News & Events

MRD Tasting at Crossroads Beverage & Deli

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Crossroads Beverage & Deli in Waterbury, VT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at Putnam Spirits

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Putnam Spirits in Putnam, CT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 3:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at Jordan's Liquors

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Jordan's Liquors in East Providence, RI. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 3:00pm - 7:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at Empire Wine & Liquor

Join Mad River Distillers on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Empire Wine & Liquor in Albany, NY. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

Stevie's Wine & Spirits Holiday Tasting

Join Mad River Distillers on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Stevie's Wine & Spirits in Fairhaven, MA for their holiday tasting event. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits, as well as several other distilleries, wineries, and breweries between 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bottles will be available for purchase. We hope to see you there!

MRD Tasting at Bottle Stop in Avon, CT

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Bottle Stop Wine & Spirit Superstore in Avon, CT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at Clift's Liquors in Riverside, RI

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Clift's Liquors in Riverside, RI. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

Julio's Liquors Whisk(e)y Road Show 2023

Join Mad River Distillers on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 6:00pm - 8:00 pm at Julio's Liquors in Westborough, MA.  We will be joined by over 40 other distilleries and distributors. Tickets are $40 and include a $30 Julio's gift card and tasting glass. We will be offering tastings and bottle sales from our line of spirits. Tickets can be purchased at https://juliosliquors.com/events?event-id=6525819113d9162bfa0243c2. We hope to see you there!

Nejaime's Open House Holiday Tasting

Join Mad River Distillers on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Nejaime's Wine Cellars in Lenox, MA. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at Wines & More in Mansfield, MA

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Wines & More in Mansfield, MA. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

 

MRD Tasting at Route 7 Liquor & Deli in Shelburne

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3rd at the Route 7 Liquor and Deli in Shelburne, VT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at Wise Old Dog in West Hartford

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3rd at the Wise Old Dog in West Hartford, CT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:30pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

MRD Tasting at The Den Wine and Spirits

Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3rd at The Den Wine and Spirits in Providence, RI. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.

By in Blog Comments Off on Burnt Rock Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

Burnt Rock Bourbon Cocktail Recipes

Burnt Rock Bourbon was an accidental experiment that turned very right. Our head distiller, Al Hilton, had an idea one day to smoke barley over maple wood, and add it to a Bourbon mash. With a combination of 70% Corn, 15% Rye, and 15% Smoked Barley, the 92 proof Burnt Rock Bourbon explodes with flavor and spice, with just a touch of smoke.  

When it was first released, Burnt Rock Bourbon was a seasonal offering. It became quite popular, and bottles always sold quickly. We are proud to now offer this spirit year-round. Like many of our spirits, Burnt Rock Bourbon can be enjoyed straight, or in a cocktail. The distinctive flavor adds a slightly smoky spin to any cocktail recipe.

Below are some Burnt Rock Bourbon cocktail recipes you can try from home:

Earl Grey Tea Old Fashioned with citrus, 18.21 Bitters and Burnt Rock Bourbon

EARL GREY TEA OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1/2 oz. of honey simple syrup
-2 droppers of 18.21 Earl Grey Bitters
-1 lemon and 1 orange twist

Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, stir the Burnt Rock Bourbon with honey syrup and Earl Grey Bitters. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Twist both an orange and a lemon peel over the glass, then rub each citrus around the rim of the glass before adding to the drink.

To make a Honey Simple Syrup:
Heat one part water with one part honey until the honey is fully integrated, then allow the syrup to cool. Store it in a refrigerator for up to one week. We recommend using local honey.

MAPLE PUMPKIN SOUR

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1 oz. of Lemon Juice
-1 oz. of Woods Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup
-2 dashes of Bittermens Tiki Bitters
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Instructions:
Add all ingredients except Angostura Bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Top with 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters as a float.

