Meritage

5454 Post Road

East Greenwich, RI

Lindsay Gardiner with “The Rye Cocktail.”

Alongside an extensive seafood and pizza menu featuring items from  blackened fish tacos to grilled scampi pizza — and extensive wine list, Meritage also offers creative tapas and artistic cocktails.

Bartender: Lindsay Gardiner

Cocktail: The Rye Cocktail

Recipe: Mix

• 3 oz. house-made vanilla-infused Templeton Rye Whiskey*
• 2 tsps. Royal Rose cardamom clove simple syrup
• Juice of 3 fresh lemon wedges

Shake vigorously. Serve on the rocks in a lowball glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

*House infused whiskey: Add 3 vanilla sticks to a bottle of Templeton Rye whiskey. Let stand for about a week. Strain.

The drink “tastes of smooth, mild vanilla but still maintains the bite of whiskey,” said Gardiner. “The fresh lemon adds a crisp citrus taste. I thought it would be interesting adding the [cardamom clove] simple syrup to play off the vanilla. It also adds a great aroma to the drink.”