Organic Nation Spirits

O-N at the Ashland Food and Wine Classic

2011-11-09T15:21:00.001-08:00

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.

ORGANIC NATION gin in CA

2011-11-09T14:02:00.000-08:00

Once again, our lovely, savory, tasty, and wonderfully unique ORGANIC NATION gin inspired a FAN! Patrick from Pacific Catch Fresh Fish Grill contacted us about carrying our gin. He came to us in a fun round about route. Diane Paulson, one of the Co-Founders and CEO of Cascade Peak Spirits Distillery in Ashland, home of ORGANIC NATION Spirits, grew up in So. Ca. A couple of good friends from high school came to Ashland in May and tasted and toured at the distillery. Diana Lobosky (formerly Diana Merryfield) bought a bottle of our spectacular gin and took it home to her Bartending son, Grayson, in San Francisco, who is Patrick's housemate! So, Patrick tasted ORGANIC NATION gin and decided he had to order it for Pacific Catch! Stop in when you are in San Francisco and say "Thanks for supporting a handcrafted organic spirit from a micro-distillery."

Iron Bartender Seeks Greatness with ORGANIC NATION Spirits

2011-10-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

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 Spirits Abroad

2011-10-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

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, Mixologist, Thai Pepper

2011-10-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

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, Concierge` Extraordinaire @ Ashland Spring Hotel

2011-07-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Ann Curry, NBC Today Show News Anchor

2011-06-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

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!

American Craft Vodkas

2011-04-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

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 Cocktail

2011-04-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

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

Organic Nation Chocolate Martini

2011-03-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

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!

Limited Release Jan. 2011~"OLDFIELD" certified Organic Rye Whiskey

2010-12-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

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!

Support for Small Biz Development Center

2010-11-30T14:06:00.000-08:00

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 a Facial

2010-11-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

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

Sip, Sample and Savor

2010-10-31T22:22:00.001-07:00

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.

Spirits Night at Liquid Assets

2010-10-31T22:03:00.001-07:00

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

Martini Madness w/ WhiteWater Warehouse

2010-10-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

A fabulous time was had by all the wet and chilly rafters in spite of the weather shift on Aug. 29th-31st! Diane & David, owners of Organic Nation, served up cocktails each night helping to take the chill off! The White Water Warehouse folks, Joy and Bob Meisner were absolutely amazing with their water crafting expertise, gourmet lunches and dinners each night! Look for us next year!

Organic Nation: The Definition of Organic

2010-08-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

2010-07-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Weekend Cocktail: Blame the Bastard

2010-07-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Blame the Bastard

2 oz Organic Nation Gin

½ oz Simple Syrup

1 egg white

2 oz Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice

½ oz of Lemon Juice

Shake with ice for 1 full minute till milky and stiff foam develops

Serve over ice in a bucket glass

Finish with one shake of Angostura bitters

Garnish with one mint leaf

Enjoy the 'Bastard' at your next cocktail party or evening on the patio and do your part, select sustainable and local ingredients!

Cheers!

Melodie

Mixologist Spotlight: Brandon Wise

2010-07-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

Recently transplanted from Chicago, mixologist Brandon Wise focuses on seasonality with his craft cocktails at Irving Street Kitchen. Wise’s cocktail program is rooted in the classics with a focus on artisan spirits, a core value fostered while managing Chicago cocktail destination In Fine Spirits. Before relocating to Portland, Brandon fused the beverage program of Perennial with the contemporary cuisine of Chef Ryan Poli with technique driven libations and market fresh ingredients. Brandon can be found behind the bar at Irving Street Kitchen in the Pearl District’s newest cocktail hot spot.

Doctor’s Orders

1 1/2 oz Organic Nation Gin

1/2 oz Aperol

1/4 oz Rothman & Winter Apricot liqueur

3/4 oz lemon juice

2 Teaspoons 1:1 simple syrup

Dash peychaud’s bitters

Egg white

Build ingredients dry in shaker tin starting with egg, dry shake with whisk from hawthorne strainer. Add ice, shake and double strain into bucket glass over large hand carved ice cube. Garnish with smacked mint leaf and 3 drops of peychaud’s bitters

Mixologist Spotlight: Ryan Mortimore

2010-06-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Basilico Fresco

3 oz Organic Nation Vodka infused with Basil and Strawberries

1/2 oz Fresh Lime

1/2 oz Fresh Lemon

1/2 oz Ginger Simple Syrup

Shaken with ice

Served over ice in a collins glass

Topped with Sparkling Wine

Garnish with a Basil leaf and lime wedge

Ryan got his start at Cucina Biazzi in Ashland where he learned his tricks of the trade, lending to a talent that quickly emerged to an inevitable love for mixology.

While studying in Florence during the Fall season of 08, Ryan's passion for cocktails merged with his love for Italy and its culinary delights. His dedication to the european influence infuses immaculately with Joolz Mediterrainean fare and his attention to detail. Ryan has been an instrumental part of Joolz and its extensive cocktail offerings since's its opening May 2009.

Ryan is a Bend native and continues to contribute to its unique culture.

Cheers!

Visit Ryan at Joolz in Downtown Bend, Oregon and enjoy this delectibly refreshing cocktail.

Melodie

Mixologist Spotlight: Kenneth Bryant

2010-06-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Organic Bitter Past

Organic Nation Gin

Fresh Muddled Grapefruit

Campari

Dolin Sweet Vermouth

Fresh Lemon Juice

Muddled, Shaken and Served up.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Ken brings his passion for classic cocktails and interest in fresh new flavors to the bar top at Bend's Astro Lounge. Cultivating years of experience from the likes of Loft 11 in San Francisco, Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara and The Other Room in Venice Beach, yeilding some of the best cocktails and pushing the bleeding edge in the industry.

Astro Lounge is one of Bends top and original cocktail bars leading its competitors with more 'Best Bar' awards in Bend Oregon in the last 10 years.

Cheers!

Visit Ken at the Astro and make sure you you treat your self to one of these tasty summer cocktails.

Melodie

Taking Green to new Heights

2010-06-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

Power Up The Green Economy... By bringing together stakeholders who are passionate about green industries and jobs and form long-term partnerships to develop green business and green social networking in southern Oregon.

To collaborate and empower southern Oregon businesses, organizations and individuals to create new businesses, new jobs, become sustainably independent and promote then region’s products and services locally and globally.

Join these business's and consumer to celebrate and learn.

June 18th, 19th & 20th, 2010 at the Medford Armory.

For details and times visit the site.

Get your wonder fulfilled at Wanderlust

2010-06-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

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.

Organic Nation will be the featured spirit at the event! Enjoy Organic cocktails the whole weekend!

For information and details go here.

See you there!

Melodie

Weekend Cocktail: Pink Gin

2010-06-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

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.

After searching I found the cocktail also referred to as "Gin Pahit" in many 19th century sailing stories.

This is the virtually the same drink, only the name has been lost in time. According to stories 'pahit'is Malay for "bitters." No matter the name, the cocktail has more or less remained the same.

Enjoyed best with a botanical rich Gin, hence my selection of this cocktail for our Organic Gin, shaken well with ice.

Cheers!

Melodie

Pink Gin

2 oz Organic Nation Gin

3-4 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

Shake hard with ice.

Serve in a cocktail glass.

Garnish with a Lemon Twist if you like.

Taking Chocolate to new extremes

2010-06-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

Extreme Chocolates is a quality based confection and patisserie company that just keeps pushing the envelope!

Flavors run amok, ideas whirl uncontrolled and the result is a fabulous chaos. They explore how to take a conventional product and take them over the edge! Owner and Chef/Chocolatier, Carrie Wong, has been a fan and advocate of our products since we met at the Oregon Chocolate Festival at the Ashland Springs Hotel, Mar. 2009. At the time, she was using an imported French vodka. Once we introduced ourselves, chatted about local, organic, it was an easy sale and Carrie and Organic Nation started doing business. It is great to collaborate with another Oregon business to create a superior product that supports the Oregon economy. And yes we LOVE her chocolates!

According to Carrie Wong, Founder/CEO: "We grabbed the best Organic Vodka Produced in Oregon – Organic Nation- and began producing the finest slow brewed vanilla extract with amazing results – and that’s not just our opinion, Gourmet Magazine agrees! Now, we have released the creative juices once again and are brewing our own pure lemon extract in a base of Organic Nation premium Gin! Hang on – this one will rock your world! If we can create these items with a little great booze, vanilla beans and a lemon – imagine what we can do with chocolate! Oh My!"

Some of their inspirations: Grains of Paradise in Dark Sumpaz Single Origin Chocolate Truffles, Smoked Maracaibo Chocolate with Hawaiian Sea Salt Truffles,

Padron Cigar Infused Dark Chocolate Truffles

And so much more….keep an eye on them at www.extremechocolates.com

Extreme Chocolate Girl

2 oz Organic Nation Vodka

½ oz Extreme Chocolates' Dark Chocolate Pinot Sauce

½ oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

½ tsp Extreme Chocolates' Vanilla Extract

2 oz Extreme Chocolates' Dark Chocolate, melted in a squeeze bottle

Take a chilled Cocktail glass and squeeze a swirl design inside the glass with the melted chocolate.

In a shaker, add ice cubes, then Vodka, Chocolate Sauce, Chocolate Liqueur & Vanilla

Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into chilled glass – enjoy!

Thanks Carrie!

Cheers,

Melodie

Toast a cocktail to help the 'Lost Dog's'

2010-06-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

21st Paradigm Presents “Lost Dogs”

An evening with award winning filmmaker Vanessa Schulz, featuring Dr. Byron Maas of Animal Balance and Allison Lance and Danielle Thompson of SPECIEES

Event proceeds to fund completion of documentary film “Lost Dogs”

Vanessa Schulz of 21st Paradigm teams with Dr. Byron Maas of Animal Balance, and Allison Lance and Danielle Thompson of SPECIEES.