BLOOD & SAND

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1/2 oz. of Cherry Heering
-1/2 oz. of Carpano Antica
-3/4 oz. of Orange Juice
-1/4 oz. of Lemon Juice

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake for 8-12 seconds. Double strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a few Luxardo cherries.

VERMONT PENICILLIN

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1/2 oz. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-1/2 oz. of Vermont Honey
-1 oz. of Lemon Juice
-4 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-1 spritz of Alice & The Magician Bonfire Smoke Mist

Instructions:
Combine the Burnt Rock Bourbon, maple syrup, honey and lemon juice in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly. Strain contents into a Double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with 4 dashes of Angostura Bitters, and 1 spray of Alice & The Magician Bonfire Smoke mist.

BURNT PEACH

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1 oz. of Roasted Peach Syrup
-1/2 oz. of fresh lemon juice
-1/2 oz. of pineapple juice
-soda water

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients (except the soda water) in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain over fresh ice into a stemless wine glass. Top with soda water. Add a fresh sprig of thyme or rosemary as a garnish.

To make a Roasted Peach Syrup:
Take 3 peaches, de-core, slice into wedges, and lay in a baking pan with tall sides.  Add a couple tablespoons of water to the pan, and drizzle Vermont maple syrup over the peaches. Cover and bake at 375 for 30 minutes. On your stove top, add equal parts water and sugar to a small pot, and heat to just below a simmer. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add peaches and any liquid from the baking dish into the water and sugar mixture on the stove, then cover and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, and allow the peaches to cool while still in the pot. Once cool, run the syrup through a cheesecloth. Keep the syrup refrigerated and consume within one week.

If you are looking to make any of the Burnt Rock Bourbon cocktail recipes above, you can find many of the ingredients at the Burlington Tasting Room, including the Burnt Rock Bourbon, maple syrup, bitters, and even Alice & The Magician Mists. If you haven’t tried this spirit yet, you can order a tasting of it at our bar. We offer a flight, which includes a tasting of 4 spirits. You can choose between our Burnt Rock Bourbon, Straight Bourbon, Revolution Rye, and all of our rums. If you’re not sure what you’ll like, our team is always on hand to offer suggestions or answer any questions. See you soon!


Written and published by Brianne Lucas on October 27, 2023.

By in Burnt Rock Bourbon, Cocktails Comments Off on Maple Pumpkin Sour

Maple Pumpkin Sour

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Maple Pumpkin Sour


  • Author: Mad River Distillers
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x

Description

A wonderful fall cocktail incorporating a pumpkin spice maple syrup along with the smoky flavor of our Burnt Rock Bourbon.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
  • 1 oz. of lemon juice
  • 1 oz. of Woods Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes of Bittermens Tiki Bitters
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except Angostura Bitters in a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake well, then strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
  3. Top with 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters as a float.

Featured Spirit

By in Blog Comments Off on Drinks For Your Halloween Celebration

Drinks For Your Halloween Celebration

If you’re like us and love a good (and spooky) Halloween celebration, then you’re probably on the hunt for some delicious but thematic drink ideas to mark the occasion. A great Halloween drink doesn’t need to be complicated. With a clever name, delicious ingredients, and some simple decorations, you can create memorable Halloween cocktails that are sure to leave a lasting impression with your friends.

Here are some Halloween themed recipes to work into your party planning this year.

Mad River Distillers Halloween Drink Recipes

Blood & Sand cocktail with a skeleton decoration

BLOOD & SAND
With a name like this, the only other reason you need to give this cocktail a try on Halloween is the unexpected ingredients.

Ingredients:
-1 oz. Burnt Rock Bourbon
-3/4 oz. orange juice
-1/2 oz. Cherry Heering
-1/2 oz. Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
-1/4 oz. lemon juice
-Luxardo cherry garnish

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then shake. Strain contents over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Garnish with a few Luxardo cherries. 

CURSED CAULDRON
Cauldron's make a great vessel for experimenting, and this cocktail recipe is the result of an experiment substituting gin in an Aviation cocktail with our Rum 44 (along with a couple other tasty tweaks).

