Missouri vodka discovered in Carthage ‘Delights’

When it comes to liquor, beer and wine, I’m an impulse shopper. I have my favorite daily drinkers, but I’m always looking for something unique for a special occasion … like Tuesdays.

I found myself impulse-shopping last weekend at Annie’s Epicurean Delights, 116 west Third Street in Carthage. Don’t let the fancy name fool you, Annie’s offers a great selection of affordable dip and sauce mixes, gourmet snacks and party foods, chocolates, cheeses and a fine liquor and wine selection. I don’t get over to the Maple Leaf City as often as I would like, so when do, I drop in to catch up on a little gossip, share a few stories, sample a little something and pick up a bottle or two.  I was planning for an Oscar party, so I was quick to start stacking bottles and boxes up on the counter.

Show-Me beer

First up a Schlafly Sampler. The 12-bottle box of St. Louis-brewed beer included four bottles each of American Pale Ale, English Pale and their Kolsch Style Ale. The Kolsch, according the Schlafly Web site, is “a golden-colored, medium-bodied, crisp and refreshing ale. This style, which originated in Cologne (Germany), is well balanced, mild mannered, and a perfect companion for any occasion.” I agree. It was great with pasta and red sauce. It’s low in alcohol by volume (ABV), only 4.8%, and 160 calories per 12–ounce bottle. Schlafly’s Pale Ale is one of the brewer’s flagship products. Its amber color and mild bitterness made it a party favorite. (ABV: 4.4%, 155 calories per serving.)

Rounding out the party pack of Missouri craft beers is the American Pale Ale. Lighter than its English cousin, the APA wowed me. It paired well with the meal, didn’t fill me up as fast as some heavy pales do and has a great, bitter character.  Dry hopping the beer – I’m not really sure what that means — gives the ale its delicious, bitter character. The APA comes in at 5.9 percent ABV and has a bitterness rating of 50. (We’ll talk beer bitterness another time, when I can find someone who knows more about it than me.) The Schlafly Sampler is available round town at the usual suspects for under $17.

Show-Me vodka?

Another eye catcher at Annie’s was a bottle of 360 Double Chocolate Vodka. As I examined the unique wire-swing top bottle, I noticed it’s made from all American grains, distilled four times, filtered five and promoted environmental friendly ideas. The bottle 85 percent recycled glass. The label is 100 percent recycled paper and listed the liquor’s other eco-friendly features. Who knows, maybe they really care. Here’s what really sold me on the $20.29 bottle: The company offers a $10 rebate and it’s distilled in Weston, Mo., by Earth Friendly Distilling. That’s right, Missouri vodka. You have to jump through a few hoops to get the cash back according to the label instructions, but I’m giving it a try. I lost the original receipt in the Oscar-night excitement, but Annie’s set me up with a duplicate. Thanks, Anne. I’m mailing the rebate in today. I’ll let you know when the check arrives.

 Try this: Rim a medium-sized martini glass with chocolate syrup. In a drink shaker full of ice pour four ounces 360 Double Chocolate Vodka and two ounces Frangelica hazelnut liqueur and two ounces of half-and-half. Chill and strain into the glasses. Makes two servings. Change it up? Use white chocolate syrup to rim the martini glass and ad one tablespoon to the 360 Vodka and Frangelico for a different look.

Cheers!