Brooke Maura, the creative brains behind Living Aware Daily values a sustainable way of life.  Recently, she posted a blog about ORGANIC NATION letting Washingtonians and beyond know that O-N is O-N its way to WA--Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or bust!  Thanks, Brooke for all your support and passion!  Hope you had a ball in Portland at Urban Farmer, Departure, Portland City Grill, all of which carry ORGANIC NATION gin and vodka!

It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm!  And the Tasters were out!   Once again, ORGANIC NATION Spirits wowed the crowd.  Besides serving tastes of both our luscious spirits, we had a yummy BEE'S KNEES, that classic 1920's cocktail mix, to offer. We were at Backroads Studio, where Harriet Greene and Marty Goldman live and create incredible works of art.   To round things out, Mystic Treats was serving up delicious pizza, such as their Southern Oregon, which features hazelnuts, figs and gorgonzola cheese!

I think that the local bars might be inundated with requests so here is the recipe for you to give them:

ORGANIC NATION~ It's the BEE'S KNEES:
2 oz. of ORGANIC NATION gin
3/4 oz - 1 oz. fresh squeezed organic lemon juice
1 oz. honey syrup
Shake with ice in a shaker and serve UP in a gorgeous Martini glass

Honey syrup:   mix 1:1 local honey to water, heat up to meld.
**This is a cocktail that you have to taste as you go, you might need more honey, if the lemons are tarter than usual or less honey if the honey is stronger than some.   Taste away and enjoy on a nice warm day!
             

ORGANIC NATION vodka celebrated its fourth birthday!  On April 30, 2008, the Oregon state liquor stores started selling ORGANIC NATION vodka.  Since that date, our vodka has gained access in Asia and Europe and won two Silver medals and a Gold!!  On January 16, 2012, our premium organic vodka captured a Gold Medal because of it's smooth, delicious taste and sustainable roots with the Good Food Awards.  We are really proud to have been included with all those outstanding food producers and to be chosen as a Gold Medal winner!

ORGANIC NATION spent the weekend celebrating with the City of Ashland at the Fifth Annual Ashland Food and Wine Classic. A great big thank you goes out to Suzanne Kurth, Steve Spelman, Eileen Dunn  and Marilyn Borkin for being at the O-N booth and educating visitors on the superb quality of the ORGANIC NATION product line. Also, ORGANIC NATION would like to congratulate David Georgeson of Lark's for winning Top Chef honors for 2011.

On October 13, bartenders from around the Portland area came together to compete for the title of "Iron Bartender" and to raise money for the Children's Relief Nursery. At their disposal was some of Oregon's finest distilled spirits, including ORGANIC NATION's Vodka. The event raised over $40,000 for the Children's Relief Nursery. Cascade Peak Spirits Distillery is delighted that one of their products can help an organization which provides counseling and support for children who have been the victims of abuse and neglect. Next time you are sipping on an ORGANIC NATION martini you can feel like you, too, are doing your part by choosing to support an organic distillery that has heart!

ORGANIC NATION is now distributed in Japan! This is all possible to the efforts of From Oregon With Love.  Tei Gordan, Owner of From Oregon With Love, is dedicated to bringing the best spirits distilled in Oregon to the people of Japan. Next time you are in Japan you can order your cocktails with ORGANIC NATION spirits!

Dave Clark, of Thai Pepper fame, recently added a tasty concoction entitled "Gatsby". Remember to Sip Locally, try a Gatsby out at Thai Pepper in their lovely bar and newly added Restaurant space and while you are there check out KOBE restaurant, their sister restaurant behind Liquid Assets Wine Bar. All these top notch restaurants feature ORGANIC NATION!

Gatsby
2 oz ORGANIC NATION gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth (try Vya out of Quady Winery in Napa)
2 dashes of organic Bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass
ENJOY!

Gigi La Rossa, is a great fan and supporter of ORGANIC NATION!  She has even been known to make her own Bourbon Balls using some of our Bourbon that David created in 2008 with the helpful hands of Thomas McKenzie of Finger Lakes Distillery in NY.

She is tireless and always ready with a helpful hint about where to go, what to do and even sometimes what to Imbibe! (that would be local certified organic spirits~ORGANIC NATION vodka and gin!)   Thanks Gigi, it is friends like you who help a small little business make a go of it!  

Check out LARKS, restaurant & bar in the Ashland Springs Hotel for great food, atmosphere and Salisha, their bartender, who is continually crafting delicious ORGANIC NATION cocktails.

Cascade Peek Spirits and its Shareholders and Board Members sent Ann Curry, NBC's newest Today Show Anchor, a bottle of each ORGANIC NATION gin and vodka. Ann grew up in Ashland, so we know and love her!  To congratulate her on her promotion to the Today Show, we sent her some of Ashland's own organic spirits. She graciously sent a Thank you note and therein noted that "ASHLAND ROCKS!" Ashland is such a special place, we are grateful to have so many wonderful friends around the US that understand the value of a product that supports Sustainability such as our certified organic spirits!

SAVEUR Magazine recently did a tasting of American Craft Distilled Spirits.  They were joined by Alexis Kahn, Director of Beverage Services at The French Culinary Institute in NYC and Ethan Kelley, founder of Drink Straight,  to sample "...an impressive lineup of American Craft Vodkas..."

Organic Nation vodka was one of their favorites:  "With a silky mouthfeel, a slight sweetness, and a smooth kick on the finish, Cascade Peak Spirit's Organic Nation Vodka goes nicely with herbaceous and citrus flavors."

