We are all very aware of the well loved, super-food, quinoa, by now. How could you not be? It could nearly have it’s own section at a Whole Foods now and we certainly can’t eat at a trendy healthy restaurant without seeing it on the menu somewhere, if not in multiple places. I am personally a big fan of quinoa and it appears I am not alone! The United Nations actually declared 2013 the International Year of Quinoa. I love that! Quinoa is the mother of all grains and is an ancient power food used by Incan warriors 5000 years ago. The popularity of the seed, (which is commonly referred to as a grain) has grown exponentially over the past few years, I’ve seen it in everything from savory dishes, cookies, cakes, breads and now VODKA!! I mean really, does it really get any better than this?

Yup, it actually does. FAIR. Quinoa Vodka is an ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind spirit made with unique ingredients that is certified gluten-free and fair-trade, too!! FAIR.’s long list of boast-worthy qualities won me over, before I had ever even tasted it. Then, in a moment just like those in blockbuster chick-flicks, with a slow move in towards my lips, it was love at first sip! OK, who am I kidding, I am not that dainty, it was first a sip, then a good ‘ol fashioned vodka gulp. This stuff is really good, guys. It’s clean, smooth and fresh, no strange aftertaste like many vodkas can have. It’s full flavored while still being delicate with a slightly warm fruity finish. I have been loving it paired with a homemade coffee liqueur on the rocks, but it is also incredible in a simple dirty martini.

Think Human. Drink FAIR.

The organic quinoa in FAIR. Quinoa Vodka is sourced from over 1200 small independent quinoa farmers from Bolivia. Fair Trade certification guarantees that products are ethically sourced and a fair price is being paid to the producer of the product. If you aren’t yet aware of it, the Fair Trade certification is part of a global movement to alleviate poverty in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. FAIR. also guarantees a fair wage is paid to the workers and guarantees higher margins to the producers, donating the 2.5% of its turnover to the financing of local development programs. All of this enables them to cover their production costs, live from farming, educate their children and build schools.

FAIR. has fully committed to creating high quality products that are sourced ethically and sustainably and they are actually the first brand of spirits resulting from fair trade production. I love all of this! So, while I am sipping away on a cocktail, I can actually feel like my drinking is benefitting someone else, for once.

FAIR. is a French company and was founded in 2009 by Alexandre Koiransky. FAIR. was created from the desire to combine, during a research period of 2 years, the French brewing and distilling know-how to the Bolivian ancestral quinoa seed production methods. As a result, the fruit of these efforts couldn’t help but give life to a very high quality spirit drink. FAIR. is driven by the belief that there is a link between the harmony of a kind collaboration and the taste qualities of the resulting product. I couldn’t agree with that thought more!

One of my very favorite ways to enjoy a great vodka is in a Moscow Mule, it’s one of my favorite cocktails because of both the warming spicy flavor from the ginger beer and the tart, bright freshness of the lime – but I am also a sucker for that copper mug! Today I am sharing FAIR.’s version of this classic cocktail, one of their favorite ways to enjoy their tasty Quinoa Vodka, the Fairly Modest Mule.

[print_this]Fairly Modest Mule

• 1 ¾ oz. FAIR. Quinoa Vodka
• 0.5 oz. lime juice
• Barritt’s Bermuda Ginger Beer (or other ginger beer of your choice)
• Lime wedge for garnish

Pour the vodka and lime juice into a copper mug filled with ice cubes. Top off with the ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.

*Cocktail recipe credit to Ginger M. Castrios, Cambridge Common, Boston MA [/print_this]

 

For more information about FAIR. Quinoa Vodka, visit their website.

FAIR Quinoa Vodka is available in:

• California
• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New York
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Wyoming

 

FAIR. Quinoa Vodka is 40% Alc./Vol (80 proof). It’s available in a 750ml. and has a MSRP of $29.99

 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by FAIR. . The opinions expressed herein are my own.