The fog-draped, storm-battered environs of Port of Everett, Washington, is the kind of place that makes you need a strong drink. And this small seafaring town provides, thanks to Bluewater Distillery. This small-batch operation has carved out a quiet niche with their 100% organic vodka and gin, all distilled in hand-hammered direct-fire copper kettles. But their bracing Bluewater 100 Proof vodka—the only full-strength all-organic vodka ever crafted—may be best suited to soldier yourself against the hoary climes of the Pacific Northwest.
As with most vodka, it pours a clear white, and the high alcohol level delivers a discernible, burning aroma. But this ain’t meant to be sipped on the rocks right from the bottle. Dubbed the “bartender’s friend” thanks to its aggressive toxicity, it’s ideal for infusions and booze-forward cocktails.
As for what you could infuse, imagination is your only real limit. The vodka serves as a relatively quiet (if aggressive) canvas on which to experiment, from making classics like limoncello or grenadine to…pretty much anything you’d like to try, from herbs to fruits to citrus zest.