; it is also higher in fat, although it is made up of medium chain triglycerides (in other words NOT animal fat) and therefore some argue that it is actually good for you. SO, you have the best of everything!! BOOTLEGGER VERSION We started Seven Jars Distillery as much to tell the story of Frank and Velma as we did to share the great spirits and recipes we have! Theirs is truly a love story – love at first sight, many years happily married, and Velma finishing out their mission to raise their family after Frank passed away. She joined him in 2013, and we know they are happily reunited now. We hope you have an opportunity to try each of our products, and in doing so perhaps share some of the wonderful life we have enjoyed because of these two very special people and their incredible story. Our Story... Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper www.sevenjarsdistillery .com 6148-A Brookshire Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28216 TOURS Contact us at (704) 919-0278 to schedule a tour at our distillery. 6148-A Brookshire Blvd. • Charlotte NC 28216 MORE RECIPES Check out our recipes page on our website for more fun (and wonderfully creative) drink recipes!” TALES OF THE BOOTLEGGER The history of Frank and Velma Ratcliffe is truly something that rivals any movie you have ever seen - and it is all true. Check out the “Tales of the Bootlegger” Blog for additional stories from Frank and Velma’s History, their amazing story and our efforts to make sure the stories get told through Seven Jars! WHERE CAN I FIND YOU? There are only TWO PLACES where you can buy Seven Jars Products: 1) In our distillery (where you can now buy FIVE bottles per year!) and 2) In your local North Carolina ABC Store. Some North Carolina ABC Stores are not carrying all of our products yet; to help make your life easier, we have created a map so you can see which boards have what products! If you don’t see what you want listed at your local ABC Store, please shoot us a note using the handy form on that page – we will be sure to not only let that Board know you want our products, we will email you when they get them!