vodka

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

The Industrious Spirit Company Announces First Ever Oyster Vodka Released in United States

Celebrates with Launch Party Featuring Specialty Version of Ostreida created for Bayberry Garden

Today, The Industrious Spirit Company (ISCO) announced Ostreida, the first vodka distilled with oysters in the United States. In a world where so many products are created every day it’s rare to find a company doing something new and original. This product is a unique expression of the fundamental elements of earth and ocean, perfectly captured in a bottle.

In celebration of Ostreida, Bayberry Garden and ISCO are announcing a limited edition, small batch run of Ostreida made with a special selection of oysters from Duxbury, MA that were hand-picked for the project by Bayberry’s Executive Chef, Mike Seely. This incredibly special unique spirit will be sold exclusively in cocktails at Bayberry Garden and in bottles from the Tasting Room at ISCO.

“Our vision for our newest product was to create a perfect blend of land and sea, to capture the spirit of where we draw our energy from as a company operating out of the Ocean State. We have always had a focus on sustainability, and work with a regional regenerative farm to grow the organic corn we use for the base of our spirits—so it just made sense for us to work with oysters, one of the most sustainably farmed foods from the sea, known for their positive environmental impact (and of course their incredible flavor!)” said Manya K. Rubinstein, CEO of ISCO. “We’re thrilled to add the first vodka distilled with oysters to our roster of spirits, Ostreida brings a savory and briny seacoast minerality with a subtle hint of bivalve bouquet on the nose that mixes sublimely with our spirits’ signature buttery texture and creamy finish.”

A launch party for Ostreida featuring the version created specifically for Bayberry will be held at ISCO’s Tasting Room on January 23, 2022 from 2pm – 6pm and will feature food and oysters by Bayberry Garden, as well as ocean-themed music by Da Huey X. The party will continue from 6-9pm at Bayberry Garden with a special oyster and Ostreida focused bar menu. Those who attend both the party and the afterparty will have a chance at winning a gift basket that includes oyster shucking gear, beautiful oyster jewelry from RI-trained artist Xenos Works and hot sauce from Bayberry Garden.

“We are so excited about this collaboration between our two brands, who both care deeply about supporting sustainable local agriculture and aquaculture,” said Tom Dennen, the owner of Bayberry Garden and Bayberry Beer Hall.

To further a commitment to supporting regenerative farming practices, The Industrious Spirit Company is donating a portion of all bottle sales of Ostreida at bars, restaurants and liquor stores to GreenWave, an organization that trains and supports ocean farmers in the era of climate change by working with coastal communities to create a blue economy. In support of the same goals, Bayberry Garden will be donating a portion of Ostreida sales from the afterparty to GreenWave.

ISCO makes their vodkas, gins, bourbons and experimental spirits from scratch, giving them the latitude to be creative. The base for their products begins with 100% organic corn grown for them in the Hudson Valley, NY by a farm that uses regenerative agricultural practices such as long-term crop rotations and cover crops in order to rebuild soil health, sequester carbon and keep waterways clean. ISCO prides itself on aligning its sourcing with its ideology of sustainability. The company works with local farmers in Rhode Island to repurpose its still nutrient dense production “waste” as feed for pigs, cows and goats.

“Access to incredible, sustainably grown, super fresh oysters are one of our favorite perks of living in the Ocean State,” said ISCO’s Head Distiller Dan Neff. “To create Ostreida, we perform a distillation using our 100% organic corn neutral spirit and just-hauled-from-the-sea oysters, which allows the spirit to pick up hints of minerality and oyster flavor from the whole oyster. We let the resulting distillate rest to let the flavors meld, then gingerly bring the proof down to 80 for a smooth sipping experience.”

Celebrate Chinese New Year in Newport: Castle Hill Inn and Stoneacre Garden

Excited to share Newport’s favorite restaurants will be celebrating Chinese New Year by offering limited time, celebratory dining experiences. In honor of the year of the tiger, The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn and Stoneacre Garden will be offering special dinner menus inspired by Chinese culture and featuring traditional Chinese dishes. Please see attached for menus, along with additional details below. 

Castle Hill Inn 

To mark the re-opening of the Inn’s 2022 season, Chef Andy Taur will be offering a three—course Chinese New Year menu at The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn. Chef Taur’s specialty menu was inspired by his upbringing cooking traditional Chinese dishes with his parents at their Cantonese restaurant.

The specialty menu will be offered alongside the traditional three-course menu, for $92 per person or $137, with optional wine pairings to accompany.

