A bottle of booze titled “Wintersun” is pretty aptly named right about now — considering the ball in the sky that graces Northwesterners with its occasional appearance nowadays and the libation application required when it does not come out.
From the marina port in Everett, Washington, Bluewater Distilling knows the hazy, gray days of this region well, creating a number of house cocktails utilizing its organic Wintersun aquavit to remedy the season.
A self-described “cocktail destination,” Bluewater’s 100-percent organic spirits are produced in a hand-hammered copper kettle, one batch at a time, then displayed straight and in the form of various creative concoctions in the waterfront tasting room.
“Our philosophy at Bluewater is to start from scratch with simple ingredients to reinterpret the current cocktail culture with a sustainable and ethical focus,” says Maggie Burton, the distillery’s cocktail director. “By taking a culinary approach and emphasizing seasonality and flavor pairings, we push the limits of mixology to develop balanced and adventurous cocktails.”
One such cocktail is the Nordic Blossom Sparkler, a brunch-inspired cocktail featuring the Wintersun aquavit that defies the season with its peachy, bubbly profile. “The botanicals in Wintersun pair so well with peach that it revives a classic cocktail with a contemporary approach,” Burton says, crediting the Bellini as the influence. “Enjoy this cocktail at brunch with your friends and family while you’re dreaming of the summer months.”
Nordic Blossom Sparkler
Makes 1 cocktail
1 ounce Bluewater Distilling Wintersun Organic Aquavit
1/2 ounce thyme-infused simple syrup*
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce peach liqueur
2 drops orange blossom water
2 ounces sparkling wine
Garnish: edible flower
Pour all ingredients into a mixing tin, top with ice and shake. Strain into a Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish.
*To make the thyme-infused simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water and 1/4 cup of loosely packed thyme sprigs in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature before using.
