Cadete’s Escape

the story

This cocktail tells the story of Cadete, a Mescalero Apache chief, who endured the harsh trials of the Apache Wars. He was forced to relocate along with 850 of his people via a grueling 350-mile march to the Bosque Redondo Reservation in New Mexico. In late 1863, displaying extraordinary resilience and strategy, Cadete led those fit enough to escape the reservation, while others stayed behind, crafting fake camps and fires to deceive U.S. soldiers. Following his escape Cadete forged alliances with the Comanche and worked tirelessly to secure peace and a reservation in the ancestral White and Sacramento Mountains for his people. Tragically, in 1872, while negotiating a peace settlement, Cadete was murdered, becoming a symbol of defiance and leadership in the face of relentless adversity.

Green chile vodka pays homage to New Mexico, while mezcal represents Cadete’s heritage (the name "Mescalero" is derived from this tribe’s traditional reliance on the mescal plant (agave), which they used as a staple source for food and supplies). We’ve spiced and brightened this drink up with housemade ginger-turmeric syrup, citrus, and a bit of spicy pimenton.

the producers

St. George Spirits - California

St. George Spirits, founded in 1982, is one of the pioneers of the American craft distilling movement. St. George Spirits is located in Alameda, California, in a historic WWII aircraft hangar overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Its story began with Jörg Rupf, a German immigrant and one of the first craft distillers in the United States. Rupf was inspired by the centuries-old tradition of European eau-de-vie production but wanted to bring a uniquely American spirit to the craft. Starting with fruit brandies made from California's abundant produce, he laid the foundation for what would become a groundbreaking distillery.

As the craft spirits movement grew, so did St. George's reputation for pushing boundaries. Lance Winters, a former brewer with a love of innovation, joined the team in 1996 and eventually became master distiller. Under his leadership, St. George expanded its portfolio to include a wide range of inventive spirits, such as their terroir-driven gins, distinct vodkas, and complex single malt whiskey.

St. George is renowned for its fearless creativity and attention to detail. Their spirits are crafted using traditional copper pot stills, and the team sources only the finest ingredients—whether it's freshly picked California fruit or botanicals for their gins. Each spirit reflects the distillery’s ethos of artistry and experimentation.