Ingredients:
-2 oz. of Rum 44
-1/2 oz. of Maraschino Liqueur
-1/2 oz. of Creme de Violette
-1/2 oz. of lemon juice
-1-2 barspoons of grenadine (as desired for color)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake well, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.

Black Manhattan cocktail with black cat decoration

BLACK MANHATTAN
They say that black cats bring bad luck, but you’ll feel just the opposite drinking this dark and flavorful cocktail.

Ingredients:
-2 oz. Revolution Rye
-1 oz. Averna Amaro
-2 dashes Angostura Bitters
-Luxardo cherry garnish

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. Stir for 8-12 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, then garnish with a Luxardo cherry.

BLOODY BELLADONNA
A drink named after the deadly nightshade, made just a bit more creepy with a red cherry drizzle.

Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of Vanilla Rum
-1/2 oz. of Creme de Violette
-1 oz. of lime juice
-3/4 oz. of simple syrup
-2 dashes of peach bitters
-cherry juice

Combine all ingredients except the cherry juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Drizzle cherry juice on top.

Salty Witch cocktail next to a witch hat

SALTY WITCH
This bewitching cocktail (created by Gragen Cook) is filled to the brim with enchanting flavors.

Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. PX Rum
-1/4 oz. Green Chartreuse
-1/4 oz. Sherry
-1/4 oz. simple syrup
-1 dropper of Crude Smoke & Salt Bitters
-Luxardo cherry garnish

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for about 20 seconds. Strain contents into a large cordial glass, then garnish with a Luxardo cherry.

BLOOD MOON MARTINI
With a blood red color and simple ingredients, this cocktail is an easy way to serve a gory Halloween vibe.

Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of Straight Bourbon
-1 oz. of pomegranate (or beet) juice
-1/2 oz. of lemon juice
-2 dashes of orange bitters

Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake well, then strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a slice of blood orange.

Candy corn shot with candy corn garnish

CANDY CORN SHOT
Is it even Halloween without candy corn? While this is the kind of shot that requires a little planning, it’s very simple and very fitting for the holiday.

Ingredients:
-750ml bottle of Rum 44
-10 oz. candy corn
-whipped cream

To make this shot, you’ll need to plan at least a day in advance. Infuse a bottle of Rum 44 by adding 10 oz. of candy corn to the bottle. Shake the candy corn in the closed bottle every couple of hours. After it has infused for a day, the Rum 44 will have a nice orange color. Strain the rum to remove any small pieces of candy that has settled on the bottom (a cheese cloth may be preferred). Then simply pour an ounce into a shot glass, top with whipped cream, and enjoy! If you feel inclined, add a piece of candy corn as garnish.

Other red or green colored cocktails would make a great and ghoulish option with some simple decorations to accompany it. You can even give your cocktail a fun name, like taking a Kingston Negroni and renaming it a Nosferatu Negroni just for the occasion.

 When it comes to Halloween, decorations are a great way to give your cocktails a creepy presentation. Surround your bar or serving table with decorations like witch hats, toy or paper bats and spiders, or plastic skeletons. You could even float a gumball eye in the middle of your cocktail!

If you need supplies, be sure to stop by our Burlington Tasting Room, where you can purchase bottles of our spirits, bitters like Crude Smoke & Salt Bitters, and even Luxardo cherries. For more drink inspiration, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to catch our cocktail videos, or visit our website to explore even more recipes. Cheers!


Written by Brianne Lucas and originally published on October 25, 2022. Updated on October 17, 2023.

