Celebrating Earth Day in the Bar

Every year the relationship between the bar and Earth Day grows. From organic spirits to bar cocktails that plant a tree, there is a lot that we can all do for the earth while enjoying our favorite libations.

To start, you can check out my tips for making your own bar a bit more eco-friendly or maybe start your own bartender's garden. There are also many great "earthy cocktails" for you to enjoy at home like the Planetary Punch or Global Warmer, or any of the herbal libations from Humberto Marques. When stocking your bar for those drinks, think about buying fresh produce (hopefully locally grown), which reduces packaging waste or an eco spirit that gives back to the environment. Tru Organic Spirits is a great example and recently had a study done to pinpoint their exact carbon footprint, which is an amazing -760 due in part to their recycled packaging and low emission production, but also to the 50,000+ trees they have planted so far through their one tree per bottle program (read more on their website).

Another way to celebrate Earth Day is to get out on the town (walking, biking or using public transport, of course) and find a bar with a drink that does something good for nature. There are many options for this and one that is hitting the a great number of the U.S.'s hotspots is Veev's Treetini campaign. For this, 23 bars all over the country are offering their signature version of a "Treetini" during all of April and for every cocktail ordered, Veev Acai Spirit is planting a tree in deforested areas of India.

Here is the Treetini that will be at Uncommon Ground in Chicago:

• 2 ounces Veev Açaí Spirit
• 2 ounces housemade honey-ginger liqueur
• 1 ounce orange juice
• ½ ounce blood orange bitters
• Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Orange twist, for garnish

Shake all ingredients well with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the orange twist.

Efforts like this are popping up everywhere this month and are a small step in reversing the environmental impact we have on this planet. Yet, wouldn't it be nice if all of us, bartenders and spirit companies, drinkers and the general public could think that everyday is Earth Day and work on these steps 365 days a year?

Other Earth Day Events to Note:

• "Think Earth Drink Green" Tasting at the Chelsea Wine Vault in NYC - supports Million Trees NYC initiative
• Earth Day Dinner & Farm Tour at Quiessence in Phoenix
• 100% Organic Cocktails with Tru Organic Spirits at various NYC and LA bars
• Join a letter writing campaign with Green Drinks at the Severn Inn in Annapolis
• Check your local papers and blog-scenes for what's going on near you, these events are everywhere.

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