Do you remember DRAM, the Colorado based apothecary selling a variety of organic bitters and syrups? Back in October Owner and Alchemist, Shay Whitney, was generous enough to giveaway a selection of bitters and syrups on P&P. And now we’re giving away a bottle of the Pine Syrup.
“The pine syrup is deliciously unusual, the bottled taste of the Rocky Mountains. This syrup has a fresh pine flavor with hints of citrus and woody spice, imagine the wonderful aroma of a Christmas tree, NOT PineSol.” ~DRAM
Need some ideas on how to use Pine Syrup. Shae likes to combine with sparkling water to create a refreshing soda or add to cocktails for a unique twist. It’s also wonderful with baked goods, meats and teas. I tried the pine syrup as a sweetener for homemade whipped cream and I give it two thumbs up!
I presume everyone here has made a cup of hot chocolate. But if you would like to give the pine syrup whipped cream a try, simply add 4 Tbs of pine syrup to 1 pint of cream and whip until stiff. (Amount of pine syrup may vary depending on your taste.) Please note that since you are adding a syrup, the cream will be less stiff than expected but completely adequate for dolloping!
For a quick cup of hot chocolate I like to use Sarabeth’s all-natural mix here or make Cook’s Illustrated dry cocoa mix below.
Hot Chocolate Mix / Makes 3 Cups; enough for twelve 1-cup servings / Cook’s Illustrated
1 c. sugar
6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ c. nonfat dry milk powder
5 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¾ tsp kosher salt
Process all ingredients in food processor until ground to powder, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer to airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 months.
To enter the giveaway, tell us in the comment section below: How do you make your hot chocolate? We’ll pick a winner by Tuesday March 24th!
I am also excited to announce another artist has been added to the Mercantile, long-time family friend Kim Norby. Kim’s work is influenced by Scandinavian designs and artistic landscapes. She has a great gift for linear drawing and freeflow design; making pots that are aesthetically rich as well as functional is important to her. Kim and husband Thom currently reside near the town of Sundance in the Black Hills of Wyoming. They are both makers and artists and have been making pottery full-time since 1986.
Kim and Thom use to to nest in my hometown. They lived in a charming craftsmen style house with a studio in the backyard. When I was just a tike, I spent hours at their property playing in the creek and watching them work in the studio. I was fascinated by the potter’s wheel and kiln. I have so many fond memories of Kim and Thom and am reminded of our relationship every time I pass their old home and pull a pencil from collected mishaps. So when I started the Mercantile I immediately thought of Kim’s blue flax series from my childhood days. I asked her if she would create a bowl with the painted blue flax and I am thrilled with the outcome and over the moon to be selling Kim’s work on the Mercantile. The bowl can be purchased here.
