How to Go Green: Cocktails
by Kelly Rossiter, Toronto 
on 12. 2.08
Photo: Kelly Rossiter
There is something about sipping on a cocktail surrounded by friends that makes a party feel special. It doesn't matter what the time of year, whether you are getting into the holiday spirit, or sitting on a dock by a lake. Anybody can uncork some wine or crack open a beer, but serving a cocktail takes some thought and imagination. Choosing the perfect cocktail to serve is a great way to set the mood of the party.
It also takes a bit of ingenuity and legwork to make those cocktails green. From liquor to shaker and everything in between, we'll help you with lots of other ways to green your drinks, in our guide for How to Go Green: Cocktails over on Planet Green. Read on for a small sampling of our tips on how to make your cocktails tasty and green.
Photo: Kelly Rossiter
Use organic liquors when you can
More and more organic spirits are coming on the market, but actually finding them in your local store is not always easy. Vodka seems to be the most commonly available of spirits, which is great for you because so many terrific cocktails have a vodka base. Producers of organic spirits often make smaller batches and some retailers are reluctant to carry a product that they cannot guarantee will always be in stock. Ask your local purveyor or spirits about stocking organic products. They won't know you want it if you don't tell them.Think local
If you are lucky enough to have distillers in your state or even region, it may make more sense to buy their products. Some producers may not be “organic,” per se, but some distillers are making ecologically sound efforts in their business practices. For example, Maker's Mark has just installed a new waste treatment system which allows them to recycle their waste stream and creates renewable energy. 360 Vodka has a paper reduction policy in place, uses compact fluorescent light bulbs and green cleaning supplies and has a significant recycling program in effect. And, even if your local distiller doesn’t actively engage in overtly green practices, having it shipped across a state or two sure beats the entire country and whole globe, for that matter.Make your own spirits and liqueurs
If you’re up for a bit of a kitchen adventure, or you just can't find it, make your own booze. I had a bit of a conundrum because I am a gin drinker and I could only get organic vodka. So I did the next best thing and made my own. The key, of course, to making gin is procuring the juniper berries. Then you can play around with the other ingredients until you have a recipe that appeals to you. Add the juniper berries to a bottle of vodka and let it sit overnight. In the morning add the rest of the ingredients. At the end of the day, strain the botanicals from the alcohol and voila! You have a bottle of really delicious gin. And the best part is, your guests will be astonished that you made it. Check out the green cocktail recipes section of this guide for the full recipe, and you don’t have to stop there. These recipes for Irish cream and Kahlua-style coffee liqueur will help you stock your bar DIY-style.This is just the beginning of greening your cocktails, though; there's lots more about mixes, garnishes, and recipes over at the guide for How to Go Green: Cocktails on Planet Green. While you're there, be sure to check out the guide to Buy Green: Vodka, and our other guides for How to Go Green: Beers and How to Go Green: Wine, too. Cheers!
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