December 2009 News & Notes
Along with our still, Ethel, we wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends, good cheer and good cocktails.
Thanks for including our spirits in your celebrations!
Latest Media Coverage
Did you see us in the New York Times on Sunday, November 29th? Our aquavit was also recommended by the folks at Imbibe Magazine and Sloshed! for holiday gifts this year.
Fun Events of Many Flavors
At this time of holiday celebrations and gift giving, we invite you to stop by one of our upcoming tasting events. We'll be serving up some holiday cocktails, and offering personally signed bottles. We'll even have gift boxes and bags for your wrapping pleasure.
Thurs 12/17 - Binny's in Naperville & Plainfield 4-7 pm
Fri 12/18 - Gold Eagle Liquors in Libertyville 4-7 pm,
Cardinal Wine & Spirits in Crystal Lake 5-7 pm, and
our friend Carol at Fox & Obel in Chicago 4-6 pm
Sat 12/19 - Binny's in Highland Park from 1-4 pm and at
Wine Discount Center in Chicago from 12-4 pm
Sun 12/20 - We're at Binny's in St. Charles & Skokie
from 1-4 pm
Weds 12/23 - We're at Binny's in Lake Zurich from 3 to
6 pm, and at Whole Foods in Northbrook (they carry
spirits now!) from 2 to 5 pm
Holiday Gifts
Already bought the bottle, and looking for another gift idea? How about an absinthe spoon and glass, or a North Shore Distillery hat? We have a huge sale in our distillery store through the end of the year. We ship, or you can pick them up from us at a tasting event.
Last of the Mole Poblano
Have a friend or relative who loves our Mole Poblano? You can still find a bottle or two out there - here's the latest list.
Evening Blossom
Created by Tim Lacey of The Drawing Room
Into a cup of hot jasmine tea pour 1 oz. Distiller's Gin No. 6. Stir & enjoy.
Aquavit Toddy
1 ½ oz Aquavit - Private Reserve
4½ oz Hot Water
Half a Lemon Wheel
One Sugar Cube
Cloves, nutmeg & cinnamon
Insert 2 cloves into lemon wheel. Place lemon and sugar cube into mug, add Aquavit and hot water. Sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon on top, then stir with a cinnamon stick.
Peppermint Patty
1 oz North Shore Vodka
1 oz White Chocolate Liqueur (Godiva)
1 oz Cream or Half & Half
½-1 part Peppermint Syrup
Rim martini glass with dark chocolate shavings. Shake all ingredients over ice, strain into martini glass. Garnish with mini candy cane.
Chrysanthemum Cocktail
A great old cocktail - deeply complex and nuanced
2 oz Dry Vermouth
1 oz Benedictine
1/2 oz Sirène Absinthe Verte
Shake ingredients with ice, strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with large swath of orange peel.
Helpful Hints for Holiday Imbibing
Strong vs. Weak
Your body will absorb a stronger drink more slowly than a weak one. The valve to your stomach will react in shock to a stronger drink, letting it in more slowly than a beer or wine. More North Shore cocktails all around!
Straws and Bubbles
Both drinking through a straw, and using carbonation in a drink, will speed up absorption of alcohol in your body. Sparkling wine has been shown to increase absorption by up to 70%.
A Few Good Quotes
On Social Responsibility: "If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt." - Dean Martin
On Annoying Relatives: "An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools." - Ernest Hemingway
On Wise Relatives: "It was my Uncle George who discovered that alcohol was a food well in advance of modern medical thought." - P.G. Wodehouse
On Resolutions: "If you resolve to give up smoking, drinking and loving, you don't actually live longer, it just seems longer." - Clement Freud
All of these from Alcoholica Esoterica by Ian Lendler