Drink Green: 8 Sustainable Spirits for Eco-Friendly Cocktails

by Robin Shreeves on Apr 21, 2014 in Liquor
Drink Green: 8 Sustainable Spirits for Eco-Friendly Cocktails

You’re an avid recycler. You remember to turn out the lights when you leave a room, and all of those lights have CFL bulbs in them. There’s beer in the fridge from a great local craft brewery that has solar panels on the roof. But what about your liquor cabinet? Have you considered using sustainable spirits for your martini?

U.S. distillers make some first-rate sustainable alcohols. Here’s a short list — a pick of the sustainable spirits crop of eco-friendly vodka, gin, whiskey and others.

Bluecoat American Gin: Distilled in Philadelphia, this gin is perfect for a classic martinis, gimlets, or Tom Collins. Bluecoat has been praised by GQ, The New York Times, Food & Wine and others for its perfect slight burn and smooth finish. It’s also been  praised by sustainable foodies because it has no additives and uses all-natural, organic botanicals.

VeeV: Made from Brazilian Rainforest Acai berries and other 100% natural ingredients, this drink is made in Los Angeles at a distillery run with 100% renewable energy. VeeV is a one-of-a-kind spirit with a fruity flavor, and it works great as a mixer. It’s the world’s first carbon-neutral spirit, and VeeV donates 1% of its profits to sustainable rainforest preservation.

Blue Ice Organic American Wheat Vodka: Handcrafted in Idaho with USDA certified organic wheat and wheat neutral spirits, Blue Ice is clean with a nice spiciness but not too much of a burn. Who’d have guessed Idaho was producing such a great vodka?

WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey: Wine Enthusiast gave this 100 proof and 100% rye spirit its highest rating ever for a whiskey. The whiskey comes from the WhistlePig Farm in Vermont, a certified organic facility that is in the process of being restored to the type of farm it was back in the 1790s.

Organic Nation Vodka: From Oregon, this vodka is distilled from organic rye, wheat and corn. It’s certified by Oregon Tilth, a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture. Smooth and drinkable on it’s own or in a vodka martini, it also works well as a mixer in fruity cocktails.

Peak Spirits CapRock Organic Gin: Organic Jonathon and Braeburn apples from local farms along with 12 different organic botanicals are the key to this gin made in Colorado. The water used in this peppery and floral gin comes straight from a clean, naturally-filtered, high altitude water source.

Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye: Loudon County, Virginia is well known as wine country, but it’s also home to the award winning USDA certified organic (and kosher) Roundstone Rye. Woody and caramel-y, this rye whiskey works as a mixer or the spirit can be enjoyed on the rocks or neat.

Art in the Age Sage: From a Philadelphia company that specializes in producing colonial-inspired spirits, Sage is a “garden gin” that uses some of the same botanicals that would have been found in Thomas Jefferson’s gardens at Monticello. The organic botanicals include thyme, rosemary, lavender, fennel, and sage. The botanicals are subtle, and the libation is warm, dry, and has a lovely slight burn on its way down.

There are certainly several other sustainable spirits could land on this list. What’s your favorite green drink?


Tags: Cocktails, Spirits, Whiskey
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Baltimore's Coolest Rooftop Bars for Summer Drinking

Baltimore's Coolest Rooftop Bars for Summer Drinking

Whether it's on warm summer nights or with the briskness of spring and fall evenings, drinking is often at its best when it's al fresco. ...read more ›

by Jennifer Waldera Jul 31, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Where to Drink Outside in Baltimore During Summer 2019

Where to Drink Outside in Baltimore During Summer 2019

Whether it's on the waterfront with seafood and crushes or on a dog-friendly deck with whiskey, outdoor drinking is a staple in this city....read more ›

by Jennifer Waldera May 14, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close