Contributors include; 21st Paradigm, Wieden + Kennedy, Jim Riswold, Dotty Parker Design, Twist Cocktail Catering and Organic Nation Spirits

The event will be targeting community members to raise awareness of the global stray dog crisis and share a preview of filmmaker Vanessa Schulz’ latest feature documentary in production, “Lost Dogs.” The evening also includes presentations by Allison Lance, Danielle Thompson, and Dr. Byron Maas on their efforts to increase sterilization and humane canine population management around the world. A custom art piece created by renowned artist and former Wieden + Kennedy creative director Jim Riswold will also be auctioned to benefit “Lost Dogs.”

The event will be held at Wieden + Kennedy (224 NW 13th Avenue, Portland, OR)

Saturday, June 5th, 6 PM

Some of you may ask why? “Lost Dogs” explores the extraordinary lives of street dogs, and uncovers the story of the inspiring activists who risk everything they have to protect the dogs. It began with one dog capturing the world’s attention by performing a death-defying and heroic act. The incident, caught on surveillance camera, reveals the epidemic problem of Chile’s homeless pet population.

For more information or to visit the Lost Dog's site, go here.

Contact for media features and materials:

Vanessa Schulz: Vanessa@21paradigm.com - 541.868.7646

Celebrate Dance

2010-06-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

Celebrate the success of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Season with a Gala Performance featuring dancers from some of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies!

Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) is quickly rising to the national scene. Established in 1989, OBT’s celebrated company of dancers performs an annual five-program season at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and also conducts both regional and national tours.

For More information go here.

To buy tickets for the fundraiser June 3, 2010 click here.

1000 Artists, 40 Countries, One World

2010-06-02T17:34:00.000-07:00

Organic Nation has been contacted and asked to be a sponsor at Common Ground 2010's newest environmentally supportive venture. The International Touring Exhibition comes to North America July 8 – August 13, 2010 at the A & I Gallery in Los Angeles.

Over 1,000 artists from 40 countries submitted their digital art for consideration. The resulting curated collection contains work from 85 artists. A portion of all proceeds generated from the touring exhibition will benefit non-profit organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Global Giving and The Global Environmental Institute. You are invited to attend the opening reception to launch the North American tour of this exhibition on July 8th, at the A & I Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. Amazing Art, Live and DJ music, organic refreshments and libations. Come celebrate our common heritage: A healthy planet Earth.

For more information visit their site, here.

Celebrate World Cocktail Day with a whole lot of shakin'

2010-05-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

In celebration of World Cocktail Day, I asked my friend and awesome mixologist, Columbine Quillen for one of her favorite Gin cocktails to mark the day.

Gin Slide

1 oz Organic Nation Gin

1 oz Courvoisier

1/2 oz Triple Sec

2 oz Lime Sour (see below)

1/2 oz Fresh Orange Juice

2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters

Place ingredients in a shaker and shake extra, extra hard. For those of you who like a frothier cocktail, add a little egg white.

Lime Sour

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1 cup warm tap water

1/2 cup organic granulated sugar

2 tbs fresh orange juice

Stir all the ingredients together until sugar has dissolved.

Cheers and Happy World Cocktail Day!

Melodie

To read more about work cocktail day, visit our Facebook page.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo- Tequila Free

2010-05-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

While some will frown upon the idea of not including tequila in every cocktail on this international celebration of Mexican independence, some of us just don't 'do' the agave based spirit. This year, try a cocktail that celebrates the traditional south of the border flavors sans the tequila.

To celebrate the victorious Battle of Puebla, toast this cocktail.

1862

1 ½ oz Organic Nation Gin

½ oz Lime Juice

1 oz Coconut Cream (sweetened)

- If you are using coconut milk, add 1 oz of heavy cream and ½ oz of Agave syrup.

Put ingredients in a pint, filled with ice, shake, pour into a Hurricane or Collins glass.

Garnish with lime twist.

If you are feeling like getting your hands dirty and want to wow your guests try this alternate version of the 1862

Whole coconut- chilled

Drill 2 holes in the top – with a power drill!

Add 2 oz of Organic Nation Gin – you will need a funnel, a flask funnel works well.

1 oz heavy cream

½ oz of Agave Syrup

½ oz of lime juice

Plug the holes with your fingers and shake rigorously

Stick a straw in, sip and enjoy!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Melodie

Yet another go at the always unforgettable 'A Taste of Ashland'

2010-04-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Get your tickets now for A Taste of Ashland 2010, April 24th, and 25th from 12 noon to 4:00p.m. The Taste takes place throughout Ashland and features a walking tour to 17 galleries paired with 17 wineries, one Distillery (us!) and 17 restaurants. www.atasteofashland.com

Come visit Organic Nation Spirits at the Ashland Springs Hotel Saturday and Sunday, and don't miss the kick off party tonight at the Ashland Arts Center 7-9pm! We will be serving organic vodka fudge concocted by the infamous, Chef Mare!

Follow updates on their Facebook.

Dan Pallotta author of "Uncharitable" to keynote ReVisioning Value Conference

2010-04-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

ReVV 2010 to showcase Leaders on Impact Investing and Social Innovation April 26-27 2010

PORTLAND, OR - “Want to make a million selling violent video games to kids? Go for it. Want to make a million helping cure kids of cancer? You’re labeled a parasite. We allow people to make huge profits doing any number of things that will hurt the poor, but we want to crucify anyone who wants to make money helping them.” asserts Dan Pallotta, nonprofit leader, business owner and author of Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential.  Mr. Pallotta will be featured as Keynote Speaker at Springboard Innovation’s April 26th conference ReVisioning Value 2010 (ReVV 2010): A Conference at the intersection of Purpose and Profit in Portland, Oregon. The conference, to be held at Portland’s Gerding Theater at the Armory in the Pearl District, brings together leaders from the varied fields of impact investing and social innovation to share how new models for both are increasing the flow of capital to the creation of a more just and sustainable world. The one-day conference is followed by a day of hands-on workshops and strategic action roundtables designed to help participants apply the ideas offered at the conference to their own organizations as well as create real tools and strategies.  Mr. Pallotta will be joined by other esteemed global speakers and panelists that include: Tamzin Ractliffe, Founder of the South Africa Social Innovation Exchange (SASIX) and Leader of GSIX Global Social Innovation Exchange; Alex Counts, President and CEO of Grameen Foundation; and Don Shaffer, President and CEO of RSF Social Finance. For a complete list of speakers, please visit the ReVisioning Value Website at http://www.revisioningvalue.org/speakers/.

Dan Pallotta is a leading expert on innovation in the nonprofit sector and a pioneering social entrepreneur. He is the founder of Pallotta TeamWorks, the company that invented the multi-day AIDSRides. TeamWorks has fundamentally changed the paradigm for civic engagement in and fundraising for important social causes. It brought the practice of four-figure philanthropy within the reach of average citizens who had never raised money for charity before in their lives. The concepts and methods of TeamWorks are employed today by dozens of charities on a variety of events throughout the world.  Mr. Pallotta’s book, Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, from Tufts University Press, is a number one bestseller in the charity category on Amazon. It was nominated for the McAdam Book Award, and has been reviewed and acclaimed by the New York Times, The Economist, and the Stanford Social Innovation Review, among others. Mr. Pallotta is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review online where he writes about transforming the nonprofit paradigm.  Join the conversation and be a part of the solution on Monday, April 26th, 2010 from 8:30am-7:00pm at Portland’s Gerding Theater at the Armory in the Pearl District. Discuss the latest trends, learn from change agents on the front lines of successful social programs and collaborate on building organizational and funding structures that are paving the way for a more sustainable future. Very Early Bird Registration until February 1st, 2010. Register online at www.revisioningvalue.org or call 503.226.2377. Special discounted rates for non-profits, community partners and students to attend.

About Springboard Innovation:

Springboard Innovation enables ordinary community members to launch innovative and sustainable solutions to our most pressing challenges. We help individuals launch social enterprises through idea generation for grassroots social change; we educate them to build venture capacity; and we assist them with resources, tools, networking, and funding support, all within a comprehensive model for engaging citizens in grassroots change. www.springboardinnovation.org

Contact: Ericka Dickey | info@revisioningvalue.org | 503.226.2377

Honor our Mother's Earthy Girl

2010-04-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is always a great reason to raise a glass and toast to what Mother Nature has given us. So, make your toast strong and supportive then invite your friends to pedal over to your place for a nurturing round.

Earthy Girl

1 1/2 oz Organic Nation Organic Vodka

1/2 oz Benedictine

1/2 oz Earth's Love Liqueur

1/2 oz Lime Juice

5 fresh mint leaves, slapped and torn

Add all ingredients in a pint, shake with ice.

Serve in a Cocktail glass

Cucumber slice for garnish

Earth's Love Liqueur

1 cucumber diced into small pieces

1/2 oz minced fresh ginger

1/4 cup of organic honey

4 oz of Organic Nation vodka

Let mixture stand, ideally for 24 hours

Cheers!

Melodie

Freedman Launching Summer Collection at American Rag Cie

2010-04-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

Sponsors Organic Nation Spirits and Hansen’s Beverages provide signature all-natural cocktails

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 24, 2010) – Premier contemporary menswear line, FREEDMAN, is set to launch its Summer ready-to-wear collection at American Rag Cie, the fashionable and hip boutique that’s been a mainstay of California culture since 1984. The event will be taking place in their renowned “World Denim Bar” on Saturday, April 24th from 3:00 – 8:00 PM.

