contact us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.​

922 South Morton Street
Bloomington, IN, 47403
United States

812-202-6789

Cardinal Spirits is a craft distillery in Bloomington, Indiana that specializes in producing extraordinary spirits from local ingredients.  

The Drop

The Drop is your source for all things craft. 

3 things to do for dad on Father's Day

Erica Sagon

How to celebrate your dad, your kids' dad, your grandpa, your uncle who is like your dad,
or any great dad that you know.

 

1. Make him a proper gin martini.

Proper martinis are made with gin, not vodka, and they're stirred, not shaken. We didn't make the rules, but we do make the gin. Two gins, in fact! American Gin, a modern gin with lavender and citrus — and starting Saturday, we'll also have a Standard Dry Gin, which has that classic juniper character. 

Speaking of which ... (now we're totally commandeering our #1 thing to do for dad with #1.1) ... if you're looking for something cool to do together, bring him to the Cardinal Spirits Standard Dry Gin release, happening this Saturday and Sunday at the distillery. He will love it, you will love it, and there's a special deal on bottles. It's what we like to call a win-win-win. Through this weekend, buy one bottle of any spirit at the distillery, and get 25 percent off any second bottle. One for him, one for you.

OK, back to the real #1. 

Proper Gin Martini

Makes 1 cocktail

3/4 ounce dry vermouth
2 1/4 ounces Cardinal Spirits' American Gin or Standard Dry Gin
Green olive, for garnish

  1. Chill a cocktail glass ahead of time by filling it with ice or sticking it in the fridge.
  2. Add dry vermouth and gin to a mixing glass. Fill glass with ice. 
  3. Stir for 30 rotations to chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an olive.

2. Cook him an amazing piece of fish. 

The entire Internet is telling you to cook a steak for Father's Day, but we know a lot of dads who are avoiding red meat. Find a fish recipe that has an interesting preparation and intriguing flavor, and the dish will feel just as special.

A few of our favorites:

Salmon en Papillote from A Couple Cooks

Snapper Escabeche with Chiles, Garlic and Oregano from Bon Appetit

Whole Fish Roasted in Salt from the Splendid Table

3. Tell him how you feel. 

Send a text, mail a card, write an email or say it to him in person. Be funny or serious, but either way, be genuine. If you can't find the words, start with "I love you" and "thank you" and maybe "my favorite memory of us is..." and go from there. 

For a little inspiration:

How Do You Thank Your Parents?

New Yorker Father's Day Cartoon collection

Excerpts from kids' entries in a Father of the Year essay contest

24 Wonderful Things to Thank Your Dad For