Spirits, Booze, Liqueurs...

[Gorilla]

ok not really a recipe, but i used to love irish coffee and didn't think it was possible to make it vegan. but thanks to a local veggie restaurant, i've learnt that you can use a thin soya cream like Alpro Soya Dream if it's available in your area, just the same as you would with dairy cream. hopefully most other soya creams would work in a similar way.

it separates a bit more than dairy cream would, but tastes just the same (my non-vegan friends said so!)

hope someone finds this useful!!!

[uww27225]

I find that very useful Gorilla. That tip will come in handy when the temperature really starts to drop around here. Irish Coffee is excellent on a cold night, though I find a warm glass of brandy is quite soothing too!

[NorVegan]

And coconut cream works fine to

[shez]

hi everyone,

I was just wondering if any one in the u.k has heard of desperardo bottled lager. Many of my friends drink it now and again, it is served with a wedge of lime, it looks nice but i never order it 'cause i always assume that lagers i dont know arnt veggie, i stick with my carlsberg or bud or grolsh. but since i like tequila (not the ones made with a worm..gross) and lager i was wonderin if anyone knows if its vegan. maybe we should make a list of special largers not just the really well know brands. cheers

[Poison Ivy]

I've heard of it but don't know of it's vegan credentials. It's made by a French company if you want to contact them and ask (unfortunately their website is all in French, as is the contact form but it may still be worth a shot!!)

[shez]

hey up. thanks ive emailed them (in english , unfortunatly i cant speak very good french) not sure if i'll get a reply? i'll keep you updated. However i know that many country's in europe have a purity law. i know pretty much all german lagers (made in germany) have to be veggie. I'm not sure about france though?

[loratwopointone]

I used to drink Desparados before I was vegan, haven't since though. I'll pop along an e-mail in french =]

It's bloody lethal!

[Mr Flibble]

However i know that many country's in europe have a purity law.

The only one I know of is Reinheitsgebot, which hasn't actually been law in Germany since 1993. It was replaced with Vorläufiges Deutsches Biergesetz (Provisional German Beer Law), which allows cane sugar to be added, which can be non vegan (use of bone char in processing; particularly popular in ths US). I've been led to believe by a polish manufacturer that bone char processed sugar is illegal there, but I don't know the status of Germany.

As for tequilla, I've yet to meet anyone who has personally gotten a reply from a manufacturer confirming its vegan status, or for that matter seen any dated replies from companies at all (I simply don't trust lists online which do not state any evidence or dates that it was acquired proving to be recent). If someone is able to produce or acquire one I'll order a bottle straight away.

[Poison Ivy]

If someone is able to produce or acquire one I'll order a bottle straight away.

Ooh, sounds like a challenge!!

[Poison Ivy]

Mr Flibble, prepare to go shopping

Jose Cuervo's response

September 5, 2007

''Dear Ms. ******* ******,

Thank you for taking time to contact Jose Cuervo. We appreciate hearing
from our consumers because your feedback is important.

In response to your inquiry, Jose Cuervo products are vegan, we do not
knowingly add animal products/byproducts to any of our our products. If
there is anything else we can help you with, please do not hesitate to
contact us.

Once again, thank you for contacting Jose Cuervo.

Sincerely,

Alexia W.
Jose Cuervo Consumer Representative

Vive Cuervo''

[Mr Flibble]

blimey, you were quick!

I've written to both them and their owner (diageo) twice in the past few years and heard nothing back.

Will place an order tomorrow

[Mr Flibble]

I'll start then.

Last year for Xmas I made sloe gin (using the recipe from http://www.sloe.biz 's homepage) and Christmas vodka (using my own made up recipe). Both were a complete success, so this year I'm making twice as much of the vodka and am making damson gin (which I wanted to make last year but couldn't due to lack of damsons), using fruit kindly donated from Phoenix Rising's garden. I'll be using this Damson Gin Recipe. Last year's sloes have been in brandy for the past 9 months (to be honest I'm a little scared to drink it!), although a few of them made their way into some dark chocolate. I'm looking forward to making gin soaked damson crumble this christmas

Christmas Vodka

1 litre vodka (medium quality)
4 cups (if from frozen then thawed) cranberries, pricked
2 sticks of cracked cinamon bark (about 4 inches long each)
2 cracked nutmegs
20 cloves
2 tsp corander seeds
4 inches of split vanilla bean
220g castor sugar

Put all the above in an infusing jar/demi-john and shake violently for as long as you can bare. Do this each day for the first couple of weeks, then whenever you remember. If you don't have all of the above then don't worry, the essentials are just cinamon, cloves and some sort of hard sour berry. Some sugar is required, but potentially not as much as 220g - I like mine sweet. By xmas it should be dark red and tasting fantastic

I made several cocktails with it, but can't remember quantities and don't seem to have written them down! One that was particularly good was some of the above, some red vermouth (run a search here for confirmation of Nolly Prat being vegan - it's the only one I've found that is - unfortunately not that easy to get hold of), orange juice and potentially cointreau (again run a search for Remy), thou it's all a bit hazy. Basically the idea is cold mulled wine; it went down a treat served from red flasks at last year's santacon

[emmapresley]

omg..fabulous..thanks for this!

