Earth Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a sip of something delicious and sustainable? In this blog post, we’ll chat about what sustainable spirits are and how they minimize environmental impact. We’ll also discuss the benefits of sustainable spirits and provide some tips for choosing sustainable spirits to celebrate Earth Day.

So, read on and raise a glass to Earth Day and sustainable spirits!

What Is Earth Day, and Why Should We Care?

Earth Day is an annual event that demonstrates support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and has since grown to become one of the largest secular observances in the world, with over a billion people participating each year.

It goes without saying that Earth Day is a reminder of how important it is to protect our planet. Earth is our only home, so we need to take care of it and learn about environmental issues and how we can make a difference. Above all, Earth Day is a time to take action. We can participate in cleanups, plant trees, reduce our energy consumption, or even sip on some sustainable spirits. Every little bit helps!

When Is Earth Day?

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd.

Earth Day 2023 is on a Saturday, and in 2024, Earth Day will be on a Monday. 2025 will see Earth Day on a Tuesday, and in 2026 it will fall on a Wednesday. Earth Day 2027 will be on a Thursday.

What Does It Mean for Spirits to Be “Sustainable?”

Sustainable spirits are made from ingredients that are grown and harvested in a way that minimizes environmental impact. They are also produced using methods that conserve energy and water. Sustainable spirits can help to protect the environment, support local economies, and improve the quality of life for people who work in the spirits industry.

But, what are the benefits of supporting sustainable spirits brands?

What Are the Benefits of Sustainable Spirits?

There are several things to consider when you’re looking at supporting more sustainable business practices across the board – and we can’t forget about spirits, too! Let’s take a peek at some of the benefits of supporting sustainable spirits brands:

#1: They Help to Protect the Environment

Sustainable spirits are made from ingredients that are grown and harvested in a way that minimizes environmental impact. This means that they do not use harmful chemicals or pesticides, and they do not contribute to deforestation or water pollution.

#2: They Support Local Economies

Earth-conscious spirits are often made from ingredients that are grown in local communities. This helps to support local farmers and businesses, and it can also help to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. Many sustainable spirits producers also actively improve their area for local pollinators, as you’ll see below.

#3: They Improve the Quality of Life for People Who Work in the Spirits Industry

Just like other businesses, sustainable spirits producers are more likely to pay their workers a fair wage, and they provide them with safe working conditions. This can help to improve the quality of life for people who work in the spirits industry, and it can also help to attract and retain top talent.

5 Sustainable Spirits Brands You Can Try:

When it comes to sustainable spirits, keep in mind that no brand is going to get it exactly right. The efforts they make are usually in the best interest of the planet, but in order to run a business and keep costs effective, you may find some corners being replaced with traditional, non-sustainable techniques.

Depending on how far you want to go, you can find a large number of distillers doing their part to try to make the Earth a better place. Here are just a few that have come up in our research:

#1: Maker’s Mark

You’ll immediately recognize this whiskey distiller by its characteristic red wax seal. However, what you may not know is that Maker’s Mark is a responsible distiller you’ll be proud to sip on for Earth Day. 

This whiskey company not only grows their own grain right on site, but they also source their water from local limestone wells. In order to counteract the effects of monoculture on their land, they also plant local wildflowers and grasses to help support bees, birds, and other wildlife that lives in the area.

And, that’s not all. When it comes to casking, Maker’s Mark makes sure to replace white oak trees on their property to help with sustainable cask material farming. Furthermore, Maker’s Mark prints all of their labels on-site, and now uses a lower temperature to melt and seal wax onto their bottles – making it easier for consumers to recycle.

#2: Barr Hill

Owned by Caledonia Spirits in Vermont, Barr Hill makes three delicious spirits: a vodka, a flagship gin, and a barrel-aged gin. If specialty gins are a favorite for you, the raw-honey-infused flagship is definitely one to try. This brand is especially fun to support during “bee’s knees week,” where, for every social media post tagged with the correct hashtag that shows you drinking a “Bee’s Knees” cocktail (regardless of the gin used), they plant 10 square feet of pollinator habitat. 

Learn More: Caledonia Spirits | Bee’s Knees Week

However, you can still support this amazing brand even when it’s not bee’s knees week!

