I first learned about Prairie Organic Spirits at the 2015 Tales of the Cocktail, where they won me over with their colorful garden-inspired displays and friendly mixologists. Also, they were giving out free muddlers!
Prairie Organic specializes in small-batch, organic (duh) clear alcohols (gin, vodka, etc.), whose uniformly pure taste makes them scarily sippable and wonderful ingredients for cocktails.
Recently, POS and I had another rendezvous in preparation for the Austin Food & Wine Festival (later cancelled) and they were generous enough to provide me with a sample of their Cucumber Vodka for some home experimentation.
Thus far my research has yielded two more-than-quaffable creations:
Blackberry Ginger Cucumber Highball (pictured above)
- 1 1/2 ounces Prairie Organic Cucumber Vodka
- 3 ounces ginger ale
- blackberries for garnish
Pour vodka and ginger ale into a chilled glass. Garnish with blackberries, which are best consumed after you have finished your drink so they have time to absorb the boozy juices.
C.G.C (Cherry-Grape-Cucumber) Martini
- 1 1/2 ounces Prairie Organic Cucumber Vodka
- 2 ounces 100% pure grape juice
- fresh cherries
Pit approximately 4-5 cherries. Muddle at the bottom of a shaker; add grape juice, vodka, and ice. Shake vigorously, and strained into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a fresh cherry.
The Blackberry Ginger Highball's slightly spicy notes are mellowed out by the cucumber and I love the way the errant blackberries add the occasional punch of sweetness. Harder-hitting albeit just as refreshing is the C.G.C Martini, whose berry overtones almost mask the alcohol...which is why, 'whoopsy-daisy, did I just drink two in under 45 minutes?'