"Everybody knows" (in my Phaedra of Real Housewives of Atlanta voice) that I LOVE to host a fabulous event as much as I love attending them...the Square One Organic Vodka Mixology 101 Event held at my home for my friends was no exception.
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| Square One Organic Vodka: The first organic vodka on the market! My Pic from MCC 2012. |
I want to first thank Mrs. Allison Evanow (CEO/Owner of Square One Organic Vodka) for inviting me to host the event featuring such a marvelous product!
Uber-talented Cocktail Architect, Corey Bunnewith of Inspired Beverages, Inc. not only prepared magnificent hand-crafted cocktails featuring Square One Organic Vodka (Original Rye, Cucumber, Basil, and Botanical), he thoroughly educated the group!
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| Botanical, Corey, & Me! |
I designed the food pairings menu...
It seems there is a common misconception amongst my friends that I STRONGLY DISLIKE cooking because I CAN'T cook. Though simple dishes were served, I am glad I've dispelled this myth amongst friends who've never attended my quarterly Brunch Club at which I run a full service omelet bar with a variety of meat, cheese, and veggie fillings...but I digress!
Corey began with the fascinating history of the product. We learned that Square One Organic Vodka is not mass produced from grapes,corn, or potato like other products, but is produced from 100% organically grow rye! It is passed through micron paper to remove impurities (not charcoal) and the clean flavor derived from this process is evident! Another note: the master distiller is also an organic perfumist, a fact that is apparent when experiencing the aromatics offered by the products.
The cocktails:
Corey featured one cocktail per season. All guests were able to sample each vodka neat, just before tasting the elixir and were walked through the process.
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| Summer of Company One Theatre Group, Tiffany of Boston Fab, Mollie, and Danette of Yum Food sampling the Rye |
2 oz square one organic rye
.5 oz lillet blonde or rose
.25 oz caramelized honey*
-stir over ice
-strain into cocktail glass
-garnish with zest of lemon
*caramelized honey
4 oz water
16 oz local honey of choice
pinch of good sea salt
-over medium heat slowly cook honey for half an hour
-you will taste the new depth of flavor and provocative richer floral and nut driven tones
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| Lillet: A French Aperitif Wine, Lemon, and Square One Organic Vodka |
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| Edamame, Tomato, Black Bean, and Corn salad in Endive |
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| Cape Cod Chicken Salad (grapes, apples, and walnuts) over summer squash and zucchini |
Also served (not pictured): sliced baby English cucumbers topped with Cape Cod chicken salad.
-The Architect's Blueprint:
1.5 oz square one cucumber
.25 oz lemon juice
.25 oz black pepper syrup*
top with sparkling chenin(baumard)
-shake first 3 ingredients
-strain into champagne flute
-top with chenin
*pepper syrup
10 oz florida cane sugar
2 T black pepper(tellicherry)
10 oz water
-combine and bring to boil
-strain and chill
"Market Fresh": Square One Organic Basil, Roasted Ancho Pepper, Fresh Sweet Corn Water, Citrus
Corey mesmerizing Deb with his corn water!
-The Architect's Blueprint:
1.5 oz square one basil
.5 oz sweet corn juice*
.25 oz lemon juice
.25 oz honey
-shake and strain over fresh rocks
*sweet corn juice
-husk local sweet corn
-cut of kernels
-blend and strain. keep chilled
*ancho puree
-whole anchos
-roast with evoo, salt and pepper
-300 degrees, 4 hours
-puree, with fresh sage and lemon zest
-strain
At this point in the evening, Personal Chef Jessica Asbun of Jessica's Table (my neighbor) shows up and whips the kitchen into shape! I was so very grateful to have her! She prepared and backed the naan pizzas and a creation of her own with the available ingredients!
Jessica preparing the pear, goat cheese, and proscuitto naan pizza
Jessica's creation: corn, walnut, goat cheese, and prosciutto pizza! Everyone loved it!
Pretzel chips with black bean queso and pico de gallo.
