SigMT

"When we were sixteen we started working at Bar 47," says Amber. Owned by the twins' mother, Bar 47 gave the sisters their introduction into the bar and restaurant world. "I think waiting tables when you're younger is so important for social skills," says Cassie. "It teaches customer service and you learn how to make conversation with strangers." While at the University of Portland, the twins spent a semester studying abroad in Perth, Australia. Eighteen is the legal drinking age in Australia, so the sisters spent time exploring. eir favorite hang-out was a speakeasy-themed rum bar called Sneaky Tony's. "You need a password to get in. You go down an alleyway to find a door with an eye-slot," says Cassie. "ey ask for the password and then see if there's room to let you in. ere's low lighting, books everywhere, lounge seating. It's the coolest thing to go to." Bringing this type of social vibe to White Sulphur Springs and choosing a name that harkens back to the history of Meagher County, the Coburns feel they have something in common with the founder of the jawbone railroad. "Richard Harlow got all the supplies to build his railroad off his jawbone. He talked his way without actually having the money for it," says Cassie. e sisters' ability to jawbone, or persuade, their customers into expanding their palates is striking. SiG MT 85 Photo: Sara Young Known as the "purple drink," the gin-based Speakeasy obtains its unique color from Crème de Violette liqueur. Amber and Cassie Coburn relish the support of the White Sulphur community. "They know we want to invest in our community," says Cassie. "We need younger people to come back to town with good ideas." Relying on the help of local craftsman, Nate Schendel, for the metal work and wood construction of the interior, the sisters could focus on crafting new cocktails like the Pomegranate Cosmo (i.e. Posmo) shown left. Burrata Caprese is topped with basil chiffonade and a drizzle of balsamic reduction and basil oil.

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