Spirits from Bridgeport’s Fifth State Distillery were showcased at several Fairfield County events in February and March. Fifth State Distillery Owners and Co-founders Bridget and Rob Schulten hosted a cocktail class with Chef Katie McKeon at the Westport Farmers’ Market in February. The Bridgeport-based distillery presented a donation to Lori Cochran-Dougall, Executive Director, Westport Farmers’ Market, during the occasion. Then, on March 3, Fifth State hosted a Bloody Mary Bar at the Farm to Barn Brunch at the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan. Guests enjoyed a brunch made with seasonal and local ingredients from New Canaan Farmers Market vendors and a Bloody Mary cocktail featuring Fifth State Simply Celery Vodka and Premium Vodka with their own added garnishes. Fifth State’s ready-to-serve cocktails—which include Espresso Martini, Bee’s Knees, Chocolate Old Fashioned and the new White Negroni—were showcased at the Taste of Stamford at Harbor Terrace on March 21. Founded by the Schultens, the award-winning Fifth State Distillery spirits uses Connecticut-grown, non-GMO corn to make its many gins, whiskeys, vodkas and liqueurs. Products include Fifth State Gin, Seville Gin, Vodka, Ginger Zap Vodka, Simply Celery Vodka, Wonderful Water Nutmeg Liqueur, Limoncello and CT Maple Whiskey, among them. The brand is self-distributed across Connecticut.

Photos courtesy of Bridget Schulten, Fifth State Distillery.