The locavore movement has added a new group of devotees to their following….mixologists! Today what is freshest and at its seasonal flavor peak holds great interest for not only chefs and their culinary staff but also for professional bartenders working towards building their own creative reputation and a local following for their establishment.

You’ve heard of “Farm to Table,” but now make room for “Farm to Bar,” as menus pop up with increasing regularity in many urban centers across the country. Cocktails now feature fruit and vegetable purees and syrups that deliver a vivid punch of flavor that go far beyond the frozen strawberries once used to make a strawberry daiquiri or the canned tomato juice that was the base for a Bloody Mary mix. Depth and dimension from herbs and spices like lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger are becoming the norm, and artisan or handcrafted vinegars and bitters are also being leveraged to produce unique, and in some cases exotic, flavor combinations.

If you are searching for a “Farm to Bar” experience in your city or town and find the choices are limited, just stop in your local TGIFriday’s and check out their new signature cocktail specials. What a surprise to see a vodka and elderflower cooler that has fresh basil muddled into the glass prior to the addition of the liquid ingredients. Great experimentation and creativity is happening at the front of the house, as well as the kitchen, so a seat at the bar can be very educational, as well as entertaining!