[Corum]

h'okay Mr Flibble, you asked for this!!!

Right then chaps, Booze update!

1. Sloe gin/vodka -

5lbs Sloes picked up the road at the Hindover
much vodka and gin - about three bottles of vodka and two bottles of gin
2 1/2 lb of demerara sugar
to make five 1ltr parfait jars worth (bought those much cheapness at Lakeland).

the sloes are now starting to dissolve - just turned the five 1ltr parfait jars over and given them their twice-weekly shake

2. Sloe Wine
6lbs sloes
8pts boiling water
4lbs sugar
1lb barley
1oz yeast

- fermenting like a beaut - next Wednesday it'll be time to strain it and add the yeast, then bung the whole lot into a demijohn.

3. Blackberry Wine
6lbs blackberries
1 gallon water
4lbs sugar (this time brown unrefined)
1lb barley again (using the boiled water to extract more sugar from the grain - similar to the beermaking technique, sparging)
- likewise, smells lovely, seriously fruity pungent smell.

neither of the two wines above have got sugar or yeast in yet and they are already going well

4. Lemon Verbena and Apple Wine, according to the new Black Dog House recipe book (bookfair leftover dummy books from work - all freebies, just blank pages and blank covers, made by the printers so we know how big to make covers, etc.) -

2oz lemon verbena,
1 gallon water
juice of 1 lemon and 1 orange,
2 1/2 lbs sugar,
four apples locally sourced (our own tree) - normally you use raisins, but Hemlock can't stand raisins!
1 cup of strong black tea
bakers yeast (we know, it'll only be about 14% but we haven't got a brewshop for 15 miles and we're a tad skint till payday)

Method -
stick lemon verbena and apples into a pillowcase (instead of a muslin bag as -- see above) and steep in the water/yeast/sugar, steep for three days (oops... forgot that bit, it's been in for five).
Wait another week for ferment to die down
pour into demijohn for secondary ferment.
bottle after three weeks.

So there you go... our own booze!

plus, we've still got loads of blackberries and sloes in't freezer to make more!

[Mr Flibble]

Some pictures:

Last year's sloe gin:



This year, accompanied with some of the sloe brandy that I finally decanted this evening (very strong, slightly too sweet, will probably mix well) I started off the damson gin:

[Hemlock]

hahahaha!!!

here's one of our jars of vodka!



and we've got five of those on the go!

[RedWellies]

Mmmmm. I love sloe gin. And those others look great too!

[Mr Flibble]

This year's Xmas vodka:



I would have started it earlier, but I couldn't find the first cranberrys of the season until yesterday.

[Cumin]

OMG! - I really really REALLY would like a little glass of that at the mo . I'm really looking forward to christmas now, and I think you might have some visitors at your place Mr F .

[Mr Flibble]

I totally forgot to prick the cranberries. They may have to be fished out tomorrow

[EcoTribalVegan]

Hey guys. I was a big egg nog fan (mostly because of the creamy texture, the thought of eggs in it always grossed my out a little). So I'm looking for a vegan egg nog recipe. I've seen a few online but I'm not sure how good they may be so I thought I'd go to the ultimate source of vegan information.

Hopefully you can send them ASAP (since there's a social gathering tonight).

[Fuhzy]

You could always buy some Silk Nog if you are in a pinch...

[EcoTribalVegan]

I don't even think they have that product. I made a version I found online. To be honest, I could only taste rum and a little bit of sugar...

[Roxy]

Eco - Vitasoy make a product called Holly Nog that's available in Canada. Tried and tested by me - and it's awesome! Sorry - I haven't any tried and tested home made recipes.

[bryzee86]

I have NEVER had egg nog.I'm curious though. What does it taste like? Will the seasonal silk nog still be in stores whe I visit NYC in March?

[Mila]

It tastes like cream with nutmeg in it. Never liked the egg version. Silk Nog is very similar to it, without all that thickness. I usually can't find it in stores after January 7.

[bryzee86]

so I could thicken up soya milk and shove nutmeg in it? is it served at any particular temperature?

[Mila]

I hear some people serve it warm, but I've always had it cold. The recipes I've found always indicate that sugar ought to be added. Also, people like rum in it. Eh, I've always felt that alcohol ruins every drink.

Me: There's something nasty in my slushee!
Waiter: That's alcohol. You ordered a margarita.

[bryzee86]

i might do both then!

[Fuhzy]

I don't even think they have that product. I made a version I found online. To be honest, I could only taste rum and a little bit of sugar...

Well it exists, but maybe not in Canada!

[auntierozzi]

http://www.veganforum.com/forums/sho...hlight=soy+nog

I like this but don't know how close it is to the egg version.

[Aradia]

Oooh, that looks good .. .and I have everything in stock!

Can somebody tell me how many grams make 6 ounces please.

Also .... is it possible to make silken tofu at home?

[WolfRain]

Could someone post the link for the vegan egg nog on this thread coz I can't seem to find it?