By in Cocktails, Revolution Rye Comments Off on Autumn Revolution

Autumn Revolution

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Autumn Revolution cocktail with autumn decorations around it

Autumn Revolution


  • Author: Mad River Distillers
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Autumn Revolution cocktail with autumn decorations around it

Description

A cocktail recipe that celebrates the beautiful autumn season incorporating our Revolution Rye with orange curacao and a honey ginger syrup.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 oz. of Revolution Rye
  • 1/2 oz. of Orange Curacao
  • 1/2 oz. of honey ginger syrup
  • 1/2 oz. of lemon juice
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass.
  4. Strain over the large ice cube into the glass.
  5. Express a lemon peel over the top, then add as a garnish.

Notes

To make a honey ginger syrup:

  • 1/2 cup raw honey
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 oz of ginger, sliced or grated

In a pan, combine honey, ginger (cut into thin slices) and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 40-60 minutes, tasting as you go, until you’ve reached the right level of ginger flavor melded with your syrup. Strain out ginger slices and store syrup for up to three weeks.


Featured Spirit

By in Bourbon, Cocktails Comments Off on Improved Whiskey Cocktail

Improved Whiskey Cocktail

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Improved Whiskey Cocktail


  • Author: Mad River Distillers
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x

Description

This riff on an Old Fashioned incorporates Luxardo Maraschino and a dash of Absinthe with our Straight Bourbon.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz. of Straight Bourbon
  • 1/4 oz. of Luxardo Maraschino
  • 1/4 oz. of simple syrup
  • 1 dash of Peychauds Bitters
  • 1 dash of Angostura Bitters
  • 1 dash of Absinthe

Instructions

  1. In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients.
  2. Add ice, and stir well.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
  4. Garnish with a lemon peel, expressing it over the top.

Featured Spirit

By in Blog Comments Off on Mad Apple Cocktail Recipes

Mad Apple Cocktail Recipes

It’s Mad Apple season! Our flagship European-style dry apple brandy is distilled from Vermont apples. The result is an aromatic brandy with fresh apple notes on the nose, oak spice and vanilla on the palate, and a crisp apple finish. 

We release this limited spirit each fall, and it really is a quintessential sipper to enjoy in the autumn season. You can sip it all on its own, but we also utilize Mad Apple in a variety of cocktail recipes like the Jack Rose, so you can enjoy this spirit in a number of different ways.

Looking for cocktail inspiration with your bottle of Mad Apple? Read below to try some of our favorites from home:

JACK ROSE

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-1 oz. of Grenadine
-1/2 oz. of Lime Juice

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for about 8-10 seconds. Strain contents into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

MAD APPLE OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-1 tsp. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, combine maple syrup, bitters and Mad Apple. Stir well, then strain contents into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an apple or an orange swath.

JAPANESE COCKTAIL

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-3/4 oz. of Orgeat
-3/4 oz. of Lemon Juice
-1/4 oz. of Peychaud's Bitters

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly, then strain contents into a small wine glass. Garnish with Peychaud's Bitters.

MAD CELEBRATION

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1 oz. of Mad Apple Brandy
-1 sugar cube
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-Chilled Sparkling Wine

Instructions:
Put the two dashes of bitters on a sugar cube. Place the sugar cube (with bitters) in the bottom of a champagne glass. Add Mad Apple over the sugar cube. Top the glass with sparkling wine.

Mad River Stinger on the tasting room bar with a bottle of Mad Apple Brandy

MAD RIVER STINGER

Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-1 oz. of green peppermint candy cane infused Rum 44

Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, combine the Mad Apply Brandy with peppermint infused Rum 44. Stir well, then strain over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh mint and orange zest.

To make candy cane infused Rum 44:
add 2 standard size green striped candy canes to a bottle with 16 ounces of Rum 44. Leave the candy canes in the container until they dissolve.

Our Mad Apple Brandy is only available for a limited time each year, so make sure you stop into our Burlington Tasting Room soon to get a bottle before it sells out. If you are looking to make any of the recipes above, you can find most of the other ingredients right in our retail section, including bottles of Rum 44, grenadine, bitters, and maple syrup. If you have any questions while you’re there, our team is always happy to help. Cheers!


Written and published by Brianne Lucas on October 1, 2023.