It’s a new, trendy cocktail that’s popping up across menus of restaurants located north of Indianapolis!

The Hamilton Co. Smash is a gin-based cocktail with flavors of strawberry and rhubarb and became the official drink of Hamilton County after it was debuted at the Taste of Carmel by 12.05 Distillery and Hamilton County Tourism. 

Lisa Ellis, Sales manager, 12.05 Distillery, and Nolan Hudson, Co-owner, 12.05 Distillery, show us how it’s made!

Concocted by Nolan Hudson and Brad Colver, the owners of 12.05 and former graduates of Carmel High School, the Smash is made of 12.05’s American Gin with rhubarb liqueur, simple syrup, lemon juice and mint. 

Colver and Hudson – who both have roots in Hamilton County – opened 12.05 Distillery in Fountain Square in Indianapolis in 2015. They’ve since branched out, selling their products in restaurants and liquor stores across Central Indiana. 

While Hudson and Colver created the mixtures of flavors, Hamilton County Tourism came up with the idea to have a cocktail represent the destination. The Original Tenderloin Trail™ and the Tenderloin Tuesdays™ promotion have had a “cult following” for the past 10 years, so it makes sense for the organization to continue to use local food and drink to help drive tourism.

So far, 20 restaurants in the four cities have added the drink to their menus. Hamilton County restaurants interested in serving the Hamilton Co. Smash can reach out to Lisa Ellis from 12.05 at lisa@1205distillery.com.

List of restaurants:
Barley Island, Noblesville
Boombozz, Carmel
Boombozz, Fishers
Brixx, Fishers
Bru Burger, Carmel
Bru Burger, Noblesville
Burgerhaus, Carmel 
divvy, Carmel 
Dooley O’Tooles, Carmel 
Field Brewing, Westfield 
Grand Junction, downtown Westfield 
Grille 39, Carmel 
Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano 
Table by Market District, Carmel 
Pinheads, Fishers
Pint Room, Carmel
Pure Eatery, Fishers
Rail, Westfield 
Stacked Pickle, Westfield 
Stone Creek, Noblesville

Recipe:
Make the Hamilton Co. Smash at home:
1 oz. 1205 new American Gin 
1 oz. 1205 Rhubarb Liqueur 
3/4 oz simple syrup
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice 
3-4 small mint leaves 
Combine ingredients in a shaker tin with ice until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass with ice. 

To learn more, visit: 
www.visithamiltoncounty.com – Visit Hamilton County 
www.1205distillery.com – 12.05 Distillery