Top 10 local spirits (Rose's favourites)

The selection of local products is growing all the time. A few years ago, we only had access to a few gins and vodkas, but now artisanal micro-distilleries all over Quebec offer us a wide range of delicious and original products. Thanks to these little bottles, we can taste the terroir of every region of the province, and that's really fabulous!

To be honest, we certainly have more than 10 favourites from the vast selection of Quebec spirits, but we've limited ourselves to 10 for this article, as well as excluding wines and beers from our list.

Without further ado, here are our local favourites:

VODKA MENAUD – DISTILLERIE MENAUD

Quebecois vodka from the grain to the bottle, with a light fruity taste. The mouthfeel is reminiscent of glycerine (in a good way) and the finish is as smooth as silk. In the poetic words of a friend, ‘drinking a glass of Menaud vodka is like drinking an ice cube in a forest’.

 

GIN LES HERBES FOLLES – LA SOCIÉTÉ SECRÈTE

A Quebec gin from grain to bottle, Les Herbes Folles gin is a fine example of the creativity of the members of the La Société Secrète distillery. All the herbs are hand-picked within a 45-minute walk of their distillery in Percé on the Gaspé Peninsula.

LIQUEUR DE RHUBARBE – MAISON SIVO

Maison Sivo's liqueurs are all incredible, but it was the rhubarb liqueur that won our hearts. This naturally pink liqueur comes from real rhubarb (which grows in a field), and its flavour is faithful to that of the plant, i.e. slightly bitter and not very sweet.

 

GIN CIRKA SAUVAGE – CIRKA

A Quebec gin from grain to bottle, Cirka gin, distilled in Montreal, has definitely been one of our favourites since the advent of craft distilleries! The gin contains more than 30 aromas that express, among other things, the flavours of the boreal forest.

 

CRÈME DE CASSIS MONNA ET FILLES – MONNA ET FILLES

Monna et Filles crème de cassis is really delicious, and its acidity sets it apart from other French creams - it's nothing to sneeze at! It's a very versatile product that can complement your cocktails and desserts!

 

GIN ST-LAURENT – DISTILLERIE DU ST.LAURENT

Gin St-Laurent is one of a kind! Laminaria seaweed hand-picked from the St. Lawrence River gives it a totally unique iodine finish. There's a reason why it's one of Quebec's most popular gins!

 

HYDROMEL PÉTILLANT BEEZZ – DESROCHERS D

When we think of mead, we often think of an overly sweet honey wine that we once tasted at a festival or at a beekeeper's house. Desrochers D meads have completely changed the way we think about this beverage! Dry and floral, these are unique products that deserve to be discovered!

 

MADISON PARK BREAKFAST GIN – 1769 DISTILLERY

This gin, flavoured with earl grey tea and bergamot, is very different from all the other gins on the market. It's far from a classic London dry, but its balance is perfect! In cocktails or on the rocks, it won't disappoint!

 

APERITIVO LES ÎLES – LES ÎLES

With the Spritz craze, it was essential to choose at least one aperitif to feature on our list of favourites. We love the bitterness (and also the branding) of Les Îles aperitivo. For those who like their Spritz more bitter, this liqueur is perfect for you.

VERMOUTH DE CIDRE ROUGE-GORGE BLANC – DOMAINE LAFRANCE

It's no secret that in Quebec we grow more apples than we do apples, so it's not surprising to see our producers making vermouth from our star fruit! Rouge-Gorge Blanc vermouth is very delicate and we love its versatility. It's an excellent vermouth to drink with soda and a slice of citrus fruit.

If you're a fan of local produce, check out the 1st book from 1 ou 2 Cocktails, L'Apéro au Québec, a collection of over 55 cocktail recipes made using only local and seasonal produce. On sale at Librairie Gourmande du Marché Jean-Talon and in bookshops everywhere!

This article is courtesy of Rose, founder of the 1 ou 2 Cocktails blog. Photo credits: 1 ou 2 Cocktails