The culturally rich state of New Mexico is worth a visit to see the breathtaking landscape and rich Spanish history. While you are planning your visit, there is a diverse craft distillery scene in New Mexico that is worth checking out. You can take distillery tours, visit tasting rooms, and discover a new favorite craft spirit. This is the ultimate craft distillery adventure guide to finding the best distilleries and tours in New Mexico. 

1. Santa Fe Spirits Distillery

Founded in 2010, Santa Fe Spirits Distillery is one of the best distilleries in New Mexico. They distill whiskey, vodka, brandy, gin, and liqueur. Each craft spirit is carefully blended to embody full flavors. The distillery’s craft spirits have won several awards over the years. You can book a distillery tour by making a reservation online. There is also a tasting room that doesn’t require reservations to visit. Book the beginner’s mixology class and get a hands-on lesson in making craft cocktails. Finally, the distillery offers a unique experience of sip and paint night. 

2. Vara Winery & Distillery

The Vara Winery & Distillery celebrates the deep historical connection between New Mexico and Spain. In addition to full-bodied wine made from Spanish grapes, they also have a thriving distillery. Its lineup of craft spirits includes gin, rum, and brandy. The same attention to detail is used when winemaking is applied to distilling small-batch craft spirits. Book a tasting experience at the tasting room to have an expert guide walk you through the different aged spirits. You can also try the wines or order a few plates off the menu. 

3. Algodones Distillery

Visiting the Algodones Distillery is about more than tasting craft spirits. It’s a cultural experience with arts and crafts that embraces all things homemade. Traditional pot stills and artesian well water are at the core of this distillery operation. You will note local flavors like blue corn and juniper when sipping the vodka, gin, and whiskey. You are additionally welcome to take a distillery tour; you just need to make a reservation in advance. There are also two tasting rooms you can visit. If you’re more specifically looking for a venue for your next event, consider booking the special events space at the distillery. It is perfect for everything from weddings to corporate events. 

4. Altar Spirits

The founders at Alter Spirits have rebranded their distillery as As Above So Below. They aim to embrace the overlooked and unknown by bringing fresh energy to the craft distillery scene in New Mexico. The distillery is small, with just three craft spirits offered, a vodka, gin, and aperitivo liqueur. For a unique experience, become a volunteer bottler. You can have a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling process as you help the team fill, cork, label, and seal bottles. For your efforts, you will be served a meal and get to take a bottle home. If you prefer something different and a little more low-key, you can book a distillery tour or visit the cocktail lounge and bottle shop. The distillery also hosts several events throughout the month. 

5. Red River Brewing Company & Distillery

While it may have started at a brewery, today, the Red River Brewing Company & Distillery is an iconic staple along the Red River, making beer and craft spirits. As one of the hottest and best distilleries in New Mexico, it has an impressive lineup of beer and craft spirits. Currently, the tasting room has 12 beers on tap and a cocktail menu featuring the distillery’s vodka, gin, rum, and agave spirit. The distillery is also beginning to make whiskey, but it won’t be ready for guests for a while. While you can schedule a distillery tour, you can see the entire production from the process through the large windows lining the tasting room.  

6. Safe House Distilling Company

The Safe House Distilling Company is founded by local New Mexicans to embrace the culture and lifestyle of New Mexico. Visiting the distillery is like visiting a friend’s house, where you relax, and be your authentic self. The distillery currently makes vodka, gin, and canned cocktails. Its lineup of vodka includes flavored craft spirits that celebrate New Mexico. Try the green chili, blueberry lavender, or apple pie-infused flavors. The canned cocktails also come in a variety of enticing varieties. 

• Blueberry Lavender Vodka
• Grapefruit Hibiscus Lemonade
• Watermelon Walkoff 
• Mariachis Margarita

7. Rolling Still Distillery

The Rolling Still Distillery has several unique qualities to boast about. It is a woman-owned distillery and family-run. The craft spirits are hand-crafted in small batches using organically sourced ingredients from local family-owned farms. The vodka is distilled seven times from organic corn. The flavors blended include an original lavender, hatch green chili, Chimayo red chili, and Las Cruces pecans. While they do not offer distillery tours, you can visit the tasting bar. You can sip the infused vodka flavors or try one of the many craft cocktails. The distillery also hosts several events each week at its tasting room. 

8. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery 

The team at Tumbleroot takes their craft seriously, using only organic ingredients and distilling with traditional methods. They pride themselves in making something better than craft spirits. A better term would be artisanal spirits. Their spirit lineup includes agave spirit, gin, rum, vodka, and whiskey. They also make canned cocktails to make enjoying their spirits even easier. There are three tasting rooms that you can visit to experience the locally infused flavors of the Tumbleroot spirits. If you would like to take a distillery tour, you will need to book ahead and in advance for the 32 Bisbee Court location. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tequila made in New Mexico?

No, tequila can only be made in the Mexican state of Jalisco and some areas of Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Nayarit. Craft spirits made from agave outside of these areas are called mezcal or agave spirit. 

What is a distillery tour? 

A distillery tour is an opportunity to see behind the scenes of making an alcoholic spirit. You will typically see the raw ingredients, the distillation stills, and aging barrels. Then, most distilleries will take you to a tasting room where you can sample the craft spirits distilled. 

What is the signature drink of New Mexico?

The Chimayo cocktail is the signature drink of New Mexico. The cocktail contains tequila, crème de cassis liqueur, apple cider, and lemon juice. Mix all ingredients in an old-fashioned glass and garnish with an apple slice. 

Discover the craft spirit distilleries in New Mexico and other states with Distillery Nearby.