New Haven, Connecticut-based Bartender Daniel Rek was showcased on the Back to the Roots Project website in May. The website is an offshoot of Roots Premium Liqueurs, which are distributed in the state by Opici Family Distributing. While under pandemic conditions across the globe, Roots has featured bartenders outlining their professional and personal histories and use of Roots in their handcrafted cocktail creations in lieu of in-person cocktail competitions. Rek, a Back to the Roots U.S. finalist who bartends at Cheshire’s Viron Rondo Osteria, is showcased discussing his “roots,” cocktails and use of the Greek liqueur line. Roots Premium Liqueurs are handcrafted, based on age-old herbal remedies and recipes from a family legacy of distilling dating back to 1850. Each uses 100% natural, native ingredients of Greece. Rek’s interview can be seen at backtotherootsproject.com.

New Haven, Connecticut-based Bartender Daniel Rek with Roots Premium Liqueurs behind the bar at Viron Rondo Osteria. Photo courtesy of Back to the Roots Project.

The Roots craft liqueur line: Roots Rakomelo, made with Mountain Honey; Roots Mastic, made with Chios Mastic; Roots Kanela, made with true cinnamon; and Roots Diktamo, made with wild herbs from Crete.