8 D.C. Distilleries to Put You in Good Spirits
Spirits, whether you take yours neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, have always been part of the scene in D.C., and some might even go so far as to say that spirits help keep the wheels of Congress turning, but we’ll leave that to the pundits to decide. What is certain, however, is that the growing spirits industry in the DMV (what locals use to describe the tri-state area of the District, Maryland, and Virginia) makes it cooler and easier to drink what’s made in our own backyard, and it’s politically correct.
What’s weird is that despite the non-stop flow of booze that’s been the norm since America was founded, there weren’t any distilleries in the city for about 70 years, thanks to Prohibition. But all of that changed in 2013 when the Washington DC City Council passed a few laws that once again made it legal to distil spirits in the District of Columbia. And if you love cocktails, 2015 and 2016 kicked butt. Not just because cocktails took center stage and seasoned drinkers got the chance to throw back high caliber drinks, but because Washington, D.C.’s roster of local distilleries jumped to eight.
Here’s our guide to what’s available. Join us in raising a glass to 2017—who knows what’s in store.
1. Cotton & Reed
Bar, Market, American
3. Farmers & Distillers
Restaurant, American
4. Don Ciccio & Figli
In Italy, you can’t throw a rock (cocktail or otherwise) without hitting some really tasty eau de vie, liqueur, cordial, tonic, or distilled spirit. Limoncello is what actually turned Americans on to these versatile mixers, and that’s just the tip of what has been a centuries-old tradition. And now, D.C. has its own Italian expat producing exact replicas. Francesco Amodeo is the founder of Don Ciccio & Figli, and his spirits are based on old family recipes that are more than a hundred years old. His authentic range includes nut liqueurs, traditional aperitifs and intensely flavored spirits that are delicious on their own or in creative cocktails. Look for standouts like walnut, espresso, and fennel liqueurs, the Cinque Aperitivo, and the Amaro della Sirene.
Don Ciccio & Figli, 6031 Kansas Ave NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 957 7792
5. Jos. A. Magnus & Co
Bar, Cocktail Bar, American
Approximately 100 years later, Magnus’s great-grandson, Jimmy Turner, found an original bottle of Magnus’s Murray Hill Club Bourbon buried in his mother’s closet, tasted it, and immediately knew what he was meant to do. Over the next seven years, he experimented with recipes and bourbons to duplicate the smooth, flavorful bourbon he tasted that day, and in 2015, he opened his distillery, named in honor of his ancestor. Today, the distillery produces limited cases of Joseph Magnus Bourbon and Jos. A. Magnus & Co. Vigilant Gin.
6. New Columbia Distillers
If you want a quintessential D.C. story, you need to look no further than the story behind Green Hat Gin, which is distilled by New Columbia Distillers. According to local myths, during Prohibition, George Cassiday was THE bootlegger in charge of supplying members of the U.S. Congress with illegal hooch, and he earned a reputation for being a fixer. A flamboyant Irishman known for his sense of style and gift of the gab, Cassiday was easily recognizable by his green felt hat. During his daily rounds of both houses of Congress, he would discreetly take alcohol orders from Members who furtively referred to him as the “Man in the Green Hat.”
His illicit spirits sales eventually landed him in trouble with the law, but at New Columbia, John Uselton and Michael Lowe, the founders, pay homage to this local lore by naming their flagship gin as a nod to D.C.’s first spirits ambassador. Their range includes the original, Green Hat Gin, plus Navy Strength Gin, a spring/summer gin version that uses a mix of botanicals, florals, and citrus that complement sunny weather drinking, and a fall/winter version that’s warm and inviting. There is also a new release, Summer Cup, that’s based on an old British tradition that involves infusing Navy Strength Gin with lots of citrus fruit, cucumber, black, tea, verbena, lavender, and herbs and spices that are then combined with Capitoline White Vermouth and lightly sweetened.
New Columbia Distillers, 1832 Fenwick St NE, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 733 1710
7. One Eight Distilling
If you didn’t already know this, the United States’ Founding Fathers were serious imbibers of all sorts of potent potables from Madeira to rye whiskey, and when the folks at One Eight Distilling were just getting started, they wanted to celebrate George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the establishment of the nation’s capital. To do this, they chose to name the distillery One Eight Distilling, which takes its name from Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution, that Article that established Washington, D.C. as the nation’s capital. Whether you’d like gin, vodka, or whiskey, this distillery has a range of spirits that are excellent served neat or in cocktails.
One Eight Distilling, 1135 Okie St NE, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 636 6638
8. Republic Restoratives
Bar, Cocktail Bar, American
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.