imageI recently had the chance to meet with the very impressive folks from Wiggly Bridge Distillery, a family owned and operated business in York, Maine. You’re probably wondering what a food blogger is doing in a distillery? I think I have friends in all the right places! My friend Tim pointed me in the right direction! Tim works there Tuesday night’s and gets to share the amazing experience with friends, family and locals! There is a lot happening in York, Maine and I can’t wait to tell you about it!  Wiggly Bridge started as a joke over the family dinner table. After David Woods (father) gave it some thought, he and his son, also named David Woods, went to the Caribbean on the island of Montserrat. Both of them started the trial and error process of making the best distilled liquor on the market! They soon realized their product was excellent and started the process of bringing their products to York, Maine. On July 3, 2012 they started their copper stills and in May of 2014 they had their first product.

imageLet’s talk about their award winning products.  I had the chance to meet with David Woods (father) and Amanda Woods, who is son David’s wife.  She is also an intricate part of the family business as she does the marketing for Wiggly Bridge. David and Amanda were kind enough to tell me all about how they started and where they are going, along with giving me a quick lesson on each of their liqueurs, starting with their White Whiskey. The White Whiskey is 100 proof and spends a very short amount of time inside the distilling barrel. One of their favorite drinks made with this is their “Bridge Bloody”,  their version of a Bloody Mary. Next was the Small Barrel Bourbon. This was very smooth and is 86 proof. The bourbon is aged for 22-26 months and the color comes from the inside of the charred barrels.  A great beverage to use this bourbon is in the Orange Marmalade Manhattan.

Let’s talk Vodka, this is a great tasting vodka that is distilled from french wheat. The vodka also goes through the still. Although I don’t typically drink these drinks on their own, I can say this was very smooth and certainly can stand on its own.

imageTypically, if Jim and I are out and want a drink, we both tend to get something made with rum, so this part was my favorite part of the tasting! Their White Rum is made with 100% Caribbean molasses.  It does have a slight butterscotch smell, but it certainly did not taste like it, and was very good!  I also had the chance to taste their base for the rum punch they serve. It was the best I have ever had and look forward to making it at home!

imageThe Small Barrel Aged Rum is also very tasty! This too is made from 100% Caribbean molasses. The difference with this rum is that it is has rested in their freshly dumped bourbon barrels for 6 months. Last, but certainly not least, is the Small Batch Dry Gin. I would have said this would be my least favorite but to my surprise, it was very good! The gin is made from a sour mash family recipe, with notes of jasmine and citrus that really come through . Their Rum was rated #4 from USA Today!

imageAfter tasting these spirits I can see why they have won so many awards and named in the top four in the United States! This family has already made a name for themselves in the craft distillery business.  Something the label on the bottle does not tell you about, is their drive to make products the best you will find and to continue to evolve, grow and challenge themselves to continue to be the very best!

imageNow that you know about the products, I still have a lot to tell you about this York, Maine gem!  They are going to have a lot to offer. Cribbage tournaments and bartending classes are planned to start in mid-November, with on line videos through winter!  You don’t think that’s all this dynamic family has planned, do you? No way! They are going to change the way York, Maine eats by opening a steakhouse right in the distillery.  It’s not going to be just any steakhouse, this will be a seven to nine course dinner priced at $110.00 – $130.00 per person. Much of the dinner will include table side service. This will be a reservation required dinner that you will need to pick your side dishes in advance, to help reduce food waste. They are hoping to open the steakhouse next winter (2017) or early spring. I know I want to be first in line for dinner. Seeing what they have done with the distillery, I can only imagine the amazing food that will come out of the steakhouse!

imageCheck out their website for distillery tour information along with their location, recipes and upcoming events!  You will be hearing a lot more about Wiggly Bridge, but in the meantime you can find their products in some local liquor stores or in the NH State Liquor Store. Also, the Hannaford stores in Maine, and of course right at the distillery on US, Route 1 in York Maine. https://www.wigglybridgedistillery.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/WigglyBridgeDistillery/

Visit their site to book at tour or have a tasting with their experienced staff!

Cheers!

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If you are like our son Robby,  you can’t wait for March to roll around for those Shamrock Shakes from McDonalds! Robby absolutely loves them and will make a special trip across town for them. So for him to have them all the time and to save a little bit of money, here is the copy cat version!  I might also mention Robby found this recipe and sent it to me to be sure he could get them ASAP! This recipe makes enough for two shakes!

