Portland Night Market is back this weekend (4-11pm Friday & Saturday) and with over 175 vendors bringing you the best in local food, drink, and more, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite makers that you should check out--besides coming to visit us at the Overcup Press table, of course!
House Spirits features more well-known spirits like vodka, rum, and whiskey, along side lesser-knowns like liqueurs and Aquavit. High-Proof PDX author Karen Locke recommends their Westward Oregon Straight Malt Whiskey, and if you are looking to try more of their offerings, be sure to visit their tasting room at 65 SE Washington Street.
Stone Barn doesn’t just make brandy--they make several liqueurs, ouzos, grappas, and whiskeys. Locke recommends their Quince Liqueur and Rhubarb Liqueur, which would be fabulous in a fall-themed cocktail. Visit their tasting room at 3315 19 ave, Suite B.
Wild Roots is known for its fruit vodkas, which contain real fruit and are smooth enough to drink alone or in a simple cocktail. All fruit is from Pacific Northwest farms. Wild Roots has two tasting rooms: 135 NE 6th Ave and 575 East Sun Ranch Drive in Sisters Oregon. Make sure to stop by the next time you are driving to Bend for a ski weekend.
Aria Gin, made by Martin Ryan Distilling Company, is the spirit to try if you both love and hate gin--you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the use of botanicals and how easily this can be mixed to make classic cocktails. Visit their tasting room in the NW Distillers District at 2304 NW Savier St.
New Deal offers two gins, several vodkas and liqueurs, and special Workshop Series limited-release spirits including brandy, rum, white dog, and moonshine. Their Mud Puddle Bitter Chocolate Vodka gets rave reviews, as well as their Hot Monkey Vodka. Visit their tasting room at 900 SE Salmon Street for the whole selection.
With seven flavor of Kombucha--I tried the White Peach at a previous PDXNM--Oregonic Tonic knows their tea. Visit their table for a recipe card of ideas to mix with their Kombucha, like White Peach with Bourbon and Rosemary Syrup over ice. You can find their tea at a plethora of Portland and Vancouver locations.
Portland Soda Works touts their syrups for cocktails, mocktails, and sodastream-type systems. From coffee to hibiscus cardamom to rose cordial, these syrups will let you play bartender for any occasion. Try the Hot Ginger-Basil with Vodka and Lime juice for a Portland Mule or Water Avenue Coffee syrup with sparkling water and a little half-and-half for a fun morning surprise.
Portland Cider Company uses 100% Northwest apples and can be found in a variety of stores around town. With two taprooms in Portland--and taproom-exclusive ciders--this local maker is one to check out.