Vena’s Fizz House opened in downtown Portland in 2013 and after over a year without a storefront, they will re-open in the spring at 867 Congress St., a circa-1880s building historically used as a church. Browse their online store at venasfizzhouse.com to find unique mixers and accessories, many of them locally made.
Vena’s Originals
Spirit Sippers are jars of freeze-dried fruits, herbs, and natural sweeteners to which you add your favorite liquor, and steep for a few days or mix up fast with boiling water, then wait for it to cool. 16 oz. jars ($14.50) make five or more cocktails while 4 oz. jars ($7.25) make two. Over 15 flavors are available.
Bitters for sale
Vena’s sells dozens of bitters, shrubs and syrups and a bunch are on sale at 25% off. Make a classic Sazerac with Peychaud’s ($13.50 for 10 oz.), mix up a variety of Manhattans with Woodford Reserve’s tasting set ($26.25 for five, 2 oz. bottles), or get creatively creepy with “Exorcism” ($16.50 for 2 oz.) or “Scorpion” ($18 for 2 oz.) blends from Bennet’s Bitters.
Glassware and barware
Vintage glassware sets ($30 to $139 including Spirit Sippers) authentically capture Vena’s throwback style, but some new products like copper cocktail picks ($15) or a stainless-steel cocktail kit ($35) are the barware basics you need to get shaking.
Ice, ice baby
Nothing makes a party or a normal day better than novelty ice. The Shot Glass Ice Mold ($17) creates four, 1 oz. cups to instantly chill and serve a drinks in. Ceramic cubes ($6 each) chill and charm without dilution, and an ice ball maker ($220) will really up your game, as the 2.5-inch spheres fit perfectly into a traditional rocks glass.
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