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MNfusion: Sip Some Summer Cocktails Before Fall Arrives

September is here.

But while September may be upon us, fall is still weeks away as the remnants of summer linger on.

With a number of warm days still ahead, locally based spirits brand Prairie Organic Spirits mixed up some crisp summer cocktail recipes to help cool you off and ease you into fall.

In addition to sharing their tasty tips, I spoke with Marla Burke, Marketing & Creative Director from Phillips Distilling Company about their product and additional cocktail recipes.

Tell me a little bit about Prairie Organic Spirits. What do you distill?

Prairie Organic Spirits' vodka and gin offerings are USDA certified organic and created in small batches from organically grown corn harvested by Minnesota farmers with the utmost respect for the land. Made in Minnesota, the Prairie Organic Spirits portfolio consists of Prairie Organic Vodka, Prairie Organic Gin and Prairie Cucumber-Flavored Organic Vodka.

Interesting! Why did you decide to distill vodka first? When did you decide to add gin into the mix?

The brand received such favorable reception from consumers since our Prairie Organic Vodka launch in 2008 that we were eager to expand the product line to also include gin. In 2013, we introduced Prairie Organic Gin.

You mentioned you have the cucumber-infused vodka as well. Why was cucumber the first flavor chosen?

We were excited to add Prairie Cucumber-Flavored Organic Vodka to our portfolio in 2013, after Prairie Organic Vodka quickly earned such great reviews. With Prairie Cucumber-Flavored Organic Vodka, we've crafted a light flavor that's crisp and garden-fresh. It delivers an invigorating finish that truly pays homage to its roots, which is so important to our brand.

So, where did the name 'Prairie Organic' come from?

The Prairie name was inspired from its Minnesota roots and the farmers who operate our fields.

You make mention that your product is organic. What is the difference between organic vodka and non-organic vodka? Why did you decide to go organic?

It was essential to us that Prairie Organic Spirits was crafted with uncompromising natural and organic ingredients, to make it some of the best tasting spirits possible.  This means that the corn grown and used to make Prairie is free of chemicals. No pesticides or herbicides are used and once our fields are ready. Prairie Organic Spirits' mission is to empower consumers with naturally great taste to elevate their cocktail experience through organic vodka and gin offerings that are crafted with respect straight from the Midwest prairie.

The process to distill the organic vodka can take up the three years. Why does it take this amount of time?

It is important to us that Prairie Organic Spirits are meticulously crafted with uncompromising natural and organic ingredients. Prairie Organic Spirits' farmers mind their fields up to three times longer than conventional farmers to cultivate the nutrient-rich soil and organic corn that will become Prairie spirits. Farmers work for three seasons before they can plant one single vintage organic corn seed. This allows the soil to cleanse itself from any contaminants and to regenerate its nutrient base.

It's great to hear such work and care goes into creating the product. In addition to educating consumers about where their liquor is coming from, you also offer videos on how to create their own infusions. Why did you decide to teach about infusions instead of creating more flavors? What is your favorite infusion?

We believe infusions are a great way to add a personal touch to Prairie Organic Vodka. We want to give our consumers options, while still preserving Prairie Organics Spirits natural character. My favorite infusion is strawberry & basil infusion and then topping off with club soda in the cocktail. It's extremely fresh and a little unexpected with the addition of basil. Infusions are great for parties as well as gifts when you want to add a homemade touch to a gift.

What are some other examples of summer cocktails you can make with ingredients from the garden?

Herbs are a great way for at home mixologists to accent their cocktail creations. As a way to celebrate the summer season, below are two cocktails inspired by popular seasonal herbs grown in summer gardens:

Rosemary Vodka Lemonade

*Recipe created by Jacob Hadjigeorgis
1 ½ oz. rosemary-infused Prairie Organic Vodka
2 ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemonade
5 rosemary sprigs

Directions
Muddle lemon slice and five rosemary leaves with a teaspoon cane sugar. Add remaining ingredients, top with ice and shake. Pour over ice in Collins glass.

Garden 75

*Recipe created by Alan Cooper
¾ oz. Prairie Organic Gin
¾ oz. Prairie Organic Vodka
¾ oz. simple syrup
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. Contratto Bitter
Rosemary
Prosecco/sparkling wine

Directions
Put simple syrup in shaker with six rosemary stalks and muddle. Add all other ingredients except Prosecco into shaker. Shake, then double strain into a Collins glass with ice. Top with Prosecco.  Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

What is your favorite summer cocktail to make with Prairie?

Right now we've been mixing up watermelon focused cocktails to go with the summer season. My favorite is muddling fresh watermelon with Prairie Cucumber-flavored Organic Vodka, and a splash of homemade simple syrup, its extremely refreshing.

Enjoy some other cocktail recipes from Prairie Organic below!

Cucumber Gin Cooler

1.5 oz. Prairie Organic Gin
4 cucumber slices
¼ lime, sliced
4 oz. tonic water
6 mint leaves
1 tbsp. sugar

Directions
Add mint, lime, gin and sugar to a shaker and muddle. Add cucumber slices to the shaker and shake vigorously. Pour mixture over glass filled with ice, top with tonic water and stir.

Garden Variety

2 oz. Prairie Cucumber-Flavored Organic Vodka
2 1-inch cubes of seedless watermelon
1 diced lime (bitter ends removed)
1 oz. organic agave nectar
Salt
1 cucumber slice

Directions
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, then serve in a lowball glass over ice with a lightly salted rim. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Blueberry Basil Lemon Gimlet
3 oz. blueberry basil syrup*
2 oz. Prairie Organic Vodka
2 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
Seltzer water

Directions
Stir together all the ingredients into a pitcher filled with ice cubes until cold. Strain into individual glasses, filling them up about 3/4 full. Top off with seltzer water and garnish with basil sprigs.

*Blueberry Basil Syrup
Makes about 2-1/2 to 3 cups
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
Zest from one lemon
1 pint blueberries
2 cups packed fresh basil sprigs

Directions
In a medium saucepan, stir together all of the ingredients over medium heat until the sugar has melted. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat a little and simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Strain the contents into a bowl, pressing hard against the sieve, then discard the solids. After it's cooled, cover the syrup and store it in the refrigerator until cold.

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