It was a pleasure to work with Belle of Dayton to create a signature cocktail for the MOMs Group of Oakwood Fall Mixer. It was a treat to speak with all of the ladies, seeing them enjoying the drink made for their event. The recipe for this cocktail is relatively simple:
Belle Spell
1.5 oz. pear infused Belle of Dayton vodka
3 oz. apple cider
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Ginger Ale
Glass: Highball
Ice: Cubed
Garnish: Apple slice (Optional)
In a fresh glass, add the vodka and apple cider. Shake in the two dashes of bitters, then top off the glass with ginger ale. Stir, garnish, and serve.
Weaving a fall spell.
The more complicated part of the process is making the pear infusion! Vodka is the perfect spirit for infusing; it is odorless and tasteless, offering a blank palette for you to explore.
Pear Infused Vodka
1 750 mL bottle Belle Of Dayton vodka
2 pears
1 cinnamon stick
2-3 allspice berries, crushed
1 vanilla bean pod, split
Equipment:
A clean jar that holds at least 2 L of liquid (I used a glass carabiner)
Remove the core from the pear and cut the fruit into slices. Then cut the slices in half. You want to cut down the fruit so it will fit through the neck of the jar. Place the fruit in the jar. Break the cinnamon stick in half, and drop it in the jar. Use a wooden spoon or muddler (if you have one) to break the allspice berries and add them to the jar. Split the vanilla bean pod open and add it to the jar as well. Then use a funnel to pour the vodka into the jar. Save the vodka bottle!
Close the lid, and store in a cool dark place for at least a week. Visit it once a day and shake it, making sure the pears and spices are fully exposed to the vodka. The infusion I used for the cocktail of the evening was stored for just under two weeks. The longer you leave the pears and spices in the vodka, the more flavor you will extract from them. Once you have let it sit, strain out the spices and pears by pouring everything through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth back into the vodka bottle you wisely saved.
For those of you who asked, tours of the distillery are offered on Saturday nights at 7 PM. We would love to have you at the distillery to see what we are working on and sample our other spirits.
Thank you again for the invitation!