When life gives you lemons (or excess amounts of non-consumable alcohol) make hand-sanitizer.
That’s the case for Candice and Miguel Kabantsov of Copper Spirit Distillery. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple has closed the distillery’s lounge (though they’ll continue to sell their vodka, gin and rye spirit by pick-up or delivery) but in every cloud, there’s a silver lining.
The off-cut, non-consumable alcohol of the distilling process is often considered waste, but in a pandemic, it’s gold for sanitizer-starved islanders.
From their distilled alcohol “waste,” the Kabantsovs will be providing denatured alcohol sanitizer to islanders by donation (there’s a limited amount) and Candice will be making hand sanitizer with aloe vera gel, almond oil and some essential oils. “We produce 90 to 95 per cent alcohol, which allows wiggle room for you to use aloe and dilute down,” she explained.
On Friday, March 20 and Saturday March 21 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. the Kabantsovs will offer one cup of 70 per cent alcohol sanitizer per household by donation. They ask that people provide their own spray bottles or jars. This will take place behind the lounge.
“It’s a first come first serve basis and we’ll try to accommodate as many people as possible,” said Candice.
“The hand sanitizer is in production soon and will be offered by donation as soon as possible. We will notify the community via facebook and Instagram @copperspirit,” she said.
