Journey to Louisiana and review our ultimate guide to distilleries in the state to savor some of the best liquors and spirits available. Surprise your palate and tempt your senses with small batches of rum, gin, vodka, or bourbon from a variety of distilleries. Choose beverages from lesser-known operations or celebrate the good times with a drink from more well-known names in the industry. When you’re in the mood for something adult to drink, the craft spirits in the Bayou State won’t disappoint. Learn more about the craft distillery scene in Louisiana and the best places to stop by for a distillery tour.

Why Visit Bayou Country For Craft Spirits?

Louisiana is a remarkable place to visit if you love Southern epicurean delights and enjoy smooth, strong beverages for a winning finish. The craft distillery scene in Louisiana continues to charm visitors and satisfy locals as distillers work hard to develop quality rum, vodka, gin, and other craft spirits. Cajun and Creole culture continues to leave its indelible mark on the state and infuses local cocktails, liquors, and spirits. Thanks to the weather and soil, local distilleries have rice, sugar cane, and other materials to craft fantastic flavor profiles for their creations.

Explore The Craft Distillery Scene In Louisiana

In no particular order, schedule a distillery tour at one of the best distilleries in the state. Learn more about the distilling process, history, and cultural influences that make different craft spirits in Louisiana shine. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail while mingling with the locals and visit landmark bars, hotels, and eateries. Don’t forget to sample different alcoholic beverages at tastings and grab a little something to complement your next main dish or dessert. Here’s a lineup if you want the ultimate guide to the best distilleries in Louisiana.

• Bayou Rum Distillery, Lacassine, LA
• Louisiana Spirits Distillery, Lacassine, LA
• Yellowfin Distillery, Sulphur, LA
• Baton Rouge Distilling, Baton Rouge, LA
• Laissez Versez, Baton Rouge, LA
• Oxbow Rum Distillery, Baton Rouge, LA
• Three Roll Estate, Baton Rouge, LA
• Atelier Vie, New Orleans, LA
• Cajun Spirits Distillery, New Orleans, LA
• Celebration Distillation, New Orleans, LA
• Happy Raptor Distilling, New Orleans, LA
• Lula Restaurant Distillery, New Orleans, LA
• NOLA Distillery, New Orleans, LA
• Porchjam Distillery, New Orleans, LA
• Roulaison Distilling Co., New Orleans, LA
• Seven Three Distilling Co., New Orleans, LA
• Sugarfield Spirits, Gonzales, LA
• Wildcat Brothers Distilling, Lafayette, LA

Travel Notes

Expect a two-hour drive time between Gonzales and Lacassine. Lafayette is about an hour’s drive away from Baton Rouge. Most of the best distilleries in Louisiana are in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. So, plan a day trip excursion to other fantastic distilleries off the beaten path if a facility in a smaller town piques your interest.

Where To Stay The Night

One of the most popular Pelican State tourist destinations is New Orleans or NOLA. You’re in for a real craft spirit treat if you’re checking out some of the best distilleries near this destination. When you’re not busy sipping on Hurricanes or enjoying a shop therapy session, make reservations to stay at The Pontchartrain Hotel, the Hotel Le Marais, or the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. If you are closer to Baton Rouge, consider reserving a room at the Embassy Suites, L’Auberge Baton Rouge, or the Watermark.

What To See, Do, & Eat

Louisiana is home to Mardi Gras celebrations, gorgeous historic homes with charming details, and plenty of food and booze. Before heading to your next distillery tour in NOLA, eat at Brigtsen’s Restaurant or have a Po’boy at Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar. Take a walk down Magazine Street and check out local galleries, vintage goods, and eclectic shopping. You must visit the historic French Quarter or meander around Royal Street or Bourbon Street to immerse in the unique culture and energy of one of Louisiana’s best-known cities.

If you stay in Baton Rouge, visit the Capitol Park Museum, take a plantation tour, or pay your respects at the USS KIDD Veterans Museum. You can’t go to a state like Louisiana and not indulge in seafood or Southern fare. Stop by Roux 61 Seafood & Grill or Parrain’s Seafood, or take a Baton Rouge Food Tour if you can’t decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the signature drink of Louisiana?

If you’re in the craft spirit mood for a cocktail that is quintessential Louisiana, go for the Sazerac. A combination of whiskey, absinthe, cognac, and bitters provides a drinking experience you won’t forget. The Sazerac was developed in the 19th century and remains a mainstay for respectable drinkers.

What is one of the most iconic mixed drinks in NOLA?

One of the best drinkable reasons to visit the Big Easy is for its iconic drink, the Hurricane. A bar owner named Pat O’Brien created the Hurricane during WWII. Because whiskey was in short supply, bars were encouraged to purchase rum. Tourists and locals enjoy consuming tropical, full-strength Hurricane cocktails as they wander Bourbon Street and other famous thoroughfares.

Can you walk around with your alcoholic beverage in hand in New Orleans?

Visitors can take advantage of laissez-faire open container laws in a party city like New Orleans. As long as your alcoholic beverage is not in a glass container, you can feel free to imbibe. However, public drunkenness and the inability to hold your liquor is another story. Please drink responsibly and review local laws while visiting the Pelican State.

What spirits can I find at Louisiana distilleries?

If you are visiting the Bayou state to take a distillery tour or want to explore the craft distillery scene in Louisiana, you’re in luck. Different distilleries focus on producing rum, vodka, whiskey, gin, and bourbon. Even better, many of Louisiana’s high-quality spirits use locally-grown sugar cane, rice, or other grains to provide a superb drinking experience.

Let The Bon Temps Roll 

Louisiana may not have the most distilleries compared to other states, but you should visit the state to see what it offers. Take in the sights and sounds, feast on Creole and Cajun cuisine, and indulge in a glass of delicious rum, bourbon, gin, or vodka. You’ll thank yourself later for bringing home some of Louisiana’s finest craft spirits for your personal stash. If you enjoyed reading this ultimate guide to some of the best distilleries in Louisiana, there’s more where that came from. Head to Distillery Nearby to discover more exciting distillery tours, premier destinations for liquor and spirits, and tasty cocktail recipes.