Salvation Spirits, Gin, Vodka, and Brandy Excellence
Speakeasy Vibe with Signature Cocktails
Everyone enjoys an exclusive place to meet friends and have cocktails. One of the newest spots in the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg “Fritz-town,” Texas, is Salvation Spirits and its limited-access-only Speakeasy. You must have the secret gate code texted to you for your reservations!
The Speakeasy
The Speakeasy is a specialty cocktail laboratory hidden in plain sight on a 10-acre orchard in Fredericksburg, Texas, surrounded by blackberries, peaches, pears, plums, pecans, and grapes. The cocktails are handcrafted by the master mixologists using fruit from the orchard and award-winning spirits created by Salvation Spirits. We met CEO, Trey Blocker, on the Speakeasy’s front porch, to hear the story of Salvation Spirits. We enjoyed drinking their signature cocktail, The Fritz 75™, a twist on the French 75 but now originating in Fritz-town, Texas. This cocktail, combining the Salvation Spirits’ Blackberry gin, lemon juice, simply syrup, and Spanish Cava, is served in a glamourous coupe cocktail glass. See Fritz 75™ recipe below. Blackberries on the Salvation Spirits property are used to make their natural blackberry gin, the only one produced in the US, and one of only two in the world.
Trey Blocker, an attorney by background, is an expert on campaign finance laws, but it is evident his passion is great spirits as well as several charities serving those suffering from food insecurity.
“The Salvation Vodka is very smooth (80 proof) using just the ‘hearts’ in the distillation process. We took the greed out and put the love in the 1st premium vodka of Texas.” – Trey Blocker, CEO
Salvation Spirits
According to their literature, “Salvation Spirits is a purpose driven, environmentally conscious distillery, winery, and coming in 2023 -- a brewery. We are dedicated to making products of unsurpassed quality, out of the finest ingredients, and sharing our success with those in need. We take inspiration from the archangel Michael, who is viewed as a healer and protector, to dedicate 10% of our net profits to charities serving the poor, the powerless, and the hungry.”
Salvation Spirits also makes a barrel-aged gin, Chi Rho. Unlike most barrel-aged gins, however, Salvation Spirits makes Chi Rho using 100% new charred American oak barrels, but ages it only moderately. A Salvation Spirits brandy is in the works.
“We age it just until the honey, vanilla, and caramel flavors appear without overwhelming the gin’s beautiful botanicals.” – Trey Blocker, CEO
The History of the French 75
The French 75 received its name from the French 75-Millimeter light field gun used during WW1, according to Chilled Magazine. Cocktail names originate typically after events of people, so the French 75 is no different. It was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris – later named Harry’s New York Bar, by barman Harry McElhone.
Fredericksburg’s National Museum of the Pacific War
Salvation Spirits and its Fritz 75™ shares the town of Fredericksburg with the National Museum of the Pacific War, including the Admiral Nimitz Gallery. Admiral Nimitz served in WW1 as aide to Samuel Robison, Commander, Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet. He was most famous for his role in WW2 as Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet.
FRITZ 75™ Recipe
2 oz. Fritz-town Blackberry Gin
.5 oz. simple syrup
.5 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Top off with 1-2 oz. Spanish Cava or Italian Prosecco
Directions:
Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a flute or coupe glass and top with Cava or Prosecco.
If You Go
Salvation Spirits Speakeasy, 10091 E. US 290, Fredericksburg, 830-992-5052
National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, 830-997-8600
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I may have to send you a bottle! It is a wonderful spirit and the Fritz 75 a great cocktail.
I hope I can get this in OH!