 

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS
1 pint of vanilla ice cream (2 cups, I used Ben & Jerry’s)
1 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
Whipped cream, optional
Green sprinkles, optional
Maraschino cherries, optional

DIRECTIONS
Place the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract and food coloring in a blender. Blend until mixed through. If you want a thinner consistency add just a little more milk until desired consistency. Pour into two tall glasses and top with whipped topping, cherry and sprinkles if desired.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

 

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imageThis recipe comes from our daughter, Amanda. If you follow my blog you may have noticed you don’t hear a lot about Amanda. Well, that is because she lives an hour away in Manchester, NH while she attends Southern New Hampshire University. She will be graduating in January of 2016! Something else you may not know about Amanda is that she has a rare disease called, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (she has type 3). EDS as it is known, is a connective tissue disorder that is characterized by lax joints, dislocated joints, super soft skin, along with limb and joint pain. There is a lot more involved, but that is the quick version. Amanda was diagnosed in her freshman year of high school when she dislocated her shoulder. It would not go back into place despite many doctor visits, physical therapy, and a huge amount of frustration. She had surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital to repair the shoulder and has been a patient at Boston Children’s Hospital ever since the diagnosis. Are you wondering what all that has to do with lavender lemonade? Well, lavender has properties in it that are known to reduce inflammation, as well as give a calming sense. Now you know where this is leading! Anything Amanda can do to help her joints, without taking mass amounts of prescriptions, is always a great thing! Amanda has learned to live with EDS and does not let it get her down or stop her from doing all the things she loves or wants to do and, some things she should not do! There might just be a video of her cliff jumping somewhere but I would rather not see that again! Amanda is a great role model for anyone dealing with all of life’s challenges or long-term illnesses. Amanda tried this and really enjoys it! I hope you enjoy it as well!  Thank you Amanda, we love you!

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This picture is a couple years old, but one of my favorites!

INGREDIENTS
1 cup of honey
12 cups purified water
juice of 6 squeezed lemons
1 drop of lavender essential oil

NOTE: Only 1 drop of oil as it can taste bitter if you add more than that! If you want to order some follow the link at the top of my homepage for Young Living.

DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients and serve over ice, store in fridge.

Enjoy!

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Over the past few years anytime we would visit or travel with our good friends, Rosalie and Randy, we have always been offered this terrific refreshing summer drink.  Jim and I have had it many times but have never had any idea of what might be in it other than the rum for obvious reasons!  IF you are looking for a signature drink this just might be YOUR answer! Rosalie and Randy each make this slightly different. Rosalie likes to keep the recipe true to the measurements. Randy on the other hand, likes it much better with no measurements as he is not afraid of a little higher alcohol content…he actually recommends it !

I certainly won’t tell anyone how you make the drink, but I will give you the basic guidelines as far as the measurements go.  Although this is Randy’s recipe those measurements are NOT ALWAYS HIS MEASUREMENTS! You can also very easily substitute the juice for any of your favorite juices.  You could use a mango juice or a pineapple coconut juice, this is the part where you can make it yours! I hope you take some time to sit back and enjoy one of Randy’s Rum Something and Rum!

 

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 ounce white rum
6 ounces of pineapple juice
2 ounces of orange Juice
Splash of grenadine syrup
Top with Myers Rum floated on top

DIRECTIONS
Mix white rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine syrup together in a tall glass filled with ice. Top with the Myers rum (or any dark rum) the dark rum will float on top.

PS:  If you make this the way Randy does you will only NEED and WANT just ONE!

Enjoy!

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I have been on a sweet tea kick all summer! There is nothing better than a perfect sweet summer tea, BUT I have been buying all of the tea and not making it, so the search was on for the perfect recipe. I found this recipe over at www.wickednoodle.com Simple to prepare and simply delicious! You can make this with any flavor tea you like. I also like to add frozen fruit to my tea to keep it cold and add to the flavor of the tea!!

 

 

INGREDIENTS
6 raspberry tea bags
16 cups water divided
1 1/2 cup sugar
a pinch of baking soda*

DIRECTIONS
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil  Add your tea bags, turn heat off and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until completely dissolved. Add a small pinch of baking soda and stir. Add tea mixture to remaining 12 cups of water, mixing well. Chill in refrigerator.

Notes: This makes 16 cups   You can easily cut this recipe in half. Add frozen fruit to help keep cold instead of ice cubes.

*The baking soda takes the bitterness out of the tea!

 

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