FREEDMAN’s launch will coincide with an art installation that will be brought to life by the co-op of artists whom have all drawn inspiration from FREEDMAN’s distinctive sunburst logo, seen above. Each artist is adapting the sunburst to their own unique medium, the product of which will be on exhibition in American Rag’s front window. A silent auction to benefit The Art of Elysium will also be taking place during the event.

Legendary guitarist Marc Ford (formally of the Black Crowes) will be performing a rare, live acoustic set with his new band, to begin around 6:00 PM.

Organic Nation Spirits along with Hansen’s Natural Beverages will be pouring delicious cocktails for our guests. We will have an old-fashioned hot dog cart on hand serving up the perfect, all-American snack.

ABOUT FREEDMAN

Before starting his high-end menswear line, California based designer Randy Freedman worked as Ben Harper’s guitar technician for nearly a decade. Randy began crafting custom ‘one of a kind’ made to measure button downs for musicians and other influential people in the entertainment industry. It was Randy’s intense and unflinching quest to bring back the ultimate in tailoring; to answer the desperate need for clothing that possessed the “perfect fit,” which prompted him to start his own namesake collection, FREEDMAN. Positive feedback inspired the conscious expansion into a comprehensive, ready-to-wear men’s shirt and jacket line.

The line’s design premise consists of careful tailoring, the finest fabrics, and unique accenting elements, which serve as rich, cohesive ‘storytelling’ touches. FREEDMAN embodies the truest of Americana; a renewed taste for construction, style, and pride in bringing things to life with the utmost care. http://freedmanclothing.com/

ABOUT ORGANIC NATION

From the green state of Oregon comes the newest entry to the world of fine spirits, ORGANIC NATION. Located in the tiny mountain town of Ashland – home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Dagoba Chocolate – the mom-and-pop micro-distillery is making a big name as the state’s first producer of certified organic spirits. ORGANIC NATION vodka and gin each brought home silver medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Its gin earned an 87-point, highly-recommended rating from the Beverage Tasting Institute and won a second silver medal in San Francisco for its 100-percent biodegradable packaging. The chic ecologist Paul Abercrombie recently featured ORGANIC NATION spirits in his new book Organic, Shaken and Stirred. Fed by a pristine wilderness watershed and handcrafted by former watermaster David Eliasen, ORGANIC NATION vodka and gin are distilled from certified organic rye, wheat, and corn and filtered seven times to create some of the purest new spirits on the top shelf. ORGANIC NATION is certified organic by Oregon Tilth, kosher by Earth Kosher, and can currently be found at finer restaurants and bars throughout Oregon and California including Elixir, Palio D’Asti in San Francisco, Cafe Rouge and Gather in Berkeley, A.W. Shuck’s in Monterey, Peerless and Tease in Ashland, 38 Central and Elements in Medford, Lucky Noodle in Eugene, Downward Dog in Corvallis, Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge in Gold Beach, Jacksonville Inn and Nunan Estate in Jacksonville, 900 Wall and Joolz in Bend, Clyde Common, Teardrop Lounge and Urban Farmer in Portland.

It's the Disguise

2010-04-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 2 was the day it all came together, with numerous cocktail submissions from Southern Oregon Bartenders for the first annual Organic Nations' Sip Local Cocktail Competition honoring the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The judging positions highlighted local restaurant owners such as 38 on Central, Dragonfly, Omars, and other local personalities. And winning became a highly challenging and sought after award. The well rounded group of judges with commendable culinary experience landed on two winning cocktails, Viola's Disguise (crafted by Cate Gibbs, of The Winchester Inn) and Out Damn Spot (by Chris Wells of Tease Restaurant). These unique cocktails offered the bottom line, excellent flavor composition. To read more go here.

Thanks to Sarah Lemon of the Medford Mail Tribune for judging and blogging about her experience.

Above are the winning Mixologist from the competition including Chris Dennett of Elements and Ursula & Ted Raymond of The Black Sheep.

Cheers!

Melodie

Stay tuned for recipes!

Weekend Cocktail: The Abbey

2010-03-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Abbey

2 oz Organic Nation Gin

1/2 oz Lillet Blanc

2 oz Fresh Pressed Orange Juice

Shake with ice, Serve up in a cocktail glass

Dash of Bitters (Angostura, if you can find some!)

The Abbey is an age old Classic cocktail, so with the use of super fresh ingredients, a botanical forward Gin, it becomes a great way to rejuvinate the origin of flavors. I would highly suggest this cocktail to a colleague who claims 'I don't like Gin', I do believe most will be in for a pleasant surprise!

Cheers!

Cocktail Competition Comes to a Close

2010-03-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

Diane Paulson, CEO and Founder of Organic Nation Spirits, hosted the first annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival cocktail competition. Mixologists and Judges from the Southern Oregon area came together over a passion for good cocktails and OSF.

Shown above: Judges study the composure and taste of the cocktails, while vigorously taking notes.

Full Press Release to follow

Melodie

Above and Beyond

2010-03-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

The Elegant Swanky atmosphere of the Gilt, featuring their talented Chefs and Mixologists will be hosting:

The Gilt Club and Organic Nation Spirits Cocktail Pairing Dinner

306 NW Broadway Portland Oregon

503.222.4458 for Reservations

April 15, 2010

(tax day)

5 Course Cocktail Dinner

$75 per person

1st Course -Choice of

Gin Cured Salmon with dill, mustard dressing,

English cucumbers, and toasted caraway

Paired with a (1040ez Form)

.............3/4oz Organic Nation Gin

.............1/2oz aquavit

.............1 tsp lemon

.............1/2oz vya dry vermouth

Goose breast prosciutto wrapped asparagus,

with salt cured egg yolk, and a anise dressing

Paired with a (W-2)

.............3/4oz Organic Nation Gin

.............1/2oz vya sweet vermouth

.............1/2tsp herbsaint

Foie gras terrine flavored with juniper raisins and pistachio brittle - $10 Supplement

Paired with a (Income tax)

.............1 1/2oz Organic Nation Gin

.............3/4oz vya dry vermouth

.............3/4oz vya sweet vermouth

.............1/4oz Oj

.............Dash of Bitters

2nd Course -Choice of

Ruby grapefruit, shaved fennel, pea shoots,

basil with champagne-herb vinaigrette

Paired with a (Negroni)

.............1/2oz Organic Nation Gin

.............1/2oz vya sweet vermouth

.............1/2oz Cynar

Fava bean “cappuccino” with an

olive crumble rim, and a bacon crisp

Paired with a (7th heaven)

.............3/4oz Organic Nation Gin

.............1/2 grapefruit

.............Tsp maraschino

.............Mint sprig

3rd Course -Choice of

Juniper rubbed elk - pickled chanterelles,

cipolinni onions, and mizuna

Paired with a (Rosmarys baby)

.............1oz Organic Nation Gin

.............1/2 grapefruit

.............Sprig rosemary

Scallop ceviche with habanero, avocado,

citrus marinade and chives

Paired with a (Ceviche Cocktail)

.............3/4oz Organic Nation Vodka

.............Tsp Carpano Antica Vermouth

.............Tsp Torani Amer

4th Course

Organic Nation Vodka martini Sorbet with

black olive caviar

5th Course -Choice of

Lamb loin with salsa verde, preserved lemons,

potato puree, and lamb jus

Paired with a (Communist)

.............1/2oz Organic Nation Gin

.............1/2oz OJ

.............1/4oz Cherry Herring

.............1 tsp lemon

Black olive roasted monkfish, sea beans, mustard

greens, creamed leeks, and esplette pepper

Paired with a (Thelonius)

.............3/4oz Organic Nation Vodka

.............Tsp vya dry

.............Tsp benadictine

Reservations Required.

See you there!

Melodie

Get your green on this week

2010-03-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

St Pattys Day usually calls for all types of green dye, goofy tall hats and face paint. While I wouldn't stop anyone from indulging in such amusement, I will lend a drink recipe that will get you more green, in more than one way.

First off, celebrate with Green ingredients! Use Chartreuse, which is already green and doesn't require dye, as well as local Organic and Sustainable ingredients to keep your foot print light (so you can save the heavy step for dancing) and thirdly drink tasty cocktails, instead of cheap beer drenched with food coloring.

Here is a recipe for you to take to your St Pattys day celebration:

The Irishmans Hat

1/2 oz Organic Nation Gin

1/2 oz Chartreuse

1/2 oz Brandy Liqueur

1/2 oz Lime Juice

Shake the above ingredients and serve in one of two ways:

Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Strain into a Large Flute and top with Champagne, this will surely impress the lassies at the party.

Garnish with a lime twist or lime wheel with a 4 leaf clover!

Cheers!

Melodie

Night out at The Heathman

2010-03-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

The Heathman poured out a fabulous evening of libations, highlighting the craftmanship of artisan spirits and well designed cocktails. The Heathman's highly acclaimed chef also presented a pairing appetizer to highlight each of the spirits; which included an Organic Nation Vodka Oyster Shooter, and a Pork Medallion marinated in Gin. Both were delightful.

The crowd was pleased with the variety of cocktails and the organic buzz was felt all through the Marble bar.

Organic Grapetion

Organic Nation Vodka

Fresh Squeezed Lemon

Simple Syrup

Muddled Grapes

Fresh Tarragon

Cheers!

Melodie

On any given Sunday

2010-03-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

Spints Alehouse hosted the 2nd Official Oregon Bartenders Guild Sunday Funday Event, and it was nothing short of just that. Jacob Grier and Chris Churilla led the way, mixing all sorts of soon to be named cocktails, to wow savvy mixologists from all over Portland. The talk of the night was a Ramos Gin Fizz. I believe the conversation started as, "Hey Jake, Make me a flip of some sort", as I kindly said, "how about a fizz, I really don't need a yolk." Hence the start of the shake off! Chris and Jacob, filled shakers and started timers; producing some of the most perfect and well thickened takes on a Ramos Gin Fizz ever. Many of the attending enthusiasts were buzzed into realizing that the combination of a good cocktail and Organic Nation Gin, yielded a new found love.

