The most popular liquor in Florida is vodka, according to data analyzed by Google Trends searches. And, as it turns out, Florida is pretty good at making vodka, as well as other spirits like bourbon and rum. You can give locally-make spirits a shot by visiting the following St. Augustine distilleries.
St. Augustine Distilleries
1. St. Augustine Distillery
112 Riberia St., St. Augustine, Florida 32084
A visit to St. Augustine Distillery is pretty cool but, if you visited this same space back in 1907, it was outright cold. Formerly a power and ice complex, the restored facility now produces several spirits including bourbon, gin, rum, and vodka.
St. Augustine Distillery has quickly made a name for itself. Esquire praised this libation maker as having the Best Whiskey in the state of Florida. And USA Today ranked this it as the top ‘Craft Gin Distillery’ in the country.
Here Are Ways to Get a Taste of the St. Augustine Distillery.
- Self-Guided Tour: At your leisure, drink up informative exhibits including artifacts about Old Florida, the Prohibition era, and the evolution of distilling spirits. You’ll enjoy four cocktail samples. Reservations are not required. Self-guided tours may occur between 10:30am-5:30pm on any day of the week.
- Guided Tour. Led by certified bourbon stewards, ‘The Spirit of Florida Bourbon' is a one-hour interactive session focused on the history of bourbon, as well as insight into how St. Augustine Distillery came to be. Get a glimpse into the production process, followed by samples of spirits. This tour also highlights the company’s commitment to farm-to-table ingredients, sustainability, and community. Reservations required; cost: $35.
- Tasting Experience. Demonstrating how St. Augustine Distillery's spirits complement food, ‘The Perfect Pair Tasting Experience' session integrates savory and sweet elements. This 30-minute experience is priced under $18.
- DIY Bottle. The ‘Fill-Your-Own Bottling Experience' lets spirit enthusiasts get in on the action. This includes filling a bottle directly from the barrel, then hand corking, sealing and crafting a personalized label. This one has a $225 price tag.
- Cocktail Crafting. If you buy a bottle, you've got to learn what to do with it. So the one-hour ‘Cocktail Crafting Experience,' again led by certified stewards and skilled bartenders, will empower you to master drink making. This class is priced at $85.
The retail shop at St. Augustine Distillery is open from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week. Tours are dog-friendly. The self-guided tour is kid-friendly but, otherwise, all tours and experiences are 21+.
This historic building is also home to the Ice Plant Restaurant and Bar, which serves lunch, brunch, and dinner. Naturally, you can enjoy signature cocktails made with St. Augustine Distillery spirits, plus house-pressed juices and specially crafted syrups.
2. City Gates Spirits
11 St. George St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084
Merely steps from the Old City Gates, City Gates Spirits is situated in the heart of downtown just across from Castillo de San Marcos. City Gates Spirits self-describes its creations as “easy-drinking spirits,” specializing in moonshine, rum, vodka, and whiskey. Absolutely pop in for a free tasting!
Yes, right here in the Sunshine State, you can enjoy five flavors of locally-made moonshine. Moonshine flavors include Apple Pie, Cola, Orange n’ Cream, Sweet Tea, and White Lightning. Plus, City Gates Spirits also has its own line of mixers.
USA Today recently awarded City Gates Spirits the top spot on its 10 Best list of craft specialty spirits distilleries in the United States! And City Gates Spirits also has 5-stars on TripAdvisor.
3. Sailbird Distilling Company
228 W. King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084
Sailbird Distilling Company is a small-patch spirits producer, that specializes in gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, and liqueurs. Being small grants the opportunity for big-time exploration.
For Sailbird Distilling, that means experimenting with ingredients like Florida cane sugar, locally-grown citrus varieties, and coffee beans from St. Augustine’s Kookaburra Coffee Company. Definitely check out this unique operation with a tour and tasting.
Aside from selling their small-batch spirits, customers can invest in a full five-gallon barrel! Sailbird Distilling will store your barrel for up to two years.
More Rounds… at Jacksonville Distilleries
Just north of St. Augustine, craft spirit makers are also hard at work in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach. These Jacksonville distilleries are worth checking out.
- Burlock and Barrel
- Citrus Distillers
- Four Fathers Distillery
- Grey Matter Distillery
- Manifest Distilling
- Marlin & Barrel
- The Jack·Son·Tucky Distillery
FYI, the Florida Craft Spirits Association, led by the president of Manifest Distilling in Jacksonville, is working to enhance the distilling industry. You can now download the Florida Distillery Trail app. Please drink responsibly.
