In case you haven’t heard, our annual Good Spirits event is going down this Thursday, March 8, at Pier A Harbor House in FiDi. In addition to all the cocktails and food you can eat and drink from vendors like Forthave Spirits, Prohibition Bakery and more, we’re excited to bring Health-Ade Kombucha to the event.
We recently caught up with Health-Ade’s PR manager Callie Tayman to get a few peeks at what they’ll have this Thursday. We also got some tips on how to pair kombucha with spirits and a couple recipes for inspiration:
Edible Manhattan: Health-Ade Kombucha is a delightful, surprising addition to Good Spirits. Given that the event is spirit-focused why did Health-Ade want to get involved?
Health-Ade: We feel it is important to offer a delicious, non-alcoholic option for people in the food and drinks space as that so often gets overlooked. Since Health-Ade is fermented the old-fashioned way, in 2.5-gallon glass jars, and flavored with cold-pressed juice, Health-Ade has a nice round mouthfeel and can be savored slowly like wine or beer. If you do want to add a little alcohol, kombucha makes a brilliant, low-sugar mixer, slightly tart and sweet, and naturally bubbly.
EM: What will Health-Ade Kombucha be serving at Good Spirits? Will you be mixing your drinks with anything?
Health-Ade: Health-Ade will be serving mocktails made with a variety of freshly-muddled fruits and herbs paired with our high-quality kombucha. It is a fun way to try a selection of Health-Ade flavors, including those not yet available on shelves.
EM: What is exciting Health-Ade Kombucha about the food and drink industry right now?
Health-Ade: We are thrilled to see women in the food and drinks space finally getting the attention they deserve. As a company with a female co-founder and CEO, it is especially important to us to help support and empower female-founded businesses and artisans. Over the years there has been this surge of exposure around women in this industry, and we’re excited to be part of this panel shining a light on such inspiring leading ladies.
We are also really excited about the shift in conversation from focusing on pasteurized food to focusing on real food. More and more people are starting to realize that they have this whole world of bacteria living inside of their body and that they have got to feed that thing real food! Our microbiomes are so important to overall health and well-being, and it’s great to see people paying attention to that again.
EM: For people that want to use Health-Ade Kombucha in their own cocktails, where would you have them start?
Health-Ade: Kombucha cocktails are surprisingly easy to make! All you really need is your favorite Health-Ade flavor, some citrus and your spirit of choice. Mix over ice and voilà! Of course, you can always make a more complex cocktail if you prefer. It is all about your taste profile and what you like in a drink. We will be handing out cocktail recipe cards at Good Spirits for some imbibing inspiration!
EM: What was the inspiration for the Health-ade Paloma? What makes tequila pair nicely with Health-Ade Kombucha?
Health-Ade: It’s a twist on the timeless classic. In lieu of a grapefruit soda, the recipe calls for fresh-pressed grapefruit juice and naturally effervescent Health-Ade Kombucha. It is delicious and easy to make, plus it’s low-sugar.
Health-Ade Paloma
Makes 1 drink
1.5 oz Don Julio Blanco
4.5 oz Health-Ade Original Kombucha
1.5 oz pink grapefruit juice
.5 oz fresh lime juice
.25 os blue agave nectar (or simple syrup)
1 pinch Jacobsen Sea Salt
Grapefruit zest expressed for garnish
Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave and sea salt in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain over fresh ice into a highball glass. Top with Health-Ade Original Kombucha. Express grapefruit zest and use for garnish.
The Sage
Makes 1 drink
3 sage leaves, plus one for garnish
.5 oz simple syrup
1 oz lemon juice
.5 oz Aperol
1.5 oz gin
2.5 oz pomegranate Health-Ade
Pour gin, aperol, lemon juice, simple syrup and three sage leaves into shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into coupe glass. Top with pomegranate Health-Ade and garnish with sage leaf.
Edible Good Spirits will return to Pier A Harbor House in New York City on Thursday, March 8. The event will run from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets start at $50 per person and are available for purchase online now. For more information about Good Spirits, please visit the event’s website.
