Transfiguration is defined as a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. There couldn't be a more perfect way to describe this new ethereal offering from our friends over at Holystone Distilling.
Before delving into the spirit, let us give you the beautiful inspiration behind Cerulea.
The gorgeous woman you are about to meet is the heart, soul, and inspiration of this beautiful project by Holystone Distilling. She never partook, but that didn't stop her from being one of the biggest cheerleaders for their success.
She was a warrior, fighting her own battles with breast cancer, but that didn't stop her from loving, from caring, or sharing all that she had even if it was just a smile. This wonderful goddess amongst us is Barbie's best friend and mother, Barbara. Barbie's parents were dedicated humanitarians who led by example and as such has made charity, caring for, and helping others a deep love of hers.
My mom, Barbara, was a radiant and beautiful soul, inside and out. She had the heart of an angel and the spirit of a warrior. Defeating breast cancer 3 times and was on her her fourth. Her first diagnosis was at age 43 and doctors only gave her 2 months to live. She refused to accept that, with 6 small children and her husband who was the love of her life. Barbara went on to live an extraordinary and happy life until she was a lovely 88. Barbara loved her faith, babies, chocolate, soft blankets, nature, music, art and most of all, her family. ~Barbie
When Cerulea came around, Mike (Barbie's husband) who loved and adored Barbara as she did him, had the inspiration of how to make it the perfect token of remembrance. It not only combined Barbie's love of her mom, blossoms, the color indigo, her desire to create a journey of helping others, but also the transformative nature of blue to pink that perfectly signifies the importance of breast cancer research, treatment, and helping survivors.
The elegant cerulean blue color of the gin comes gifted from butterfly pea flowers,
There also exists a Cerulean butterfly that the wings thereof match that beautiful indigo color.
Butterflies have long been a symbol representing spiritual rebirth, transformation, change, hope and life.
The magnificent, albeit short life of a butterfly is a perfect symbol of spiritual transformation and serves as a great reminder that life is short.
Near the top of the label on Cerulea, you will find that same Cerulean Butterfly,
If you look below the butterfly now you will find the heart of the label, "Cerulea" in handwritten form. Barbie was enamored by the beauty of her mothers penmanship, with the help of some amazingly skilled people, they were able to copy her writing from letters Barbara had wrote to Barbie. Making this label such a beautiful memento we are all able to admire.
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To write, is to live forever.
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In July of this year, Barbie and Mike lost another kindred spirit to breast cancer. Theresa was adventurous, brave, intelligent, witty, had a spicy personality, and stayed strong for so many years.
After battling breast cancer for so long, she has earned her moment to lay and rest her weary head.
Theresa was a mother, wife, friend to so many, and most of all, a fighter. Theresa loved, more than anything her family and her faith. Her son was only 14 months old when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, in 2001. Theresa loved God, gin & tonics, traveling, running, design, Christmas, diamonds, family, friends, laughing, reading by the fire, lemon drop martinis. She left this world in July of 2020, after her third battle with cancer, but not before watching her son grow up. She was 48. ~Mike
Holystone Distilling is honoring and celebrating these two strong and resilient women, Barbara and Theresa, along with countless others with their continued support. Donating a portion of their proceeds from every bottle of Cerulea for breast cancer awareness, treatment, and survivors, in the hope that one day there may be a cure.
Cerulea is not only mystical in color, but as a gin is also just as mysterious due to its ability to win over non-gin lovers. It is made with organic wheat and distilled with orange peel, juniper, rose hips, rosebuds, and lavender in the gin basket.
If you couldn't already tell by the ingredients, it is a very floral gin.
As was mentioned, it has won over the taste buds of several who are not floral or gin lovers, so do not let the floral profile deter you from imbibing.
I however, LOVE floral drinks and this one is pure heaven in a glass.
On the nose it is pure lavender, not intrusive, subtle like a gentle breeze. Initial taste is lavender, juniper, that makes way to a light crème brûlée and finishes with a subtle hint of juniper and rose. This has a large mouthfeel, indicative by thick slow legs in the Glencairn.
The name Cerulea describes the color perfectly, that deep cerulean blue that will pull you into a deeper trance the more you peer into it...
How does Cerulea get its color?
Sticking with their belief of no artificial coloring or added sugar, after distilling the gin, butterfly pea flowers are steeped. That act of steeping extracts the gorgeous ethereal blue color from the flowers, they also leave their own whisper of a flavor that is delicate and subtly earthy.
When making a cocktail with this mystical elixir, the mystery will deepen once you alter the alkalinity or acidity of the drink, but what does that mean?
Acid like lemon or lime juice will cause it to change to a pink to light purple hue.
Base like baking soda, tea, coconut water will present with a light blue or green hue.
There is a scientific explanation for that as well, if you to are curious about debunking this mystery read on.
If you want the mystery to remain, feel free to skip this next section!
Butterfly pea flowers contain a phenolic pigment called anthocyanins. These are the compounds that are directly responsible for blue, purple, pink, red, and orange colors found in plants.
In butterfly pea flowers, the main anthocyanin responsible for the deep blue to purple color is delphinidin when it is in near equal mix of flavylium (red) and quinoidal (blue).
When the pH is lowered with a mild acid i.e. lemon or lime juice, there is now more of the flavylium (red) form of anthocyanin and will render that pink or light purple hue.
If you raise the pH with some kind of gentle base, there is more chalcone (yellow) and quinoidal (blue) forms present, leading to a light blue or green hue.
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| "It will give rest to anyone who see it." |
Butterfly pea flowers are believed to have originated from South American and Thailand. In ancient Thai folklore, it is believed this flower was a gift and would then gift anyone who gazed upon it with rest. There could be no better symbolic gift from the Holystone Distilling family to any and all who fight their own battles, cancer or otherwise, than the gift of rest.
A thousand and one years ago in the time when the creatures of the Himapan Forest still roamed among humans there lived a woman called Isra. One night while she was sleeping Kinnari (half woman, half bird) came to her house and beckoned her to follow. Together they flew through the starlit sky, over moonlit lotus ponds and ancient temples. Finally they entered the Himapan forest. They walked for awhile along the scented path until they came to a flower that Isra had never seen before. Take this with you back to the village and plant it in your garden next to the fence.
It will give rest to anyone who see it.
Isra did as Kinnari said and the plant grew fast and tall. The flowers were a beautiful blue. One day Isra decided to pluck them and make tea from them and enchanted all her neighbors by adding a squeeze of lime which turned the drink a pinky purple. ~Ancient Thai Folklore
Now onto making your own gorgeous potions and elixirs...
Diaphanous Petal
2 oz Holystone Cerulea Gin
1 tbls Bar Daddy Tonic Syrup
.5 oz key lime juice
Shake, strain into glass, top with soda water.
Heart of the Sea
2 oz Holystone Cerulea Gin
1 oz Ransom Spirits Dry Vermouth
1/8 tsp Baking Soda* (does not alter flavor)
Shake, strain into glass,
Opt garnish- green olive or cocktail onion.
*optional, but will not change color if omitted.
L: Heart of the Sea, C: Cerulea, R: Diaphanous Petal
Here at Spirit Seers, we can't recommend Cerulea enough. Besides its gorgeous vibrant color, it is a delicious gin perfect for sipping or in addition to a cocktail.
Also remember that a portion of the proceeds go towards breast cancer research, survivors, and awareness.
Give Hope. Save Lives.
Thank you again for all your continued support, and as always,
Keep the Spirit
~Sabra
All bottles and ingredients are purchased personally by Spirit Seers.
Our opinions are our own.
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