Spruce syrup!

[Craig E]

Got around to a project I've been thinking about for a while: making a piney syrup with needles from the big spruce tree in my front yard.

 

Prepared with a bunch of Googling, concentrating on reassuring myself that the tree was properly identified. (Apparently some trees like spruce are great, but other similar-looking species like yews are toxic!)

step one: collect green branches, shake the dry needles off, bring inside and pluck.

step two: combine with sugar and water (I did 1:2:2).

step three: while stirring, bring to a boil for a bit, then cut the heat and let sit for a few hours

step four: strain through cheesecloth

step five: throw in a little vodka as a preservative.

 

Taste test is very appealing; now to figure out what kind of cocktails I can make with this. Open to suggestions!

Edited July 2, 2018 by Craig E
added step by step (log)

[HungryChris]

Well if you used Grey Goose vodka, you could call a vodka martini a Spruce Goose.

HC

[Anna N]

13 minutes ago, HungryChris said:

Well if you used Grey Goose vodka, you could call a vodka martini a Spruce Goose.

HC

 And the vodka would take care of any germs.😂

[kayb]

Ka-CHING!

 

[Craig E]

Ooh, first experiment turned out great! Built on the Last Word template, subbing aquavit for gin and spruce syrup for maraschino, and adding a grapefruit twist.

I'm calling it the Firred Word.

[HungryChris]

Then, of course, if you turned it into a frozen drink, it could be the "All Pine Slide".

HC

[EvergreenDan]

I'm going to try the Firred Word with EdV of Douglas Fir. Sounds great in my head.

[Craig E]

5 hours ago, EvergreenDan said:

I'm going to try the Firred Word with EdV of Douglas Fir. Sounds great in my head.

 

Coming across @Rafa's Fir Geddiboutit on Kindred was among my inspirations. 

 

edited to add: and your own Snowdrop shows you've had similar ideas before!

Edited July 4, 2018 by Craig E (log)

[teonzo]

In my mind spruce calls for porcini, maybe you can try to infuse some dried porcini in a spirit (gin?).

 

 

 

Teo

 

[Craig E]

Worked out another winner, that I'm calling Pining for the Fjords. 3/4 oz each gin, aquavit, grapefruit juice, and spruce syrup, plus 1/4 oz lime juice, served in an Amère Sauvage-rinsed coupe with a grapefruit twist.