Local Cocktail: The Fort Mitchel
Inspired by the enterprising big city bartenders who created iconic New York-centric cocktails (like the classic Manhattan), spirits specialist and writer-at-large Terry Cermak created a series of local cocktails to celebrate Hilton Head landmarks, events and founding fathers for LOCAL Life and Rollers Wine & Spirits. This month’s inspiration comes from Fort Mitchel, named after Gen. Ormsby M. Mitchel. The fort is one of a series of earthwork fortifications around the northwest corner of the island strategically located in such a way that cannon shells could be fired defensively across Skull Creek. Drink too many of these creamy cannon balls and you might feel under siege.

The Fort Mitchel
Ingredients
2 ounces Hilton Head Distillery Mountain Peak Espresso Rum
2 ounces light crème de cacao
2 ounces half-and-half
Directions
Add all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass fortified with a garnish of grated chocolate-covered espresso beans and garnish with a mint sprig.