Simplicity Distilled
Drawing Rich Flavors from Simple Ingredients
Words Deven Wilson | Photos Baptiste Despois
Buzz Mill, a 24-hour coffee bar on Riverside, cuts straight to the point to deliver a “buzz.” Whiskey, gin, bourbon, and vodka are all used for their alcoholic strength to extract flavors from well-sourced ingredients to offer patrons a clean, savory, or sweet cocktail infusion.
Kristen “Kiki” Sabala, life and business partner to Buzz Mill’s owner, Jason Sabala, led the charge back in the day which gave Buzz Mill a signature drink. She began by whipping up infusions, similar to how tea steeps where the alcohol from a spirit pulls out the flavors from the added ingredients to combine, leaving a smooth beverage enriched with spices, fruits, or herbs. After ten years, Kiki’s infused whiskeys, bourbons, gins, and vodkas act as the second “buzz” for patrons at the mill along with their coffee bevs.
Kiki’s infusions have grown to include a vibrant display of delicious and dangerous flavors. While many would seek out the sweeter notes of real strawberries used in their strawberry coconut rum, only a handful have dared to try what happens when alcohol extracts all the spiciness hidden inside Carolina reapers and ghost peppers. “I don’t recommend anybody get it,” Chris Turpen, bar manager and co-host of Buzzmill’s weekly Open Mic nights, warns. While it’s offered as a gimmick shot to the audience as a challenge, he often takes it for the sake of the show, tossing back concentrated capsaicin.
Thankfully, the rest of their liquor infusions stick to more comforting flavors like their blueberry basil vodka or seasonal “crumble pie” cocktails. They contain zero added sugar and simply rely on natural sweetness. Jason’s mantra, since opening Buzz Mill, has been to keep things as local to “Buzzville” (referring to the area around the bar) as possible, resulting in Kiki concocting infusions with locally-grown and in-season ingredients. It’s a simplicity that allows their infusions to have a taste that ties so directly to their names without a touch of artificial to taint it. The same goes for what Chris thinks is their best infusion: the banana French toast whiskey. While he usually has to convince customers to try it, Chris says, “It’s just delicious. It tastes like maple and cinnamon and goes so well in our coffee.”
Buzz Mill’s Badges: For anyone missing or who missed the chance to be awarded badges for their skills, Buzz Mill offers an adult scouts club called the Lumber Society. Twice a month on Thursdays, people can sign up for classes and/or excursions to learn new skills, clean up the parks, or go camping and come away with a literal badge of honor.
Contact:
1505 Town Creek Dr.
buzzmillcoffee.com
@buzzmillcoffee
