Inspired Alcohol with Amazing Tastes – Crater Lake and Miami Arak

Nov 7, 2021 by Chef David

By Chef David

The evolution and sophistication of alcohol have begun to influence kosher foodies. Patrons have moved from selecting between a bottle of wine or a beer with dinner to menus full of mixed alcoholic beverages with exotic names served in fancy glasses.  For those who were raised on the Kiddish Club, having a shot with a piece of herring after davening, liquor has been elevated to a new level of sophistication. What is even more exciting is the explosion of kosher alcoholic beverages, introducing new selections, flavors, and a wealth of choices, including Crater Lake, certified kosher through Oregon Kosher, and Miami Arak certified by star K. The kosher world may appear fickle, we accept unflavored vodka or scotch whisky but infusing spirits with flavor changes everything. These brands are pioneers, leading our palates into exciting taste adventures.  

The Crater Lake Difference

Crater Lake offers a wide variety of products and flavors. Although not all Crater Lake brands are sold on the East Coast, I have sampled several infused vodkas including Pepper, Sweet Ginger, Hazelnut Espresso, and Northwest Berry, and tried their Prohibition Gin. Just their names should give you an idea that this is not your standard brand, these flavors explode. Add a shot of Pepper Vodka to Tomato Juice and voila you have a taste profile similar to a basic Bloody Mary or add a shot of Hazelnut Espresso to a hot chocolate or coffee. These distinctive flavors make anyone a master at mixology.

Crater Lake credits its distinctive taste to the water which flows from the Cascade Mountains of Oregon where pure water from melting snow that flows through porous lava rock. Crater Lake emulates this natural process by filtering their vodka ten times through charcoal and crushed lava rock.  

Who are they?

Crater Lake has been in business since 1996, a small batch brewery fueling the craft cocktail revolution with their infused vodkas. Based in Oregon in 2010 they moved from Bend to a 24-acre farm property in Tumalo, Oregon which has a tasting room with tours seven days a week. According to Alan Dietrich, President Bendistillery, Inc. producers of Crater Lakes, they offer 13 kosher products in the Crater Lake line that include 2 gins, 4 whiskies, 2 straight vodkas, and 5 flavored vodkas.  What a wealth of choices!

Quality and Taste

Crater Lake is a craft spirit, with high proof and a clean taste which some attribute to the spring water and the filtering. Prohibition Gin is a single botanical gin created in the image of the American gins from the prohibition era, weighing in at 95 proof (47.5% alcohol). The Vodka ranges from 80 proof for original gluten-free and Pepper to the 50 proof Hazelnut Espresso. Yet it is not the spirits that impressed me, rather is the variety of untraditional flavors. This vodka boasts no artificial flavors or sweeteners, presenting a beverage smooth enough to drink straight (I keep my bottles in the freezer to create a chill without ice) with a vibrant flavor suitable to create a cocktail simply by adding a splash of juice.

I recommend taking a chance on this lesser-known brand, which provides an incredible range of tastes. Not a vodka fan? try the gin, it is delightful as a gin-and-tonic. But we partially liked the hazelnut vodka. It was great for sipping even straight. 

Crater Lake Recipe – The Madras

Combine 2 ounces of Crater Lake Vodka with 2 ounces of Cranberry Juice and 1 ounce of Orange Juice, shake, strain over ice, and serve.

Then, just for fun try it again using Sweet Ginger Vodka or Pepper Vodka

Introduction to Arak

Arak is known for its distinctive taste of licorice. This clear anise-flavored liquor may be the oldest flavored spirit ever made. It originated in the Middle East, where it is sipped before, after, and during meals. Arak turns cloudy when mixed with water, earning this beverage the nickname “the milk of lions” is notable for being deceptively potent ranging from 80 – 126 proof. 

Interestingly, arak should be poured over ice, never the other way around, which can result in the anise oils solidifying and creating a film. 

Miami Arak Brings a New Dimension to Taste

Until now, I would have considered arak to be an acquired taste.  Miami Arak transformed the taste of arak elevating this Mediterranean classic by creating a fun, sweet, lower alcoholic variation, a brand inspired by the ‘vibrant pop culture, art deco, and immersive music scene of Miami’. This transformation changes the flavor profile, from licorice into it a sweet alcoholic drink which will be a winner in the United States market and a welcome change for kosher consumers.  

I tasted the Toasted Marshmallow and Lichee (both 32 proof). They are sweet with an amazing authentic aroma. We preferred the Lichee, a distinctive flavor great for holiday drinks with friends. Other Miami Arak flavors include Bubble Gum, Espresso, and Lemon Lime, they also produce a hard seltzer in novel flavors including Ripe Grapefruit, Juicy Mango, Fresh Pineapple Coconut and Sweet Watermelon. 

The Miami Arak story

Produced in a locally owned Miami distillery using imported grapes and aniseed. Miami Arak uses the old-world formula for crafting small batches of arak infused with flavor.  To quote Ofir Badash, one of MiamiArak’s founders and CEO, ‘MiamiArak has built a new category for flavored arak that brings everyone to the table. It brings together the unique flavors of arak in a way every palate can enjoy.’  A fresh flavor for a mild pleasant drink. Miami Arak Original brand at 80 proof offers consumers their traditional arak. 

Light Up Your Holiday with Flavor

These brands are introducing new flavors to the kosher community, expanding the taste profiles of traditional liquors to a palate of softer, pleasing tastes.  These are not your grandfather’s liquor. Now the kosher world has new options with Crater Lake and Miami Arak and from our previous review Rootstock Cider & Spirits.