There’s something undeniably special about a well-crafted cocktail hour—the clink of ice in a glass, the scent of botanicals, and the satisfaction of sharing a moment with those you love. At Conniption Gin, we don’t just make spirits; we capture the spirit of traditions passed down through generations. And for our co-founder, Melissa Katrincic, those traditions began with her grandparents and the unforgettable ritual of cocktail hour.
Melissa’s love for gin began early—and we mean really early. Picture a three-year-old Melissa, already developing a fascination with her grandfather Kenneth’s perfectly made martinis. Every weekend when Melissa’s family visited her grandparents, Kenneth would make quite the production out of cocktail hour. He’d prepare the sideboard with an almost ceremonial precision: laying out the martini shaker, the chilled glasses, the olives, the monogrammed ice bucket, and, of course, the gin. It was more than just making drinks; it was an event that marked the transition from the bustle of the day to the comfort of the evening.
Melissa remembers watching her “Bop”—as she affectionately called him—as he cracked ice cubes from the metal trays, meticulously crushed them, and measured out the gin and vermouth. She would wait, wide-eyed, until her grandfather garnished each martini with exactly five olives. That was Melissa’s cue. She would sneak over, reach her tiny hand into the glass, and steal one or two gin-soaked olives. By the time she was four, Melissa had an unmistakable love for the briny, botanical flavor of those olives. It was her first taste of the complex beauty of gin—and a family tradition was born.
Melissa’s grandfather wasn’t the only one who celebrated cocktail hour. Her paternal grandparents, Peggy and Daniel, had their own ritual. Every evening, Melissa’s grandfather Daniel would return from work, turn to Peggy, and ask, “Are we ready for our martinis?” It was their way to connect, to pause the world, and share the simple pleasures of life together. These moments—the joy of an evening well spent and the warmth of family—are what inspired Conniption Gin.
When Melissa leaned over to her husband Lee during a road trip and said, “Why don’t we make gin? Why don’t we open a distillery?” she was thinking of those evenings with her grandparents. She was thinking of the laughter, the storytelling, and the taste of those gin-soaked olives. Conniption Gin was born from that spirit—the idea that life’s best moments deserve to be celebrated, whether you’re toasting to a grand accomplishment or simply enjoying the company of loved ones.
Today, Conniption Gin is our way of raising a glass to those cherished memories. Each bottle is crafted with care, precision, and a little bit of nostalgia for that perfect cocktail hour. So whether you’re making a classic martini, a refreshing gin and tonic, or something a bit more adventurous, we hope you’ll invite Conniption to your next gathering. And maybe, just maybe, there’s a little one nearby who’ll steal an olive or two.
Here’s to tradition, to family, and to always having a reason to toast.