Known as the “The Friendly Town,” Almonte, Ontario is a picturesque 19th century mill town located on the banks of the Mississippi River near Ottawa. With a charming main street filled with boutique shops, restaurants and galleries, Almonte is the kind of town where Christmas movies are filmed (and they are). It’s also home to Dairy Distillery, a modern, state-of-the-art micro distillery focused on delivering dairy-based, high-quality, sustainability-focused products.
Dairy Distillery transforms unused milk sugar into vodka which is more efficient than the process of using starch from grains or potatoes to make traditional vodka. Milk permeate is a lactose rich by-product of ultrafiltered milk production which dairies usually send to digesters for disposal. Instead, Dairy Distillery uses it to create Vodkow – a clear spirit that has a crisp, clean taste.
Once the distillation process is complete, you’ll find Vodkow in the lightest 750ml glass bottle found at the LCBO. Since the manufacturing of glass is the single largest contributor to a bottle of vodka’s carbon footprint, Dairy Distillery uses a glass bottle that weighs, on average, 50% less than other glass vodka bottles.
Thanks to sustainable ingredients, efficient production and lighter packaging, Vodkow has half the carbon footprint of traditional vodka. Dairy Distillery purchases the offsets to make every bottle of Vodkow carbon neutral.
Together with Dairy Distillery, we’ve created a delicious quintet of adult beverages to create for every holiday moment.
The rush and excitement of Christmas morning can often lead to abandoned cups (or pots) of coffee. Turn the cold coffee into a decadent treat with this recipe featuring lactose-free Vodkow Cream. Centred around fresh Canadian cream, Vodkow Cream’s ingredients are simple – cream, sugar and Vodkow with no added flavours or colours. Less sweet than a traditional cream liquor, Vodkow Cream adds a buttery smoothness to this recipe.
Method
Step 1
Place ice cubes into rock glass. Pour coffee into glass. Top with Vodkow cream.
Step 2
Pour Ontario whipping cream slowly over back of spoon into glass. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve!
Serves 1.
Shaken and not stirred, this cold brew drink is smooth and creamy, made sweet with just a hint of whipped cream. Vodkow, made from milk sugar, amplifies the sublime taste and smoothness of cream, making this quick and easy cold treat the perfect accompaniment to dessert or on its own.
Method
Step 1
Place ice cubes into cocktail shaker and add cold brew coffee and Vodkow cream. Top with lid and shake well.
Step 2
Pour into a tall glass and top with cream. Serve with a straw.
Serves 1.
A creamy twist to a classic cocktail, this version of an Old Fashioned replaces traditional whisky or bourbon with Vodkow Cream, adding a layer of decadence that’s perfect for the holidays. This rich and smooth Old Fashioned is garnished with a strip of orange peel and maraschino cherry, reminding us of the gift giving legend.
Method
Step 1
Pour Vodkow cream and whisky into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and bitters.
Step 2
Shake and pour into rock glass with fresh ice and garnish with cherry and orange.
Serves 1.
Named for the picturesque 19th century mill town where Dairy Distillery is located, this drink pays tribute to Almonte, Ontario. During the winters, the snow covered quaint main street inspires many, including the multiple Christmas movies filmed in the town. Nutmeg adds a slightly nutty flavour bringing out the buttery notes in Vodkow Cream.
Method
Step 1
Place ice cubes into martini shaker and add whisky, icing sugar and Vodkow cream. Top with lid and shake well until frothy.
Step 2
Pour into a rock glass and top with nutmeg.
Serves 1.
Vodkow Cream complements the hint of spice that ginger, cloves and cardamom bring to this chai latte. As it’s less sweet than traditional cream liquor, Vodkow Cream starts with the heat of vodka and fades in the cream. Honey adds an unexpected sweetness to the latte, making this drink a perfect creamy, sweet and spicy addition to the holidays.
Method
Step 1
In a saucepan, combine water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Bring to boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 2
Remove from heat and add tea bags; let steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in Ontario milk and local honey. Return to heat and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in Vodkow Cream.
Step 3
Strain chai through sieve into 2 mugs to serve.
Serves 2.