2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia - 22

plus coriander, honeysuckle and
lemongrass.
Two other organic vodkas available
in Virginia are Ocean Vodka and Rain
Vodka (related only in their name's
allusions to water). Ocean Vodka is
distilled from organic sugarcane and
blended with desalinated, deepocean mineral water from Hawaii.
Besides what it doesn't have (GMOs,
herbicides or pesticides), it does
have a high mineral content from
the water, for a unique character and
flavor. Rain Vodka, distilled from
organic Kentucky corn, is available in
Virginia in its classic version and in

Cucumber Lime and Honey Mango
Melon.
The focus on organic at Casa Noble
begins before it starts distilling
tequila. The distillery owns more
than 3,000 acres of rich, volcanic
fields in Jalisco, Mexico, and grows
its own organic blue agave.
"Long before becoming one of
the first certified organic tequilas,"
claims Casa Noble's website, "our
devotion to preserving the land was
present in everything we do. From
establishing agave fields on a highaltitude estate, to making our own
compost, we continue giving back

to nature because of everything it's
given us."
The Casa Noble brand releases
small-batch tequilas. Besides organic,
the brand emphasizes cooking in
traditional stone ovens, barrel-aging
in lightly toasted French oak barrels
and extended aging.

KEEPING IT REAL
So you've got your liquor. Now to
make some amazing cocktails, using
natural mixers or-better yet-fresh
natural ingredients.
Many contemporary companies

Fresh & Natural
SOUTHSIDE

James River Distillery
▷
▷
▷
▷

2 OZ.S COMMONWEALTH GIN
1 OZ. FRESH LIME JUICE
1 ½ OZ. SIMPLE SYRUP
5 MINT LEAVES

Place mint leaves in hand and clap. Then
shake all ingredients vigorously, with ice,
and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with
a mint leaf.

STRAWBERRY MOSBITO
Catoctin Creek Distillery
A fun play on the mojito

▷ 1 ½ OZ. CATOCTIN CREEK
WATERSHED GIN
▷ 1 OZ. FRESH LIME JUICE
▷ 1 OZ. SIMPLE SYRUP
▷ MINT LEAVES
▷ STRAWBERRIES
▷ SPARKLING WATER
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the
mint, three strawberries and lime
juice until well mixed and mashed
together. Add ice and gin to the
shaker and shake vigorously.
Strain the contents into a tall glass
of ice, top with sparkling water and
garnish with mint, strawberries and
a lime wheel.

22 VIRGINIA ABC | ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV

Serve over ice in a highball glass. Garnish
with a grapefruit slice. For added oomph,
add a splash of prosecco or cranberry shrub.

MINT-KISSED WATERMELON MARTINI
Keep It Simple Syrup

▷ 1 CUP WATERMELON, CUBED
▷ 2 OZ. SPEARMINT KEEP IT SIMPLE SYRUP
▷ 1 OZ. FRESH-SQUEEZED LIME JUICE
(ABOUT 2 LIMES)
▷ 6 OZ. PRAIRIE ORGANIC VODKA
Liquefy all ingredients (except vodka) in a
blender. Strain purée and pour liquid into a
shaker with ice. Add vodka and blend well.
Strain into 4 chilled martini glasses. Garnish
with spearmint leaves or slices of lime.

BACK PORCH

From Red Root & Co.
▷ 2 PARTS VODKA
▷ 2 PARTS CRANBERRY
JUICE
▷ 2 PARTS RED ROOT & CO
BLUEBERRY VANILLA
SHRUB
▷ 1 PART FRESH LEMON
JUICE
Shake and strain. Add
soda water to taste.
http://ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV
2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia

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