[fraise fizz]

1 Strawberry
1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1/4 oz Benedictine
1 1/2 oz Landy Cognac VS

Muddle strawberry with the spirits, add ice, and shake. Double strain into a wine glass and top with 2 oz of Berkshire Brewing's Ale. Twist an orange peel over the top and discard.

For my last beverage at Lineage, I asked bartender Ryan Lotz if he had any ideas for a drink containing a sparkling wine or beer float. He thought for a moment before retreating to the kitchen to fetch a strawberry. When he returned, he reached for the Maraschino liqueur and explained how he likes to muddle seasonal fruit with it for it makes certain flavors pop out more. When the drink was strained, I was not quite expecting beer to be the float of choice here, but Ryan had it all worked out. The drink began with a strawberry aroma that was supplemented by a little Maraschino. A smooth berry sip was supplemented by the beer's malt flavors. Next, the swallow presented the Maraschino, Benedictine, and ale's hops notes and the strawberry reappeared as a pleasing aftertaste. As the drink warmed up, the Benedictine began to take a larger role in shaping the drink's profile. Later, Ryan explained that the pairing of Benedictine and beer was as flavor enhancing as the strawberry and Maraschino and that the Cognac was there as a common ground for it worked with each of the other ingredients.