Hooray, it's National Cocktail Day. A day set aside for those of us who like to get fancy with our booze. Montana is filled with folks who like to drink. But, we need more than just cold beer and whisky. Let's class it up a little, with these easy Montana-inspired cocktails.

When you think of a Montana cocktail, you would picture someone putting a lime wedge on the tab of their Rainier can. But, we actually have some great drink ingredients that can only come from our region of the world. That's right, I'm talking about huckleberries and flathead cherries.

When the popular huckleberry vodka brand, 44 North, first launched, I was one of the first liquor reps to introduce it to the state. It is a premium vodka, made from Idaho potatoes and Montana huckleberries. All grown on the 44 north latitude. Since I was one of the first to try the vodka, I quickly tried to come up with cocktails featuring it. It didn't take long to come up with my two favorite recipes. Which also happen to be some of the easiest cocktails to make.

bon vivant via unsplash.com
bon vivant via unsplash.com
loading...

The Montana Mule

This one is for all of you Moscow mule fans. Just like the original Moscow mules, this cocktail needs to be made in a copper cup, to get the full experience.

  • A copper cup filled with ice
  • In a separate glass, muddle 1-2 tablespoons of huckleberries. (muddling basically means squishing all the berries in the bottom of a glass.)
  • add 1.5 oz of 44 North Huckleberry Vodka to muddled berries
  • Pour vodka/berries into the copper cup
  • Top with roughly 6oz of ginger beer (I like Cock N Bull ginger beer)
  • Squeeze a lime wedge and garnish with another wedge.
taylor simpson via unsplash.com
taylor simpson via unsplash.com
loading...

Mountain-Ade

This is the BEST spring/summer cocktail for thirsty Montanans. And it is so easy to make.

  • Choose a glass, depending on your level of thirst. Anything from crystal glassware to red Solo cups can work with this one.
  • Wipe a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass, and dip rim into sugar.
  • Add 1.5 oz of 44 North Huckleberry Vodka
  • Fill glass with lemonade.

Celebrate NATIONAL COCKTAIL DAY and try one of these Montana-made drinks for yourself.

20 Montana Distilleries You Have to Visit

The Montana distillery scene is certainly taking off, and with the access to local ingredients, you can feel good about supporting these establishments all across the state. Here are 20 distilleries that are worth a visit.

28 Missoula Businesses That Opened, Changed Ownership, or Changed Location

Yes, there were quite a few Missoula businesses that have closed in the last two years. But what about the Missoula Businesses that opened?

More From 96.3 The Blaze