Craft beer and cocktail bars are ubiquitous in any cultural hub and permeate downtown spaces nationwide. Whiskey is a prominently featured spirit inside the latter, setting the stage for other mono-spirit venues. Tucson has a very well-developed whiskey scene, largely thanks to Whiskey Del Bac being an incomparable monolith of flavor and historical significance. However, some burgeoning spots in Tucson offer interesting alternative beverage selections, like Elliot’s on Congress with their infused vodkas. A relatively new face on the scene that adds a wealth of botanical and esoteric flavors is the gin bar, Juniper. Named for a key component of their mother spirit, gin, Juniper has a wholly unique collection of gins from around the world.
“We landed on gin because there was nothing else like it. And also gin is the oldest spirit in the world,” says Elliott Morse, the general manager of Juniper. He possesses a wealth of knowledge about gin and is enthusiastic about sharing his love and understanding of the liquor. “It has to be fun. It has to be fun on both sides.” While the drinks speak for themselves, the folks behind the bar responsible for the craft are trained rigorously before they begin to bestow the gin-tastic drinks for real. “To work at Juniper requires about a month and a half worth of training. We [have] the largest cocktail menu in Tucson, by at least ten items, and my bartenders are expected to understand the bottles in the back bar.”
Morse adds that besides being knowledgeable about the drinks, they strive to be kind, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone and every taste. “We endeavor to be nicer than every other bar…” That accommodating nature trickles down into the alcohol selection. Despite being a gin bar, they have a collection of other traditional spirits and some non-alcoholic options to accommodate just about everyone’s taste. “If somebody wants to come in here and get a vodka soda, we’re gonna happily serve them a vodka soda because we want them to feel included.”
Upon guests’ entry, they will experience a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The intimate room is not claustrophobic thanks to the vaulted ceilings and protruding window seats. The exposed brick walls—which retain some of the previous business’s painted names and cool color scheme—lend themselves to the bar’s elevated, elegant, yet inviting theme. The bar is located in the former home of Juniper’s parent company, Iron John’s Brewing Company’s taproom on Congress. Morse says of the relationship between Juniper and Iron John’s, “Iron John’s Brewing Company is owned by some of the most diligent, hard-working entrepreneurs that I have had the privilege to work with. They not only let us make decisions creatively, really, across the board, but they’re also here to solve the problems that we don’t necessarily know how to solve.” The work from both ends of the partnership is apparent and is undoubtedly a cornerstone in their mutual success.
Morse, along with Kellner Brown and Stuart Lauer, have put in some serious legwork to become the curators of Arizona’s most extensive gin collection. They make full use of their catalog in their signature cocktails that run the gamut from traditional gin and tonics to some truly original, inspired concepts. One of their signature drinks, aptly named Blue Juniper (seen on page 15), is an excellent first step into the aromatic and vibrant world of gin drinks. Its striking blue color and complex flavor profile make it a bar staple, thanks to the house-made prickly pear syrup and Juniper Gin that gives it the eponymous color. Another patron favorite is the Strawberry Basil Smash. This bright and refreshing drink is on the simple side; however, it is routinely on the top end of sales. Something more unorthodox and rewarding for the adventurous palates is the Oaxacan Cold Brew Negroni. While the Strawberry Basil Smash and Blue Juniper incorporate more “traditional” gins, the Negroni uses a gin derived from agave called Gracias A Dios. This distinctive spirit is the foundation that holds together the Aztec Chocolate Bitters, Campari, Carpano Antica Vermouth, and St. George Nola Coffee Liqueur. It all comes together in a wonderous concoction finished with an elegant orange twist.
The influence of this relatively fresh face on Downtown Tucson is still growing, but it has already made itself a staple of the scene. The charismatic craftspeople behind the bar, the charm of the aesthetics, and the comprehensive list of flavors offered make Juniper an excellent addition of flair to the city. It stands out in a diverse and vivacious list of must-visit places in Tucson, an internationally recognized City of Gastronomy.
written & photographed by: isaac stockton
juniper | 222 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701
Be the first to comment