The Chinese New Year menu will be available from January 28th through February 1st. Reservations can be made online via Open Table two weeks prior to your requested day, or via email to dining@castlehillinn.com.

View the menu

Stoneacre Garden 

Asian inspired restaurant, Stoneacre Garden will be offering a Chinese New Year menu in celebration of the year of the tiger. The specialty menu features more traditional Chinese cuisine, such as: Scallion Pancakes, Shrimp Fried Rice, and General Tso’s Chicken.

Stoneacre Garden’s Chinese New Year Menu will be available starting February 1st through February 14th. Reservations are now open and can be made online via Resy or directly by calling at: 401-619-8400.

View the menu

Blackstone Valley Culinary News – January 18, 2022

Today’s newsletter features several fun and delicious learning opportunities available in the Blackstone Valley.  Get together with friends and family and enjoy these restaurants and events!

Atrium on Main
285 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI  02860
401-335-5500
Aomrestaurant.com

Atrium on Main has great food – check out their menu HERE.   But did you know that you can head to the lower level and learn to play disc golf?   Why not plan to have a great meal with friends and then head downstairs for some golf fun?  Call the restaurant to find out more details about the disc golf.  

Stadium Theatre
28 Monument Square, Woonsocket, RI  02895
401-762-4545
Stadiumtheatre.com

Get your tickets for “Culinary Secrets from the Best”, taking place on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 7 p.m.   This will be a tasting and learning experience, featuring four of the region’s great chefs:   Dave Ashworth from Parma Ristorante in Smithfield, Zach Fernandez from Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille, Angelos Petropoulos from Christopher’s Kitchen and Bar in Woonsocket and Superbowl Champion and former New England Patriots defensive lineman, Jarvis Green from Oceans 97, Inc.  You’ll learn how to make four restaurant-quality meals and cocktails at home.  You’ll be served each dish and cocktail and you’ll get recipe cardsso that you can recreate each dish and cocktail at home!   What a fun and fantastic event!   

Here’s the menu:  

Parma Ristorante – Gnocchi alla Vodka and Expresso Martini
Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille – Buffalo Mac & Cheese and Chelo’s Red Sangria
Christopher’s Kitchen and Bar – Mousaka (Greek Lasagna) and “Chios” Cocktail
Oceans 97 – Pasta with Shrimp Pate, Olives and Capers and White Christmas Sangria
*Menus subject to change

Seating is limited so don’t wait to get your tickets!   Click HERE for tickets.  

RI Spirits
59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket, RI  02860
401-856-4111
Rhodeislandspirits.com

Get educated about gin at RI Spirits!   They’ll be hosting Gin School on Saturday, February 13 from 3 pm to 4:30 pm at their Tasting Room and Distillery in Pawtucket.  You’ll receive a gin and tonic upon arrival, learn about the history of gin, sample and smell individual botanicals and learn about taste profiles of different styles of gins.  The class concludes with a cocktail class when you get to create your own gin drink.  And you’ll receive a bottle of Rhodium gin of your choice to take home.  Snacks included too.  There is a limit of 8 students per session, so don’t wait:  Click HERE to get your tickets.  This is a recurring event, so if the upcoming class is sold out, look for future classes.   

The Honey Shop
1300 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI  02895
401-766-1488
Breathe-ease.com

Learn how to make authentic Italian pasta!  On Saturday, February 20 from 11 am to 1 pm, The Honey Shop will have everything you need to make pasta – farm eggs, semolina, olive oil and a variety of herbs and spices you can choose from.  Then you’ll roll out your dough, pick your pasta shape, create, cook and take home.  Cooking and tasting included.  Click HERE to sign up.  

For those of you with a sweet tooth, here is some information so you can indulge in something sweet and tasty!   

Lops Brewing
122 North Main Street, Woonsocket, RI  02895
401-616-0520
Lopsbrewing.com

Lops Brewing is hosting their First Annual Cookie Fest on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 12 noon!  If you have great cookie making/baking skills, you could earn the Cookie Fest Title!  Click HERE for details on how to participate/register.  You don’t need to register in order to sample and judge.  

Awesome Sweets Bakery
654 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI  02861
401-723-4080
Awesomesweetsbakery.com

Awesome Sweets Bakery is a nut-free bakery, and they want to remind you that Valentine’s Day is coming!!   Don’t wait too long to place your orders for Valentine’s Day.  Awesome Sweets has beautiful cupcake bouquets for the holiday as well as chocolates and other goodies.  Check out what they have on their Facebook page HERE.