Each month we take a lady we admire and give her the model treatment in our photo shoot, The Realest. We bring the wardrobe, stylist, photographer and makeup artist; she brings her anything-but-one-size-fits-all personality and style. Then we all head out on location for a professional shoot that showcases this month's cocktail and party looks. Adrianna Pappell beaded crop top and tulle midi skirt | Topshop ball stop hinge bangle and mirror statement ring | Charles David Ivette sandal | Glint lattice beaded minaudière

Sun Liquor's Jessica Tousignant can teach you something about spirits, style and enjoying life. In fact, she taught us how to saber a Champagne bottle and mix a Spanish G&T-more on that later. The marketing professional for Seattle-based boutique distillery has the enviable job of evangelizing the company's quality gins, vodkas and rums around the globe. Naturally, that brings her in contact with many fascinating industry folks, among whom she easily holds court, at international bars and restaurants.

Tell us about what you do at Sun Liquor.

We had the chance to talk with the energetic traveler and food-and-drink enthusiast over an equally effervescent cocktail. Here's what she told us about her personal style, beverage predilections and what to do in Cuba.

What and where are the liquors currently available for purchase?

In short, I handle sales, education, and have a hand in marketing as well. I find and establish new markets and support existing ones, which means that I'm out travelling all over the place for roughly half of every year. It's a quickly growing company, so I really wear a lot of hats, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

What do you usually wear to work? Sachin & Babi embellished jacquard fit & flare dress | Ivanka Trump Carra pump | BaubleBar Kirstel ear crawlers | Kendra Scott Naomi double finger ring
What do you usually wear to go out?

We have a lot! Everything we make is organic. We have UNXLD Vodka, Hedge Trimmer Gin, Gun Club Gin, Silver and aged auricle (cane juice) style rums as well as a line of bitters and our egg nog, which has an astounding cult following. We also have a few special releases coming up that everyone should keep their eyes peeled for: we got our hands on some of the raw honey that comes from the beehives kept on the rooftop of the Olympic Fairmont hotel-very exciting. Nationally, everything can be found at Total Wine & Spirits, and also on all Alaska Airlines flights.

Adrianna Papell embellished scuba gown | Stuart Weitzman ankle strap sandal What is your idea of the perfect evening out? In Seattle or anywhere in the world?

Well, it really depends on whether I'm travelling or home in Seattle. I'm hugely into tailored, classic pieces with a little edge. Usually all black everything. If I'm travelling, my suitcase is full of things that can be worn straight from meetings out to have cocktails, since that's just as much a part of my job as anything else. It's also important that things can stand up to the rigor of 18-hour days and my sprinting through whichever city I'm in. I always want to look put together, but I don't want to have to worry about being distracted by uncomfortable clothing. Diane von Furstenberg is great for that, so is Maggy London for simple daytime dresses. I also wear a lot of silk and tailored linen-silk blends when I'm in warmer weather. It allows me to wear black even while visiting Phoenix in August.

I love getting dressed up. When I go out I'm always mixing high and low, designer and vintage flea market finds. If it's a more casual night out you'll usually find me in black high-waist skinny jeans, a gauzy silk camisole or blouse, my leather jacket and Margiela boots. When I'm really getting dressed up I dig into my closet for my special pieces: my Guy Laroche jacket from the early '60s, well tailored little black dresses, swaths of silk, statement Lanvin earrings from the '60s. I'd kill for super-fitted wiggle skirts that cut to that perfect point below the knee, and a heel with just enough pitch to be intimidating. And always red lips, every day, no matter what.

BaubleBar drusy cuff | BaubleBar cuffs | Panacea drusy beaded bracelet Shiraleah embellished clutch What's your cocktail of choice?

I think one of the very best things anyone can ever do is share a meal and a bottle of wine. It is truly one of the most unifying experiences, no matter where you are or what you're eating-and has this really fantastic way of breaking down barriers. I'm most happy when I'm connecting with people in a genuine way. Though, to that point, there are few things worse than sharing a meal with abhorrent company.

Adrianna Papell corded lace sheath lace dress | BaubleBar delicate double drop earrings You recently went to Cuba. Do you have any suggestions for would-be travelers there?

My absolute standbys in Seattle are Le Pichet, Le Caviste, JarrBar, Damn The Weather, Single Shot and, of course, the original Sun Liquor on Summit. I think what they all have in common is that they have a low-key, unfettered atmosphere, the people working there have incredible palates and dedication to their craft, and I can have either a raucous time or deep conversation, if that's what the evening calls for.

