A little blurb about you:
My name is Sarah Schartner and I am the Front of House Manager at the Squam Lake Inn in Holderness.
I often bartend and thoroughly enjoy getting to know anyone who sits down at the bar be it Inn guests,
locals or seasonal Squamers. The owners of the Inn and I are always looking for fun, exciting cocktails to
bring to our menu and I love the creative process that goes along with bartending. Its never a dull day! I
do all of the liquor and wine ordering here at SLI and love to showcase New Hampshire and New
England made spirits. It’s so interesting how much the world of cocktails has expanded and continues to
grow. There is always something new to experiment with. Our little bar is all about crafting playful
cocktails people will remember from one year to the next. When I am not behind the bar, you can probably
find me out and about with my dog or heading to Squam for a boat day!
What do you think is the most underused bar tool?
I wholeheartedly believe a good shaker can go a long way for a bartender! A few of our signature
cocktails here at the Inn require egg whites, so a dry shake is necessary. Egg whites can often build up a
bit of pressure when you’re shaking them for 30-45 seconds, and so its imperative to have a shaker you
can trust. One of my biggest bartending pet peeves is when a shakers lid doesn’t get a proper seal. I’ve
had a few tops pop off before and it is far from fun to be behind the bar covered in egg whites for the next
four hours…
Favorite cocktail?
I have to say that a well crafted espresso martini is always a go-to for me. I am not a cream lover, so dark
with real espresso is my favorite. Simple is better in my book so a little vanilla liquor for sweetness, plus
the espresso and tequila is perfect. If you haven’t tried one made with tequila, I highly suggest it. They’re
so smooth with a reposado and the coffee flavor is truly enhanced. As a tequila lover, I can never go
wrong with a good ole’ skinny marg either; tequila, agave, lime and salt rim! Again, simplicity wins.
Favorite thing to do when not behind the bar?
As a born and raised N.H. girl, I love all things outdoors. I try to do something different every season.
Skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, hiking and boating in the warmer months. I spent 10 months in
southern Spain from 2023-2024 and although I did not want to leave, the lakes region of N.H. is an
amazing place to come home to. It’s funny how being away from something can bring out the beauty in it
again once you return. I feel so lucky to have grown up exploring these peaks and woods right in my
(extended) backyard.
How many years have you been bartending?
This is my third season bartending at the Inn. Summer 2025 will mark my fifth year here at SLI and I can
not believe it’s been that long already! I started as a server and now I am the bar/FOH manager. I love
the variation that bartending can give you, no two shifts are the same. Our restaurant has patrons that
have been coming for 5, 10, 15 years so it’s really special to make these connections that last for a long
time. Our customers are excited to see me behind the bar when they come each May for a new season and
I love that!
Favorite place in NH to visit?
My grandmother has a horse farm in South Tamworth and the older I get, the more I enjoy heading over
there. Its been a place where I learned to ride, and spent many a Thanksgiving. The loop we tend to walk
in the upper pasture will always be stunning to me. Sandwich, Tamworth and Wonalancet are such special
villages in our little state. I often talk to people here at the Inn about what growing up there was like there
and they are some of my favorite stories to share.
Favorite Tamworth Distilling Spirit
By far the fan favorite at our bar is the Tamworth Garden Gin. In the summer months we are
constantly running gin specials, as we do a Local Garden specialty cocktail nightly. I love this gin
because of how botanical it is. Sometimes I think customers are expecting gin to be harsh on their palette
but the Garden Gin is the opposite. It can be so light and refreshing when paired with the right
ingredients. The Clover Club was a big hit this past year, with raspberry puree, lemon juice, Tamworth
Garden Gin and egg whites. Sweet at first and then tart, but not enough to make you pucker, like key lime pie!
Signature Cocktail:
Autumnal Pear Sour
2 oz Tamworth Garden Gin
1 oz lemon juice
¾ oz house made ginger + cardamom simple syrup
1 oz fresh pear puree
Egg white
Served on the rocks, garnished with a dried pear slice
The Squam Lake Inn Kitchen + Bar is an award-winning family run restaurant located in Holderness, NH. The owners dedication to local and fresh food is showcased in their seasonally rotating menu and daily specials. Guest can cozy up at the bar and enjoy a signature craft cocktail, local brew or glass of wine and whether you are staying in one of their beautiful guest rooms or just passing through the experience is something you won’t forget anytime soon.
Visit Squam Lake Inn Kitchen + Bar to learn more!