Winter citrus season has commenced! That means bright, colorful cocktails despite these cold, grey days. Here are the juicy details: Until the middle of March, the stores will be full of appealing options like mandarins, tangerines, blood oranges, grapefruit, pomelos, and more. These beauties make delicious drinks, and we have plenty of recipes to share.
Cara Cara oranges are one of the sweetest oranges you’ll taste and make excellent cocktail ingredients. If you like bourbon and ginger, you must try a Cara Cara Cooler. It has great flavor and plenty of zip, thanks to our Ginger Liqueur. If you already planned on picking up a bag of mandarins for snacking, why not squeeze a few and treat yourself to a zesty take on a sour? We swap orange for lemon and opt for Old Tom Gin in the Man, Oh Man. Or, pair those mandarins with New Deal Pear Brandy and our new Spiced Pear Liqueur in the Orchard Run. Trust us, the results are fabulous!
Love a silky sour? You should probably grab a tangelo and a bottle of our Portland Dry Gin 33 and give the tangy Tangelo Sour a whirl, too. Tis the season! But maybe a winter shandy is calling your name? If so, we suggest Can I Get a Citrus. This drink features the pomelo, a large green fruit that tastes like sweet grapefruit. We think it pairs perfectly with our Ginger Liqueur and an IPA. What about a Tangerine Dream? Our rosemary and tangerine Sidecar riff made with our Distiller’s Workshop Brandy is definitely worth getting out of bed. And did we mention it has a sugar rim?
How do you feel about blood oranges? Here, we love them! They have a rich orange flavor and add a fun pop of color to winter drinks. In the Thyme of the Season sunny New Deal Pear Brandy, smoky mezcal, and blood orange come together in a bright, herbaceous winter cocktail.
Perhaps you’re more of a vodka person? The tall, fizzy Rip it Up is the perfect combination of Portland 90 Vodka, bubbly water, and citrus. Plus, its pretty pink color is more than easy on the eyes. Either one makes for a perfect Valentine's Day tipple!
Are there any Old Fashioned fans out there? Why not explore the classic orange, cherry, and chocolate pairing in the Mud Puddle Old Fashioned? You’ll love how the cacao-nib-infused vodka and fruit flavors combine in this muddled delight. Want to keep things simple? Try out the Blood Orange Gin and Tonic. No shaking or stirring required for this colorful winter G&T.
And while you are more than likely familiar with the joys of fresh-squeezed grapefruit, consider refreshing your memory while these beauties are in season. This weekend could be the perfect time to make a Salty Dog for brunch. Tart grapefruit and a salty rim can be a real chef’s kiss moment. Or switch things up with a pretty, pink Cascadia Mimosa.
You could also shake up a Pink Cashmere and enjoy all that fluffy foam on top of a pink grapefruit sour. But if light and bubbly is more your speed, we’d suggest a Grapefruit Fizz. You’ll love how our herbaceous Gin No. 1 combines with fresh-squeezed grapefruit and aromatic rosemary. Let's say you’re the type of person who likes to pretend it isn’t winter at all. If that’s the case, we’d recommend taking a sub-tropical escape with the Cat’s Paw. This play on a Hemingway daiquiri opts for Old Tom Gin and couldn’t taste more like sipping on sunshine. Cheers to winter citrus season!
