Featured Cocktail
High Desert Halo
Bright, citrus-forward, and just a little unexpected. The High Desert Halo layers VARA’s High Desert Gin with tart yuzu and golden-honey simple syrup, shaken cold and poured into a coupe—then crowned with a silky matcha foam that brings a clean, earthy finish to every sip. Light enough to be refreshing, complex enough to keep you curious.
Location
Santa Fe Tasting Room
329 W San Francisco St., Santa Fe
Balloon Fiesta Park
6770 Fourth Street NW, Albuquerque
505-898-6280
Tastings and classes
Santa Fe | June 3 & June 10 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Balloon Fiesta Park | June 4 & June 11 | 6:00–7:30 PM
Ready to get behind the bar? Join VARA’s own distiller, Ayisha Mares, for VARA Cocktail Lab—a hands-on cocktail experience designed for curious sippers and aspiring mixologists alike. This isn’t a lecture. It’s a playground. You’ll kick things off by tasting two of VARA’s spirits, getting a peek behind the curtain at what makes them unique — without the stuffy formality. From there, Ayisha will guide the group through building the High Desert Halo, VARA’s stunning gin cocktail with yuzu, honey, and a velvety matcha foam crown. Then? The bar is yours. Using a curated selection of ingredients and flavor droppers, you’ll craft your own signature cocktail — built around your palate, your preferences, and a little creative courage. Questions welcome at every step. Good vibes mandatory. Prefer to keep it alcohol-free? We’ve got you covered with the Vanilla Sol, our mocktail option.