This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
From the seventh floor rooftop patio at the Salt Lake Tribune headquarters, the only thing more impressive than the view of the Wasatch were the cocktails. Great views have a way of making food taste better, and drinks all the more refreshing.
With sounds of anticipation and excitement from the upcoming SALT Awards event on the street below wafting up the side of the building, and DJ Jesse Walker spinning upbeat tunes, the evening began with a sense of vibrancy. The inaugural SALT Awards brought together the best Salt Lake has to offer, across a variety of entertainment and lifestyle businesses; restaurants, outdoors and art and entertainment venues. Ogden's Own Distillery took on the task of quenching the thirst of this wide variety of luminaries.
The Trib Peach cocktail was the ideal refreshment to kick off the evening while basking in the summer's final warm rays. Using Porters Peach Whiskey and cold iced tea, as well as fresh peaches, the Trib Peach was literally the intersection of summer and fall in a glass.
Utah's famous "Fruit Highway," just north and east of Ogden, is home to some of the country's best peaches, which were used in this drink. A late harvest fruit, ripe peaches signify cooling weather, while holding onto the long summer days. The perfect drink for the seasons change.
As the party moved down to the street, for the awards ceremony, several hundred people crowded the busy stage on a closed 100 S. In between awards for Red Iguana, Ballet West and Snowbird in their respective categories sips of the Porters Peach cocktail hit the spot for event attendees.
Mixed with Porters Peach Whiskey, ginger ale and a splash of cranberry, the mixologists had a hard time keeping up with an excited crowd. With the emcee's exclamations of Lucky 13 winning best burger drew a roar from the crowd echoing off the surrounding buildings when Cup Bop took home the award for best food truck, hungry folks began to line up at the Cup Bop truck for some filling Korean BBQ.
The Porters Peach paired very well with the hot and spicy noodles. The ginger ale in the cocktail acted the way kimchee or pickled ginger does in Asian cuisine. Not to be forgotten, the Trib Peach cocktail was a standout accompaniment to this hot & fresh street food as well. The fresh peaches helped clean the palate in between bites, and the sweet whiskey provided a great backdrop for the next spicy bite. Matches made in heaven, well, Salt Lake, to be exact.Back atop the Tribune roof for a post-party, one of Ogden's Own's most popular products, Porters Fire made an appearance. Subbing the Porters Fire for the Porters Peach in the cocktail with ginger ale and cranberry took the bite out of the cool breeze that kicked up after the sun sank below the Great Salt Lake.
As the city lights began to twinkle across the Wasatch Front, Porters Fire kept the party going, the dance floor warm and the night a salty success.