2021 Explore Loudoun Visitors Guide - 2021 Explore Loudoun Visitors Guide
Spirits, Ciders & Cocktails
2022-01-05 12:01:10
CATCH THE SPIRIT
Catoctin Creek Distillery – Loudoun’s first distillery since Prohibition when it opened in Purcellville in 2009 – produces hand-craft ed brandy, gin and award-winning organic rye sold in bars from Malibu to Manhattan. Enjoy flights and specialty cocktails in the tasting room, and take home bottles of the flagship Roundstone Rye.
Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery in Middleburg is on a quest to bring back “lost spirits” – liquors that fell out of fashion post-Prohibition. Distiller Peter Ahlf, a former NASA scientist, makes a superb 140% proof verte (green) Absinthe Supérieure based on a 19th century French recipe, and an 80% proof twice-distilled apple brandy aged in whiskey barrels. You’ll also find a Virginia bourbon, white rum, amaretto liqueur and cassis.
Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery on a farm near Lovettsville makes a cask-strength Blended Bourbon with hints of honey and spice. Its versatile Silver Rum is great in cocktails, and its White Dog whiskey is made with heirloom corn farmed on-site.
THE CRAFT CIDER SCENE
Hard on the heels of Loudoun’s craft beer revolution comes a raft of craft cideries turning sweet Loudoun apples into liquid gold. Cool-fermented with heritage fruit, Loudoun ciders are dry and crisp with an effervescent, never-sweet finish. What to try? Henway Hard Cider Company in Bluemont mixes plums, cherries, raspberries and strawberries into the apple foundation of some of their drinks. Corcoran Cidery in Waterford makes only gluten-free cider, including a popular Popo Peach blending Virginia apples and peaches. Wild Hare Cider, based in Middleburg and Leesburg, dry ages their cider for a year.
ORIGINAL COCKTAILS, DECONSTRUCTED
THE SETTLEMENT
Sidebar, Leesburg
Pineapple juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, vodka, peach schnapps and coconut rum. Shake with ice and serve in a Collins glass with a pineapple leaf garnish.
THE CHERRY & BLOOD
Tarbenders Lounge, Leesburg
Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, Cherry Heering, Carpano Antica and fresh squeezed orange juice served with a twist.
GRAPEFRUIT & BASIL MARTINI
Magnolias at the Mill, Purcellville
Two ounces of house-infused grapefruit vodka and fresh grapefruit juice muddled with basil from Walter’s Farm in Bluemont. Garnished with a basil leaf.
©Visit Loudoun. View All Articles.