Your quest is simple. Create a new cocktail, or refashion a classic, using your favorite “hometown hooch” (and we can expand the definition of “hooch” to include spirits, liqueurs, aperitifs and beer). Feel free to feature new distillers or local favorites that have withstood the test of time. And since part of the fun of cocktails is the story that comes with every drink, a little local flavor or history on your “hometown hooch” is very welcome. – Stuart

The Hometown Hooch Indeed:

Only the best for this cocktail! This was the perfect excuse to break out one of my favorite whiskeys of all time – made by Adam and his team at Sonoma Distilling Company. (Yes, this guy!)

This entire cocktail was built to hold up and celebrate the base spirit. And since the distillery is just a stone’s throw from where I grew up in Napa, California – I think it’s about as qualified as it gets. But that’s not all …

The Ultimate “Local” Cocktail:

This cocktail is a take on “the gold rush” cocktail, which has a special meaning in northern California – where the original “Gold Rush” took place. But a local cocktail and a local base spirit weren’t quite enough. This is as “local” as it gets with:

• Bitters from a local cocktail bar in San Francisco
• Honey from our neighbor two doors down
• Celery grown in our own yard