April 26, 2010 1:05 pm

Drink of the Day: Pineapple Caipirinha with Sweet Lime Espuma

Called an "Eco-Leader" of the beverage industry, each batch of Cuca Fresca's award-winning cachaca is made from organic sugarcane and distilled using organic methods, which results in a better tasting cachaca that is also better for the environment. That's why we love the Pineapple Caipirinha with Sweet Lime Espuma by John Hogan, from Paul Abercrombie's cutting edge cocktail tome Organic, Shaken and Stirred. Tip: Espuma is Spanish for foam or mousse; egg whites give this Brazilian favorite its frothy texture. Check out how to make this frothy favorite and other eco-tasty drinks in Paul Abercrombie's organic cocktail segment. Saude!

INGREDIENTS:
Half of an organic lime, cut into four pieces
Four 1/2 inch cubes of organic pineapple
1 oz. freshly squeezed organic lime juice
1 oz. organic agave nectar
1 large organic egg white
2 oz. Cuca Fresca Premium Cachaca
1 spiky pineapple leaf for garnish

PREPARATION:
1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lime, pineapple and sugar cubes until the mixture has an even consistency.

2. In a separate small shaker, combine the lime juice, agave nectar and egg white to make the espuma. "Dry shake" (without ice) until the mixture is thickly frothy, about 30 seconds.

3. Add ice cubes to the muddled mixture and pour in the Cuca Fresca. Shake vigorously, then pour the mixture, unstrained, into a tall glass.

4. Top with the espuma and garnish with the pineapple leaf.

— Written by Mona Buehler

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Tags : Cuca Fresca cachaca, Caipirinha, eco-cocktails, organic cocktails, Johan Hogan, Paul Abercrombie, Organic Shakena and Stirred, Mona Buehler, Behind the Burner, Espuma, Saude!

April 22, 2010 12:28 pm

Drink of the Day: Paul Abercrombie's "Old Vermont"

We're continuing to celebrate our wonderful Earth with the best way we know how: cocktails. There's plenty of organic food to be found, but what about the drinks? Mixologist Paul Abercrombie penned the world's first organic cocktail book entitled Organic, Shaken and Stirred. Abercrombie recently showed us how to shake up some of these organic sippers and we just can't get enough!

One of our fave selections is the "Old Vermont", a refreshing gin-based drink with a sweet twist of Vermont maple. Abercrombie uses organic Bluecoat Gin and fresh, organic juices that give the drink a burst of citrus flavors. But it's the organic Urban Moonshine maple bitters and a dash of real maple syrup that send us right to a cabin in the Northeast.
Technique: Serve in a chilled martini glass.

— Written by Celeste Hughey

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Tags : organic, cocktail, maple, paul abercrombie, earth week, urban moonshine, bitters, old vermont