 They developed a crafty cocktail: Celery Cider with O-N.  Check out issues #136 & 137 of SAVEUR for more information.

Second from left in rear, Organic Nation is standing tall with its beautiful colors.

Celery Cider

1.5 oz. Organic Nation Vodka
2 oz. apple cider
Dash simple syrup
Pinch of celery salt
3 dashes celery bitters
Juice of one lime
Combine all ingredients over ice, shake and strain into a rocks glass over ice.  Garnish with a celery salt rim.

Delicious Organic Nation vodka cocktail developed by those talented people at Saveur Magazine.
Saveur Magazine supports Craft Cocktails

Salisha Early, renowned Mixologist mixes up a Chocolate Martini using her favorite local vodka, Organic Nation.  LARKS has been a very, very supportive bar/restaurant using Organic Nation on their Speciality Drink menu and even cooking with our vodka and gin.  They make a tasty Gin Vinergatte Dressing and much more.  Ashland Springs Hotel has set the standard for supporting local artisan beverage and food crafters!  

Here it is! our newest certified organic spirit~OLDFIELD Rye Whiskey~ David & Casey took it out of the barrels, tasted, tested, tasted, tested, proofed, tasted, proofed, (It's Not Drinking on the Job, It's Research!) Will be ready for LIMITED RELEASE in January 2011. Send us an email if you are interested in 'gettin' on the list'!

This organic rye is delicate, flavorful and will excite your palate!

The Oregon Small Business Development Center in Medford was instrumental in helping us get organized in the very beginning. This types of non-profit programs are very important the Oregon Entrepreneurs. Thanks, Gary, Ruthie and Jack!

Chocolate Martini and Facial Party~YUMMY!
Saturday, November 6th, 5pm-7pm

Waterstone Spa is partnering with Organic Nation to create this deliciously healthful event.
Join us in the Crystal Room of the Ashland Springs Hotel for an evening of a Chocolate Martini and pampering. Come and learn about Oregon’s first and finest certified Organic Spirits, savor a scrumptious Chocolate Martini and learn from The Waterstone Spa Estheticians about giving yourself a facial with the wonderful, healthful and nature inspired Jurlique products. This will include cleansing, exfoliating, treating with a mask and ending with moisturizing.

Ticket price includes facial and one Organic Nation Chocolate Martini.
$20/person. Space is limited so call spa today! 541-488-0325

Organic Nation will have a booth at The 4th Annual Ashland Food & Wine Classic held Saturday through Sunday, November 6th & 7th at the Ashland Armory. We invite you to sip, sample and celebrate Southern Oregon’s bounty in Ashland. Sample tastes will be $1.00/two tastes.

We will be kicking November off with a bang this week in Ashland and beyond. Here's one of the many happenings going on...
Organic Nation & Vya Spirits Event at Liquid Assets
Thursday, Nov. 4th 7-9 pm. Come and enjoy some of the NW’s finest certified organic gin and vodka paired with one of the only premium vermouths currently available produced by Quady Winery. For $20 each person will receive samplings of four signature cocktails featuring Organic Nation gin and vodka and VYA vermouth as well as interesting presentations and discussion about the fashioning of Organic gin, a premium vermouth and more by Diane Paulson, Organic Nation CEO/Founder and Emily Benz of Quady North Winery. Call Liquid Assets for reservations, 541-482-9463, and pre-payment. L.A. will hold a credit card number for a reservation.
To whet your appetite, here is an example of one of the four signature cocktails:
Barbed Wire
2½ oz Organic Nation Vodka
½ oz Brandy Peak Blackberry Brandy
¼ oz Vya Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Absinthe (no more than 1/4oz)
Squeeze of Lime
Sponsored by Liquid Assets, Organic Nation, and Quady North Winery: www.liquidassetswinebar.com, www.quadynorth.com, www.organicnationspirits.com

CHECK IT OUT! Melodie, our Marketing & Sales Director is hangin' in Squaw Valley at the premier Yoga and Music Festival!!

Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world's best Yoga teachers and favorite musicians, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. Wanderlust 2010, takes place July 29 – August 1 in Lake Tahoe, CA, will offer yoga classes taught by world-renowned teachers like Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Seane Corn and others. The amazing music lineup will feature performances from Moby, Bassnectar, Brazilian Girls, Pretty Lights and more. Daily yoga classes, nightly dance parties, and awesome extracurricular activities will keep you busy for one incredible weekend in the mountains!

Organic Nation will be the featured Spirit at the event! Melodie will be there, offering Organic Nation t-shirts for raffle, doing quality control for the Signature Organic Nation Cocktail and much more! Keep an eye out for her, she is the beautiful, strong, engaging blonde with the most amazing smile! Say hi to her and enjoy an certified Organic Nation cocktail!!
For information and details go here.

Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world's best yoga teachers and favorite musicians, all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty. Wanderlust 2010, which will take place July 29 – August 1 in Lake Tahoe, CA, will offer yoga classes taught by world-renowned teachers like Shiva Rea, Baron Baptiste, Seane Corn and others. The amazing music lineup will feature performances from Moby, Bassnectar, Brazilian Girls, Pretty Lights and more. Daily yoga classes, nightly dance parties, and awesome extracurricular activities will keep you busy for one incredible weekend in the mountains.

A long time classic, Pink Gin has also been known as a Gin & Bitters. For lack of a more complicated cocktail, thats just what it is, Gin and Bitters. Originally created by the Royal Navy to make Angostura bitters, which they used for medicinal purposes for the sailors, more palatable.