Bet you didn’t know Ben Franklin had a bit of a green thumb. Well, neither did we, until we read the story behind RHUBY, Art in the Age’s new organic 80-proof spirit. On the heels of the Philadelphia-based company’s success with its other innovative spirits, ROOT and SNAP, RHUBY has a story that dates back to 1771, when Franklin brought rhubarb seeds back from Europe for the first time, giving them to his friend, John Bartram. The duo apparently whipped up a tea using the harvested rhubarb, vegetables, herbs and spices. RHUBY harkens back to that recipe with its pleasantly complex combination of distilled rhubarb, beets, carrots, lemons, petitgrain, cardamom, pink peppercorn, vanilla, cane sugar and other distilled ingredients. With its sweet, slightly tart vegetable notes and mild spicy kick, RHUBY goes well with herbs, honey and tonic. Muddle thyme, basil and mint leaves in a highball glass with a teaspoon of honey and some ice. Add two parts RHUBY and a dash of bitters, then top with tonic water and a slice of lemon. $32.99 at Premium Collection Wine & Spirits stores.
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