Talking with S.A.J. Gin Founder Danielle Petterson
A New Black Woman-Owned Gin Arrives in Brooklyn
S.A.J. Gin Arrives in Brooklyn
I first tried S.A.J. Gin last fall while researching my exclusive preview of Grand Army’s lastest themed Astrology menu where it’s featured in the Pisces, the bar’s bestselling Martini variation that channels the spirit of an apple-lavender Martini. Created by former Grand Army bartender Lane Hill, the Pisces uses a split base of three gins, including S.A.J. Gin, Amass Dry Gin, and Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, along with Dolin Dry and Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Rhine Hall Apple Brandy, La Cigarrera Amontillado Sherry, and Giffard Pamplemousse.
The inclusion of S.A.J. Gin in this popular cocktail was especially exciting for this Black woman-owned brand because Grand Army was the first official pick-up for this new gin from founder Danielle Petterson. In addition, to help celebrate Black History Month, Grand Army has been featuring a special menu spotlighting S.A.J. Gin in the Pisces; the Negroni-style Amethyst with S.A.J. Gin, bitter aperitif, bianco vermouth, lavender, and Empirical The Plum, I Suppose; and the Chickadee, a tropical espresso gin & tonic with S.A.J. Gin, coffee, pineapple, vanilla, lavender, and Mediterranean tonic.
Petterson is in town from Boston and was at Grand Army last night for a Meet the Founder Happy Hour. I was grateful she was able to meet up with me against the background of the falling snow through the windows and take the time to entertain some questions about the origin story of S.A.J. Gin and what sets it apart among a very crowded spirits category. After introducing myself, my first questions was how to pronounce S.A.J. Gin. I thought it might be “sage” or “sahdge” but she explained it was simply spelling out the initials (like BTP or JFK) of her grandmother’s name (Sheila Agnes Johnson), which also serves as a reminder of her grandmother’s legacy with every mention of her namesake gin.
Currently distributed by Park Street Imports, the made-in-Florida gin is currently only available at Grand Army and Bar Meridian in Brooklyn, but Petterson is in town this weekend bar-hopping and taking appointments around the city to help spread the word. “Right now I can sell to New York and New Jersey retailers, and once I get S.A.J. Gin into liquor stores I can sell to consumers and through an e-commerce platform,” says Petterson.
So for now, be sure to stop by Grand Army or Bar Meridian to try S.A.J. Gin for yourself, and read on to learn more about Petterson and S.A.J. Gin.
And wishing a very LAST CALL Happy Birthday to Grand Army’s Patty Dennison!
Talking with Danielle Petterson
Did your career as a mechanical engineer complement or aid you when you began to explore the art and science of distillation?