Belle Isle Moonshine

Replace your vodka with something better.

Cocktails,'Shine Spotlight

Cool Your Summer Down with These Five Frozen Drinks

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

Make your vibe chill this summer–no matter how much you’re actually sweating.

All photos by Joey Wharton.

In the wise words of Rob Thomas: “Man, it’s a hot one.” Now that it’s officially summer, things are getting pretty balmy here in Richmond. We like to think our everyday Go-To Drinks are pretty refreshing, but 90°+ weather calls for something extra chilly. We’re rounding up some of our new favorite frozen bevvies to help you beat those triple-digit temps and catch a decent buzz in the meantime. From a Honey Habanero-injected frosé to a frosty version of our Blood Orange Mule, let these tried-and-true chillers cool you down and turn you up.

Still thirsty?

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Party Like a Pro with Big Batch Cocktails

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

Give your Memorial Day weekend more “Cheers!” with less blood, sweat, and tears.

Photos by Joey Wharton.

It’s no secret that the Belle Isle Moonshine crew loves a good party. One way to harsh our summertime party vibes? Getting stuck playing bartender all day. The solution? Make those cocktails ahead of time! If you’ve ever seen us slinging drinks at an event, you know we have some amazingly simple big batch cocktails in our arsenal. Just in time for your MDW party, we’re debuting our favorite Go-To Drinks! They’re all only three ingredients, and you can pick up everything you need at your local grocery store. The best part? Each drink on our new Go-To Drinks page includes easy batching instructions, leaving your guests happily satiated with minimal effort from you.

Never made a big batch cocktail before? Not even sure what it means? Don’t fret, friends! Using one of our favorite old standbys, the Pineapple Express, as an example, we’ll take you through the whole process step-by-step.

cheers, y’all!

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Three CBD Cocktails to make your April 20th Extra Chill

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

How chill can you get?

All photos by Joey Wharton.

Unless you’ve been asleep for the past few years (hey, no judgement here), you’ve likely heard everyone from the dude at your local headshop to your mom’s friend Susan talking about CBD’s magical healing powers. CBD (short for Cannabidiol, if you really need to know) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. It shares many of its fellow compound THC’s health benefits without the psychoactive properties. TLDR: it won’t get you high. Whether your problem is insomnia, stress, or even acne, experts and regular folks alike claim that CBD could be your solution.

Being the fastidious Good Times Experts we are here at Belle Isle, we thought we’d follow this trend to its most logical next step: CBD cocktails. In honor of this weekend’s hemptastic holiday, we’re sharing a few deliciously dank CBD cocktails to help you simultaneously turn up and wind down this 4/20.

DANK BEFORE DECAF

Need a little pick-me-up without the jitters or crash? Mellow your coffee cocktail with a few drops of CBD bitters! We used these Mountain Elixirs orange bitters to brighten up (and mellow out) this drink’s robust coffee notes.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin with ice. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. Strain out ice, then dry shake for another 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with chicory on top.

ALL HOPPED UP

Ever catch a whiff of an IPA and think it smelled, well…weedy? There are more than a few similarities between the hop plant and cannabis. We played up that alluring aroma in this simple Ruby Red Grapefruit sour topped with IPA. We added a few drops of full-spectrum CBD oil from Seattle-based Dazey.

Ingredients:

Add first four ingredients to a mixing tin with ice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Layer with IPA by slowly pouring the beer on upside down spoon over the cocktail.

IN the weeds

One of the cannabis plant’s many superpowers is its antioxidant capability. This cocktail ups the antioxidant ante by adding a hefty dose of matcha powder to the sweet heat of our Honey Habanero moonshine. We topped our ‘tail with the delicious peach-ginger soda from CBD-infused sparkling water purveyors Recess.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Add first four ingredients to a mixing with ice. Shake vigorously and double-strain to a rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with Recess soda and garnish with a lemon wheel sprinkled with extra matcha powder.

**As different substances affect people differently, we recommend you try CBD on its own before attempting to mix it with alcohol.

Want more cocktail ideas?

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

5 Killer Belle Isle Margaritas For National Margarita Day

CocktailsBICS AdminComment

Salty? Citrusy? Sweet? Sour? Spicy? Confuse your palate in the best way possible with a Honey Habanero Margarita. Photo by Kate Magee.

The Margarita is no doubt one of the most versatile, well-loved, and recognizable cocktails in the world.

Not only is the margarita a tried-and-true classic, but it's one of the only cocktails you can feel comfortable drinking pretty much anywhere. On a beach? Definitely. In a fancy cocktail bar? No weird looks there. In a dive bar? It's probably pretty sugary, but why not? In the shower? Duh. 

Originating in the 1930’s in Tijuana, the margarita is now a worldwide drink staple. But who says it has to be made with tequila? In honor of National Margarita Day (Friday, February 22) we're sharing our favorite Belle Isle Moonshine margarita recipes! Whether you prefer your 'ritas with a little extra citrus or some spice, our tasty spins on the OG classic are sure to brighten up your day.  After all, in the words of the margarita's most famous fan: 

“If life gives you limes, make margaritas.”
— Jimmy Buffet

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Wanna learn more?

Break Up with Vodka: 3 Reasons to Fall for Belle Isle Moonshine this Valentine's Day

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

Vodka has done you wrong one too many times. It’s time to upgrade to a more refined spirit.

All photos by Joey Wharton.

Sick of constantly getting burned by vodka’s tasteless tricks and disappointing drinks? Leave those immature games in the past and upgrade to the smooth, bold, and dependably delicious taste of Belle Isle Moonshine. Not ready to let go of your tired, old go-to spirit? Here are three huge reasons why it’s finally time to ditch your vodka for something better.

