It has become a holiday tradition. My December post with a half dozen or so ways to drink local this holiday season and on into the new year as well.
Check out my Drink Local posts from years and holiday seasons past here and here.
This segment first aired on WCNC’s Charlotte Today on Dec 3, 2019 and then was rebroadcast on Friday Dec 27. In case you missed it – here is the video. Then, all the details follow. Stay tuned for a follow up post the weekend before the new year with recipes featuring each of these wonderful ways to Drink Local
Drink Local with these Seasonal Sippers
Meanwhile here is a taste of all we’ll be shakin’ and stirrin’ up for this holiday season!
Drink Local with Chemist Spirits | Asheville NC

Chemist Spirits from Asheville NC are the creators of this hand-crafted Gin and barrel-rested gin, available as are all of today’s local spirits in ABC stores across the state. They also craft a delightful eau de vie available for purchase at the distillery. The gin is vapor distilled with NC juniper and botanicals. You may remember that Chemist is the winner of the 2019 NCRLA Distillery of the Year. While Mixologist Jonny Burritt, formally of The Antidote, crafted a delicious cocktail with Chemist gin that helped him grab NCRLA Mixologist of the Year honors. Chemist is located at 151 Coxe Road, Asheville NC. Go to visit for Distillery tours and tastings .
Bringing Home the Gold
Also, since this original post – congratulations for Chemist Gin are in order. Both of these local North Carolina gins just came home with the gold after competing in the international Women Wine and Spirits Awards in London! Chemist’s American Traditional Gin
was awarded a DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL, And,
The American Barrel Rested Gin Came home with a
GOLD MEDAL from the same prestigious event. Learn more at ChemistSpirits.com
Drink Local with Fainting Goat Spirits | Greensboro NC

Fainting Goat Spirits from Greensboro, NC is located at 115 West Lewis Street, Greensboro, NC. The distillery is family owned and they are the Artisan makers of Vodka, Whiskey, Rye and Gin.
These local grain to glass spirits start with NC soft red wheat, corn and rye from a farm in Marshville, NC.
Book tastings and distillery tours and find out more at faintinggoatspirits.com
Drink Local with TOPO Organic Spirits | Chapel Hill, NC

TOPO Spirits is a USDA certified organic distillery in Chapel Hill. NC. Tucked away and around the corner at 505-C West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC.
I’ve written about TOPO many times before but now with a new spiced rum in their line up and some other suprizes as well (see below) it was time for a revisit.
TOPO’s artisan vodka, gin, whiskey, aged whisky and rum are all made from organic NC white winter wheat and US sugarcane.

And, just in time for holiday gift giving, TOPO also has a new line of USDA certified organic bitters on the market as well. You can order the bitters directly from the distillery.
Buy bitters, book a distillery tour or tasting and learn more at TOPODistillery.com
Drink Local with Red Clay Ciderworks | Charlotte NC

Red Clay Ciderworks, Charlotte’s First Cidery and the 4th or 5th cidery in NC is located at 245 Clanton Road RedClayCiderworks.com
The cidery is family owned and operated and their standard and seasonal ciders are predominantly crafted from NC apples. And, its all naturally Gluten Free.

Visit the tap room to enjoy a flight or a pint of your favorite.
Take Red Clay home in cans or growlers and enjoy all year round. The cidery has food on site and they also sell wine as well as local beers and local soft drinks.
Stir it in and Drink Local with Peggy Rose’s | Wake Forest, NC

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Peggy Rose! This family run business is still run under the watchful eye of the woman who started the phenomena. The company crafts artisanal jelly & condiments. Their home base is in Wake Forest N.C.
These jellies shortcut the steps of making your own simple syrups and are a delicious addition or flavor boost to any cocktail.
Add a Splash of Elderberry to your local Spirits with Norm’s Farms | Pittsboro, NC

Norms makes all things Elderberry – from jams and jellies to wellness syrups to help keep you healthy all the year round.
Lots to share about all the Norm’s Farms products as I have done before, but for this segment the focus is on Norm’s duo of cocktail syrups: Elderflower Syrup and Elderflower Ginger Syrup. You are going to love the taste this locally made syrups bring to your glass.
To order product, for recipes, elderberry wellness and growing tips visit NormsFarms.com
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