Cascadia is an American bitter liqueur — a floral, aperitivo-style bitter in the tradition of European herbal liqueurs — and it is poured at Grappa in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. It is made by New Deal Distillery in Portland, Oregon, and inspired by the flora of the Cascade mountain range. We list it because it is a refined Pacific Northwest answer to the Italian aperitivo: bittersweet, delicately floral and built to open a meal, a regional kin to the bitters and aperitivi on our list.
About the Producer
New Deal Distillery has been a pioneer of Portland’s Distillery Row since 2004, an independent craft producer known for spirits made by hand in small batches. With Cascadia, the distillery set out to translate the European amaro and bitter-liqueur tradition into a distinctly Pacific Northwest idiom, drawing on botanicals evocative of the Cascade range. The result has been recognized within the craft world, including Best in Show for Liqueurs at the 2024 L.A. Spirits Awards.
Style & Production
Cascadia is a distilled infusion of rose petals, wild lavender and other carefully selected whole, dried botanicals, finished with a gentle maceration of gentian and angelica root. That combination gives it a sophisticated, layered character: aromatic and floral on top, with a bittersweet herbal body underneath. It is bottled at 35% ABV, or 70 proof, placing it among the more substantial bitter liqueurs while staying graceful enough to drink as an aperitif.
Tasting Notes
The nose is lifted and floral, full of rose and lavender. The palate follows with a delicate floral body that gives way to a bittersweet core of gentian and angelica, herbal and softly bitter rather than punishing. The finish is long and bittersweet, clean and aromatic — lovely sipped neat, over ice, or in a spritz.
What to Pair It With
As an aperitif, it shines among the antipasti at the start of the meal. Pour it with the Charcuterie Board, alongside Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata, or with Fresh Oysters. See the full dine-in menu for more.
How It’s Served at Grappa
Cascadia is poured at $13, served over ice, in a spritz, or neat as an aperitif.
FAQ
Where is it from?
It is made by New Deal Distillery in Portland, Oregon, and inspired by the flora of the Cascade mountain range.
What does it taste like?
It is floral and bittersweet, with rose and lavender on top and a herbal core of gentian and angelica, finishing long and aromatic.
Is it bitter or sweet?
It is bittersweet in the aperitivo style, with a delicate floral body that softens its herbal bitterness, making it approachable as an aperitif.
When you’re ready, book a table, explore the cocktail & spirits list, and browse the dine-in menu.
