Oregon is home to an array of unique, artisan products and Portland Syrups is another one to add to your list to try. With flavors like mango habanero, citrus passion, rose cordial, marionberry and 14 other complex-tasting, flavored syrups that can be used as mixers to make cocktails or mocktails.
Dan McLaughlin, founder and CEO of Portland Syrups, started brewing and bottling syrups in 2013 as Portland Soda Works. He said it began as a way for him and former business partner Chris Onstad to enjoy drinks without alcohol. Both had quit drinking years prior.
“We wanted to create things for everybody, that people who were sober could try and people that just wanted a good cocktail could have. So everybody had the same drinks,” McLaughlin said.
The syrups are made from whole ingredients, something McLaughlin said is key to the syrup’s fresh taste. Pounds of peppers, fruit purees, herbs and spices are placed into brew bags to steep in giant stainless steel kettles. Once the brew reaches the right temperature, cane sugar is added to the mixture.
The syrup is never made with sugar substitutes like stevia or erythritol to stick to the nature of a clean label product. Clean label means foods made free from artificial additives or preservatives. When Portland Syrups started, McLaughlin didn’t know about the clean label movement.
“We just wanted to put good ingredients into our products,” McLaughlin said. “I just don’t want to consume anything that I don’t understand.”
Portland Syrups can be found in bars and restaurants all around Portland such as Freeland Spirits, the Cavern, Farmhouse Kitchen, and Kenny and Zukes just to name a few. The syrups can also be found at stores such as New Seasons, Kitchen Kaboodle and Market of Choice. Or visit the Portland Syrup Mocktail shop attached to the syrup brewery at 2025 SE 11th Avenue.
– MJ Johnson
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