Our Hop & Vine Infusion is the result of our fascination with this easy to grow plant. Some may have experience with it as a flavor, a medicine or a garden plant and we are excited to share our experiments in a brand new way.

Hops have been flavoring spirits for centuries. Bavarian monks borrowed the tenacious vine from Chinese herbalists back in 736 AD. Before then, beer was preserved with whatever plant was on hand. The results were irregular and disappointing – the world needed something better. Hops had two advantages: they preserved consistently, and they were delicious; the medieval world fell in love.

Recently, mixologists started getting all misty-eyed over hops too. They know that true beverage satisfaction is found by rounding out the palate. Often, a bartender will add a dash of bitters to a drink to complete the flavor, hops already has the tart constituents deep within its pale green flowers. The trick when working with a bitter is stabilizing the taste, you want to entice not overpower. We spent months experimenting with different ingredients so that our hops infusion mix would be flexible enough to blend with a variety of spirits. We added a touch of orange peel and vanilla bean, and the result is magical.

Gin, vodka, whiskey and tequila are the most common hops pairings for professional barkeeps. As new recipes start popping up, we are seeing people suggest infusing hops with bourbon, cider and rum, too. The more we discover about the sturdy flexibility of this gracefully twinning vine, the stronger our relationship grows.

~written by Sue Sierralupe, rokz alchemist

CITRA HOP

This perfect summer to fall cocktail pairs well with a wide variety of meals making it a natural choice for any gathering. The hops blend and support the surprising twist of flavors that are both crisp and fresh.

Ingredients
2 oz     vodka – infused with rokz Hop & Vine Infusion
1 oz     fresh lemon juice
1 oz     fresh orange juice
1 tsp   maple syrup
2 sprigs fresh thyme

Garnish: thyme, rokz Lemon Sugar rim

Prep: Infuse your favorite vodka with rokz Hop & Vine Infusion kit (ideal infusing time – 4 days). Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake for about 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass rimmed with rokz Lemon Cocktail Sugar. Garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme.

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HARVEST VINE

Flavors from that end of summer run in the garden. Hops, bold tomato flavor and fresh herbs bring this refreshing cocktail together.

Ingredients
2 oz     vodka – infused with rokz Hop & Vine Infusion
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
4 sun gold tomatoes
2 sprigs fresh thyme
a few fresh celery leaves
a pinch of rokz Citrus Jalapeno Salt

Garnish: celery stalk and rokz citrus jalapeno salt rim

Prep: Infuse your favorite vodka with rokz Hop & Vine Infusion kit (ideal infusing time – 4 days). Combine all ingredients except the vodka in a shaker and muddle well. Add the vodka and ice and shake for about 20 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled glass rimmed with rokz Citrus Jalapeno Salt.

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HOP CRUSH

Ingredients
2 oz     vodka – infused with rokz Hop & Vine Infusion
2 oz     orange juice
2 oz     orange soda or sparkling water (add more to taste).

Prep: Infuse your favorite vodka with rokz Hop & Vine Infusion kit (ideal infusing time – 4 days). Combine vodka and orange juice in a shaker with ice and shake for about 20 seconds. Fill a highball glass with crushed ice and strain vodka and juice mixture over it. Fill with orange soda, give it a quick stir and serve.

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