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It’s Cocktail Time—somewhere in the world!
Libations roundup from SF's Fancy Food Show

The 2006 NASFT Fancy Food Show featured exciting new items in the world of beverages. A refreshing trend toward natural, organic and novel tastes in the cocktail world, especially in the area of mixers, yielded these discoveries:

Stirrings caters to the cocktail culture with a line of delicious mixers and other beverage-enhancing products. Our samplings of Stirrings’ all-natural citrus-minty Mojito mixer, mouth puckering Apple Martini mixer, and a “Blueberry Pie Martini” complete with caramel-crust rimmer, were packed with flavor. By “all natural,” we mean that these mixers are made from filtered water, juices and natural flavorings—pure ingredients that add up to pure taste.

Above: Stirring's Apple Martini Mixer and Rimmer. Left: Stirring's Bloody Caesar Rimmer

Stirrings’ rimmers—colorful crystals that rim the glass and give an intense flavor hit to the cocktail experience—complement their mixers. Flavors include the sweet—Lemon Drop, Chocolate Martini and Mango Margarita—and the savory—Bloody Mary, Bloody Caesar and Dirty Martini.

Stirrings’ new line of mixers called “essences”--surprising taste sensations such as rose, basil, rosemary and lavender—turn martinis into aromatherapeutic aperitifs. Their new Blood Orange Bitters also brightens many cocktails, and when combined simply with soda, makes a superb non-alcoholic alternative. Stirrings’ new tart-sweet Cosmopolitan mixer, made with cranberry and lime juices, plus a recent partnering with POM to produce pomegranate products, follow the latest trend toward functional beverages, even at the bar.

Creative mixologists can mix and match flavored vodkas, mixers, and rimmers for signature one-of-a-kind cocktails. Check out Stirrings’ recipes for ideas.

Sonoma Syrup Company's Infused Simple Syrups

The infused simple syrups from the Sonoma Syrup Company are another addition to the world of great-tasting cocktails. Made from cane sugar and natural flavorings, this collection of infused syrups works great not only as mixers but also as flavor enhancers for tea, coffee, and other drinks. You can also pour them over fruit and use them in baking.

Sonoma Syrup Company's Pomegrante Infused Simple Syrup

Flavors include both the exotic and the familiar: Vanilla Bean, Pomegranate, White Ginger and Lime are just a few. You’ll find a host of tempting recipes for on the Sonoma Syrup Company’s website.

Now, the question is what to mix with these pure-and-natural mixers? The answer is easy: organic spirits from distillers such as Juniper Green Organic Gin. CF sampled their Juniper Green Organic Gin at the NASFT Fancy Food Show. Made from grain grown in organic soil with no chemical fertilizers or fungicides, this gin is certifiably organic. A combination of organic juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and savory gives it a unique, sweetly herbaceous taste. The Juniper Green website recommends mixing Juniper Green Organic Gin with tonic (organic, of course) and boasts an intriguing collection of recipes calling for Juniper Green Organic Gin as flavor-enhancing ingredient.

Other organic spirits at the show included UK5 Organic Vodka, made from pure water and grains grown without herbicides. UK5 Organic Vodka promotes the practice of “no hangover” drinking by suggesting that you mix their pure, organic spirit with freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. Check out their website for cocktail recipes such as The Ultimate Bloody Mary, Pink Punch and The Samba.

The trend toward organic spirits and naturally flavored mixers makes imbibing a healthy pastime, an exciting foray into new taste sensations and a fun way to explore creative mixology.

For more news from the NASFT Fancy Food Show, check out Fancy Food Digest and Tea Time Updated.