Golden State Spirits: 5 Unique Cocktails from California Craft Distilleries

California isn’t just about wine—it’s home to some of the most exciting craft distilleries in the country. As a bartender based in the Golden State, I’m proud to showcase spirits that are distilled with intention, innovation, and serious flavor. Here are five custom cocktails using products from five standout California producers.

🍊 Golden Orchard Smash

Featuring: Patio29 Harmon's Hot Pix Orange Whiskey (Winters, CA)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Harmon's Hot Pix Orange Whiskey
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz honey syrup
• 2 orange slices
• Mint sprig

Instructions: Muddle orange slices and honey syrup. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice and garnish with mint. Bright, citrusy, and perfect for California sunshine.

🪵 Alpine Negroni

Featuring: Hinterhaus South Grove Gin (Northern California)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz South Grove Gin
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• 0.75 oz Suze
• Dash orange bitters
  

Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist. An alpine-style take on the Negroni with herbal depth and citrus lift.

🚀 Rocket Mule

Featuring: Rocket Vodka (Santa Cruz Mountains, CA)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Rocket Vodka
• 0.5 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz ginger syrup
• Top with soda water

Instructions: Build in a copper mug over ice. Stir gently and garnish with candied ginger and a lime wedge.
Clean and bold—Rocket Vodka makes this Moscow Mule soar.

☕ Cold Brew Boulevardier

Featuring: Griffo Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur (Petaluma, CA)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Griffo Cold Brew Liqueur
• 1 oz bourbon
• 0.75 oz sweet vermouth
• Dash of Angostura bitters
  
  

Instructions:  Stir all ingredients over ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
A riff on the classic Boulevardier, with added depth from Griffo’s rich cold brew.

🌴 Sunset Sail Daiquiri

Featuring: Drift Distillery Rum (Southern California)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Drift Rum
• 0.75 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz hibiscus syrup
• 2 dashes grapefruit bitters
  
  

Instructions: Shake with ice and fine strain into a coupe. Garnish with an edible flower or lime wheel.
Tart, floral, and evocative of warm California evenings.

💡 Why These Distilleries Matter

• Griffo Distillery (Petaluma): Known for innovation and precision distilling, they produce everything from espresso martinis to standout gins.

• Hinterhaus Distilling (Arnold): Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, they specialize in whiskeys and gins crafted with pristine mountain water.

• Drift Distillery (San Clemente): Family-owned, producing premium rum with a coastal spirit.

• Rocket Vodka (Santa Cruz): Apple-based vodka, small-batch distilled and ultra-smooth.

• Patio29 Spirits Co. (Winters): Creators of the fun and flavorful Harmon's Hot Pix series—California-born and proudly bold.

These local spirits are more than ingredients—they’re stories in a glass. Support California craft. Drink local. Mix creatively.