Ask anyone to name the perfect holiday destination for American craft spirits, and they’ll say Portland or possibly somewhere in Vermont. Juneau, Alaska, probably won’t even come up, but it should.
Because the city has no road access to the outside world, its distillers had to get creative and turn that constraint into something worthwhile. They did, and now the whole country is waking up to the fact that Juneau is the place to be for mixology.
Why Juneau Is Becoming a Craft Spirits Destination
There’s a new generation of distillers that has looked at Alaska and seen a pantry full of potential ingredients. And these ingredients are unlike anything found in the lower 48.
Pure Water and Wild Botanicals
For example, glacial meltwater (which is known for its mineral softness) is the base of a lot of local spirits. Spruce tips are another favorite, and when they’re harvested in spring, they have a distinct resinous flavor. To top it off, wild berries from the surrounding forests are packed full of delicious sweetness, giving drinks a tart yet sugary undertone.
Small-Batch Craft Meets Frontier Spirit
Alaska has always attracted people who do things their own way. And that independent streak has bled into its distilling culture, too.
Small-batch production here is less of a marketing angle and more of an actual reflection of how things get made – by hand, in small quantities.
The Distilleries Redefining Juneau’s Cocktail Scene
Two main producers are shaping the vibe of Juneau’s unique cocktails, and they’re worth adding to your Alaskan bucket list next time you find yourself on vacation here.
Amalga Distillery
Amalga Distillery makes its spirits with local water and foraged ingredients. They also intentionally keep their production process small, which adds to its exclusivity. The result is a world-class gin that you can only find in Southeast Alaska.
Their spirits are also dependent on botanicals that are available in the season they’re crafted. So what you taste here in the summer may be drastically different from what you can find to sip on in the winter.
Devil’s Brewing Club
If you want a unique cider or beer that’s brewed with only the finest local ingredients, Devil’s Brewing Club is the place to go. The brewery takes its name from one of Alaska’s most recognizable plants and leans into its local identity across the entire range.
So, the next time you’re on a Juneau cruise and looking for something to do when you dock at the port, you don’t need to look any further. You can spend your day sipping on the delicious drinks that Juneau has to offer.
Midnight Sun Mixology: Cocktails Inspired by Alaska
The drinking experience in Juneau is guaranteed to be something you can’t replicate anywhere else. The tasting rooms here all look out over mountains or water, and in the summer, the sun doesn’t disappear until well past midnight.
Sitting with a spruce tip gin and tonic while the sun sits low over the Gastineau Channel at 10 pm is something you don’t want to miss out on. It’s also quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since it isn’t every day you can book a trip to Alaska.
Why Craft Distilleries Are the New Must-Visit Stops in Juneau
Once your cruise ship stops in Juneau, there are a couple of hours to fill before your ship departs again. And while you can find fun trinkets at the local gift shops, they can be pretty pricey.
So, why not spend your travel budget on something more worthwhile, like a trip to a gorgeous Juneau distillery? You may not have a fridge magnet to take home with you after your trip, but you’ll have something even better – a memory to last a lifetime.