2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia - 20

TIPS FOR

Organic
DRINKS

* USE FRESH FRUITS for the
pinnacle in flavor and health
benefits: fresh-squeezed limes
and oranges, muddled berries
and melons, and pureed tomatoes.
* USE FRESH HERBS as
garnishes, assuring that your
nose is greeted with a welcoming
aroma from the very first sip of
your cocktail.
* GROW YOUR OWN ingredients
for the ultimate freshness: herbs,
ginger (besides the root, you can
use the edible flower for infusions
and garnishes), berries, tomatoes
and cucumbers.
* FORAGE FOR WILD ingredients.
With a little education, you can find
fruits, herbs and edible flowers that
will bring nature to your glass. (Be
sure to forage only in areas where
taking nature's bounty is allowed
and not in areas where chemicals
or animal waste may be present.
Get reliable information on finding
safe, edible plants and avoiding
all others.)
* STORE HERBS for out-ofseason use in infusions by freezing
them with water in ice trays.
* MAKE YOUR OWN simple syrup
from sugar or honey or create your
own shrubs. Add natural flavors
like ginger, rosemary, lemongrass,
jalapeños, citrus and other fruits.
* USE ORGANIC AGAVE syrup in
place of simple syrup (you'll use
only half as much).
* USE ORGANIC VODKA as a base
for making your own liqueurs, such
as limoncello, ginger, coffee and
vanilla.
* STOCK NATURAL SODAS for
drinks like the Moscow Mule, Dark
'n' Stormy, and rum and cola.
* STOCK PREMIUM NATURAL
tonic waters for cocktails like gin
or vodka tonic. -AT

20 VIRGINIA ABC | ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV

FoodĒ's fresh ingredients merge
the tastes between kitchen and bar.
A delivery of sage, rosemary, basil
and fruit can appear on both the
food and the cocktail menu, Crump
explains, "reflecting the season all
over the menu."

PURE SPIRITS
Quality distilleries in Virginia and
beyond make liquors that support
organic principles.
James River Distillery in
Richmond uses organic corn grown
in Essex County as well as with
organic barley.
"We use organic grains for our
spirits because they are better for
the environment, and we want
to support local farmers that are
using sound ecological processes,"
says head distiller Dwight Chew.
The spirits of James River,
available at Virginia ABC stores and
at the distillery tasting room, include
Commonwealth Gin, Continental
Classic Gin and Øster Vit aquavit
made with oyster shells (especially
good in a spicy Bloody Mary).
Catoctin Creek Distilling not
only sources ingredients for its
distilled products from local and
organic sources, the tasting room
likewise focuses on fresh.
"For mixers, we almost always
use fresh fruit and juice it
ourselves, which works when
you use organic fruit," says
Scott Harris, who co-owns the
Purcellville distillery with his wife,
head distiller Becky Harris. "It's
always nice to find the best fruit
and spices, and nowadays, most
grocery stores have a pretty nice
selection of organic produce."
Two products from Catoctin
Creek-Roundstone Rye 80
Proof and Roundstone Rye 92
Proof-earned 2018 accolades
from The Good Food Awards,
which recognizes companies who
set new standards for social and

environmental practices.
In their Richmond distillery,
Belle Isle Craft Spirits co-owners
Vince Riggi and Brian Marks create
a premium moonshine using 100
percent organic corn. Besides the
smooth, easy-drinking 80-proof
Belle Isle Black Label and 100-proof
shine, consumers can enjoy Honey
Habanero moonshine (using honey
from Waynesboro), Ruby Red
Grapefruit and Cold Brew Coffee
(with locally roasted Fair Trade
coffee).
Bluecoat American Dry Gin
from Philadelphia Distilling uses
100 percent certified organic
botanicals. As an American dry,
Bluecoat is reminiscent of London
dry gin, but even more aromatic
and flavorful, tickling the nose and
the palate, while also smooth and
light. The juniper notes are joined
with coriander, notes of citrus and
an earthy goodness.
From Minnesota, Prairie Organic
Spirits uses non-GMO organic
corn that is grown at local, familyowned and -operated farms.
The farmers rely on native birds
and bats to consume the insect
populations, and their fields play
host to red fox and ring-necked
pheasants.
Prairie Organic makes vodka
and a cucumber vodka, which
uses oils from farm-fresh organic
cucumbers, giving the spirit a
soft cucumber flavor with a brisk
start and a cool, clean finish. It's a
spritely addition to a cocktail with
lime juice, basil-rosemary simple
syrup and soda water.
Square One Organic Spirits
in California uses only organic
rye grain. Because of rye's rich,
potent impact, the neutral spirit
contributes its hint of flavor
to cocktails. In Virginia ABC
stores, look for flavored Square
One vodkas like Bergamot citrus
with botanicals; Cucumber; and
Basil, using four varieties of basil
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2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia

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