Cheers to the art of the Cocktail!

Melodie

Ramos Gin Fizz

1 1/2 oz. gin

1 Tbsp. simple syrup (or agave)

1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice

1 egg white

1 oz. heavy cream

3 drops orange flower water

1 oz. club soda

Check out Geoff K's reflections of the evening.

Drink 'Green'

2010-02-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

Join Organic Nation Spirits, along with a abundance of other 'green minded' businesses in Central Oregon Feb 25 at 5pm at the Sage Spa at the Sunriver Resort.

'Green Drinks' is the only networking event in Central Oregon dedicated to businesses and the environment. Join us at Green Drinks to network, learn about other businesses and their sustainability efforts, and have a green drink or two. On February 25, Green Drinks will be at Sage Springs Club & Spa, at Sunriver Resort from 5-7pm. Cocktails will be made using Organic Nation Spirits, an Oregon Sustainable company producing Gin and Vodka.

These events are put on and coordinated by the environmental center.

See you there!

Melodie

Weekend Cocktail: The World's Gold

2010-02-24T14:31:00.000-08:00

The Worlds Gold

2 oz Organic Nation Gin (US)

1/2 oz Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth (France)

1/2 oz Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth (Italy)

2 Dashes The Bitter Truth Orange Bitters (Germany)

Tsp Duplais Absinthe Verte (Switzerland)

Tsp Tangle Ridge Whisky (Canada)

Tsp Blue Agave Nectar (Mexico)

Shake and Strain into a Cocktail glass

Finish with and Orange Twist

Place a piece of Candied Ginger on the side (China)

to be enjoyed with the drink.

Thanks to Jason Littrell for inspiration!

In Celebration of the Olympics wrapping up this week, toast this one to bring on the weekend and indulge your self in momentous re-runs of glorious moments.

Cheers

Melodie

Get your spirits up at the Heathman

2010-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

The Heathman restaurant presents Organic Nation Spirits Cocktail Event.

PORTLAND, Oregon – (February 22, 2010) – Join Ashland-based Organic Nation for an afternoon of mixing Organic Nation Vodka and Gin cocktails with food specials prepared by the Heathman’s chef Karl Zenk. Dishes include oyster shooters made with Organic Nation Vodka and Gin Pig N’ Bits, a pork tenderloin medallion sautéed in a gin demi glace. The Heathman’s new Bistro Menu will also be available with new items from Pickleopolis Pickle Platter to Snails & Frogs. For more information, please call the Heathman at 503-790-7752.

Enjoy these tasty cocktails

March 2, 4 p.m.

Gatehouse

Organic Nation Vodka

Dolin Blanc

Blood Orange Bitters

Organic Grapetion

Organic Nation Vodka

Fresh Squeezed Lemon

Simple Syrup

Muddled Grapes

Fresh Tarragon

Peychauds Bitters

Negroni O-N

Organic Nation Gin

Dolin Rouge

Campari

CGP

Organic Nation Gin

Fresh Grapefruit

Campari

Pomegranate Puree

Gin Berry Tart

Organic Nation Vodka

Organic Nation Gin

Fresh Muddled Strawberry

Lemon Juice

Cranberry Juice

Pronghorn pairs it up

2010-02-18T22:07:00.000-08:00

For more details or to book your seat, contact Concierge@pronghornclub.com or call 541-693-5300

Chocoholics dream

2010-02-18T16:52:00.001-08:00

The three day Oregon Chocolate Festival kicks off March 5th, in downtown Ashland at the Historic Ashland Springs Hotel, featuring the best chocolates from Oregon. Indulge yourself in decadence most only dream of. Brewers, Wineries, Distilleries and Coffee roasters will include and/or pair their crafts to the traditional chocolatiers delights.

Organic Nation will be featuring a delectable Pear Chocolate Sauce and serving samples throughout the event.

Oregon Chocolate Festival

11-4pm March 5th,6th and 7th.

Weekend Cocktail: Amalfie Spritzer

2010-02-18T10:11:00.000-08:00

Amalfie Spritzer

½ oz Finamore Lemoncello

1 oz Organic Nation Vodka

½ oz Amaro

½ oz Lemon

Stir

Top with soda

¼ oz Port

Served in a Rocks Glass with or without ice

Lemon Wheel Garnish Optional

While summer tastes sometimes make us yearn for warmer months, the full flavored body of this cocktail keeps one feeling light and appreciative of these cooler months.

For a more summery cocktail, add Mint!

Toast this lovely cocktail as you celebrate the weekend!

Melodie

Omars brings in the Distiller

2010-02-16T21:14:00.000-08:00

Join Organic Nation at this fantastic upcoming event. For more information contact our distillery or Omars Restaurant (541) 482-1281 or goto their website!

Weekend Cocktail: Lovers Union Too

2010-02-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

In celebration of hearts alike, shake up this cocktail for your lover to start the night off right.

Lovers Union Too

1 oz Organic Nation Vodka

¼ oz Rosewater

¼ oz Simple Syrup

½ oz Lemon

½ oz Maraschino Liqueur

Shake and Strain into a cocktail glass

Sink ¼ oz of Cherry Liqueur (I recommend Clear Creek Distillery)

Top with a Dry Bubbly Wine

Float a Single Rose petal

I have long used this recipe to celebrate unions; I used it as a gift at a wedding, toasted it at a celebration to acknowledge earned rights with BRO and of course to initiate any fabulous night.

Drink up and of course enjoy a fabulous Valentines!

Melodie

600 new love affairs

2010-02-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

Diane Paulson led the way in an ever so successful week at the Go Green Expo, L.A. Diane and Organic Nation Spirits Broker, Jack Maydon, poured well over 600 samples to an appreciative crowd, who expressed a passionate desire for the Vodka and Gin. Diane went on to do a radio show with Rhonda DeFelice on L.A. Talk Radio pontificating for an hour on the benefits of being Green and responsibly operating a Sustainable business, as well as facts about our distillery. It was Johnny Dam, of L.A. Talk Radio's: The Damage Report, who summed it up perfectly 'It (organic nation gin) dances on your tongue!" and then proceeded to do a little jig!

For more, visit our news page and of course, Think Green, Go Green!

Melodie

Weekend Cocktail: Asian Invasion

2010-02-05T14:40:00.001-08:00

Asian Invasion

2oz Organic Nation Vodka

1 oz Lemon Grass LOFT Liquer

Shake the above – Serve up

1 Lychee nut – For Garnish

Topped with Spicy Ginger Ale

I can't get enough of this cocktail, its clean, simple and has unusual notes added from the typical aromas of sweet Asian delights!

Drink up and have a wonderful Friday!

Melodie

Weekend Cocktail: Winter Blossom

2010-01-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

Winter Blossom

½ oz Elderflower Liqueur

1 oz Organic Nation Vodka

¼ oz Fresh Lemon

Top with Champagne

Garnish with a Twist

As the days begin to lengthen, our palettes start to yearn for spring and summer flavors. Mix this cocktail up to welcome a rich meal or to toast a celebration.

Cheers!

Melodie

Weekend Cocktail: Income Tax

2010-01-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

The W-2's are pouring in, and while this cocktail was designed to mix up post completion, it might not hurt to pour your self one to get you going.

Income Tax

1 ¼ ounce Organic Nation Gin

¾ ounce Fresh Orange Juice

¼ ounce Dry Vermouth

¼ ounce Sweet Vermouth

1 dash Angostura Bitters

Shake and serve up in a cocktail glass.

That dreaded yearly task is done and you finally know how much money you are either getting back or handing over. That's right, you have completed your income taxes! So whether you are on top of it and filed 3 months early, or one at the post office on April 15th, or an accountant who has made it through one more tax season, sit back and enjoy this classic cocktail to celebrate your accomplishment.

Toast this one to celebrate and reward your hard work.

Cheers and best of luck!

Melodie

Recipe courtesy of Drinkboy.com

Defining Organic

2010-01-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Adam Markle, www.adammarklephotography.com.

Weekend Cocktail: Vesper

2010-01-08T11:05:00.000-08:00

Vesper

3 oz Organic Nation Gin

1 oz Organic Nation Vodka

1/2 oz Lillet Blanc

Garnish: Orange twist or Bond's way, a lemon twist

Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Bond prefers his shaken till really cold.

Source: As first mentioned in James Bond Casino Royale, created by Ian Fleming

A Brief History:

This classic drink was popularized in the novel Casino Royale (1953). Of the teleplay and two films based on this book, the signature cocktail is mentioned twice between the three - in the 2006 Casino Royale film: when Bond orders it at the poker table (and several others follow suit), and when Bond states that he named the drink the Vesper, because once he tasted it, it was all he wanted to drink. The cocktail is also mentioned by its ingredients in Quantum of Solace, and Bond refers to it by name later in the film.

Because Kina Lillet has not been available since the 1960s (the name was changed to "Lillet Blanc", in the 1980s the quantity of quinine in the product was reduced, removing its bitter aftertaste), its mention in the recipe in the two movies mentioned above is anachronistic.

Ironically, Vesper means 'evening' in Classical Latin.

Thanks Wikipedia,

Melodie

Its Expo Time

2010-01-06T14:26:00.000-08:00

Go Green Expo ( www.GoGreenExpo.com ) is one of the nation's leading eco-trade shows for both business owners and consumers featuring the latest earth-friendly products and services. Taste, sample, review and purchase everything; organic food, wine and spirits, eco-building and home needs (solar panels) baby products, eco-fashion clothing, hybrid cars, business supplies and much more from hundreds of exhibits.