Sole Society crystal minaudière How would you describe your personal style?

In the world? Aye, that's tough to answer. It's split between Paris at night and Orcas Island. Walking through the streets of Paris until the wee hours of the morning either with someone I love to discuss the ways of the world or totally alone with my thoughts. There's something so romantic about being immersed in all that history and beauty without crowds of people and noise. On Orcas, I feel connected to nature and my family history more than anywhere else. When I get back from being on the road I've been known to leave all my devices on the kitchen counter, put my dog in the car, and just drive straight up to disconnect for a few days. I am a true daughter of the PNW, and there's something sacred about sitting on the ground on that island with crab, oysters and rosé while basking in the sun.

Eliza J off-the-shoulder knit top and sequin mesh skirt | AGL Mary Jane flat | Topshop velvet choker Do you have a favorite article of clothing? Something that always makes you feel great and really put together?

Oh, this is the most common and hardest question to answer! It totally comes down to the weather and food, actually. I was just having a conversation with industry friends about our top 10 favorite spirits and we agreed we would have to have a top 40 list to make it fair. I generally go more for wine, but with cocktails I try to stick with lower alcohol content spirits as a base. Sherry-based cocktails are my absolute favorite right now. They're not only delicious and nuanced, they're also low in alcohol so they don't blast out my palate. I really love a good Martinez in cold months and classic daiquiris with agricole rum in the summer...and gin martinis, always.

Yes! Talk to people. Explore. Work outside of the box. A lot of restaurants are opening in people's homes and art is such a paramount part of the culture. Havana has so much life, and if you simply follow a guide book you're going to miss the point. Visit the museums and understand the culture. Keep the address for where you're staying in your pocket and get lost; you can always hop in a pedi cab when you get tired. Find the flea market, visit Somos Cuba in Old Havana; it's owned by a young couple that wake up every morning to get fresh seafood and produce outside of the city. They open for lunch and then dinner. Find someone who will drive you to Cojimar in their huge Cadillac, visit Bodegon las Brisas for lunch then drink cocktails out of pineapples on the beach. Sit on the patio at Café Madrigal and have cocktails while you smoke Cuban tabacco. But mostly, just talk to people.

Well, I think clothing is one of the most fun and immediate forms of self expression, and so I really love playing with it. I'd say my personal style is at once strong and hyper feminine. Rock-and-roll meets old school Hollywood. Thankfully, it's starting to shift now, but for a long time in our culture I think women have been told they either have to choose between embracing their sexuality or their intellect, and that's absolute, complete patriarchal nonsense. I love turning that on it's head and expressing the spectrum of femininity while ignoring those constructs. For me, proper tailoring and fabric quality is paramount and what can make even the most simple, affordable pieces look luxe and sexy.

I don't know if I'd feel like myself without high heels, red lipstick and a good manicure. With those, I could literally wear anything and feel really put-together. Other than that, I invest in really great lingerie; it's decadent...but really just for myself. I could be wearing a men's jumpsuit and white nurse clogs and still feel sexy if I knew I had La Perla or Agent Provocateur underneath.

How to make Jessica's Spanish Gin & Tonic:

A perfectly refreshing drink for the holiday season, a Spanish Gin & Tonic takes the country club favorite and gives it a culinary twist by infusing the liquor with a spicy seasonal palate left to the bartender's discretion. Jessica selected cinnamon and grapefruit as her flavor profile, and that certainly suits autumn. Other additions to try: peppercorns, cucumber slices, fresh ginger, cherries, star anise and chilies.

Ingredients:

Images: Elizabeth Rudge | Styling: Carmella Storniola & Brenna Carlson | Hair & Makeup: Jenny Verador

Sun Liquor Gun Club Gin
Fever Tree tonic water
Grapefruit peel
Cinnamon stick
Nasturtium flower for garnish

Directions:

1. Take a large wine glass.
2. Add a cinnamon stick and grapefruit peel to the glass. You want your garnish in first, as it's what flavors the gin-that's what makes this a Spanish G&T.
3. Fill the glass 3/4 full of ice.
4. Add the gin, 2 ounces.
5. Add 6-8 ounces of tonic water.
   
6. Gently stir the glass.
7. Add your garnish.

-Britt Burritt