S2 E44 Novio's Radio | Begin The Gin

Cocktails With Friends

S2 E44 Novio’s Radio | Begin The Gin

In this on-air special of Cocktails With Friends, Bob Cutler tells the story behind his collaboration with Blue Barren Distillery to craft a rhubarb gin liqueur inspired by a drink he fell in love with in London. From development to distribution, he walks listeners through the journey of bringing the flavor to Maine—and serves up delicious cocktail demos live on the radio, including a rhubarb lemonade and a Negroni remix.

Key Topics

Great drinks often start with great stories—Bob’s rhubarb gin journey proves that a memory can inspire a whole product line.

Classic cocktails evolve—small tweaks like ingredient ratios or botanical choices can make timeless drinks feel brand new.

Community makes cocktails special—from sourcing local rhubarb to sharing drinks on-air with friends, this episode is a toast to collaboration.

Episode Index

(0:00) Bob kicks off the show with a rhubarb gin in hand, explaining how a honeymoon drink in London inspired years of searching—and now, creating—a local version in Maine.

(2:59) He describes how rhubarb syrup was added after distillation to balance flavor without bitterness, turning the spirit into a “liqueur” rather than a straight gin.

(4:18) A QR code on the bottle links to cocktail recipes—ideal for drinkers who want guidance without pulling out their phones during dinner.

(6:04) Bob demos a rhubarb-forward twist on the Negroni, using Doladira (a Milan-made bitter with rhubarb) to complement the gin.

(8:21) The first 50 cases of the new spirit sold out quickly—now it's stocked statewide, from Bangor to Southern Maine and into the County.