Learn on how to reduce your environmental impact and lead a "greener" home and business life. Speakers have included Ed Begley Jr., Mariel Hemingway, Josh Dorfman, David Bach, Nigel Barker, Graham Hill, Boise Thomas, Eric Corey Freed, Mark Alan Hughes, Kevin Wall, Alex Matthiessen, Laura Turner Seydel and many others...

Find Organic Nation Spirits in the Food, Wine and Spirits Pavilion on Friday - Sunday January 22-24, 2010 from 12-3pm.

Hot Holiday at Cloud 9

2009-12-23T10:19:00.000-08:00

Cloud 9 will be hosting a Hot Sweater Holiday Party tonight in Corvallis. Second to the viewable wears, will be Organic Nation Cocktails, crafted by Mixologist Chris Churilla.

The Matterhorn

Organic Nation Vodka, house mint bitters, vanilla, hot cocoa, whipped cream

Arabian Night

Organic Nation Vodka, house triple sec, Middle Eastern spices, coffee, whipped cream

Royal Chalice

Organic Nation Gin, sloe gin, grapefruit and green tea chai syrup, amaretto, hot water

The Golden Partridge

Clear Creek Pear Brandy, hot apple cider, caramel, lemon

Event Starts at 9pm. Cloud 9 is located on 1st street in Downtown Corvallis. For more information go here.

See you tonight!

Melodie

Make the world your Organic Home

2009-12-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

'To start a revolution we have to believe. The Organic Home believes that to achieve one's own aims and goals, a purity of intention, focused and applied gentle effort and clearly defined goals are the 3 components to achievement. What we put into our bodies, and what we put onto our bodies, and what we use around us in our homes all have an effect on our lives, health and well-being, and ultimately an effect on all those around us, and indeed the entire world.' To read the rest of this article, go here. Founder Mark Golding has been advocating a commitment to a Sustainable, Organic lifestyle. His hub, The Organic Home, in the UK has generated a peaceful attraction to those who share similar ideals and wish to do their part. You can read their recommendation of Organic Nation Spirits, here.

Trebol gets the Organic Cocktails on the Table

2009-12-09T14:40:00.000-08:00

Trebol Restaurant and Bar, will be featuring an evening of Organic Nation Cocktails Dec 17th from 7-10pm. Tony, Trebol's Mixologist, has handcrafted a list of fine cocktails to show off Trebol's passion for Sustainable, Organic and Local.

Ciudad Cobarde

Organic Nation Vodka, Raspberry, Mint, Citrus and Soda

Jengibre

Organic Nation Gin, Ginger, Lemon and Sparkling wine

La Maura Monti

Organic Nation Gin, Apple, Orange, Agave, Cinnamon

El Rocoso Caliente

Organic Nation Vodka, Serrano Chillies, Mint, Citrus, Prickly Pear

El Santo

Organic Nation Vodka, Coconut, Serrano Chillies, Citrus

Trebol features Happy Hour from 5-6:30 and 9-Close.

You can find them at:

4835 North Albina Avenue

Portland, OR 97217

(503) 517-9347

See you there!

Melodie

Get your seat, before they are gone!

2009-12-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

The folks at White Water Warehouse are reporting that they have signed up several guests for the August 29 - 31, 2010 Rogue River rafting, kayaking & ONS Martini Madness trip. There is limited space so call Joy or Renee (the friendly office staff at outfitter White Water Warehouse) today at 1-800-214-0579. Or, check out the 2010 schedule on-line, here.

Pair it up at The Original

2009-12-07T17:22:00.001-08:00

Organic Nation Spirits will be the featured spirit in on menu packed with culinary delights and cocktails to pair. The Original is located on the corner of 6th and Oak in Downtown Bend. They feature classic american food with an evolved gourmet flair.

See you December 17 from 5-8pm!

300 SW 6TH Ave Portland, OR 97204 503.546.2666

Truly Vintage

2009-11-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

This summer, a classic cocktail bar snuck into the Montavilla neighborhood. Veteran mixologist Justin Akins opened the doors of Vintage in July, and patrons and press have welcomed his vision and taste.

Akins cut his teeth at Trebol, the Oaxacan-inspired North Albina eatery. Taking cues from Trebol’s quality and sustainable business practices, he’s distilled a former SE Stark wine bar into an intimate lounge. Pre-prohibition cocktail recipes mingle with the requisite two dollar Pabst, catering to both the refined palette, and the budget-conscious. The cuisine is modest and delectable, with a menu featuring panini and pizettas made from local organic ingredients.

Vintage is located conveniently in the heart of the Montavilla neighborhood, a block from the Academy Theater and Ya Halla. So the next time you’re on a date, out with friends, or just looking for an expertly-mixed drink, step into Vintage and make yourself at home.

Cocktail time! Join us for a tasting and cocktail extravaganza at Vintage Bar this Tuesday December 2nd from 6-8pm.

You can find Vintage at:

7907 SE Stark Street

Portland, OR 97215

You can look forward to:

Chipotle, bacon Bloody Mary:

Organic Nation vodka, chipotle, house made bacon tincture and tomato juice

Cherry Derby:

Organic Nation vodka, kirschwasser, lemon juice, sugar,egg white, and cherry heering

Tabor reservoir:

Organic Nation gin, Lemon juice, house made lavender tincture, sugar, mint and seltzer water

Vintage Cabaret:

Organic Nation gin, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, house made star anise tincture and Angostura bitters

See you Wednesday!

Melodie

Drink Local Project at Urban Farmer

2009-11-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

Drink Local Project features Organic Nation Spirits Tuesday, December 1st Happy Hour 3-7pm

 Urban Farmer continues the Drink Local Project next week featuring Organic Nation Spirits. Come enjoy cocktails crafted by mixologist Dan Stern, shown to the left, highlighting Organic Nation Vodka and Gin. Join us for an extended Happy Hour as we debut the week's Drink Local Project cocktails for $5.

If you can't make it to the Farm on Tuesday, come experience these hand crafted cocktails throughout the upcoming week!

We look forward to seeing you there!

525 SW Morrison, 15th Floor• Portland, Oregon 97204

Office: 503.802.4642| Fax: 503.802.5388

Urban Farmer: 503.802.4630

French 350

2009-11-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

Ring in the spirit and the cheer:

French 350

2 oz Organic Nation Gin

¼ oz Fresh Lemon juice

¼ oz Simple syrup

¾ oz Elderflower liqueur

Top with Champagne

Garnish with Amaretto soaked Dark Cherries or a Lemon twist (shown)

Shake the first 4 ingredients pour into a champagne flute top with Champagne and add garnish.

This, four season, cocktail was one of the most loved and featured drinks at the Anjou spa event this past Thursday in Bend. Anjou Spa raised money for Oregon Tilth Educational programs at the event as well as featured it's green business practices.

I am sure you can already see the reference in the cocktail name!

Cheers!

Nunan Estates Lights up the Palette.

2009-11-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

A fabulous fun filled evening of spirits and fine food. Join us as we challenge your palette and mind with unexpected and exciting flavors set at an incredible venue.

Cheers to warm holidays!

An All Green Event!

2009-11-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

Join us November 19, Thursday, at 5pm at Anjou Spa in Bend for Green Drinks, but plan to stay after for a fabulous and fun filled event including shopping, silent auction, a DJ, Organic Nation Cocktails and more, all to benefit Oregon Tilth Education Programs! Wait! The excitement doesn't stop there, Anjou Spa is Green. They use alternative choices and conserve resources in every way possible.

The after party starts at 7pm.

Anjou Spa is located at

225 NW Franklin Avenue, Ste. 3

Bend, OR 97701

(541) 382-1138

See you there!

Melodie

P.S. At the event you can even taste a variation of the cocktail" L'Anjou"!

Gin L'Anjou

2009-11-12T12:23:00.001-08:00

Gin L' Anjou

Rim a 10 oz rocks Glass with a refined Sugar, Cinnamon and Ginger Powder blend (moisten the glass with Lemon first)

In a shaker with ice:

½ oz Roasted Spiced Pear Puree

2 oz Organic Nation Gin

Shake

Double Strain into rocks glass filled with ice

Top with Ginger Brew

Garnish: Pear Slice and Cinnamon stick

To make the Roasted Spiced Pear Puree:

Take 2 Pears cored and sliced place on a baking pan, top with a spice blend of, cayenne (very small amount), clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake on high for 15 minutes or until browned and very soft, time will vary depending on how ripe your pears are to begin with.

Puree the pears in the blender with 2 Table spoons of lemon juice

Happy Holidays!

Melodie

Tis' the season

2009-11-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

Extreme Chocolates could be a title easily misunderstood by the wrong consumer. Carrie Wong of Salem, has tackled a niche that most wouldn't even consider, hand crafting an organic vanilla extract, to be used for cooking and baking. That's extreme! She starts with Organic Nation Vodka, made in Ashland Oregon (and fulfilling the highest regiment of Organic Certification) and adds Madagascar Vanilla Beans and her own touch, 12 months later the delicate blend is bottled in 4oz frosted bottles and prepped for sale. Carrie is the only brewer on the west coast, you can find more information and where to buy here. Carrie also crafts some of the finest chocolates around. A lovely Holiday treat!

P.S. If you are itching for some crafty holiday gift ideas contact me (Melodie@OrganicNationSpirits.com ) or go onto Carries homepage for a collection of different dessert ideas.

Going all the way for the Environmental Spirit

2009-10-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

At first, Diane Paulson’s request for a recycled label seemed like no big deal to her distributor, Dave Tally. After all, says the Grants Pass, Ore.-based distributor, many labels available are already 25 percent to 30 percent recycled.