Thanks guys
XxX

[Aradia]

I've copied it below ...


soy nog drink
This was in a VegNews Mag email, that I thought might appeal to those who used to like egg nog, and it seems really easy too:

1 quart soy milk
6 ounces silken style tofu, extra firm
6 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup Amaretto, Southern Comfort, brandy, or alcohol of choice
2 teaspoons vanilla
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Chill before serving. Makes 5 cups.
____________________

[auntierozzi]

Aradia
6oz = 175g

[Aradia]

I finally got around to making some of this (I've made a caramelised red onion and thyme tart and had some silken tofu left over).

It's sooooo good! Very moreish (I couldn't resist gulping some on the way to the fridge to chill it!)

What is in traditional egg nog? Egg, cream, etc? It must be really rich .. the vegan version is pretty rich.

[Bunger]

I've never had the Holiday Nog, but I can say that I've had more than my fair share of Silk Nog... borderline addiction to it really. My local market has been completely out of it since before xmas, which is really a bummer. I will have to try the recipe posted in this thread... I need my fix!!! =)

[Yoggy]

I've never had the silk nog, but I've had holly nog and hated it so much I had to throw it away! A shame, I really wanted to like it since my name's Holly . But I absolutely LOVE So Nice Noel Nog, it's the best ever! I shared some with an egg-nog loving work colleague, and he loved it too!

But it's only available at christmastime, so I'll have to try out that recipe in the off-season!

[trey]

I've recently decided to go completely organic as well. In the past I would get a conventional item if it was what I was planning on having for dinner.

I've decided that EVERYTHING should be organic, so I'm trying to find an organic bourbon, or other similar whiskey (preferably bourbon).

Does anyone know of a good organic (or just organic period) whiskey/bourbon?

[trey]

bump....
anyone?

[Mahk]

None exist to the best of my knowledge. Would you consider organic Scotch whiskey?

You'll need to contact them to determine if it is also vegan.

[Roxy]

What about Rum? Papagayo Organic Rums have organic fair trade rum.

[trey]

yeah there are several organic liqours, i'm specifically trying to find bourbon

[Roxy]

Well if you find it, let us know! Good luck

[trey]

So I emailed one organic Scotch company and she supplied me with this link to the Scotch Whiskey Association. When I began drinking bourbon I read similar law about bourbon. After reading the scotch, I only have one remaining question. Under section d they say that the company can add water or spirit caramel.

from wikipedia

Plain caramel, caustic caramel, or spirit caramel (Class I): E150a, contains sugar and sometimes acids, alkalis, and salts other than ammonium and sulphite compounds.<br>There are four types of caramel, differing in their method of manufacture and application, each with its own E number:
Plain caramel, caustic caramel, or spirit caramel (Class I): E150a, contains sugar and sometimes acids, alkalis, and salts other than ammonium and sulphite compounds.

So essentially I am asking anyone if they have had experience with spirit caramel. Is it vegan? If this whisky is organic, that means the sugar has to be organic (which in my opinion ensures non-bonechar sugar). And I'm not asking if you thinking that drinking alcohol is vegan or not, cause I believe that it can be.

The Scotch Whisky Act and Order
The Scotch Whisky Act 1988 and The Scotch Whisky Order 1990 define Scotch Whisky in UK law. Under the legislation, Scotch Whisky means whisky:
(a) which has been produced at a distillery in Scotland from water and malted barley (to which only whole grains of other cereals may be added) all of which have been:
(i) processed at that distillery into a mash;
(ii) converted to a fermentable substrate only by endogenous enzyme systems; and
(iii) fermented only by the addition of yeast;
(b) which has been distilled at an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 94.8% so that the distillate has an aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production;
(c) which has been matured in an excise warehouse in Scotland in oak casks of a capacity not exceeding 700 litres, the period of that maturation being not less than three years;
(d) which retains the colour, aroma and taste derived from the raw materials used in, and the method of, its production and maturation, and to which no substance other than water and spirit caramel has been added.

[Mr Flibble]

No, but I guess if it contains sugar then that could be non vegan? Particularly US sugar.

There's also the issue of the casks themselves and what they were used for previously. Most scotch whisky casks were previously sherry casks and most sherries are not vegan. I believe that sherry is fined after maturation in casks and hence should be vegan still whilst in the cask, but I personally don't risk it without confirmation from the company. Highland park (not organic) claim to use used Jack Daniels casks. Jack Daniels (i wrote to them separately) use new casks.

I take it to be organic the oak cask doesn't need to be organically produced too?

[Corum]

We are on our last half pint of Sloe Vodka (well, it's Sloe and Rosehip now as that's all we had left at the end).

After giving some away as pressies, we ain't got much left, but it will be drunk soon (just like us after drinking it ). It's very bliss-making!

[ivandurago]

I wish I had the knowledge/equipment to make my own delicious malt liquors :P

[Aradia]

.... Bloody Mary's!

I've never been a big fan... I've really enjoyed one once in about every 5 years!

But I've really got a taste for them this week!

Does anybody else like 'em?

PS - Isn't it hard to get hold of veggie Worcestershire sauce!! What a faff!

[cedarblue]

it's easy to get the sauce in the uk, aradia. if you need sending any letme know!