THERE’S NOTHING DRY ABOUT
DRY SODA
Friday, April 17, 2009
Set to celebrate its fifth year in operation in roughly eight months time, Dry Soda Co. has come a long way since it was born in 2005. Based in Seattle, the modern alternative soda company expanded internationally in fall 2008, and is making significant headway across Canada. This is good news as founder Sharelle Klaus is getting ready to add another flavour to the sophisticated beverage line.
To be unveiled in June, the new lightly sweet, non-alcoholic carbonated soda will join Dry’s six flavours – lavender, lemongrass, kumquat, rhubarb, vanilla bean and juniper berry – all flavoured with fruit, flower or herb extracts and a small amount of pure cane sugar. Each 12-ounce bottle contains only 50 to 70 calories compared to the average 150 calories in traditional soft drinks.
LAVENDER
Subtly sweet with a distinct flavour and aroma, Lavender Dry sparkles with the soothing essence of lavender.
Ingredient: A relative of mint, lavender is an aromatic plant. Its violet flowers yield a special nectar used to create a high quality honey. Lavender is also used as a herb.
Characteristics: Floral tones, low acidity
Suggested Pairings: Cheese courses, pork, roasted duck, desserts, chocolate
LEMONGRASS
Lemongrass Dry bubbles with the refreshing and tantalizing essence of lemongrass, which contains citrel giving this drink its distinct flavour and fragrance.
Ingredient: Also called citronella and sereh, lemongrass is a tall perennial grass native to warm temperate and tropical climates. It has a herbal flavour commonly used in teas, soups and curries.
Characteristics: Dry, bright, grassy, medium acidity
Suggested Pairings: Asian inspired foods, spicy dishes, sushi, shellfish, goat cheese, asparagus
KUMQUAT
Inspired by the kumquat fruit, this soda awakens the palate with a jolt of citrus and finishes with a delicate sweetness.
Ingredient: Kumquat resembles a miniature orange but has a tart, dry pulpy inside and sweet edible peel.
Characteristics: Fruity, bright, high acidity
Suggested Pairings: Salmon, white fish, risotto, roast duck, oysters, mussels, leafy sweet greens
RHUBARB
Bold and refreshing, Rhubarb Dry captures both the sweet complexity and mouth-watering tartness of rhubarb.
Ingredient: A member of the buckwheat family, rhubarb’s thick, celery-like stalks are the only edible portion of this plant.
Characteristics: Bold, lush, fruity flavour, tart, high acidity
Suggested Pairings: Prime rib, hamburgers, comfort foods, winter vegetables, wood fired pizza
VANILLA BEAN
Vanilla Bean Dry calms the palate with the smooth and earthy flavour of the Madagascar vanilla bean.
Ingredient: The vanilla bean is the fruit of the vanilla orchid. Only three varieties are sold commercially: Indonesian, Mexican and Madagascar, also called Bourbon.
Characteristics: Aromatic, delicate, low acidity
Suggested Pairings: Roasted chicken, summer salads, white fish, fresh fruit, panna cotta
JUNIPER BERRY
Juniper Berry Dry delights the senses with a distinct clarity and herbal spirit.
Ingredient: Native to cooler climates, the juniper berry is a small, dark blue berry found among the pine needs of a juniper tree. The berries take three years to mature. Green juniper berries are most commonly used as flavouring in gin.
Characteristics: Crisp, piney, dry, high acidity
Suggested Pairings: Antipasto, Portobello mushrooms, mussels, roasted potatoes, venison
SHAKING UP THE COCKTAIL BAR
Dry Chartreuse
Ice cubes
1 oz. melon liqueur
4 oz. mandarin vodka
4 oz. Kumquat Dry Soda
Lime leaf or candied kumquat
Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add liqueur and vodka. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Add Kumquat Dry Soda. Stir and garnish with a lime leaf or candied kumquat.
Dry Seattle Strawberry
Ice cubes
2 oz. vanilla vodka
3 oz. Vanilla Bean Dry Soda
2 oz. lightly sweetened, finely pureed strawberries
1 tsp lemon juice
Strawberry
Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, strawberry puree and a squeeze of lemon. Shake well. Strain mixture into glass over ice. Add Vanilla Bean Dry Soda. Stir Gently and garnish with fresh strawberry.
Pineapple Spritzer
Ice cubes
3 oz. Juniper Berry Dry Soda
2 oz. light rum
2 oz. pineapple juice
Squeeze of lemon
Pineapple flag
Combine all ingredients and ice in glass. Stir gently. Serve with pineapple flag garnish.
