Craftsman Style

These swill stars pay homage to Maine’s status as a craft beverage state. From Portland’s artisan brews to Freeport small-batch liquors, these are premium spirits featuring a light, citrus-y opener and a very hoppy ending.

Cold Open

We first sampled Maine’s own blueberry-infused Cold River Vodka at the uber-cool Portland Hunt & Alpine Club and the unique flavor sparked our hunt for an adult blueberry lemonade that tasted fresh (not faux). We’re fans of any apertif you can batch mix and set out, and this beverage certainly fits that mold. Bonus: the vibrant hue happens to be a late-summer sunset in a glass.

Maine Sunsets

2 quarts lemonade, freshly squeezed
1 pint wild blueberries
2 cups Cold River Maine Blueberry vodka

Fill a large pitcher or beverage dispenser with lemonade. Add blueberries and muddle into bottom of container with a long wooden spoon or muddler. Add vodka and stir well. Allow to chill in refrigerator 2-3 hours. A beautiful pinky-blue color will develop. Set out with low glasses and enjoy.

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Local Brews

Though Portland’s speakeasy scene garners its share of well-earned attention for its inventive elixirs, this is, at the end of the day, a craft brewer’s town. Founder Rob Tod started Allagash Brewing Company when he was unable to get his hands on a stateside Belgian-style brew like those he’d sampled on his travels. He released his first batch of Allagash White in 1995, a cult status fire-starter that remains atop ale enthusiasts’ lists today. Beloved first as a local brew pub, Gritty McDuff’s is now an international award-winning brewery with over 10 perennial and seasonal beers. An enduring presence on the Portland waterfront, Shipyard Brewing Co. produces over 20 varietals of their handcrafted ales per year. Maine’s largest brewer (beer darlings Casco Bay and Sea Dog are also produced by Shipyard), the company is behind premium soda line Capt’n Eli. Fair warning: this crop of craft ales just might bring out the inner beer nerd you never knew was in there.