We met Johanna and Steve Corman last summer when we stumbled upon Vena's Fizz House on a quick trip through Portland, Maine. We were completely mesmerized by the unique "packed to rafters" selection of mixers, syrups, bitters and the like . If that wasn't enough excitement, imagine the joy when we saw a beautiful antique bar functioning as an old-school soda fountain, Vena's Fizz House's pride and joy. As we picked through the shelves with delirious excitement, we found Vena's Angostura laced Bitters-Sweet Sugar Cubes. We thought they were absolutely brilliant and purchased a few jars. In the back of our minds, we knew we would figure out a way to collaborate. What struck us the most was the ironic story behind Vena's Fizz House and we wanted to share that with you.
Back in the 1920’s, a young Portland woman named after her father, Irvine, took the Maine Temperance movement by the horns and helped do away with alcohol! Boooo.. hiss..!! And so was the life of Irvina, or “Vena” for short.
Eighty years later another Portland native, her great- granddaughter, Johanna, came up with the idea of a Fizz House. And what could be more fitting than naming it “Vena’s Fizz House.” A bar that specializes in hand- crafted soda and mocktails and sells specialty items for the home soda and cocktail enthusiast.
After their first year and several weeks of renova- tions, alcohol was added to the evening menu. Sorry Vena.
And now, here we are, just days away from unveiling our new summer cocktail, Fireburst, that combines Bourbon, Root Beer Syrup and Vena's Angostura Bitters-Sweet Sugar Cubes. Absolute perfection.