#3: Bruichladdich Distillery Company

Bruichladdich is a modern, sustainable Scotch whisky brand that was started up again in 2001. The distillery is located on the Isle of Islay, a region known for peaty, smoky flavors. Bruichladdich offers a variety of expressions, all of which are made with barley grown on Islay. The distillery is committed to sustainability and operates on 100% renewable energy. They also plan to decarbonize their production by 2025. 

Bruichladdich whiskies are also packaged without unnecessary materials, which reduces waste. While this is a brand that comes from overseas, the other selling points are incredibly tasteful.

#4: Gray Whale Gin

Gray Whale Gin is a small-batch gin that celebrates the life of the gray whale. It is made with botanicals found along the gray whale’s annual migration route, which takes them from the warm lagoons of Baja California to the cool waters of the Arctic. These botanicals include limes, fir trees, sea kelp, almonds, and mint.

Gray Whale Gin is a partner of Oceana, an ocean conservation organization. Through this partnership, Gray Whale Gin donates a minimum of 1% of its total annual sales to Oceana. This helps to protect the oceans and the gray whales that live in them.

#5: A Local Distillery Near You

Regardless of the options above and how they were mashed, fermented, distilled, and bottled, they still had to travel hundreds if not thousands of miles to your grocery store. This is something that well-intentioned consumers often forget. All of those positive things can easily be overturned and nullified if you continue to buy bottles shipped all the way across the country.

Here at Distillery Nearby, we know that sustainability is a complicated web of cause and effect, and so many facets impact the final product that you bring home. However, if you truly want to avoid supporting trans-continental transportation emissions, going local is your best option.

You can easily find and identify distilleries near you on our state archive. Simply find your state in the list and see what’s nearby! You can even call to chat with some of the distillery owners – they’d probably be ecstatic about telling you all of the ways they try to produce sustainable spirits!

Earth Day Cocktails That Use Sustainable Spirits

As we’ve seen, sustainable spirits are becoming increasingly popular, as more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite cocktails without compromising on sustainability, there are a number of classic cocktails that can be made with sustainable spirits; however, here are a few fun ones to throw into the mix on Earth Day:

The “Bee’s Knees Cocktail”

The Bee’s Knees Cocktail is a classic Prohibition-era cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, and honey. It’s a simple but delicious drink that is perfect for any occasion.

The Bee’s Knees was first created in the 1920s by Frank Meier, an Austrian-born bartender who plied his trade at the Hôtel Ritz Paris. It’s a simple extension of the classic Gin Sour (gin, lemon, sugar) that features honey instead of sugar. The honey creates a richer drink, and it may have been employed to mask the taste of subpar gin, which was prevalent at the time.

The Bee’s Knees is a refreshing and flavorful cocktail that is perfect for any time of year. It’s also relatively easy to make, so it’s a great option for entertaining.

Ingredients

2 ounces sustainable gin, like Barr Hill

3/4 ounce organic lemon juice

1/2 ounce honey syrup

Garnish: lemon twist

Recipe

1. Combine the gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

The “Earth Day Ocean Water” Cocktail

The “Earth Day Ocean Water” Cocktail is a delicious and refreshing drink that is perfect for celebrating Earth Day. It is made with coconut vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and lemon lime soda, and it is garnished with a lime peel that has been cut to look like the continents.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces sustainable coconut vodka

3/4 ounce sustainable blue curaçao

1/2 ounce organic lemon juice

2 ounces lemon lime soda

Organic lime peel, for garnish

Recipe

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the coconut vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and lemon lime soda.
3. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with a lime peel and serve immediately.

The “Earth Day Mojito”

The “Earth Day Mojito” is a delicious and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for celebrating Earth Day. It is made with white rum, mint, lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda, and it is garnished with a mint sprig.

Ingredients

2 ounces sustainable white rum

4-5 organic mint leaves

1/2 organic lime, juiced

1/2 ounce simple syrup

4 ounces club soda

Organic mint sprig, for garnish

Recipe

1. Muddle the mint leaves and lime juice in the bottom of a glass.
2. Add the rum, simple syrup, and club soda.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve immediately.

Distillery Nearby: Your Source for Local, Sustainable Spirits

And remember, the best way to celebrate Earth Day is to make a difference every day. So be sure to recycle, compost, and reduce your energy consumption. And most importantly, enjoy a delicious and sustainable cocktail! If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your favorite cocktails without compromising on sustainability, be sure to check out a local distillery near you. You can find a list of distilleries near you on our website.