This weeks Friday Links include some follow up to our Five Wives post, Beam finalizing the purchase of the Pinnacle vodka brand, an odd cocktail (with a not-so-odd infusion you might also like), and Seattle’s new liquor laws.

Five Wives Follow Up

On our last report, Five Wives was contemplating a First Amendment law suit. Since then, Boise Weekly reports that the Idaho State Liquor Division would be willing to reconsider their decision through an appeals process. Five Wives is actually getting more popular, though, after the rejection became big news. Fox 13 in Salt Lake City is reporting that Five Wives has seen thousands of dollars in shirt sales as well as Idahoans traveling to their store in Tremonton, Utah just to pick up a bottle.

Breaking news on Thursday indicates that the entire debacle has come to an end.  ABC reports that George Washington University professor Jonathan Turley threatened to sue on behalf of Ogden’s Own Distillery because it was “unconstitutional” and, within hours, Idaho lifted the ban to avoid the suit.  I’m still not convinced this is a First Amendment issue, but I’m not a lawyer.

Idaho also issued an apology for any comments that may have lead consumers to believe Five Wives Vodka was an inferior product.

Pinnacle is Now a Beam Brand

Back in April, Beam got to work on a big purchase. This month, Beam has finally completed the $605 million acquisition of Pinnacle Vodka and Calico Jack Rum from White Rock Distilleries. Looks like I need to update the database!

An Odd Cocktail

BuzzFeed contributor Jenni Avins posted a very odd “lemonade” cocktail for your next cookout.  It’s one of those that you need to make the night before to let the ingredients combine properly.  What ingredients?  How about lemons, sugar, milk, seltzer, and vodka.  Check out the Betty’s Lemonade Recipe for more details.

If you want something more traditional, try strawberry infused vodka.

Seattle Vodka Isn’t What It Seems

In Seattle, WA, a bill was recently passed to end the prohibition-era government monopoly of liquor sales.  This would normally sound like an all around good thing, but it came with some additional taxes to make up for the sales the government would lose.  Apparently, though, the taxes are added at the register and aren’t included in the sticker price.  The tax is convoluted enough that I don’t care to decode it.  Here’s a quote from Seattle Times to help:

After reading an explanatory sign posted nearby, he figured he’d have to pay an additional $12 at checkout — $5.94 for Washington’s 20.5 percent spirits sales tax and $6.60 for a liter tax.

So, Seattle readers, be wary when you’re buying outside of a state-run store.