James Bond-Inspired Drinks, New Aquavits and more Tipsy Tidbits

While the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping, our local distillers, bars and shakers are warming it up with announcements of all sorts. Check out the below for some recent news sure to brighten your day.

Fresh Aquavits from Hardware Distillery: If you don’t already know, Hardware Distillery is located out in Hoodsport, and makes a bunch of tasty items, including two recently released aquavits, to accompany its delicious regular aquavit. The new additions are Cardamom, which has a solid cardamom aroma and taste and a peppery finish, and a Dill aquavit, with a more delicate dill flavoring. Both are made on a base of the distiller’s own vodka, and can be had well-chilled solo or in cocktails. 

Bluewater Bering Sea Barrel Expedition: Speaking of aquavit, Everett’s Bluewater Distillery is taking the notion of “aging” to another level, working with Captain Keith Colburn of the boat F/V Wizard, featured on the show Deadliest Catch. The captain will add a special barrel of Bluewater Akvavit (another fun spelling) to the boat when it reaches Alaska to join the Deadliest Catch crab fleet for the Winter’s Opilio crab season. It’ll have a custom steel cage in place to hold the barrel, as it rolls and thrashes on the high seas of the Alaskan arctic.

3 Howls Releases Blood Orange Vodka: Just in time for the eerie late fall season (sorry, the Blood Orange just reminds me of Halloween), 3 Howls distillery has released another in itsline of naturally-flavored vodkas. The Blood Orange is made with locally-sourced dehydrated blood oranges, along with a secret blending of cloves and other spices. The end result is a slightly sweet flavor, underlined by hints of spices and a clean orange-ness – and a bit of bitter. Try it at the distillery, or look for it at local bars.

James Bond Drinks from Local Spots: With the new Bond film Spectre coming out Friday, November 6, up your spy cred by enjoying a drink inspired by Bond at local Kimpton group bars. The lineup includes the You Only Live Twice at Pennyroyal (with Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe fino sherry, Pineau des Charentes Rose, and Scrappy’s Chocolate bitters), the Amore Roma at the Bookstore Bar & Café (with The Botanist gin, Italian digestif Cynar, orange juice, and orange zest), and The Spectre at Tulio (with Bombay Sapphire gin, Acqua Di Cedro grappa-and-lemon liqueur, and lemon juice).