As soon as San Antonians get used to sotol, we get slightly cocky. Using the excessive of studying a few new, lesser-known spirit, we neglect it is nonetheless a giant world on the market. Senza Maeso Spirits is bringing sippers again right down to earth — particularly to San Marcos — with a brand new tasting room for his or her propriety spirit.
Senza Maeso (“with out grasp” in a Spanish-Italian hybrid) is constituted of the South American cape gooseberry, a relative of the tomatillo with an analogous paper lantern-like husk. Whereas a tomatillo is massive and tart, a gooseberry is barely in regards to the measurement of a cherry (some might acknowledge it as a gooseberry or a husk cherry) and is nice and almost pineapple flavored.
The gooseberry product is then aged with herbs like damiana and epazote, bottled at a excessive proof, and served by itself or in a cocktail. “The style is shiny, balanced, and sophisticated,” explains the web site, “yielding notes of apricot and citrus, with an herbaceous, bitter end.”
The brand new tasting room opens February 29.Photograph courtesy of Likeness Studio
“It was a lightbulb second after I tried the cape gooseberry (often known as a goldenberry) on the grocery retailer all these years in the past,” mentioned co-founder and COO of Senza Maeso Ryan Gitman in a launch. Gitman introduced the service trade information to the creation, whereas his twin, Jay, dealt with extra of the enterprise facet. “I had been bartending for a while and this was in the course of the (re)start of the trendy cocktail motion after I determined to attempt to make my very personal liquor out of this fruit.”
If that description piques an area’s curiosity, they’ll cease by the Senza Maeso Tasting Room and Bar at 1090 FM 32 — about an hour from downtown San Antonio, and midway between right here and Austin. It’s scheduled to open on Thursday, February 29.
The area will serve straight sips and cocktails inside a 500-square-foot bar and lounge, and out of doors on a 1,200-square-foot lined patio. This very nation outpost is close to Wimberley, maybe probably the most well-known Hill Nation city for nature retreats, so it is smart that the majority of the area is open air, which is on half an acre of land. (Though the city is gathering some very elegant, retro institutions right here and there.)
Ryan Gitman and Jay Gitman are teaming up on the enterprise.Photograph courtesy of Likeness Studio
Extra unique for the world is the inside design by the New York Metropolis-based 71 Collective. A press launch calls it an “amalgamation of science fiction, House Age meets Mad Males.” This James Bondian inside (that additionally appears slightly just like the Pushing Daisies pie store) combines an Artwork Deco ethos with a wealthy green-and-gold colour scheme, plus knickknacks like kinetic sculptures and classic science instruments.
Maybe to stave off sensory overload — however more likely simply because it is cool and enjoyable — secret doorways are promised, in addition to Carl Sagan’s Cosmos collection on a loop within the lavatory. That is the place you will have your oddly nice third-drink existential disaster. Followers of Marfa who love its artsy, up to date edginess within the desert would possibly discover related marvel on this anachronistic pocket of Hill Nation.
Apart from the gorgeous, quirky design, the tasting room will provide “excessive idea and simply approachable” cocktails with house-made and infused vodka alongside different drinks like wine and non-alcoholic choices. Meals vans and weekly leisure are additionally coming sooner or later.
The artwork deco-cool tasting room appears prefer it belongs in Marfa.Photograph courtesy of Likeness Studio
“Our years of expertise, spent working, observing, and studying in associated fields, have paved the best way for Senza Maeso’s creation,” mentioned co-founder and CEO Jay Gitman within the launch. “We have devoted ourselves to perfecting a product that stands out, and we won’t wait to share it with the Central Texas communities as we open our tasting room doorways this February.”
Though the flagship product, Senza Maeso Hybrid Spirit, is not brand-new, it was solely created in 2021 and launched for retail sale in January 2023. The Gitmans had assist from guide Mark Shilling of Revolution Spirits, and the product can now be present in Central Texas at native shops and bars. Most are in Austin, however San Antonians can discover it at Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Meals.
Senza Maeso Hybrid Spirit is bought at a number of native liquor shops.Photograph courtesy of Likeness Studio
Senza Maeso Tasting Room and Bar will open on Thursday, February 29. Starting working hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 1-9 pm, Saturdays from midday to 9 pm, and Sundays from midday to eight pm, with plans to develop from there. Extra details about the spirit and the place to buy it’s obtainable at senzamaeso.com.
