Our 2008 Summer Limited Release is Here!
Check out this summer's great new spirit, truly a one-of-a-kind creation. Get it now while you can!
Exciting Times at the Distillery
We're in New Orleans for the Tales of the Cocktail, and we're also going to be on TV and in some magazines & papers soon - here's the scoop!
Great Cocktail Recipes for the Limited Release
Check out these great new recipes to try - Mango Breeze and Strawberry Mango Fizz.
July 2008 News
See Your Favorite Distillers in the Press!
We've had some media interest recently in Sirène - here are a few items to keep an eye out for:
Watch a new video about Sirène on Crain's Chicago Business's website (just out this week)
July 27 - 190 North is airing a piece about absinthe - 10:35 pm on ABC-7 in Chicago
We've also talked with the folks at Chicago Magazine, Mens Book, GQ and Pioneer Press recently - keep your eyes peeled!
We've also got some great news about expert ratings, for those who watch the #'s - more on that next month.
Enjoying Alphonso Mango No. 11
We love this one just on the rocks or with a splash of club soda. It's also great with a splash of tonic, or of pineapple juice and soda. Be creative, or try one of these great cocktail recipes! You'll soon find more on our website - we're having fun playing with this one!
Alphonso Mango No. 11
has Arrived in Stores!
This summer's limited release is amazing if we do say so ourselves. We infused our Distiller's Gin No. 11 with Alphonso mangoes from India. Widely regarded as the king of mangoes, this type of mango was not available in the U.S. until last year. Delicate, with a very short shelf life (and season), this fruit (and the spirit) has intense, fresh and rich mango flavors.
Each mango was hand peeled, pitted and sliced before being placed in a high-proof batch of gin. After several weeks, the fruit was removed and pressed with a small grape press. Finally, we adjusted the proof to where we liked the flavors best, and voila!
The color and flavor of Alphonso Mango No. 11 comes solely from the mangoes and the gin. No flavorings, extracts or sweeteners were used. Most bottles will have a bit of pulp from the fruit, so it is perfectly natural to see sediment. We found if we filtered it all out, we lost some of the rich mango flavors. So instead, we left it in - just shake the bottle before pouring to intensify the mango flavor of your cocktail.
Bottles will probably start appearing in stores and bars later this week, but there aren't very many of them (only 256 total). This product will retail around $40. Get 'em while the gettin' is good!
Where to find Alphonso Mango No. 11
We were amazed at how quickly this product was snapped up by Chicago retailers. Unfortunately this means none is leaving Illinois, and only one case is leaving the Chicago area! Here's where you'll find it by July 17, 2008:
BOTTLES AVAILABLE AT: Antioch: Antioch Fine Wines & Spirits
Champaign/Urbana: Corkscrew Wine Emporium
Chicago: Binny's Beverage Depot, Fox & Obel, In Fine Spirits, Lush Wine & Spirits, Sam's Wine & Spirits , Treasure Island (Hyde Park), West Lakeview Liquors, Wine Discount Center
Downers Grove: Sam's Wine & Spirits
Forest Park: Famous Liquors
Highland Park: Binny's Beverage Depot, Sam's Wine & Spirits, Wine Discount Center
Lake Bluff: Village Market
Drinks Available At:
Chicago: Clark St. Ale House, In Fine Spirits, Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro, Viet Bistro
Highwood: Del Rio, Sage Grille
Northbrook: Prairie Grass Cafe
Alphonso Mango No. 11 Cocktails
Mango Breeze
Developed by Rashed Islam at Viet Bistro
3 oz Alphonso Mango No. 11
1 oz Mango Puree
1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
Dry sparkling wine
Shake with ice, strain into cocktail glass or champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine.
2 oz Alphonso Mango No. 11
3 fresh strawberries
1/2 Tbsp Fine Sugar
Club Soda
In an rocks glass, muddle two strawberries (sliced) and sugar. Add ice, then add Alphonso Mango No. 11 and stir. Top with club soda, and garnish with third berry.
Mango Trivia
Mango trees are evergreen; there are more than 1000 cultivars.
Mango fruits take three to six months to ripen after forming, and some of them (like Alphonsos) have a very short shelf-life.
The pits of Alphonso mangoes are very hairy and hold onto the fruit.
Another name for Alphonso mangoes is Hapoos (the most common one in SE Asia). They were banned in the US for 18 years, until 2007.
North Shore Distillery is the first and only artisanal distillery in Illinois. We have a passion for spirits, and for developing creative new products. Learn more about us on northshoredistillery.com. We hope you enjoy our products!