Americans have become increasingly interested in organically grown products during the last few years. According to a survey by the Organic Trade Association in 2011, sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010 in the United States. www.ota.com/organic/mt/business.html. As we grow more and more concerned with the quality of our food, it’s little wonder that we also have started to expect more quality from our drinks.
On March 22, the launch of American Harvest Organic Spirit was celebrated at the Hamilton on 14th Street. Behind the bar was top mixologist Todd Richman, mixing delicous-tasting specialty cocktails for the enthusiastic crowd that had showed up to taste the organic goods.
“The market for organic spirits is growing nicely, people are looking for the best quality spirits and ingredients to make cocktails with,” Richman said.
American Harvest, vodka made from organic winter wheat that is sustainably grown in Idaho, is a tasteful addition to the growing selection of organic spirits available around Washington. Several liquor stores in Washington will have the new vodka in stock. “It’s exciting to work with American Harvest as a base spirit, because the quality of the spirit and the organic nature drives me to use organic ingredients from local farms when possible,” Richman said. Among other organic spirits you can find in local liquor stores, are Square One Organic Spirits www.squareoneorganicspirits.com/index.html and TRU Organic Vodka and Gin www.greenbar.biz.
Todd Richman’s favorite organic cocktail, “Local Harvest”:
Ingredients:
2 parts American Harvest
4 fresh basil leaves
3 lime wedges
3 thin slices of cucumber
¼ part agave nectar
Muddle basil, lime and cucumber. Combine with American Harvest and agave nectar in a cocktail glass filled with ice. Shake hard and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with basil leaf and a slice of cucumber.
