Humboldt Holiday Spirits!

Interview by Dave Feral  

Images by Abe Stevens

 

While mixing up your favorite holiday cocktails, I encourage you to stir in some of the carefully crafted spirits produced by Abe Stevens at Humboldt Distillery.

I recently had an opportunity to talk with Abe, owner and master distiller at Humboldt Distillery, about his highly successful business.  Abe oversees all operations at the distillery. Born and raised in Humboldt County, Abe is a fifth-generation native of the North Coast. He is a scientist by training and an aficionado of finely-crafted foods and beverages. He graduated from Fortuna High School, then attended the University of Chicago where he obtained degrees in chemistry and biochemistry.

Founded in 2012, Humboldt Distillery is the first legal micro-distillery on the North Coast, focusing on small scale craftsmanship.

Humboldt Distillery offers four specially-crafted spirits:

Organic Vodka

Their pure, quadruple-distilled Organic Vodka is made from certified organic sugarcane.  Abe has chosen not to use any glycerin or other additives common in other vodka brands, which are used to add sweetness and an artificial smoothness. Instead, you’ll find Humboldt Distillery’s is a dry vodka with a clean finish and neutral character; the perfect blank slate for any number of cocktails.

Organic Spiced Rum

Their Organic Spiced Rum is distilled from domestically grown organic sugarcane and flavored with whole organic spices. It contains no artificial flavors or colors, and is gluten free. It’s a modestly-spiced rum with subtle hints of vanilla, spice, and fruit. Give it a try in any cocktail recipe calling for rum.

Eaux de vie style Brandy

If you make it to Fortuna for a tour of the distillery, Abe has an exceptional treat available only on-site: A tasty pear brandy made from local pears, and a very special apple brandy made with apples from Feisty Dog Orchard in Redcrest.

When I asked Abe to share some of his favorite Holiday Cocktail recipes, he offered the following:

Pomegranate Martini

1.5 oz. Humboldt Distillery Organic Vodka

1.5 oz. triple sec

2 tbsp. fresh pomegranate seeds

1 slice of lime

Sugar

Ice

Rub rim of martini glass with lime and dip in sugar to coat.  Combine vodka, triple sec, pomegranate seeds, and ice in cocktail shaker.  Shake, strain, and pour into martini glass.  Garnish with lime.

 

 

Hot Rum Cider

1.5 oz Humboldt Distillery

Organic Spiced Rum

3/4 cup hot apple cider

1 orange slice

Heat a mug of apple cider,

then add rum and orange.

 

Egg Nog

1.5 oz Humboldt Distillery Organic Spiced Rum

1 egg yolk

1.5 oz half & half

3/4 oz simple syrup

Whipped cream

Nutmeg

Ice

Combine rum, egg yolk, half & half, simple syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker.  Shake and strain into a glass and garnish with whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg.

Caution:  Consuming raw or undercooked eggs may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

 

Hot Buttered Rum

1.5 oz. Humboldt Distillery

Organic Spiced Rum

1 tsp. butter

1 tbsp. brown sugar

Boiling water

Add brown sugar and butter to mug and combine.  Pour ¾ cup steaming hot water and rum into mug and stir.

I end this article with a toast to Abe and to all our readers. May your holidays be filled with memorable times and great spirits! 

Cheers! 

Dave Feral