Hawaiians are celebrated for their innovative utilization of the islands’ rich agricultural resources, creating local beverages that honor and reflect the “aina” (land) of Hawaii. The landscape offers a plethora of ingredients for brewing beer, making wine, and distilling spirits, resulting in unique creations like coconut-infused porter, honey mead, and wines crafted from pineapples and volcanic grapes.

For those eager to explore Hawaiian alcoholic delights, there exists a variety of family-run establishments that offer educational and engaging tasting experiences. Here’s a curated guide to Hawaii’s vibrant craft beer, organic wine, and artisan spirits scene.

Kauai

• Kauai Beer Company: Located in Lihue, this brewery brews IPAs, German-style lagers, and an array of seasonal beers alongside a taproom menu with diverse food pairings. Visit at kauaibeer.com.
• Kaua’i Island Brewery & Grill: Nestled near Port Allen, this brewery is known for fresh seafood dishes and over a dozen beers on tap. More info at kauaiislandbrewing.com.
• Kōloa Rum Company: Made from pure sugar cane and rainwater, this rum is perfect for cocktails, with a tasting room at the historic Kilohana plantation. Details at koloarum.com.
• Nani Moon Meadery: Offers exotic honey wines in Kapa’a, featuring unique flavors like coffee-infused mead. Explore more at nanimoonmead.com.
• Hanalei Spirits Distillery: This distillery emphasizes local ingredients to craft rum, gin, and vodka, with tasting tours available. Check out hanaleispirits.com.

Maui

• Maui Brewing Company: As the largest craft brewer in Hawaii, its lineup includes the popular Bikini Blonde Lager and Coconut Hiwa Porter. Visit at mauibrewingco.com.
• Maui Aleworks: Known for rustic, farmhouse ales, this brewery offers an array of unique brews and is a recent addition to Maui’s beer scene. More at mahaloaleworks.com.
• Kohola Brewery: This brewery, in collaboration with Kona Brewing, features a range of ales and an on-site café serving local cuisine. Learn more at koholabrewery.com.
• Hali’imaile Distilling: Uses local pineapple to create premium spirits such as Pau Maui vodka and Paniolo Whiskey. Details at haliimailedistilling.com.
• MauiWine: Located on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, this winery is known for its pineapple wines and offers free tasting tours. Explore at mauiwine.com.
• Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery: Produces vodka using deep-ocean water and organic sugar cane, also providing tours of their sugar cane farm. Visit at oceanvodka.com.

Oahu

• Aloha Beer Company: Based in Honolulu, it offers a variety of beers with tropical flavors in its vibrant taproom. Check out alohabeer.com.
• KoHana Rum: Specializes in rums made from its own hand-harvested sugar cane, offering daily tasting tours. More on kohanarum.com.
• Koʻolau Distillery: This distillery crafts innovative spirits using local ingredients; tours available for tasting. More info at koolaudistillery.com.
• Hawaiian Shochu Company: The only shochu producer in Hawaii, crafting unique spirits from locally-sourced ingredients. Learn more at hishochu.com.
• Hawaii Honey & Mead: Oahu’s only craft meadery offers a flavorful mead using Hawaiian honey. Visit manoahoney.com.

Hawaii Island

• Kona Brewing Company: A veteran of the Hawaiian brewing scene, known for its vast variety of beers. Tours are available at konabrewinghawaii.com.
• Big Island Brewhaus: Offers a selection of award-winning craft beers and a menu with local dishes. Visit at bigislandbrewhaus.com.
• Wailuku Brew Works: Features craft beer and mead in a social hub for locals and visitors alike. More at wailukubrewworks.com.
• 12th Hawaii Distillery: Specializes in honey-based spirits, offering maceration processes unique to each bottle. Explore at 12thhawaiidistiller.com.
• Kuleana Rum Works: Uses heirloom sugarcane for its unique rums, open for tasting tours. More on kuleana.com.
• Ola Brew Company: This brewery produces small batches of uniquely flavored beverages reflective of island culture. More at olabrewco.com.
• Volcano Winery: The winery grows grapes infused with tropical fruits, offering tours for a taste of local innovation. Visit at volcanowinery.com.

Embark on your journey through Hawaii’s craft beverage scene and immerse yourself in the flavors that celebrate the unique connection between the land and its people.

New York City has long served as a muse for countless cocktails, with some of the most iconic drinks originating from its vibrant bars. Foremost among these is the Manhattan, a classic blend of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and aromatic bitters. First mixed in the 1880s, the Manhattan’s simple yet delightful composition has earned it a place in cocktail lore and inspired countless variations over the years.

