Utah Opera's Libretti & Libations Unveils Craft Cocktails Inspired by Mitch Leigh's MAN OF LA MANCHA

Utah Opera and Salt Lake magazine partner for the 3rd annual Libretti & Libations, where art influences life - for at least a drink (or two). Talented mixologists from choice Salt Lake City and Park City restaurants curate artisanal cocktails inspired by the season's opera productions. From January 6 to 29, 2017, 10 participating restaurants will offer expertly-crafted libations inspired by Utah Opera's 2016-17 season opening production of "Man of La Mancha" as a way of infusing food and beverage with the experience of opera. Visit www.utahopera.org/libations for more information.

Salt Lake magazine returns as the media sponsor for the Libretti & Libations season-long event. A social media contest sponsored by Salt Lake magazine will also be held to win a pair of tickets to see "Man of La Mancha" at Capitol Theater, running January 21, 23, 25 and 27 at 7:30 PM and January 29 at 2 PM. Participants can enter by sharing cocktail photos from participating restaurants, utilizing #UtahOperaSips, on Instagram. The winner will be chosen by Salt Lake magazine on January 25. Patrons attending the participating restaurants enjoy the specially crafted spirits will have a chance to read the libretto from the current opera. Libretto refers to the spoken word portion of the opera.

Returning to "Libretti & Libations" are Salt Lake City establishments Bodega, Bambara, BTG Wine Bar / Caffé Molise, Finca, HSL, Pallet Bistro, and Takashi. Newcomer Zest Kitchen & Bar joins the partnership with a tequila reposado, luxardo and chartreuse cocktail created by Brian Udall and Jolly Pust called "Tilting Windmills."

"Our cocktail is a variation of 'the last word' with equal parts of each ingredient," explains Zest manager Casey Stoker. "The substitution of reposado permeates the taste, giving it a dreamy feeling. It's shaken and served up, then topped with Spanish bitters. Just as Quixote's perspective transformed the usual to fantastic, we present you 'Tilting Windmills"."

With its rum and amaro, marmalade and chocolate bitters, Bodega's "Bedlam Joust" is inspired by Don Quixote's jousting match with a windmill he thinks is a dragon. "The cocktail itself is a nod to the overall tones of madness in Miguel Cervantes' story. We combined flavors that we don't see paired often and the result is our own satisfying glass of madness," explains Sous-Chef and Bartender Ryan Santos.

BTG Wine Bar / Caffé Molise's "Carrasco's Cure" has a bitter sweet note thanks to vermouth, Applejack brandy, and lemon juice. "This ought to cure what ails you- inspired by Dr. Carrasco, who eventually cures Alonso Quijana's delusions - this concoction may have done the trick," describes Manager Jesse Garrett.

Bambara's original cocktail, "Smoke and Mirrors," references the illusions and shifting reality of Cervantes' world, denoted by a rye-based drink sweetened by Benedictine, lemon and pomegranate juice, and smoked cherry thyme syrup.

"They Might Be Giants," hand-crafted by Finca's Natalie Hamilton, represents the way in which our hero, Don Quixote views the world, one full of hope. "They Might Be Giants" is a bourbon-based cocktail with notes of allspice, ginger, Moroccan spice and sweetened with blackberry preserves and a hint of lime juice. "This cocktail is an escape to a better place, as sometimes we all need to see things in a different way," said Hamilton. "Don Quixote is famous for his fight against giants, which were 'disguised' as windmills. He's still our hero. Here's to seeing the brighter, more beautiful side of the picture."

Pallet's Bar Manager Bijan Ghiai says "Cervantes' Manuscript" is a pampered version of a Moscow mule with a Spanish influence, shaken, topped with ginger beer and garnished with Peychaud's bitters. "This cocktail has quite a bit going on, from the first sip to the last it is constantly changing and opening up subtle nuances. Similar to the story of Don Quixote, a kind of nutty but refreshing tale," said Ghiai.

Returning to this month's Libretti and Libations is Japanese sushi eatery, Takashi. "Inspired by a recent trip to Spain where gin has reached a cult status and sherry is the stalwart, I combined these two flavors and added our Takashi spin by using the Japanese flavors of Calpico and Yuzu," said General Manager Rich Romney of the "Little Bird" cocktail. "Lastly, I added a bit of cinnamon in reference to the lyrics of 'Little Bird, Little Bird' and also for a depth of flavor."

Park City favorite, Handle, and sister restaurant, HSL (Handle Salt Lake), present two cocktails in tandem for Leigh's "Man of La Mancha." HSL's "El Sancho" is a distinctly Spanish-themed classic with a rye and sherry base. "Sancho Panza was Don Quixote's faithful squire and assistant, I named my drink in honor of him because let's be honest, booze is a great ally in good times or bad," said HSL's Cliff Reagle. "The Spanish sherry with the caraway and Henry DuYores rye make for a great seasonal flavor that will have you tilting your own windmills."

Handle's bartender Sean Palmer created a smoky tequila and mescal drink topped with a toasted orange peel, "The Impossible Dream," after the production's most famous song. "With the base spirits being Spanish, the flavors meld together for a clean, spirit driven experience. A winter warmer for the holiday season," said Palmer.

Upcoming Utah Opera's productions will feature Libretti & Libations craft cocktail partnerships in the month leading up to each performances. Look for the thirst-quenching return of Libretti & Libations with Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" (March 11-19, 2017).

For more information, visit www.utahopera.org/libations.

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