The Intoxicologist Is In

I came across a press release today that made mention of one cocktail recipe with exact measurements which happened to contain Prairie Organic Vodka.  Having never tried this particular vodka, I decided to look it up and see what it was all about.  It certainly is organic from start to finish and then some from the description on the website.  Below is a very brief excerpt from the site regarding taste with a little about where it originates. 

 

“Prairie Organic Vodka is beautifully smooth.  With hints of melon and pear on the nose, creaminess on the palate and a bright, smooth finish, it rivals the most luxurious vodkas in the world.  It’s a natural journey from the earth to the bottle. 

 

Prairie is made with great respect for people and communities; the result of a unique partnership between a fifth-generation distilled spirits company and a co-op of over 900 Minnesota farmers who share ownership of the brand.”

 

Three recipes I found on the site are below followed by the original press release that sparked my curiosity to begin with.  Unable to stop there…I found Prairie Organic Vodka’s holiday media release from earlier this year as well.  It gives more valuable information about this interesting spirit. 

Red Hawk

Red Hawk

2 parts Prairie Organic Vodka

2 parts Pomegranate Juice

Squeeze of Fresh Lemon Juice

 

Pour ingredients into a shaker over ice and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a fresh mint leaf.

Prairietini

Tallgrass Tea

Tallgrass Tea

3 parts Prairie Organic Vodka

4 parts Green Tea

1 tablespoon Sugar

2 tablespoons of Fresh Lemon Juice

Pour ingredients over ice and strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass.

There are more recipes on the Prairie Vodka site such as “Prairie Mary” and “Lady Killer” which sounds particularly interesting with the addition of Aperol and fennel extract.  http://www.prairievodka.com/

Media Release: ‘Tis the Season as Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills Launches ‘Martini Tuesdays’ and Holiday Organic ‘Snap Apple Ecotini’

VERNON HILLS, Ill., Dec 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The stylish new Hotel Indigo(R) Chicago-Vernon Hills ( http://www.vernonhillsboutique.com) is debuting “Martini Tuesdays” every Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., serving up three 2-ounce martinis of choice for a very reasonable $5.99 in the PHI Bar & Bistro, along with discounts on delicious tapas appetizers to pair with an extensive line-up of 25 martinis. Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills, the area’s most trendy and affordable place to meet or relax after work, is located at 450 North Milwaukee Avenue.

In the spirit of the holidays, the hotel is also launching its Toys for Tots Program with the Village of Vernon Hills Police Department and U.S. Marine Corps.

The hotel’s exclusive debut of Martini Tuesdays and Toys for Tots Program will take place Tuesday, December 9th from 5 to 7 p.m. in the PHI Bar & Bistro. Samplers of seasonal martinis, including a special holiday “Snap Apple Ecotini” made with organic vodka, and PHI appetizers will be served. Guests are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy for a child of any age to contribute. The public is invited.

The Snap Apple Ecotini

2 oz. Prairie Organic Vodka

1-1/2 oz. Apple Cider

1/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

1/4 oz. Simple Syrup

All ingredients are poured into a shaker over ice, then strained into a martini glass and garnished with a cinnamon stick.

Examples of other signature PHI martinis include the “In.spirational Martini,” a mixture of Beefeaters Gin, Calvados, Grand Marnier and dry vermouth served in an apple sugar rimmed glass; the “In.dulge Martini,” true to its name with Absolut Vodka blended with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur in a chocolate swirl glass; and the “Grand Haiku Martini,” with Rum, Dry Vermouth, Triple Sec, dash of grenadine and lemon twist garnish. Martinis are paired with delicious tapas appetizers such as “Roasted Red Pepper Hummus” and “Seared Scallops with Applewood Bacon, Chives and White Truffle Oil.”

About the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills

Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills has emerged with a fresh, innovative redesign that reflects the hotel’s adherence to tranquility, renewal and the elements of nature, and a contemporary and comforting environment where guests can rest and recharge in luxury. The 100% non-smoking boutique hotel offers top-notch guest rooms, full service amenities and cutting edge healthy cuisine.

Highlights of the redesign include an innovative lobby; PHI Bistro & Bar; 127 stylish and beautifully appointed studio suites with hardwood floors, spa-inspired baths, complimentary WiFi, flat panel TV and refrigerator; ‘In.spiration’ flexible event space ideal for business and social occasions; 24-hour “Phitness” studio; business center, and indoor heated pool. Areas of the hotel’s public space each take on a different seasonal theme to showcase tranquility and comfort.

The hotel is minutes from numerous restaurants, shopping and entertainment, and offers complimentary shuttle service within a five-mile radius.

Hotel Indigo Chicago-Vernon Hills is owned by Florida Capital Real Estate Group of Heathrow, FL and managed by Lane Hospitality of Northbrook, IL ( http://www.lanehospitality.com), under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group ( http://www.ichotelsgroup.com). The hotel participates in the Priority Club Rewards ( http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/home ) frequency program, the industry’s first and largest guest loyalty program. For information and reservations, contact 1-847-918-1400 or toll-free 1-877-8-INDIGO (1-877-846-3446), or visit http://www.vernonhillsboutique.com/.

SOURCE Florida Capital Real Estate Group

 http://www.lanehospitality.com

Media Release: Spread the Green Spirit this Holiday Season

Prairie Organic Vodka makes green gift giving easy

MINNEAPOLIS (August 21, 2008) – Skip the malls and head to the local spirits store to find a luxurious, yet affordable green gift this holiday – Prairie Organic Vodka. 

Priced under $25, Prairie is not only the perfect gift for the holiday party hosts, co-workers, or foodies on your list, but gift-givers can also feel good knowing that the process in which the vodka is made is gentle to the earth while benefiting the organic farmers who are stakeholders in the brand. And, recently named Best of Overall Package and Gold Medal Packaging Design from the 2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirit Awards, Prairie doesn’t even need a ribbon on its sophisticated recyclable bottle, which features an elegant label created from organic inks.

Prairie is a beautifully smooth vodka distilled from organic #2 yellow corn and certified both organic and kosher. Each batch of Prairie is distilled as many times as necessary to yield the desired character and smoothness, typically between four to six times through a column still. The spirit opens with hints of melon and pear on the nose, followed by creaminess on the palate and a bright and smooth finish.

In the spirit of self-reliance, leftover corncobs and other biomass are converted on-site at the distillery to biogas energy for powering the stills. In addition, the Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a co-product of distillation, is returned to farms for reuse as feed. Since Prairie is crafted many thousands of miles closer to home than imported brands, it also requires significantly less petroleum to bring to market.

Prairie can be found at spirits stores nationwide with a suggested retail price of $24.99 for a 750 mL bottle. Prairie was recognized at the 2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirit Awards with a Gold Medal Spirit Award, Gold Medal Packaging Design Award, Best of Overall Package, and Best Package of Show. For additional information visit www.prairievodka.com.

About Phillips Distilling Company and Prairie Organic Vodka

Phillips Distilling Company is a fifth generation, family-owned maker of distilled spirits products based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prairie Organic Vodka is the result of a unique partnership between Phillips Distilling and a co-op of over 900 Minnesota farmers who are stakeholders in the brand. It is one of a handful of spirits certified kosher by the Orthodox Union and organic by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). Prairie is 40 percent alcohol by volume and carries a suggested retail price of $24.99 (750 mL) and $44.99 (1.75 L). For more information on Prairie visit www.prairievodka.com or www.phillipsdistilling.com.  And please remember to always enjoy Phillips products in moderation.