Close on its heels is the Brooklyn, a cocktail likely conceived shortly after the Manhattan gained fame. Made with rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon, its revival began alongside the modern craft cocktail movement of the early 2000s. This resurgence prompted bartenders to put their spins on the drink, yielding variations named after Brooklyn neighborhoods such as the Red Hook and Bushwick.

In addition to these celebrated classics, the city also inspires unique cocktails like the Algonquin, which mixes rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice, and the Adonis, an alluring mix of sherry and sweet vermouth. Below are some of the most notable cocktails inspired by the city that never sleeps:

1. Manhattan

The quintessential New York City cocktail, the Manhattan combines rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, solidifying its status as one of the world’s most beloved whiskey drinks.

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2. Brooklyn

This pre-Prohibition classic blends spicy rye whiskey with dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and the bittersweet French liqueur Amer Picon.

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3. Red Hook

Created in 2003, this modern cocktail unites rye whiskey, maraschino liqueur, and Punt e Mes. It’s regarded as one of the early modern classics arising from the original Brooklyn recipe.

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4. Newark

Though named for a New Jersey neighborhood, this cocktail is inspired by the Brooklyn. It substitutes rye whiskey for overproof apple brandy and uses sweet vermouth alongside Fernet-Branca instead of Amer Picon.

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5. Adonis

This cocktail, a tribute to a Broadway show, harmonizes sherry and sweet vermouth, resulting in a surprisingly complex drink garnished with orange peel.

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6. Bushwick

Created in 2009, this cocktail stays true to the original Brooklyn blend while focusing on rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and Amer Picon.

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7. Algonquin

Originating from the post-Prohibition era, this drink combines rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and pineapple juice, creating a crisp, delightful sipper.

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8. Greenpoint

Another Brooklyn graduate, created in 2006, it’s a modern classical concoction of rye whiskey, Yellow Chartreuse, sweet vermouth, and bitters.

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From classic to contemporary, these cocktails epitomize the spirit of New York City, celebrating its rich bar culture and cocktail heritage. Whether at home or in a bustling bar, these drinks are sure to bring a taste of the Big Apple to your glass.

The London Spirits Competition recently awarded WL Weller Antique 107 the prestigious title of the world’s best whiskey for 2025. In its eighth edition, this competition sets itself apart by evaluating not only the liquid itself but also the look, value, and marketability of the products. The aim is to spotlight spirits that consumers genuinely want to buy, making it relevant for both enthusiasts and industry professionals.

WL Weller Antique 107, produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, achieved an impressive score of 99 out of 100, earning it the distinction of whiskey of the year and spirit of the year overall. This wheated bourbon, often abbreviated as OWA (Old Weller Antique), is renowned for its balance and complexity. Its tasting notes feature a rich nose of cassia bark and licorice, alongside a sweet palate enriched by vanilla and brûléed sugars. This harmonious blend leads to a lengthy finish, with a subtle hint of cherry fruit leather.

The bourbon’s stature comes not just from its individual qualities but also from a robust heritage. It shares a mashbill with the celebrated Pappy Van Winkle line, further enhancing its appeal among bourbon enthusiasts. Historically significant, Weller was named after William Larue Weller, who was instrumental in popularizing wheated bourbons in the 19th century.

With its classic profile and growing recognition, WL Weller Antique 107 is a must-try for whiskey lovers and a noteworthy selection for bars and restaurants seeking high-quality spirits that are favored in the marketplace.

Two chaotic police pursuits involving DUI suspects unfolded in Florida, vividly captured on camera.

In one incident, deputies from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office confronted a man suspected of theft. Surprisingly, he attempted to offer them a vodka spritzer, stating, “I just want to give you a drink.” However, he fled the scene, prompting a high-speed chase. The pursuit ended abruptly when deputies deflated his tires, leading to a crash with one of the pursuing vehicles. Body camera footage revealed the suspect ignoring orders while smoking a cigarette. After being subdued with a stun gun, he fell to the ground, cheekily asking deputies, “You guys had fun, though, right?” He now faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and driving under the influence.

In a separate incident, a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy encountered a DUI suspect near St. Petersburg. The suspect’s truck crossed a median and collided head-on with the deputy’s vehicle, causing it to flip. Surveillance cameras documented the shocking moment, and the deputy was swiftly rescued from his car and appeared to be conscious; fortunately, he sustained no injuries. The suspect was arrested and also faces DUI charges.

