Home in the Heartland: A Crafted Cocktail

Home in the Heartland: A Crafted Cocktail

“Midwest is Best” is a favorite mantra of the proud midwesterner, and no season realizes that mantra more than fall. In a series of three posts, we’re hoping to scratch the surface of why we’re lucky to call the Heartland home. Next up, we’re serving a bright cocktail with syrup from Wisconsin’s Quince & Apple.

Be it for a dinner party, a romantic night in, or for an alternative to the norm, crafting your own cocktail is a great way to save yourself from spending a precious weekend night waiting in line outside of a crowded cocktail bar. So grab your party pants, and let’s get you a drink!

Any mixologist will tell you that ingredients of the finest quality are the key to making a good cocktail. We’re lucky enough to be hip to Quince & Apple, handcrafters of artisan preserves and syrups, so we’re off to a good start.

Based in Madison, WI, they’re able to locally and sustainably source their ingredients, handcrafting every batch to ensure its quality and flavor. Long story short, their Rhubarb Hops syrup is serving as our creative muse for a tart and sweet cocktail that’s going to upturn your bar cart. Enter the Rhubarb Grapefruit Soda featuring Koval vodka.

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Let’s keep this recipe simple: put away the shaker and strainer, but keep a spoon handy. Here’s what you’ll need:

Rhubarb Grapefruit Soda
1 oz Quince & Apple Rhubarb Hops syrup
3oz grapefruit juice
1 oz Koval vodka
club soda to top it off
ice
slice of grapefruit and mint to garnish

Add 1 oz Rhubarb Hops syrup (a Neighborly favorite) to 3oz of grapefruit juice (white or ruby will work just fine), add 1oz of vodka (for a local flavor, we chose Koval’s vodka made from 100% organic and local rye). Top off the drink with club soda, a few ice cubes, and garnish with a sprig of mint for a hint of freshness.

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Although this cocktail may seem a tad summery, bright and tart are your taste bud’s pals all year long. Not to mention, grapefruit is most abundant in the winter, so in the effort of eating (or in this case, drinking) with the seasons, save this recipe to add some sunshine to a cold night.

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This recipe is courtesy of the fine folks at Quince & Apple. For more recipes to pair with their delicious products, visit their website.

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