The Douglas Fir Sapsucker - a cocktail recipe by Michelle Hartsell Cocktail Engineer

There is a shop near us in downtown Campbell, called Redemption, that sells locally made products.  One of these is a Douglas Fir tea by Juniper Ridge.  As well, I recently had the opportunity to have a gin-based cocktail that was made with Douglas Fir syrup at a restaurant near us called The Table (they have some nice craft cocktails on the menu).  I figured I could make a simple syrup based on the tea, as opposed to going out and harvesting fir needles, so here is my take of a Douglas Fir syrup based cocktail.  As the Douglas Fir is so aromatic, I didn't feel the need to add additional flavorings to the syrup.

Douglas Fir Tips Simple Syrup

Brew 1 cup double strength tea with the Douglas Fir Tips 

Add 1 cup of the brewed tea and 1 cup of sugar to a small pot

Bring to a soft boil and simmer for 20 minutes

The Douglas Fir Sapsucker cocktail

In a shaker half filled with crushed ice add

• 1 oz of the Douglas Fir Tips simple syrup
• 1 1/2 oz of plain vodka (I used Skyy)
• 1 1/2 oz of dry gin (I used Bombay Sapphire East)
• 2 oz of fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice

Stir vigorously then strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with a spring of rosemary, a twist of Meyer lemon and a twist of lime.

Leftover simple syrup will store well in the refrigerator.  

If you'd like to read about the birds, including the Sapsucker, that Douglas Fir trees support here's a good reference:  http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr285/ 

Cheers!