By Chelsea Karnash

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Fans of Art in the Age’s ROOT and SNAP, take note: There’s a new spirit in town.

SAGE, a botanical-inspired “garden gin,” is scheduled to hit shelves in Philadelphia later this week. The gin variation is the fourth offering from Old City’s Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, which also produces artisanal spirits ROOT, SNAP and Rhubarb Tea (formerly known as RHUBY).

Much like the company’s other spirits, SAGE was inspired by history. In this case, that history centers on botanicals that were brought back by Lewis & Clark from their expedition and later grown in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello gardens. As Art in the Age explains, it was customary in those days for families to make their own “garden spirits,” which varied in taste and composition depending on the contents of their garden.

SAGE took about a year to produce—from conception to its forthcoming appearance in stores—and was created by founder Steven Grasse. At 80 proof, the spirit is light and refreshing, with hints of rosemary, lavender, fennel and of course, its namesake ingredient.

So, what to do with SAGE once you get your hands on a bottle? Try this recipe:

SAGEside

2 oz SAGE
3Ž4 oz simple syrup
3Ž4 oz fresh lime juice
10 loose mint leaves

Combine ingredients and shake well. Strain into a coupe. Garnish with a single sage leaf.

For more on SAGE and Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, visit: www.artintheage.com