For more on such incidents, you can refer to the following links:

• Florida State gunman used deputy mom’s former service weapon to kill 2 and wound 6, authorities say
• Fisherman speaks out about confrontation with boat captain in Punta Gorda that went viral
• Divers find body of 12-year-old swimmer who went missing off Fort Lauderdale Beach
• TSA workers from South Florida airports rally at MIA, demand restoration of collective bargaining rights
• Sean Kingston released from custody in federal wire fraud case after posting $100K bond

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is gearing up to enhance the experience for attendees at this year’s Jazz Fest in New Orleans. With its outdoor activation known as Tito’s Quarter, the brand aims to create an interactive space near the Festival Stage that allows festival-goers to learn about the vodka while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the event.

T.J. Mathias, the Director of Sponsorships and Experiential for Tito’s, emphasizes the desire to connect with the audience and provide a warm, hospitable environment. He notes that after a successful first year sponsoring Jazz Fest, the brand is committed to honoring the culture of the festival and its significance in New Orleans.

Founded 28 years ago, Tito’s began as Texas’ first legal distillery and continues to focus on distilling quality vodka made from corn, ensuring it is naturally gluten-free. Emily Goggin, Field Sales Director for Tito’s Plains Division, describes their vodka as “vodka-flavored vodka,” ensuring straightforward quality without artificial flavors.

A popular choice at festivals has been the Tito’s Strawberry Lemonade, which perfectly complements the warm spring weather. Christina Crean, Regional Sales Activation Manager at Tito’s, shares that fruity cocktails are particularly favored among attendees. Many have even created personalized seltzer bars at home to kick off their festival experience, mixing Tito’s with their choice of soda water and fresh herbs.

This will mark Tito’s second year sponsoring Jazz Fest, but the brand has a history of supporting events nationwide. Mathias highlights the importance of crafting each activation to align with the distinctive vibe of the festival, and acknowledges that Jazz Fest provides an authentic taste of New Orleans culture.

Beyond the festival, Tito’s has a strong commitment to the local community, supporting organizations like SPROUT NOLA, which promotes sustainable farming practices. Crean emphasizes that New Orleans holds a special place in their hearts, reflecting the brand’s values of authenticity and community involvement.

For more information about Tito’s products and cocktail recipes, visit Tito’s Vodka.

After Café Brazil closed its doors in December after 32 successful years, a new venture is set to take its place. Jonathan Odde and Clarke Boyer are preparing to open a whiskey bar named Little Wolf at 4408 Lowell Blvd, fulfilling the promise of a fresh start in the beloved space.

Odde, who also operates The Burns Pub in Broomfield, expressed the challenge they face. “Big shoes to fill… And that’s why we wanted to do something here,” he said, emphasizing their desire to create something special in the absence of the previous restaurant’s presence.

Set to open in mid-May, Little Wolf will kick off with a selection of about 50 American single malt whiskies, alongside rum and agave spirits. The food menu will include varied options ranging from charcuterie to a Brazilian-styled burger and Oaxacan shrimp, incorporating global flavors with Asian and Latin twists on American classics. Boyer noted their aim to create a dining experience where fantastic food complements the whiskey selection, rather than just serving drinks.

The venue will also host educational events, including an agave spirits sommelier course and nights dedicated to showcasing specific distilleries like Denver’s Stranahan’s.

Both owners bring a wealth of experience; Boyer has previously served as an ambassador for whiskey brands, while Odde has judged many spirits competitions. They often meet with an exclusive group for rare whisky tastings, indicating their deep passion for the craft.

In their efforts to adapt the space, they have maintained the existing kitchen while adding more bar seating and a dedicated area for educational programs. The interior design will feature mid-century modern aesthetics with tiki and Latin influences, offering several cozy nooks for relaxation.

The overall buildout for Little Wolf cost around $60,000. However, they signed a lease that is expected to last three to four years, with plans for the property to undergo further development afterward. The landlord aims to create a mixed-use space on the site, which poses uncertainty for the future of Little Wolf once the new construction begins.

Despite these challenges, both Odde and Boyer are optimistic. They believe their venture will not only satisfy local demand but contribute positively to the neighborhood’s evolving landscape. “If it weren’t for [the property owner’s] vision, we wouldn’t be doing this here,” Odde remarked, highlighting their commitment to the community’s future.