Recipes from Virginia Distilleries
With a distilling tradition spanning over four centuries, Virginia is recognized as the birthplace of American spirits. In 1620, George Thorpe, a colonist at Berkeley Plantation along the James River, distilled the first batch of American corn whiskey, referred to as “corn beere” and considered an ancestor of bourbon.
After his presidency, George Washington operated the largest rye whiskey distillery in America at Mount Vernon, producing up to 11,000 gallons annually by 1799. Today, Virginia is home to nearly 60 distilleries producing a wide array of spirits, including whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, rum, moonshine, and liqueurs.
Here’s a sampling of just a few of those Virginia distilleries, each of whom have provided a summer cocktail recipe that features some of their
signature spirits.
A. Smith Bowman
Fredericksburg
In 1927, before establishing Virginia’s oldest continuously operating distillery, A. Smith Bowman purchased a 7,200-acre farm in Fairfax County to open a dairy and granary. He needed a use for his excess grain, so, in 1934, Bowman built a distillery and produced the first ever batch of Virginia Gentleman. Up until the 1950s, the distillery was the sole producer of legal whiskey in Virginia. Today, the historic family-owned distillery has relocated to Fredericksburg. In 2016 and 2017, A. Smith Bowman Distillery won the “World’s Best Bourbon” at the World Whiskies Awards.
CLASSIC WHISKEY SOUR
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
3/4 oz. lemon Juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
Lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
Grab your tools: Shaker tin set, rocks glass, cocktail strainer, cocktail jigger, y-peeler.
Pour bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker.
Add ice, shake for 8 to 10 seconds to dilute and chill the mixture.
Add more ice to rocks glass and, using the strainer, pour the mixture into the glass.
Pinch the rind of the lemon (shiny side) about a glass’ height over the glass to catch excess oils for scent. Twist the lemon rind and add as a garnish.
John J. Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Single Barrel
This bourbon commemorates the great, great uncle of Abram S. Bowman, who founded A. Smith Bowman Distillery. The oldest barrels in the warehouse are selected to produce a single barrel bourbon with hints of toffee, leather, figs, and almonds. John. J. Bowman was awarded World’s Best Bourbon in 2017.
Belmont Farm
Culpeper
The family-owned Belmont Farm Distillery produces whiskey the traditional way, using a solid copper pot still built in 1933. Unlike mass-market distilleries that rely on column stills, Belmont preserves the slow, hands-on method that enhances flavor and aroma. The farm grows its own corn, prepares the mash using a family recipe, and ferments it in copper tanks before triple distillation. This dedication yields two signature spirits: Virginia Lightning Corn Whiskey and Kopper Kettle Virginia Whiskey, both preserving a national tradition of copper pot-still fresh whiskey.
The Meadow
INGREDIENTS
2 oz American Single Malt Whiskey
1 oz triple sec
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes of bitters
Strawberries and fresh mint
INSTRUCTIONS
Muddle strawberries and mint in glass.
Add ice and all ingredients.
Top with Ginger Ale
AMERICAN SINGLE MALT
This whiskey is crafted from 100% malted barley and triple distilled in a 3,000-gallon copper pot still, highlighting its distinct character. Produced entirely on-site from distillation to aging in new American oak barrels for three years, it is bottled at 86 proof using mineral water from the farm.
Virginia Distillery Co.
Lovingston
Virginia Distillery Co. is America’s most awarded single malt producer. Founded by the late George G. Moore in 2011 with a vision to set new standards for American whisky, it’s now led by his wife, Angela, and son, Gareth. The distillery handles every step in-house—from distillation to bottling—and is the largest independently owned American Single Malt maker. Renowned as the most-awarded single malt whisky distillery in the United States, it crafts its spirits from 100% malted barley and pure mountain spring water, using traditional copper pot stills imported from Scotland.
SPICED CITRUS HIGHBALL
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish
2 blood oranges
¼ oz honey
¼ tsp. Garam Masala spice blend
Club soda
Fresh rosemary
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut oranges in half. Set aside one half and juice the remaining oranges.
Slice up the half orange, reserving one wheel for garnish and placing the remaining slices in shaker tin with a few rosemary sprigs.
Gently muddle orange slices and herbs until fragrant.
Add 2 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice, whisky, honey and Garam Masala. Top with ice and shake well.
Strain into highball glass over fresh ice and top with club soda.
Garnish with an orange wheel and rosemary sprig.
BLUE RIDGE
Blue Ridge Select Toasted Oak Finish American Single Malt Whisky was crafted to honor the Blue Ridge Mountains. Made from 100% malted barley and aged in first-fill bourbon barrels from Kentucky distilleries before finishing in virgin toasted oak barrels from the mountains of Virginia, this 93-proof whisky offers notes of honeysuckle, baked apples, and spice.