Good JuJu and a Day at Treaty Oak Distilling

Cocktails get the best names. – Bee’s Knee’s, Salty Dog, Good JuJu. What? Never heard of the Good JuJu gin cocktail? Well, you’re missing out. But, not to worry, I’m about to hook you up. I just discovered it a few weeks ago when I went to visit Treaty Oak Distilling just outside Austin, Texas in a town called Dripping Springs. There, I got to sip on a Good JuJu gin cocktail while touring the distillery. The very nice folks at Treaty Oak were kind enough to share the recipe with me.

The 28-acre ranch that Treaty Oak Distilling calls home not only houses the distillery but also the Rickhouse, a large covered patio bar serving beer and cocktails, and The Cocktail Lab, a cocktail lounge serving handcrafted artisan cocktails. Dining options include the BBQ Pit serving up favorites like brisket, pulled pork or smoked turkey sandwiches and tacos, and Alice’s Restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant serving amazing food in a relaxed atmosphere.

My sister called the ranch “an amusement park for adults without the rides but with really good drinks”. Given that the ranch also offers live music, a kids’ play area, plenty of seating among the live oaks and a few acres to run around, I would say this place is an amusement park for all ages. Of course, no cocktails for the kids.

We started our visit with a distillery tour which was led by Jason, former geologist now brewer at Treaty Oak. Not only is he very knowledgeable about the spirit making process, as you would expect, he really loves what he does and he’s passionate about the product he helps produce.

Honestly, everyone we met at the distillery seemed to love what they do and were genuinely happy to be part of the team.

After the tour, we sampled their line-up of gins and whiskeys in the tasting room. I’ve always considered myself to be a vodka cocktail drinker but I’m quickly becoming a gin cocktail convert after tasting their gins. I’m half-way through my bottle of Waterloo No. 9 Gin and wishing I had bought more.

Since the weather was so beautiful the day we were there, we chose to sit outside under the oak trees to enjoy the live music.  In warmer weather, I could see spending the afternoon under the giant fans in the Rickhouse while enjoying cocktails.

We ordered the Sip, … Slide, No Diggity, and Can I Kick It, all expertly made by Margaret.  

The Sip, … Slide was made with Waterloo No. 9 gin, prickly pear juice, cucumber, and matcha green tea tincture. It’s crisp and refreshing, perfect for sipping all day, and was my favorite.

No Diggity, made with Waterloo Old Yaupon gin, dehydrated spiced pineapple, orange, and ginger apple, was slightly warmer than the Sip, … Slide but still fairly light.

 The Can I Kick It, made with Ghost Hill whiskey, lavender honey, egg white, and cold brew, was probably the most adventurous of the three we ordered. My sister liked it so much she ordered a second one.

From the cocktail lab, we moved to Alice’s Restaurant. The restaurant had recently completed a major overhaul with not only a new interior but also a new head chef who revamped the entire menu to offer more elevated dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Tasting the food you would never have guessed that the restaurant had only just re-opened a few weeks before.

Everything was on point. To start, I had the pickled beet and arugula salad with tarragon vinaigrette. My husband had the rabbit confit and my sister ordered the roasted cauliflower soup. All three starters were good but we were all wanting more of that soup. For entrees, my sister and I ordered the chicken fried steak and my husband had the shrimp and grits. They were all excellent.