Sips of Summer

Onetime Larkspur resident and Trident regular Janis Joplin once sang about living easy in the “Summertime,” in direct contrast to Eddie Cochran’s lament in “Summertime Blues.” But Joplin also mentioned rich “daddies” and good-looking “mas,” so things might have been different back then.

If one remembers, Joplin’s famously psychedelic 1964 Porsche 356C Cabriolet, which she drove in the Bay Area and Southern California, was painted by East Totem West “a hippie company” based in Marin County. And if you don’t remember that, then you probably were here during the ‘60s!

But Joplin liked her whiskey and the blues, so what could be more Marin County summertime than combining both of those and throwing in a nonalcoholic refresher along with them, because why not?

In honor of Joplin and summertime in Marin, here are some new spirits or spirit-adjacent offerings from some of our local companies. The Porsches, blues and psychedelia are all up to you.

• Hanson of Sonoma’s Blue Cucumber Vodka, 80 proof, $40

If you’ve got the “summertime blues,” this just might be the perfect antidote. Hanson of Sonoma takes their crisp, fresh, original and organic cucumber vodka and adds a touch of pea flower, creating a verdant blue adaptation. Technically it’s actually cucumber-mint, but the mint really acts as a support rather than a primary flavor, and if it wasn’t an organic product, the mint probably wouldn’t even be listed. But since organic liquor is the only liquor that needs to list all of its ingredients on the label, here we are. Refreshing, vibrant and blue, Hanson of Sonoma’s Blue Cucumber Vodka might just make for the most perfect summer vodka tonic. Ain’t no cure for the summertime blues? I don’t think so. It’s only available at its distillery in Sonoma County or tasting room in Sausalito, so get it before it’s gone. Did I mention it’s blue!

For more information, go to hansonofsonoma.com.

• Alamere Spirits’ Single Barrel Blue Corn Bourbon, 92 proof, $45

This is a brand-new offering from Alamere Spirits, the Novato-based producer of two excellent gins and three different French wheat vodkas. Rome was not built in a day, and unlike vodka or gin, neither is bourbon — OK, maybe a couple of days for vodka or gin — but this 6-year-old product is proof that older might be better or at least tastier. Seventy percent heirloom corn — technically bourbon only needs to be 51% corn — and 30% barley give this whiskey a decidedly different edge. Often bourbon uses rye or wheat or both to more or less mask the flavor of the corn. But why not just use better corn instead? Voila! It’s smooth on the palate like a premium blended Scotch — that’s the malted barley — but rich and robust with an edge, thanks to the corn, proof and the six years in Char 3 new American oak barrels.

Alamere Spirits says it’s best served neat, or with ice, “if you must,” and I might just agree. But if you want to simply try it — neat or in a cocktail — hop on the new Sausalito Whiskey Trail app and swing by Suzette Café and Bistro in Sausalito — yes, they have a full liquor license — and judge for yourself.

Or jump in with both feet and purchase at alamerespirits.com.

• King Floyd’s Bar Provisions’ Bitters and Soda ready-to-drink options, nonalcoholic, four 12-ounce cans, $11.99

King Floyd’s has recently released two ready-to-drink canned offerings.

One uses King Floyd’s classic aromatic bitters: gentian, black walnut and elderberry, combining it with carbonated water. Bitters have long been thought to aid in digestion, and in combination with soda water, it certainly seems to have that effect. No sugar is listed at all. None.

The other offering is a wonderfully satisfying combination of King Floyd’s ginger bitters and soda water. Think of a much less sweet ginger ale or a much less aggressive ginger beer. The bite is there, and so is the flavor, but without all the sugar. Technically, it’s sweetened with honey (a “touch”), but so little it doesn’t even measure on the label. In an era where premium soda drinks can sometimes top out at 30 grams of sugar (in 12 ounces), that’s refreshing!

King Floyd’s has recently moved operations to Point Reyes, where they now occupy the old Point Reyes Winery building (not the tasting room, but the actual winery up on the hill). And sure, a move might be an excuse to slack off, but apparently not at King Floyd’s. And we are grateful for that, as well as hydrated.

For more information or to purchase, go to kingfloyds.com.