Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Cocktail Showdown: Week Nine

Cocktail Showdown | March 27th, 2019

Minnesota Spice - photograph by Chris Larson

On our ninth week of the Cocktail Showdown, we made just a single stop that showcased one of the most well known restaurants in North Dakota, The Toasted Frog. While they had been locally and regionally celebrated for their restaurants in Fargo, Grand Forks, and Bismarck, the downtown Fargo location of The Toasted Frog and the franchise, in general, was recently given some big-time TV attention from both the Travel Channel and The Food Network. The latter focused primarily on the legendary fried pickles that have become a staple of almost every visit I make to the Toasted Frog and I’ve heard tales of travelers stopping into “the Frog” just because of those TV pieces and the mouth-watering perfection that is their fried pickle appetizer.

On this particular night though, I wasn’t there for a prime rib special, wood-fired sandwich, pizza, or lavosh, or even my favorite fried pickles but rather to experience and evaluate two cocktails presented by their bar manager and returning competitor, James Hein.

The cocktail: Minnesota Spice
The creator: James Hein

James, like almost everyone else who has presented us with a cocktail that features Far North Spirits’ Alander Spiced Rum felt the need to qualify his spirit choice by stating that he doesn’t usually care for spiced rum but really enjoys the flavor profile of the rum by Far North Spirits. I have to agree with him wholeheartedly and have especially enjoyed seeing our local cocktail creators reaching for this regionally produced gem. To the spiced rum he added Barrows Intense ginger liqueur, Strega Italian Amaro, a house-spiced syrup, Regan’s Orange bitters, and ice to a pitcher that was then stirred to chill and dilute. This mixture was then strained into a chilled cocktail coupe and topped with a bit of orange zest.

The little touch of sweetness from the syrup was pleasantly warmed by the saffron in the Strega, the rum spices and ginger heat. I also had to make note that it had a very pleasing velvety mouthfeel that was unexpected given how translucent the drink appeared.

Pear Diem - photograph by Chris Larson

The after-dinner drink: The Pear Diem
The creator: James Hein

James added J Pear liqueur, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram and Angostura bitters to a shaker with a full egg and some more of that house made spice syrup. The cocktail was shaken with the egg and then ice was added and it was shaken again before strained into chilled martini glasses. A bit of nutmeg was shaved on top before it was presented for us to enjoy. This after-dinner drink had a fair amount of depth to it for such a small and simple ingredient list and I found myself at times tasting the pear and at other times it would disappear into the spices and egg. Other times the egg and sugar would take over and make it almost taste like eggnog that was spiced in a perfectly warming way.

RECENTLY IN

Cocktail Showdown

Tracker Pixel for Entry MidwestRoadTripAdventures Tracker Pixel for Entry Empire Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans Tracker Pixel for Entry Gruff Tracker Pixel for Entry Bismarck Tracker Pixel for Entry FPL

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comDairy Queen restaurants across the country will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals during Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31. At least one dollar from every Blizzard…

By Michael M. Millermichael.miller@ndsu.edu The Northwest Blade, from Eureka, South Dakota, published a wonderful story in August 2020. It’s called “Granddaughter keeps Grandmother’s precious chamomile seeds,” by Cindy…

October 3-5, 2025Memorial Union at NDSU, 1401 Administrative Ave., Fargo With the theme of “Existence is Resistance: Healing Through Unity,” this year’s summit will kick off with a professional development day followed by a…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.com Yes, we know, everywhere you look, the world situation is mental. It’s almost inescapable just how tenuous life’s circumstances are. And how they are mostly — pretty much entirely — out of our…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhat are the four freedoms of Donald John Trump? Nearly a century ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said every citizen in the United States of America should have four freedoms: Freedom from…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Nichole Hensenrickgion@gmail.com The wait is finally over. Those who have visited Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe lately know about the recent major additions and renovations that have taken place over the past…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Dakotah Faye is a hip-hop artist from Minot, North Dakota, and he’s had a busy year. He’s released two albums. This summer he opened for Tech N9ne in Sturgis and will be opening for Bone…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As a follow-up to “The Whale,” a raucous adaptation of the first novel in Charlie Huston’s Henry Thompson series was a good choice for eclectic auteur Darren Aronofksy, whose bold visions…

By HPR staffsubmit@hpr1.com Mark the first weekend of October on your calendar. It’s the weekend of the Studio Crawl, which takes us all on a wonderful, metro-wide tour of our talented (and often wacky) arts community. On October…

Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comPenn & Teller are returning to their roots. The legendary magic and comedy duo will appear on the Crown Stage at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota, where they first…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com Loneliness is on the rise in North Dakota, where there is one of the highest rates of people living alone. The challenging winter can be a major contributor, yet North Dakota is not alone.…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…