Mari Jane: Summer Cocktail Week 15 (Anonymous Contributors)

Anyone who knows someone from Eugene probably thinks 1 of 2 things: (1) You must be a Duck fan! or (2) You must be a stoned Duck fan!  True, Eugene is known as a haven for Deadheads, hippies and a generally laid-back culture, perhaps due to the fact that in 1972, the State of Oregon was the first state in the United States to pass cannabis decriminalization legislation.  If you live in Eugene, you essentially fall into 1 of 3 categories: you carry a Medicinal Marijuana card, are licensed to grow for a dispensary, or have a friend who does at least one of those.  For those who have smoked and eaten their fair share of ganja, infusing for a beverage remains the final weed frontier.  Needless to say, our Tribute to Our City Week is as much about the beverage as it is the theme-related munchies food pairings.

My BFF was kind enough to contribute to our summer's blogging activities by infusing a 1/4 oz of home-grown bud into 10 oz vodka.  Since Oregon also gets credit for developing the blackberry's cousin, Marionberry, we also infused a pint of these into 8 oz vodka (note: in a blackberry vs marionberry infusion taste test, the marionberry was sweeter and much tastier and, like our previous strawberry infusion, was delicious enough to enjoy as a sipping treat).  Unsure of the potency or resulting effects, we rolling this week's recipe using tsp and Tbs.  We've also included a bonus cocktail in case you don't live in Eugene.  :-)

Mari Jane

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp MaryJane Infusion
1 Tbs Marionberry Infusion
1/2 Tbs Black Raspberry Soda (used HOTLIPS Soda from Portland)
1/2 tsp Kraken
1 drop Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters

Shake with ice and serve in aperitif glassware.

Meri Kraken Berry

Ingredients (makes 2-4 drinks):
3/4 cup Peach-Infused Dark Rum
2 oz Marionberry-Infused Vodka
2 oz Kraken Black Spiced Rum
1 oz Patron Orange Liquor
6 oz Americana Black Cherry Soda

Puree in a blender with the peaches from infusion.  Add ice and blend until crushed.

Locally Made Munchies
Chinook Salmon (Oregon)
Tillamook Cheese (Tillamook on the coast)
Kettle Brand Chips (Salem)
Hazelnut Hummus (Eugene)
Marionberry Coated Hazelnuts (Aurora)
Dagoba Organic Chocolates (Ashland)

Theme-Related Munchies
Stoned Wheat Thins
Garden Herb Triscuits
Rainbow Mini Bell Peppers (b/c every munchie fest needs something "healthy")

Song Pairing
'Allison' by Frank Black of The Pixies (who spends much time in Eugene)
'Hey Eugene' by Pink Martini (a Portland-based orchestral and concert group--think Arcade Fire meets PDX Cello Project)