Clink. Clink.
That’s the sound of holiday cheers — a time when libations are flowing.
Before you raise your glass, why not fill it first with something local? We’re all about supporting local here — and there are great options for holiday entertaining or just sipping in front of a fireplace. Here are 5 fabulous finds:
Apple Pie kombucha by Spring Branch Kombucha
Jessica and Chris Ollis started Spring Branch Kombucha in 2017, about eight years after they decided they wanted to own their own business.
At first, they didn’t have a vision of what it would be.
Chris was a homebrewer and eventually dabbled in kombucha. Then he started to choose the fermented beverage over beer and diet soda, because kombucha has more health benefits. Over time, he perfected his recipe and shared samples with family and friends, who were wowed by it.
Fast forward to 2022, and they have nine flavors on the market. The latest is the Apple Pie — perfect for the holidays. The apple pie was Jessica’s idea.
“It’s seasonal,” said Jessica. “I like to make apple pie in the fall and transferred the filling part of the recipe with spices and apples to kombucha — and it worked. We collaborate on flavors. Our brother-in-in-law is head brewer. Apple pie is available through March. Based on popularity, we are thinking about making it a year-round flavor.”
Their best-selling kombucha is the lemon hops, which won gold at the International KombuchaKon conference in the hops category in 2022. The lavender is another lovely pick.
Kombucha is a great option for the designated driver because it has less than half a percent of alcohol, so it’s more like a soft drink, but it feels special.
Where to find it: Apple Pie is available only through them. They deliver in Springfield and are at Farmers Market of the Ozarks every Saturday. Outside of this flavor, you can find their kombucha at MamaJeans locations, Hy-Vee on East Sunshine, and Price Cutter locations around town. To buy direct:
Contact: jessica@springbranchkombucha.com
Online: https://springbranchkombucha.com/
Peppercorn Moonshine by Bub's Distillery
Who doesn’t love a Bloody Mary on Christmas morning? Whether you drink it to tolerate annoying relatives or just love the beverage, you can elevate that classic breakfast cocktail with Bub’s Distillery’s Peppercorn Moonshine.
Spencer Detherage and his dad own the business in Rogersville. They got started making moonshine in their garage years ago. In 2017, they sold their spirits at the Farmers Market of the Ozarks and then renovated a building in Rogersville in 2020. There are live music events, pizza, cocktails and more at the distillery.
“As far as inspiration goes, my dad is a huge black pepper fan, and after some messing around, we came up with the peppercorn-infused liquor. For the most part we usually just use it for Bloody Mary’s, but I have had people mix their own concoctions and say they love it,” Spencer said.
Bub’s Distillery produces moonshines, gin and whiskey. The gin definitely has a citrus kick. The peppercorn moonshine is a fantastic substitute for vodka in a Bloody Mary. It delivers the pepper punch without sprinkling any on the cocktail.
Where to find it: Bub’s Distillery, 1846 S. Missouri 125, Rogersville, Missouri,
Online: bubsdistillery.squarespace.com
Sweet Blondies Oatmeal Cookie Liqueur by Ty Iechyd Da Distillery
If you’re someone with more of a sweet tooth, try Sweet Blondies Oatmeal Cookie Liqueur, made in Springfield.
It tastes like a cookie and is a great addition to coffee with a little cream, you can use it in cocktails, baking or sip it with a hint of half-and-half to cut the burn that can come from alcohol. It’s 50 proof.
Sweet Blondies Oatmeal Cookie Liqueur is produced by Ty Iechyd Da Distillery (pronounced Tea-Yah-Key-Da). What’s behind the name? It’s Welsh for House of Cheers, and it’s made here in the Ozarks at Springfield’s only distillery. The distillery is a sister operation to Springfield Brewing Company, which bought Missouri Spirits.
Ty Iechyd Da Distillery produces gin, American single malt whisky, bourbon and a variety of flavored liqueurs.
They were kind enough to share a recipe if you’re more of a cocktail drinker and less of a liqueur sipper. You could make this a signature cocktail at a holiday soiree.
I’ll Have S’more
2 ounces Sweet Blondies Oatmeal Cookie Liqueur
0.5 ounce Sweet Blondies Hot Cinnamon Liqueur
1 ounce vanilla simple syrup (see recipe below)
0.25 ounce half and half
For the cocktail: Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until well blended. Rim cocktail glass with chocolate syrup and crushed graham crackers. Strain liquid over fresh ice in a rimmed glass. Served with a torched marshmallow.
Vanilla Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For the syrup: In a medium saucepan over medium to high heat, add 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. Bring to a light boil and stir often until sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in vanilla. Let syrup cool, then place into an airtight bottle. Keep refrigerated. Syrup is good for about one month.
Where to find it: At Springfield Brewing Company Bottle Shop, 305 S. Market Ave.
Shock & Ahhh coffee stout at Wire Road Brewing
This area has an abundance of fantastic breweries, and one of its latest additions is Wire Road Brewing Co., in Battlefield.
Wire Road Brewing Co. is the vision of friends and retired science teachers Jeff Birchler and Kary Walker.
Located at 4453 S. Timbercreek Ave., it’s been hopping ever since it opened in January.
While Birchler and Walker have a passion for craft beer, they hired Andy Pearsall to be head brewer, who has experience in Kansas City and at Show-Me Brewing.
With more than a dozen beers, they have everything from a fabulous Saison to a satisfying porter. But this time of year, the Shock & Ahhh coffee stout is a standout.
This stout is made with coffee beans from Copper Canyon Coffee Roasters in Battlefield. They also use this stout to craft a delectable cocktail dubbed “The Night Owl.” It combines stout, cold brew coffee, a shot of mocha and a splash of cream.
This stout pairs with chocolate chip cookies.
Wire Road Brewing Co. is fun because it honors local history. The brewery is located on what used to be a trail used by the Osage Nation. In 1858, it became part of the Butterfield Overland Mail route. In the 1860s, telegraph lines were laid along the route, but as those were eventually abandoned, locals dubbed the area “old wire road.”
Several of their beers are named for the history of linemen that laid the lines to a popular tavern at the time.
Where to find it: Wire Road Brewing Co., 4453 S. Timbercreek Ave., Battlefield.
Online: https://wireroadbrewing.com/
Copper Run Distillery's gold rum or small batch whiskey
When Copper Run Distillery opened in 2009, it was the first distillery in the region since Prohibition.
The distillery’s portfolio includes bourbon, small-batch whiskey, rum, and moonshine, so there are lots of sipping options.
It was founded by Jim Blansit in Walnut Shade and gained a following. When Blansit wanted to sell, it was one of his customers who decided to buy the business.
Customer Keith Hock bought Copper Run with Jason Iacobucci. The new owners decided to move the distillery to Branson West to grow the business. The new space opened in April has more room to distill and is dedicated to educating people about the spirits.
There are a variety of moonshines, but the gold rum and the small batch whiskey are delicious.
The whiskey is aged in charred white oak barrels made in the Ozarks. The whiskey has notes of toasted oak and hints of vanilla, caramel, toffee and burned marshmallow. Drink it neat, if that’s your style.
The gold rum is made from blackstrap molasses; it’s smooth and delicious with hints of raisin. Although many sip it plain, it’s a nice addition to eggnog. The moonshine is also a good swap for vodka in a Bloody Mary.
Where to find it: You can find Copper Run products at MamaJeans on East Sunshine (limited inventory, call ahead); Macadoodles on Independence (limited inventory, call ahead); Copper Run Distillery,14720 Business 13, Branson West (plenty of inventory).
Online: https://copperrundistillery.com/
