A few weeks ago, UrbanGlass was invited to participate in the Day of Glass during Intersect Chicago, a virtual art fair replacing SOFA Chicago for the 2020 edition due to COVID-19. The fair focused on three-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art, fiber arts, and design.
For our program Crafts, Cocktails, and Conversation we invited artist Grace Whiteside and mixologist and bartender Ivy Mix to collaborate, using a vessel created by Grace to inspire a custom cocktail crafted by Ivy. Both artists cite connectivity as a core tenet of their creative practices, and as Grace was working live in the UrbanGlass studios and Ivy was live-mixing the drink from Vermont, UG Executive Director Devin Mathis engaged them in conversation to expand on this idea.
The chosen cup, 3, Stuck Together #1, is strikingly colorful in its hues of tangerine, lime, and sapphire. With its two vessels, one miniature and adhered to the side of the other, Ivy decided to embrace the olfactory experience that comes with tasting beverages and light a Palo Santo stick on fire in the smaller vessel. The subsequent smoke added flavor and aroma to the drink, which was crafted with Rye Whiskey, Pineapple Rum, Calvados, a passionfruit chamomile syrup, and a dash of absinthe. Watch the entire discussion, including the process of how Grace makes these unique drinking vessels, in the recording below. Grace was assisted by artist Pam Sabroso.
If you are inspired to create a cocktail while you watch, follow Ivy’s simple at-home version!
2 oz Dark spirit of your choice of a blend of 2!
.5 tsp simple syrup, honey or maple syrup
2-3 dashes angostura bitters
Stir over ice and strain into a glass that had palo santo burning in upside down (optional) or just garnish with a lemon or orange twist.
Intersect Chicago was hosted online from November 6-12, 2020, and recordings from many of the sessions are available to watch at IntersectChicago.com.
For more information about Ivy’s bar Leyenda or her book “Spirits of Latin America”, visit her website.
Follow Grace Whiteside on their artist website, or shop Stickyglass.