2023-12-08 07:59:24
Distilleries
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company – Loudoun’s first distillery since Prohibition when it opened in Purcellville in 2009 – produces hand-crafted 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 in post-Prohibition America. Distiller Peter Ahlf, a former NASA rocket 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, tequila and cassis. Flying Ace Distillery & Brewery on a farm near Lovettsville makes a cask-strength Blended Bourbon that has hints of honey and spice. Its versatile Silver Rum is great in cocktails and the White Dog whiskey is made with heirloom corn farmed on premises.
Cideries
Hard on the heels of Loudoun’s craft beer revolution comes a raft of craft cideries making sweet flavor out of Virginia apples. Cool-fermented with a variety of heritage fruit, Loudoun ciders are dry and crisp with an effervescent, never-sweet finish. What to try? Loudoun Cider House in Leesburg handcrafts small batch ciders full of flavor and personality; Henway Hard Cider in Bluemont mixes plums, cherries, raspberries and strawberries into the apple foundation of some of its drinks; Corcoran Vineyards & Cidery in Waterford makes only gluten- free cider, including a popular Popo Peach, blending apples and peaches. Wild Hare Cider, based in Middleburg and Leesburg, dry ages cider for a year.
Meaderies
Stonehouse Meadery in Purcellville and Capital Hive Meadery in Leesburg channel the 10,000-year-old tradition of fermenting honey with water to create a semi-sweet, flavorful low-alcohol content beverage. Each location innovates by harvesting local organic honey or adding intriguing flavors such as ginger, elderberry, raspberries, blueberries and other fruits. What to try? Capital Hive’s unique blueberry pancake flavored tipple.
Bluewater Cocina, Middleburg
This taco joint makes three craft margaritas with Lunazul Blanco or Milagro tequila.
Try: The Fresca Margarita
Night Shift, Leesburg
This cozy garret
above SideBar in downtown Leesburg
is a Shangri La for
cocktail purists.
Try: House Tom Collins
Nectar Cocktail Bar, Sterling
In eastern Loudoun, this craft-focused cocktail bar has an ever-changing menu and uses fresh, cold-pressed juices in its drinks.
Try: Bold & Brave
Bia Kitchen, Purcellville
Discover a classic New York-style lounge bar in the eclectic restaurant of Irish chef Shane O'Connor.
Try: Old Fashioned
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Spirited Sips
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