Josh Morton, the mastermind behind Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur, took an unconventional route into the spirits industry. Before founding Barrow’s Intense, Josh had no experience as a bartender and wasn’t particularly into cocktails. He only enjoyed Barrow’s Intense straight over ice.The journey began with a trip to Italy, where Josh was introduced to homemade limoncello. Upon returning home, he found the store-bought versions needing improvement. A chef friend taught him the art of making limoncello, sparking Josh’s interest in creating unique liqueurs. He experimented with various flavors in his kitchen, he discovered ginger was a standout. His friends loved his ginger concoction, leading him to perfect the recipe into what is now known as Barrow’s Intense.
US laws categorize spirits, and Barrow’s Intense naturally fell into the liqueur category. The name “Barrow’s Intense” has its roots in Brooklyn, where Josh first experimented with the liqueur on Barrow Street. The word “Intense” reflects the bold ginger flavor and the meticulous process behind its creation. Barrow’s Intense found its home in Industry City, Brooklyn, where it has grown significantly, moving into its third space within the complex.
Barrow’s Intense consists of two types of ginger: a Hawaiian varietal sourced from China and organic Peruvian ginger. Fresh ginger is chopped and macerated in 192-proof neutral cane spirits for a minimum of three weeks, ensuring maximum flavor extraction. The mixture is then strained, blended with sugar and water to reach 44 proof, and bottled without heat or filtration, preserving the fresh ginger particles that give the liqueur its unique, cloudy appearance.
To maintain consistent quality, the production process relies on precise measurements and the complementary growing seasons of the two types of ginger. This balance ensures that Barrow’s Intense always delivers its signature intense ginger flavor.
Josh initially approached Barrow’s Intense to enjoy it straight over ice. However, he soon discovered its versatility in cocktails. Barrow’s Intense created a cocktail app to share this versatility, allowing users to find recipes based on their favorite spirits combined with Barrow’s Intense. The liqueur continues to impress with its bold flavor, whether straight or mixed.
Barrow’s Intense bottles keep sustainability in mind. The swing-top bottles and easily removable paper labels encourage reuse, often repurposed for juices, iced coffees, or water. While attempts to partner with bakers and food producers for leftover ginger haven’t continued, the focus on sustainability remains strong.
The recent renovation and upgrade of the NY Tasting Room in Industry City highlight Barrow’s Intense’s commitment to local craft distillers. The tasting room features over 200 types of spirits from 40+ NY state distillers, allowing visitors to explore and support local craftsmanship.
Josh recognizes the importance of diversity in the industry. Last year, Barrow’s Intense partnered with Speed Rack, a charity supporting breast cancer research and empowering women bartenders, to create a custom cocktail menu during Women’s History Month. This initiative, featuring women distillers and spirit owners, is set to continue, promoting inclusivity and support within the industry.
The future of Barrow’s Intense is bright. Josh is focused on expanding its reach and introducing more people to the exceptional ginger liqueur. Despite distribution in 48 states, Josh acknowledges that many are unaware of the brand. The goal is to spread the word and let everyone experience what Josh proudly calls the best ginger liqueur on the planet.
Josh Morton’s journey from a kitchen experiment to a renowned ginger liqueur brand is a testament to passion, innovation, and dedication. Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur continues to captivate with its intense flavor, sustainable practices, and commitment to community and diversity. For more information, visit https://barrowsintense.com/.
