Spill the Mar'TI'ni (4 of 6)

read the intro first

Joe Shirghio, Bowen House Dallas

Twig & Berries: 1.5 ounces Ransom Old Tom Gin, 1.5 ounces Carpano Antica, .5 Luxardo, 2 dashes Fee Brothers Walnut Bitters. Stir, "serve in a coupe, or Nick & Nora, whichever you have handy" - Joe Shirghio, garnish with a luxardo cherry.

​Where are you from?
*phew* I'm a military brat. Not really from anywhere. Most of my childhood was spent in California. Texas is home.
But really, where are you from?
I mean I have spent equal time on the east coast, west coast, and Texas. Born in Pennsylvania. I really don't know where I'm from.

What cocktail are you making today?
It's based on a Martinez, a small riff. I call it the Twig & Berries.
Do you want me to talk about the cocktail? I didn’t know if it was part of the thing. My riff is a little more fall driven, Ransom is finished in wine barrels, already less botanical than most gins. Back in the day I wasn’t inspired by drinks; I would come up with drink names and then make cocktail recipes to go with them.

If this isn't what you see when you walk in the front door of Bowen House, may I recommend you walk out so you can walk back in and give it another go? This little spot at the end of the bar is Joe's home within a home when he's managing the floor at Bowen. And the corner behind him? That seems to be Mary Bowen's epicenter for haunting. Ask Joe about the supernatural events the next time you're in, and if I'm there I'll corroborate the story 100%!

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Who makes the best bar guest?
Their name? Or what kind of person? Um…. Wow… *blinks* *blinks again* *looks up at the sky* This is a really hard question. I would say the perfect bar guest is someone who knows and is confident in what they want but also willing to engage and discuss their beverage. I don’t’ really need someone that talks a lot. Just have a good time.
….and talk to your neighbors. 
….and stay off the phone.

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The front porch of the historically preserved Bowen House is a favorite place to relax, soak up a little sun, and sip something cold.

Can you make me laugh?
*giggles* (like a school girl) If you ask nicely. *blushes* *smiles* Why do seals swim in salt water?
​Why? Because pepper water makes them sneeze.

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Why does everybody love Joe? To be honest, it's impossible to not love Joe. He's honest and hard-working. He's a master of hospitality, probably improving to a dangerously fierce degree after working with one of the most hospitable bar owners in Dallas, Pasha Heidari, for half a decade.  He's a cocktail genius with an affinity for vermouth and botanically based flavors. And he's never met a stranger.