November 2007 News
We're Celebrating!
Its the second anniversary of our sale of our first bottle (and our third anniversary as a company), and we're very excited to be here and be celebrating two years of making and sharing North Shore spirits. Can you believe it's been two years already?
Chicago's First Iron Bartender
Sonja had the privilege of watching the first-ever Chicago Iron Bartender be crowned this week. Check out the story!
You can still find Rhuginger No. 6 in a few places. Did you see the latest blogs about it? Where to buy
And some fabulous fall cocktail recipe ideas, including the North Shore Appletini and the Pear Basil Cooler.
Its our Anniversary!
On November 1, 2005, we delivered our very first order to our very first customer. We'll always remember how great the folks at Lake Forest Food & Wine were to us (and still are). They ordered two cases on Sonja's very first sales call ever!
We have met so many amazing people and made so many new friends in the last two years at the fantastic restaurants, liquor stores and bars in Chicago, as well as through our Distiller's Club and all our events. We thank you very much for your interest, your support and your friendship!
Chicago's First Iron Bartender
This week, Sonja attended the first-ever Chicago Iron Bartender Competition at Le Passage. Twelve finalists battled it out and created an amazing array of cocktails, but only one could be crowned Chicago's first Iron Bartender. We have some amazing bartenders in the Chicago area, and this was a fantastic opportunity to see them all in action, all in one place.
The Rules
Each competitor had a few minutes to scout out the available ingredients before the event began. The bar was stocked with a variety of fruits, juices, spices and other potential ingredients. However, none of the competitors was able to make the recipe submitted to the contest initially - everyone was missing at least one critical ingredient. Instead, they were forced to modify their recipe or make an entirely new drink on the fly.
The winner?
Congratulations to Peter V. from Sepia - he was crowned the Iron Bartender! For more details and photos, visit Sonja's blog. Peter's on the far right of the photo at left.
New Retailers
ILLINOIS
Chicago
Bluprint, The Hopleaf, UnCork It, Otom Restaurant, and 676 Bar at the Omni Hotel
Deerfield
Ristorante Abruzzo
Evanston
La Petite Amelia
Glendale Heights
Foremost Liquors
Lake Zurich
Binny's Beverage Depot
Naperville
Distinctive Cork
INDIANA
Fishers
Crown Liquors
Ft. Wayne
Cap 'n Cork
Hamilton
Pier 32
Indianapolis
Dunaway's, Flemings, Loon Lake Lodge, United Package Liquor #22 and #25
Lafayette
Village Bottle Shoppe
South Bend
City Wide Liquors
Valparaiso
Trail Inn Liquors
Whiting
Keith's Restaurant
Want to come out and try our products? Check out our upcoming in-store tasting events
COMPLETE RETAILER LIST
For a complete list of the fine restaurants, bars & stores that carry our products, visit our
updated online list.
Looking for Rhuginger No. 6? Visit the page on our website for retailers carrying that product.
North Shore Appletini
2 parts North Shore Vodka
½-1 part Cinnamon Schnapps
3-4 parts Apple Juice
Cinnamon & Apple Slice
Shake all ingredients over ice, strain into martini glass. Add dash of cinnamon and apple slice. Can also be served warm - heat juice, stir ingredients together and serve!
1-½ oz North Shore Vodka
½ oz Mathilde Pear Liqueur
4-5 Fresh Pear or Apple Chunks
2-3 Basil Leaves
Muddle basil, fruit & liqueur. Add vodka, then top up with club soda.
More Alcohol Trivia
Old Time Measurements*
Tot = 1/6, 1/5, 1/4 or 1/3 a gill
Noggin = 1 gill
Gill = 1/4 pint
Bottle = 1-1/3 pints
History of The Cocktail Hour**
The concept of a cocktail hour began sometime between WWI and WWII, when folks began relaxing social norms about dinner attire (suddenly there was free time, why not have a cocktail?). Soon, cocktail hours began replacing teatime. When Prohibition started in 1920, however, the cocktail hour was again referred to as "tea time."
*Source - Schott's Food & Drink Miscellany by Ben Schott, p. 119
**Source - Alcoholica Esoterica by Ian Lendler, p. 3
North Shore Distillery is the first and only artisanal distillery in Illinois. We have a passion for spirits, and for developing creative new products. Learn more about us on northshoredistillery.com. We hope you enjoy our products!