Orange really is the new black

Let’s face it, we all know Halloween is definitely more about the costumes than the pumpkin carving. Are you dressing up as a gin cocktail or a whisky bottle? We’ve still got to decide, but we know we’ll eventually end up naked in the sauna, so does it really matter? Of course, you need the perfect drink to accompany the festivities and debauchery. For this time of year and festivals on offer we like to set aside the rhubarb and strawberries in favor of something far more cozy and candlelit – we’re calling this drink a “Sainio”.

Named after a local farmer who supplies the sea buckthorn for our gin, this is definitely one of the most beloved drinks in our Distillery Bar. This one comes together quite easily, but you should still pay some attention. What you’ll need: a rye gin (we have a slight preference and recommendation for a Finnish one, some sea buckthorn berries, vanilla simple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lots of ice. To note: sea buckthorn berries are also known as the “lemon of the North” in these parts, by the way. 

To make the simplest of syrups, just bring a cup of water and a cup of sugar to boil, then cool it down. To make it vanilla simple syrup, bring the mixture to a boil once more and throw in a vanilla bean pod, then cool all the way down. Et voila, vanilla simple syrup – can be made spontaneously or kept in the fridge for up to a month. Sometimes you need to be able to pull a drink together at great speed and need to be ready, we get it.