FAIR Wind Blowing fabulous Cocktails Our Way

I have to admit to a weakness when it comes to cocktails. I love the look, taste and overall enjoyable experience. So I was ready to savour the Gojipolitan cocktail, which I was introduced to recently. It certainly looked fabulous with its rich, rosy hue and delivered a refreshing, fruity explosion on the palate.

Last year the Fair Trade Spirits Company launched FAIR. Quinoa Vodka. The first Quinoa-based Vodka, which is also the first fairtrade certified™ vodka in the world. They have three amazing product: FAIR. Quinoa Vodka, FAIR. Goji Liqueur and FAIR. Café Liqueur, something to suit all tastes, which is great for cocktail lovers with a conscience.

“All our spirits are produced from fairtrade certified ingredients and comply with organic farming methods,” says Paul Bungener UK brand ambassador. “Our ingredients are carefully selected and the distilling process involves the most acclaimed distillers in France.

“Our goal is to build long-term relationships with our partnered cooperatives and their communities to ensure their sustainable development and growth as well as our own.”

And, indeed, from the Andes to the Himalayas and the volcanic mountains of Mexico the Fair Trade Spirits Company has taken crops revered by the local people and benefitted their communities while bringing us cocktails with true spirit.

Quinoa is a species of goosefoot, a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds since 13^th century Incas cultivated this sacred crop in the Andes. Only recently has Quinoa become popular in the western world, as its exceptional nutritional values and versatility have been recognized here. An excellent source of proteins, Quinoa has been the staple diet of Andean people for centuries.

The Quinoa cultivated by the Fair Trade Spirit Company comes from over 1,200 small producers in the Bolivian Altiplano. The production process is the result of a two-years’ joint research by French distillers and Bolivian farmers.

FAIR. Goji Liqueur is made from the legendary, sacred Goji berry fruit (also known as Wolfberry) considered one of the earth’s most nutritious fruits and noted for the exceptionally high antioxidant level. Goji berries were harvested by Tibetan monks for thousands of years and worshipped by locals as source of eternal happiness

“Our Goji berries come from very remote unpolluted valleys of the Himalaya where the soil is loved and respected. After a very strict selection, our master liquorist extracts the essence of the fruit to create the finest ruby coloured liqueur, offering a completely new flavor with notes of cranberry, cherry and plum.”

Lastly but my no means least there is FAIR. Café Liqueur made from Fairtrade and organic coffee beans grown high in the volcanic mountains of Huatusco in Mexico, where the soil is rich, moist and fertile, producing exceptional coffee crops.

“Our coffee beans are harvested through the cooperative of Huatusco with nearly 2,000 small independent producers. This cooperative was created in 1992 after the Mexican government committed to lift indigenous communities out of extreme poverty.”

The best quality beans are selected for experienced craftsmen in Cognac to slow roast, with the extraction of a fine natural caramel. A double filtration process then creates a delicious dark syrup with a taste of freshly roasted coffee, full of body and rich flavours of almonds and hazelnuts.

For that cocktail experience at home here are a couple of recipes to help you on your way:

Gojipolitan

- 40 ml of FAIR. Goji
- 20 ml of FAIR. Quinoa
- 10 ml of Cranberry Juice
- 0,5 ml of lemon juice 

Pour all ingredients in a shaker. Hard shake. Fine strain into a cockltail glass and garnish with Goji berries or a flamed orange peel and a slice of lime. 

FAIR. presso martini

 - 40 ml FAIR. Quinoa Vodka
- 15ml FAIR. Cafe Liqueur
- 20ml Sugar syrup
- shot of expresso
- 3 coffee beans on top 

Pour all ingredients in a shaker. Hard shake. Fine strain into a cocktail martini glass and garnish with 3 coffee bean.

Poppy Watt

For your chance to win FAIR Spirits be sure to check out our competition here.

Posted Thu, 05/26/2011 - 21:27 by Poppy Watt