But Paulson, the CEO of an Ashland, Ore., micro distillery, is very serious about eco-friendliness. She meant a 100-percent recycled label. Oh boy! Tally thought to himself. Read more here.

Mixologist Spotlight: Justin Akins

2009-10-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Tabor Reservoir

2 oz Organic Nation gin

1/2 oz lemon juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

2 dashes lavender tincture (very potent pure grain alcohol infusion)

3 mint leaves

*stir with ice*

*then fill with soda*

Mixologist and Bar Owner Justin Akins brings a comfortable airy bar to the Montavilla area in Portland, Oregon. His bar is loaded with homemade tinctures, and bitters as he features an enticing list of reasonably priced craft cocktails to his savvy yet down to earth patrons.

The Oregonian welcomed Justin and his establishment September 3, 2009:

...Akins' slew of house cocktails ($4 to $9), inventive and high caliber, hit the mark as precisely as did his sole dessert: powerful Stumptown coffee ice cream and peanut butter and chocolate cookies. Each drink has a little something special -- agave nectar in a margarita, an Old Fashioned with cherry bitters. Even nonalcoholic potions like cranberry-mint soda stand out.... to read the whole article, go here.

Cocktails and Fine Food?

2009-10-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Nunan Estate is teaming up with Organic Nation Spirits to put on this years fall dinner.

Join the Festivities 6pm Friday, Nov 13, 2009.

1st course:

Classic Tom Collins

Paired with

Phyllo Wrapped French Brie

2nd course:

Sushi Roll Martini

Paired with

Spicy Crab Roll

3rd course:

Goose’s Pear’d Up

Paired with

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

4th course:

Classic Bees Knees

Paired with

Sous-vide Rib Eye Steak

5th course:

Rogue Valley Nuts

Paired with

Maple Pecan Tartlet

Tickets are $60 per person

For more information please contact Dana 541-899-1890

If you would like to view the full menu, join our Facebook fan page

Evicting Claus

2009-10-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

Ignite Bend went off like fire last night. TWIST cocktail catering feature a full menu using only Organic Nation Vodka and Gin. The owner, Stephanie Stroup and I concocted an imaginative list of crafty cocktails, ranging from a simple spin on a Gin and Tonic, to the crowd favorite and your weekend/ holiday recipe, Evicting Claus. Roll- up your sleeves, cause while this recipe may take a bit of prep, its an easy go that wont keep you behind the bar during your festive holiday party.

Evicting Claus

Gather these ingredients:

Bottle Organic Nation Vodka

Organic or All Natural Vanilla Syrup

Organic White Cranberry Juice

Ginger Powder

Vanilla Wafer cookies

Whole fresh frozen cranberries (I like Stahlbush Island Farms)

Pre-Party-Prep (for 6-8)

Use a sealable bag to crush 3-4 wafer cookies and dump them onto a plate that has high edges, a smaller plate is best add about a 1/4 teaspoon of Ginger Powder to the dry mixture and mix around a bit.

Add 2 teaspoons of Ginger Powder to 4 cups of White Cranberry Juice and shake it up.

Drink Preperation-

Now that its party time and your work is mostly over.

Take a Rocks glass (or a Martini style cocktail glass) and use a lemon to rim the glass, moistening it, the farther down the glass you go the more cookie will stick and the more aesthetic your drink will look, I like to get a good 1/2 inch down on the glass rim.

Turn the glass upside down and spin it in the dry cookie crumbles.

In a shaker combine:

2 oz of Organic Nation Vodka

1/2 oz of Organic Vanilla Syrup

2.5 oz of Organic White Cranberry Juice

Shake

(If you are serving it 'up', then strain it, other wise just pour the entirety of the cocktail into the rocks glass. )

Pour into your rimmed glass and finish with a garnish of a Whole Cranberry.

Cheers and Enjoy your holidays!

Melodie

CoHo Productions Lights up the Night

2009-10-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

CoHo Production's Hamlet Fundraising Party produced by Chris Murray

CoHo's winter slot show, Hamlet, directed by Kristan Seemel and adapted by and starring Chris Murray is having a party!

We are in the preliminary stages of preparing to conquer the season, including this new adaptation of Shakespeare's most famous work.

The event will include appetizers and cocktails sponsored by Organic Nation Spirits.

This performance of Hamlet is something we want Portland to feel proud of, a show that will make an impact on our fair city. I want us all to feel a sense of ownership.

Our Designers: Kollodi and Chris Rousseau, our fabulous designers are looking forward to the contributions from this years event attendees to help them truly be able to expand their imaginations and bring the stage to life.

Our Minimum Fundraising Goal is : $3,200

Featuring a silent auction-

Example auctions:

A tailored season of Portland shows (tickets to 8 shows at 8 different Portland theatres, from Third Rail and PCS, to OCT and Vertigo)

A collection of Arrow Golf Clubs

A dream package of pampering from London Influence Salon

A slot in Tim True's 8-week acting class

A package of delights from the Portland Rose Garden

A private walking tour lead by Chris Murray from Portland Walking Tours

A year long package of computer IT troubleshooting with "to your door" service

A family portrait package from Natural Light Photography

A one-on-one directing session with Slayden Scott Yarborough Artistic Director of Third Rail Rep

Handmade Jewelry from Portland artist Lindsay Matteson

...and much more.

It will be fantastic to enjoy an evening of fun, food and spirits with all of you!

$10 Ticket to entry -

If you have any questions about the event, please email me personally :thechrismurray@gmail.com

If you would like to learn more about this version of Hamlet, please visit CoHo's website.

www.cohoproductions.org

Thank you all!

Cocktails Served Earth Friendly

2009-10-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

Paul Abercrombie invites all to attend his debut party of his new cocktail book, he mentioned Organic Nation Spirits in the book: "Spunky Oregon micro-distillery. . ." and ". . . O-N brand gin has a gentle herbaceous quality for a versatile mixer."

Please join me in celebrating the publication of Organic, Shaken and Stirred, my new book about organic cocktails.

Oh, and enjoy some drinks from the book!

When: Thursday, October 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Restaurant BT (in Tampa’s Old Hyde Park Village), 1633 West Snow Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 US

For advance reservations ($30 includes a copy of the book, two cocktails and appetizers), call Inkwood Books (www.InkwoodBooks.com) at 813-253-2638 or Restaurant BT (www.RestaurantBT.com) at 813-258-1916. Or drop by Restaurant BT the night of the party.

“Organic, Shaken and Stirred is a delightful read, chock-full of wonderful recipes. The book is well organized and gives an informative overview of the ‘green’ cocktail trend; it is a valuable resource.”  —Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, founder and editor, The Liquid Muse.com

Distillers Tasting at Edgefield

2009-10-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 17

OREGON DISTILLERS GUILD FALL TASTING

Set in Edgefield's second-floor ballroom

1 p.m. 'til 4 p.m. | $20 per person; includes samples | 21 & over

Join us in the beautiful ballroom at Edgefield to sample some of the region's best spirits! We'll also provide light appetizers. Why not book a room at the hotel to make an evening of it?

Along with Edgefield Distillery, guests to the tasting will include:

Bendistillery

Artisan Spirits

Cascade Peak Spirits/Organic Nation

Integrity Spirits

House Spirits

Highball Distillery

Indio Spirits

Rogue Spirits

Sub Rosa Spirits

Hood River Distillery

New Deal Distillery

Liquid Vodka

And many others…

Celebrate Handcrafted Oregon Spirits!

2009-10-05T15:28:00.000-07:00

Oregon Distillers Guild Annual Tasting To Kick Off “Oregon Distillery Month”

(Portland, Ore. October 1, 2009 ) – Join thirteen Oregon distilleries in the main ballroom at McMenamins Edgefield for an afternoon of spirits tastings from 1pm – 4pm on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Tickets are $20. For tickets, contact McMenamins Edgefield at 503-669-8610. Light appetizers will be provided. There will be tours every half hour of the Edgefield Distillery.

The event is the annual Fall spirits tasting put on by the Oregon Distillers Guild, the nations first guild for craft distillers. Thirteen Oregon distilleries will show over twenty four different Oregon distilled products at this event.

Oregon distillers attending the Oregon Distillers Guild tasting at McMenamins are: Artisan Spirits, Bendistillery, Cascade Peak Distillery, Highball Distillery, Hood River Distillers, House Spirits, Indio Spirits, Integrity Spirits, Liquid Vodka, New Deal Distillery, Rogue Spirits, and Sub Rosa Spirits. Each will feature two or more of the regions best distilled products.

October is unoffically, Oregon Distillery Month. The Guild Tasting at McMenamins Edgfield will be followed by the Great American Distillers Festival the next weekend. It is expected that both will be well attended by the local populace.

About Oregon Distillers Guild:

The Oregon Distillers Guild was the first state based craft distilling group to band together and form a Guild. The Oregon Distillers Guild formed in May of 2007 and has sponsored two bills before the Oregon Legislature; influenced policy within the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and worked with Travel Oregon and Oregon Bounty programs to promote Oregon as a destination for all things liqurious.

See you there,

Melodie

Schooled by Ideal Bite

2009-09-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

So you want to be a little more green? Let Ideal Bite educate you.

I have long admire the quick witty articles delivered by Ideal Bite about how you can save the world one alternative at a time. They offer shopping alternatives, advice to moms, living choices and always with humor.

Want more? Read their article on our Gin and sign up for their newsletter.

Thanks for conserving resources.

Melodie

Spirits will Invade the Bossanova!

2009-09-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

Join us and a handful of Micro-distilleries for the 5th Annual Great American Distillers Festival in Portland, Oregon this October 24th and 25th. This weekend of events celebrates small craft distilleries from across the country and the spirit of entrepreneurship. Similar to the microbrew movement of the 1980's, the microspirits revolution is taking off and craft products are increasingly preferred by consumers, bartenders, and connoisseurs of high-end spirits.