Also served (not pictured): pretzel chips topped with spicy chipotle hummus and feta cheese
"Save the Best for Last": Square One Organic Botanical, Brown Butter, Ginger, Rosemary, Cider
-This beautiful warm bombshell was the perfect finale. Who knew you could serve a warm vodka cocktail? The spicy, herbaceous creation was definitely a crowd favorite and it was fun to watch the prep work in the kitchen! The entire party filled the kitchen.
-The Architect's Blueprint:
2 oz square one botanical
apple cider
brown butter
ginger
honey
salt
rosemary
etc
-in saucepot begin to brown 2 oz of butter
-add chopped ginger, salt, rosemary, baking spices
-when butter is browned and infused add cider and bring a boil
-run through blender or serve as is
-add botanical to order
Naan pizza with red pear and goat cheese
Naan pizza with red pear, goat cheese, and prosciutto
Butter-pan-fried pound cake bites with ginger, strawberry preserves, and whipped cream garnished with mint leaf and candied ginger.
My friends were all very excited about the product and many asked about the distribution around the Greater Boston area. They were encouraged to request the product at their favorite local spirits stores. I am looking forward the continuing to spread the word!
Check out Square One Organic Vodka for yourself!
-The Architect's Blueprint:
1.5 oz square one cucumber
.25 oz lemon juice
.25 oz black pepper syrup*
top with sparkling chenin(baumard)
-shake first 3 ingredients
-strain into champagne flute
-top with chenin
*pepper syrup
10 oz florida cane sugar
2 T black pepper(tellicherry)
10 oz water
-combine and bring to boil
-strain and chill
"Market Fresh": Square One Organic Basil, Roasted Ancho Pepper, Fresh Sweet Corn Water, Citrus  |
| Corey mesmerizing Deb with his corn water! |
-The Architect's Blueprint:
1.5 oz square one basil
.5 oz sweet corn juice*
.25 oz lemon juice
.25 oz honey
-shake and strain over fresh rocks
*sweet corn juice
-husk local sweet corn
-cut of kernels
-blend and strain. keep chilled
*ancho puree
-whole anchos
-roast with evoo, salt and pepper
-300 degrees, 4 hours
-puree, with fresh sage and lemon zest
-strain
At this point in the evening, Personal Chef Jessica Asbun of Jessica's Table (my neighbor) shows up and whips the kitchen into shape! I was so very grateful to have her! She prepared and backed the naan pizzas and a creation of her own with the available ingredients!
 |
| Jessica preparing the pear, goat cheese, and proscuitto naan pizza |
 |
| Jessica's creation: corn, walnut, goat cheese, and prosciutto pizza! Everyone loved it! |
 |
| Pretzel chips with black bean queso and pico de gallo. |
"Save the Best for Last": Square One Organic Botanical, Brown Butter, Ginger, Rosemary, Cider
-This beautiful warm bombshell was the perfect finale. Who knew you could serve a warm vodka cocktail? The spicy, herbaceous creation was definitely a crowd favorite and it was fun to watch the prep work in the kitchen! The entire party filled the kitchen.
-The Architect's Blueprint:
2 oz square one botanical
apple cider
brown butter
ginger
honey
salt
rosemary
etc
-in saucepot begin to brown 2 oz of butter
-add chopped ginger, salt, rosemary, baking spices
-when butter is browned and infused add cider and bring a boil
-run through blender or serve as is
-add botanical to order
 |
| Naan pizza with red pear and goat cheese |
 |
Naan pizza with red pear, goat cheese, and prosciutto |
 |
| Butter-pan-fried pound cake bites with ginger, strawberry preserves, and whipped cream garnished with mint leaf and candied ginger. |
My friends were all very excited about the product and many asked about the distribution around the Greater Boston area. They were encouraged to request the product at their favorite local spirits stores. I am looking forward the continuing to spread the word!
Check out Square One Organic Vodka for yourself!
Disclosure: All Vodka Product was provided by Square One Vodka via Inspired Beverages
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