In July, The Plaza Hotel (in New York) unveiled a new signature drink, the POMONA. The drink was created to further promote The Plaza’s ‘100-Mile Menu’.

The POMONA is a locavore creation; made only from ingredients hailing from the 100-mile area surrounding New York City. The cocktail includes American Fruits’ Black Currant Cordial, Lieb Family Cellars Blanc de Blanc, and locally produced honey. The signature drink was fittingly named the POMONA for the Roman goddess of abundance and orchards. A statue of POMONA actually adorns the fountain outside The Plaza’s main entrance.

The concept of the 100-Mile Menu is a culinary movement that marries seasonal fare with elegant style. It’s all about using what’s around you, taking advantage of local producers and seasonal ingredients. “the market’s shift toward an interest in sustainable, green weddings inspires catering that is seasonal, local and always delicious. With fresh, organic ingredients, the 100-Mile Menu is the synthesis of robust flavor and modern dining and we’re thrilled to complement our menu with this new cocktail. Pomona, the Goddess of Orchards and Abundance, is surely pleased,” said Liz Neumark, partner, CPS Events at The Plaza.

-bryan

Mentions:
American Fruits (www.wvwinery.com)
Set on 60 acres of pristine orchards and farmland just 50 miles from Manhattan, Warwick Valley Wine Co. is the operator of New York’s first fruit distillery . American Fruits’ Black Currant Cordial is an infusion of locally grown organic black currants and their own distilled grape spirit. The resulting liqueur has fresh, supple currant, honey and jam notes. According to Chardin, “Black currants are very much associated with the state of New York. Until recently, it was illegal to plant the black currant bush anywhere in the country. A New York man named Greg Quinn spearheaded a campaign to have the law repealed and now makes a line of terrific currant juices in the Hudson River Valley area that have great color, flavor and health benefits. This beautiful fruit has made its way into locally produced liqueurs that are the perfect match for the Plaza’s POMONA.”

Lieb Family Cellars (www.liebcellars.com)
The Lieb Vineyard is widely recognized for producing a stellar line of still wines. This multiple award-winning bottling was named one of America’s Best Sparkling wines by Wine Spectator and will be the main ingredient for the POMONA. This hand-crafted Blanc de Blancs made (not from Chardonnay as in France) from locally grown old-vine Pinot Blanc, planted in 1983, spends three years on its lees and is disgorged in small lots to assure a fresh crisp and vibrant finish with apple, honey and citrus flavors. “Leib Vineyard and CPS Events are a natural fit for one another because of our strong commitment to local, sustainable products. Bringing sustainability to the catering industry is important and I’m thrilled to be working with CPS Events at The Plaza to help redefine the catering experience at the legendary Plaza hotel,” said Gary Madden, general manager, Lieb Family Cellars.

Local Honey by the Bees of Ray Tousey:
Hand-gathered Local Honey Syrup will complete the drink with the sweet and complex flavors of the Hudson Valley. For more than 20 years, Ray Tousey of Clermont, N.Y. has been producing unique honey and beeswax products on his family’s 50-acre Hudson Valley Farm, formally an apple orchard. Tousey now dedicates his time to honey production, growing black currants and blending these two ingredients to distill an estate-bottled Cassis.