Stop by the Bossanova located at 722 E Burnside, Portland, Oregon 97215.

For more information visit the Great American Distillers Festival Site.

Hope to see you there, sipping a tasty cocktail!

Melodie

Women, Martini's and Madness

2009-09-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is the gorgeous patio view of Callahan's where the cutting edge event to raise money for women & children~Women & Martini Madness

will take place from 4-6pm and a special dinner by Chef Brandon will be served from 6-8pm. Organic Nation spirits will be serving up organic signature cocktails, such as a Bees Knees, French Fields and a Leap Frog! Come and meet other zany women, enjoy a fine cocktail, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and live music with Sarah Petty and the Baked Boys! Call Callahan's 541.482.1299 for reservations. There are some sliding scale scholarships, call Diane for more info: 541.840.2513

2nd Annual Feast in the Fields

2009-09-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

This is the second annual Feast in the Fields which is the brainchild of Gina & Dave Heckley to celebrate family, friends, & the bounty of the season! We were invited back this year and served some very yummy cocktails for the 'Happy Hour' prior to the Feast. We served a French Fields, a lovely concoction created by our very own Melodie! Our gin drink was a classic highball, a Leap Frog. Both were received with rave revues from the 60+ happy Feast goers!

Rogue Valley Brambles in Talent was the host farm with Copperhill Olive Oil, Meadowlark Farm, Plaisance Ranch, Siskiyou Crest Goat Dairy, Noble Coffee, New Sammy's, Ashland Bistro Cafe, and Ashland Springs Hotel all weighing in with fabulous, locally grown and nurtured cuisine. A fabulous time was had by all and we all are already looking forward to next years Feast!

Sip Responsibly,

Diane

Women and Martini Madness

2009-09-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Come one, come all! This is a call to Women who are mad about Martinis and mad about raising money for Women & Children in need. This FUNdraiser will benefit a Jackson County United Way program, Women in Living Leadership. The event is being held at Callahan's on their beautiful outdoor patio. Callahan's is that wonderful restaurant & lodge that has risen from the ashes of the fire last year, with a completely gorgeous remodel and is located on I-5 at Siskiyou Summit, which is actually only a 9 min. drive from Ashland, yet, you feel like you are far away in the sweet mountain air. For the price of a $30. ticket you get one free Organic Nation Martini, free hors d'ouevres, live music by "Hot Lips & Half-Baked Buns", a jazzy, blues band with Sarah Petty as their lead vocalist, and all the fun you can muster up with a bunch of mad women!! Then stay for Callahan's special Martini Madness dinner menu for only $20/$25 the day of the event. They are also offering a special deal for an overnight stay! Call Callahan's for your reservations: 541.482.1299 or email: marilyn@organicnationspirits.com for more info. Hope to see you there! In Good Spirits, Diane

Oregon Tilth serves up!

2009-09-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

The International Food Trade Show brings people together from all over the world who have a passion for food and its counter parts in our culture. To our fortune, Oregon Tilth (OTCO, our organic certifier and the most stringent in the certification industry) planted themselves there this past June. Luckily, for them, they were able to serve sample tastings of Organic Nation gin and vodka so attendees swarmed their booth to sample some of the finest organic spirits! OTCO, as well, informed many of the food show goers of the importance and process of organic certification, Oregon Tilth's way, of course.

Organic Nation Spirits are proud to be certified by Oregon Tilth and, of course, thankful that they served up some cocktails with our spirits, in our absence, at the International Food Trade Show in Anaheim, CA.

For more information about upgrading to an Oregon Tilth Organic Certification contact them via their website.

Mixologist Spotlight: Emily Dixon

2009-09-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

High Desert Drifter

1 ½ oz Organic Nation Gin

Grated Ginger

Fresh Sage

Heavy Cream

Simple Syrup

Fresh Pear

Shake, serve up

Cherry Surprise

1 ½ oz Organic Nation Vodka

Fresh Cherries

Egg White

Juice and Pulp from an Orange

½ tsp Sugar

Shake, serve up

Garnish with one cherry in the bottom of the Cocktail glass

Emily’s artistic eye not only makes her a talented stone carver and jewelry designer, but also a creative mixologist. Emily got her start mixing and shaking when she moved to Alaska in 2002. After spending time traveling and working around the northwest, Emily landed back in her hometown of Bend in 2005, where she concocted for Staccato, Cascade Lakes Lodge and Deep. Most recently, Emily mixes for Twist Cocktail Catering Co., Central Oregon’s premier beverage catering service.

For your next event you make Twist, your first call, for alcohol!

Check out our Organic distillery...

2009-09-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

Next time you plan a wine tour in the newly famed Rogue Valley, why not stretch your wings and include a tour of an Organic micro-distillery? Cascade Peak Spirits, dba as Organic Nation, located in Ashland, is Oregon's first organic Micro-Distillery and welcomes spirits enthusiasts to make an appointment to tour the facility. At Organic Nation, we founded an organic distillery to demonstrate how we cherish Oregon's renowned natural resources: her pure water, clean air, and healthy soil. As a local Rogue Valley business, we are committed to the practice of Sustainability. We buy local and 'green' products as much as is possible. Our facility, as well as all of the raw products we use to handcraft our spirits, are certified organic by the most rigorous name in organic certification--OREGON TILTH (OTCO).

Diane and David, CEO and Distiller, respectively, will tour by appointment most days of the week.

Oregon has heaps of bounty to offer and the palettes it entertains are some of the most sophisticated, this demands high quality boutique distilleries, breweries and wineries, which have stepped up to the challenge.

To tour the distillery please call or email: marilyn@OrganicNationSpirits.com for an appointment.

Appointments are required and usually need to be made one week in advance.

You can also visit the Travel Oregon website to help plan your trip!

Thanks! Melodie

Taste some Originality

2009-09-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Boldly located on the corner of SW 6th and Oak St. in Portland's classic Downtown area, The Original swoops you in. Its 50's lure, with a chic neuvo vibe, creates a curiosity about what's inside. The Original offers up a unique array of traditional American food that seems like it took a two week vacation to...somewhere. Duck confit on waffles, Lobster Corn Dog, Donut Burger, Poutine ... the Original ingenuity goes on.

Of course, when you are dining at The Original, be original and drink Organic Nation Spirits.

Cheers!

Melodie

Go ahead, Jinx yourself

2009-08-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

Jinx, which just opened (last night) in the Pearl District is owned and operated by Casey Hopkin. They will be serving Organic Nation gin along with many other premium Spirits.

Jinx offers a hip atmosphere with a sprightly fresh, lounge feel. Although I didn't experience this late night, this review from yelp makes it sound like Jinx really brought the party. This new hot spot doesnt have a web-site up yet, but in the mean time you can join their Facebook page and check out their other half, Vault-Martini, located next door.

When you stop in and welcome Jinx, be sure to make your libation of choice Organic Nation.

Jinx is located near the corner of 12th and Everett in Portland's Pearl District.

Cheers!

Melodie

Best of Portland brought the heat on.

2009-08-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

I mixed no less than 1000 cocktails that hot Wednesday evening. My fingers were left wrinkled from the citrus that permeated my skin, and the seepage under my nails left me having flash backs of busy bartending nights. The crowd, none-the-less, was appreciative of all the samplings and had a keen appreciation for the Organic Nation gin and Brain Tonic cocktail (I am still hoping for a clever name to pop up, suggestions welcome).

The best of Portland event put on by Willamette Week beamed with success. Local Portlanders cruised in after work to dip into the goodies; Socializing to the live music and good food & spirits. Then there was the 'reporter dunk tank', just in case you have a pent up issue or grudge with a local media person. On site vendors included, the Grilled Cheese Cart, which I will add makes a killer grilled cheese using mascarpone cheese. There were Absinthe slushy’s! handmade donuts and much more. I will confess, I never had a chance to check out the entire event, which was a really good problem to have, being that our booth was highly popular! Everyone couldn’t get enough of the Organic Nation vodka and Lemongrass Dry Soda or the now famed O-N gin and Brain TonIQ’s cocktails.

Best of Portland was fantastic and we hope to see many of you at any and all of our upcoming events in the Portland area. Support the movement to keep it local; Drink local and drink organic.

Cheers!

Melodie

Love affair with Culinary Arts

2009-08-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

Maralyn Hill brings a wealth of experience and passion to the Food & Spirits industry. Diane, owner of Organic Nation Spirits, has been in touch with Maralyn since their friendship developed at the Ashland Springs Hotel's Chocolate Festival in March '09. Learning about Maralyn's talents and where they come from has been a gift, so much that I wanted to bring it to light for our fans and followers to enjoy!

'My physical home is Arizona, but I consider the world my true home. I derive my energy from different cultures and love being exposed to all aspects of different cultures. It seems many times the gate or tarmac could be considered home if you count time spent in either place.

Born in Chicago, with my first train ride at 2 weeks, I developed my love of travel early. Having a family who excelled in food preparation of many cultures is somewhat responsible for introducing me to appreciation of all aspects of food.

I pursued careers that allowed me to follow my dream of food and travel worldwide. Now, as a freelance writer and author, I focus on food of all cultures: Attending 2009 Bocuse d’Or in Lyon, France, with a French Master Chef friend and my frequent writing partner; covering the Taste of the Caribbean; and judging the Oregon Chocolate Festival and Taste of Fallbrook.

In addition to freelance writing, I’m President of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. I enjoy assisting our members in achieving more success with their careers (that goes back to my Masters in Organizational Development). I have a blog called “Where and What in the World,” as well as “Success,” a blog on writing. I’ve co-authored three books with Brenda C. Hill (no relation). The first was “Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel,” “Cooking Secrets…The Why and How,” co-authored with Master French Chef Herve Laurent, and INDIE Finalist, “Success, Your Path to a Successful Book.”

Maralyn enjoys writing about and supporting the lesser known artisan and delicious businesses. Seeing them grown and gain recognition from producing exceptional products is a wonderful reward. She is delighted to be introduced to new companies, tasting and promoting them through her writing. Her background is marketing and organizational development. She also enjoys being a judge and covering events just about anywhere. The people she meets and stories she hears make it worthwhile.'

You can contact Maralyn at mdhill@noralyn.com or call 480.840.3420. Check out her website:www.noralyn.com.

Cheers!

Melodie

Mixologist Spotlight: Megan Bitz

2009-08-17T18:18:00.000-07:00

Greatful Gardener

1 1/2oz Fresh Grapefruit

1 1/2oz Fresh Lemon Juice

2 oz Organic Nation Vodka

Cardamom

Fresh Ginger Root

Tarragon

Sage

Mint

Basil

Simple Syrup

Shake Serve up

Top with Soda Water

In her own words, "I grew up in Scholls, Oregon deep in the woods and have always had an appreciation for nature and natural medicine that grows around us. I started an essential oil business four years ago and currently work as a manager and server at Chow. I love Chow because it represents how I feel about good food, good people, supporting local farms and businesses alike. Crafting cocktails gives you the freedom to use your mind, fresh herbs and your creativity. "

Megan crafted this tasty cocktail, in the spur of the moment, for the Bite of Bend cocktail competition. You can find her at Chow in Bend, most days mixing daytime drinks and holding the fort down.

Cheers!

Melodie

Diane and David Imbibe the Best

2009-08-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Diane and David, owners of Organic Nation, took off to Portland last week to enjoy the Chef's Collaborative dinner. Of course this wasn't their only stop. They stopped into their favorite bars to pay respects and gratitude, with a handful of friends and family including David's son Jason, his wife Lucy, Diane's daughter, Natalie and her fabulous beau, Sean from Andina.

First up: the newly famed Jacob Grier of Carlyle, who took Gold honors at the Oregon Bartenders Guild Mixology competition with his 'Gallagher' cocktail (featuring our Gin) and 'Mandeville' (featuring Dolmen Worker Bee). Both cocktails were crowd pleasers at the event and certainly well appreciated by Diane, David and their company as guests of Jacob's last Saturday! Diane gifted Jacob a bottle of Vodka for his excellent talents and the clan left the joint promising to dine there on their next trip!

Diane (CEO of the Company) and David (V.P./ Distiller) were off to visit their long time friend Jeffery Morgenthaler at Clyde Common, where they had him pull a cocktail featuring Organic Nation Gin from his vast repertoire. Diane's favorite was his Gin and Tonic, made with his homemade tonic. Diane is a little wistful, since they don't carry our Vodka. And fun was had by all indeed!

Everyone enjoyed a little weekend imbibing, but the fun didn't stop there! In Eugene, Diane and David stopped into Sweetwaters, where Lucas Bhur mixes up a handful of fabulous Organic Nation infusions featured on their menu. Diane gifted him with one of our fantastic organic t-shirts.

From the specialty menu at Sweetwaters:

River Breeze

Honey grapefruit infused Vodka served over ice with fresh grapefruit squeezed on top with a splash of POM juice to round things off.

Signing off, Melodie.

Kelly Lamb takes O-N to the top

2009-08-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

To celebrate her 40th birthday, Kelly decided to take on a 9,495 ft. peak. On July 23, 2009 she climbed Mount McLoughlin and she did it in style! Here she is showing off her Organic Nation t-shirt smilin' sky high!

Kelly works at Hair City in Ashland, OR.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

Climb on, Kelly!

Diane

Jacob Grier takes the hat!

2009-07-31T18:09:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Bartender's Guild sponsored a cocktail competition at the Hobnob Grille in Portland on Monday night, July 27th. It was a great success, raising enough money for Schoolhouse Supplies to equip an entire classroom of children for a full school year. The winning concoction using Organic Nation Gin was created by Jacob Grier who is a freelance writer, barista and Bartender at the Carlyle in Portland, OR. The Gallagher Cocktail: 2 oz. Organic Nation Gin 1 oz. watermelon juice 3/4 oz. lime juice 1/2 oz. Swedish Punsch Soda Shake first four ingredients over ice, strain into ice-filled Collins glass. Top with soda and stir. For more details see Jacob's blog at: www.jacobgrier.com/blog/archives/2529.html In great spirits! Diane

The Garden Bistro at McCully House with Valerie Vorland

2009-07-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Garden Bistro at McCully House is where you can find Valerie Vorland mixing fabulous drinks and serving beautiful dinners. I was excited to meet with Valerie Vorland who has been a bartender and server for 12 years. She said, "I love this business, you meet the coolest people, work in the coolest places and the networking is incredible! This is my calling." After a group discussion with Valerie, and Sarah Farnsworth, House Manager of the Garden Bistro at The McCully House, and staff and patrons about 'Mixology' and how everyone loves the flavor of Organic Nation vodka, it was unanimous that Organic Nation vodka is exquisite by itself. If you really wanted to order a cocktail, a well done martini was the drink of choice. Garden Bistro at McCully uses the best for their martini's, they mix with Quady North Vermouth named Vya, an herbally infused, aromatized wine. Superb is an understatement. Note: At the Garden Bistro, the wine list is 90 % local and the dinner menu is about 80% locally grown or made in the Applegate and Rogue Valleys. Organic Nation Spirits fit right in with the values of supporting local. Valerie and Sarah remind me that the Garden Bistro at McCully House is not just a special occasion restaurant, you can bring your co-workers for a business meeting, come in with your girlfriends or stop on your way back from the river. Everyone is welcome and please, please please check out the gorgeously lush patio.

Cheers, Amy.

Mixologist Spotlight: Teal Stanley

2009-07-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

Gin Mint Lemonade 2 oz. Organic Nation Gin 2-3 sugar cubes muddled with 10 juicy mint leaves 3 lemon wedges - squeezed Shaken then top with soda Serve this one on the rocks ....or if you want an expert to mix this up for you, swing by the Bella Union Restaurant and Saloon and Teal will take care of it. She has her own mint patch on the garden patio. Teal's committed! She's been working at the Bella Union for 10 years, mixing drinks 6 days a week. She loves Mixology. Fresh and forward thinking when developing a drink, she also loves to take the tried and true classics and tweak them into a new variation or an all new cocktail. Need a bright spot at the end of your day? Teal Stanely and the Bella Union is it, always busy, always upbeat. Cheers! Amy

Mixologist Spotlight: Daniel Shoemaker

2009-07-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Smokin' Herb

Organic Nation gin

House dry vermouth

Floc de gascogne

Laphroig 15-yr. scotch

Absinthe rinse

The Teardrop lounge in Downtown Portland mixes up some tasty and out of this world cocktails. Mixologist Daniel Shoemaker sent this particular recipe my way coined for its representation of flavor reminiscent to the Native Oregonian. Teardrop Lounge focuses primarily on its beverages, and that it does very well.

Cheers!

Melodie

High Sierra Music Festival

2009-07-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

Here we are, Diane and David, owners of ORGANIC NATION, enjoying our Bloody Mary 'ala Dave Marg.' at the wild and wacky High Sierra Music Festival July 2-5 at Quincy, CA. Last year, we were fortunate enough to meet Dave Marguiles, producer of the HSMF, who had moved to Ashland. He made an offer we couldn't refuse. So, we packed the car with hundreds of lbs of spirits, to donate to the performers of the ilk of John Butler, Ani De Franco, Red Cortez and headed out! This was the first year that HSMF got their Distilled Spirits liquor license, so people could get a tasty Bloody Mary and a yummy Strawberry Lemon Drop and the old stand by, G & T, spruced up with Q Tonic at one of the 6 different bars! The Shepard family of Lille Belle Chocolates fame, was there showing off their Ultimate Martini White Chocolate using Organic Nation Gin ~unbelievably delicious!!

April Starlight and Amanda Campa were our

Organic Nation Ambassadors extraordinaire. They really have their act together and people flocked to them for tastings. We paired with Molly Foehl, Q Tonic rep, to give samples of our Organic spirits with their organic agave, hand picked quinine, top shelf Tonic. It is a definite pairing made in organic heaven!

We'll be back next year and have our own Bar that we work at, create our own delicious cocktails and listen to lots of dynamite music. We saw some local Ashlanders there, Julie O' Dwyer of Tease and Karen Loop of 6th St. It was really fun and pretty exhausting living in a tent town of about 7000 people! In good spirits, DP

The Fresh Squeeze

2009-07-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

O-N Vodka, fresh squeezed grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange with just a touch of Chambord. Shaken and served up in a martini glass with a sugared rim…A little more sour than sweet!

Created by Mike Blakely, Bella Union Restaurant, Jacksonville, OR

Leap Frog Highball

2009-07-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

1 oz Organic Lemon Juice
2 oz. ORGANIC NATION gin
Ginger Ale

Pour lemon juice and gin into ice-filled highball glass and fill with ginger ale. Stir!

Enjoyed by Mary Toney, Cascade Peak Spirits' former Productions Manager

Pineapple Basil Martini

2009-07-10T21:37:00.000-07:00

Pineapple Juice
2 lemon slices (squeezed)
2 teaspoons of Fresh organic basil
Full shot of O-N Vodka
Float of cassis

Shake the first 4 ingredients with ice into a martini glass allow some of the basil bits to float into the glass.
Add a small 1/4 shot float of Cassis to finish.
1/2 rim of sugar on the Martini glass

Created by Melodie Buell, Bartender at Standing Stone Restaurant, Ashland, OR