REASON #1: YOU DESERVE A SPIRIT WITH SOME FLAVOR

Blood Orange Cosmo = the reigning kween of cranberry juice cocktails.

Be honest: how many vodka-crans can one human ingest in a lifetime? Yes, they go down easy, but isn’t that because they don’t taste like much more than watered-down cranberry juice that burns all the way down?

Vodka prides itself on being tasteless, and you deserve more than that. Get you a flavorful spirit you’ll be happy to savor, like the bold, bright Belle Isle Blood Orange! Kick those vodka-crans to the curb and shake up a Blood Orange Cosmo instead.

BLOOD ORANGE COSMO

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. cranberry juice

  • ¾ oz. fresh lime juice

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin over ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist, or a dehydrated blood orange.
.

REASON #2: YOU’RE SO MUCH BETTER THAN BASIC

Chocolate Berry Boost: all of the boosted buzz with none of the crash and burn.

Okay, so you’re sleepy, but you still want to party. There’s no shame in that! You may think you’re doomed to a night of the shakes after sipping on a Vodka RedBull, but you’re wrong! There is a better (and less basic) way to get that boosted buzz you crave.

The caffeine-laced jolt of our Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee will get you up and dancing without the harsh taste or night-ending crash. Try it solo with regular coffee, or for a fully refined treat, add a splash of Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur and raspberry whipped cream!

CHOCOLATE BERRY BOOST

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Add first three ingredients to an Irish coffee glass. Top with raspberry whipped cream**


**Raspberry Whipped Cream: Over medium heat, mix 1 cup muddled raspberries, 1 cup white sugar, and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes, then let cool and strain out the seeds. This will give you a tasty raspberry simple syrup! Add this syrup to chilled Heavy Whipping Cream at a 1:2 ratio, then shake or whisk vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Layer this whipped cream on top of your cocktail!

REASON #3: LIKE THINGS A LITTLE SWEET & SPICY? GET YOU A DRINK THAT CAN DO BOTH

Let our Southside of the James be your hero, baby.

SOUTHSIDE OF THE JAMES

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. lime

  • ¾ oz. simple syrup

  • 2 mint sprigs (1 in cocktail, 1 for garnish)

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a shaker tin over ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with second mint sprig.

Here at Belle Isle Moonshine, we pride ourselves on our versatility. We can be sweet, spicy, bold, soft, hot, cold, herbal, floral, sour–you name it, we can do it.

Take this simple Southside of the James. Our spin on a classic Southside, this drink is just as mind-blowing with our bright, citrusy Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit as it is with the sweet heat of our Belle Isle Honey Habanero. Baby, we can multitask. Can your vodka do that?

HAPPY

VALENTINE’S

DAY 💕

galentine’s day more your thing?

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Our 10 Favorite Cold Weather Cocktails

CocktailsBICS AdminComment

Baby, it’s cold outside. Warm up with some ‘shine.

With January in full swing, it's easy to let freezing temperatures, icy streets, and dark skies give you a serious case of the winter blues. Don't let Seasonal Affective Disorder bring you down! Let Belle Isle help you warm up, get cozy, and embrace the hygge with some of our favorite wintertime cocktails! From our simple, warming Hot Toddy to our classic Corpse Reviver with a twist, Belle Isle has your winter drinking game covered. 

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Still thirsty?

Party Prepped: Bubbly + Bloodies

CocktailsBrandon DayComment

With New Years festivities right around the corner, it's time to send 2018 off with a bang. But ringing in the new year tends to have some consequences the next morning. We're compiling our favorite Belle Isle + bubbly recipes that are perfect for your midnight cheers AND our favorite Belle Isle Bloody Mary recipes that are the fix you'll need come Tuesday morning.

BELLE ISLE + BUBBLY

BELLE ISLE BLOODIES

WANT MORE RECIPES?

'Shine Spotlight: Heather Frechette // Encore Gastrolounge & On the Roxx

'Shine SpotlightStephanie Stanton1 Comment

Heather Frechette (l) and Elizabeth Hunt (r), co-owners of On the Roxx and Encore Gastrolounge in Greenville, South Carolina.

All photos by Kevin Ruck.

Every great bar begins with a great concept, and that’s exactly what Heather Frechette and Elizabeth Hunt started out with nearly a decade ago. By steadily saving up bartending tips and working various day jobs, the duo opened On the Roxx in Greenville’s historic West End in 2009. With their first success under their belts, the duo opened Encore Gastrolounge earlier this year. We recently chatted with Heather about what it takes to be a successful bar and restaurant owner, her Golden Rule of hospitality, and her favorite Belle Isle cocktail.

First​ ​thing’s​ ​first,​ ​who​ ​are​ ​you?

Heather Frechette, co-owner of On the Roxx, Encore Gastrolounge, and the Encore Event Venue.

How​ ​long​ ​have​ ​you​ ​owned a restaurant? What did you do before you owned a restaurant?

We have owned On the Roxx for nine years! I did everything from teaching school to technology sales but always bartended as a second job and saved up tip money to open our own place.

Encore Gastrolounge.

What​ ​first​ ​got​ ​you​ ​behind​ ​the​ ​bar?

When I moved to South Carolina from upstate New York, I didn’t know a lot of people. I started out as a cocktail waitress to fill some time and meet new people. I would stay late and come in on nights off to learn to bartend.

​Any​ ​pro-tips​ ​for​ ​someone​ ​starting​ ​up a restaurant?

Do your homework! It takes a lot of hours and dedication, not to mention the amount of paperwork, licenses, and permits needed just to get open. There is so much more to running a successful restaurant than just managing during operating hours.

​Favorite​ ​drink​ ​made​ ​by​ ​someone​ ​else?

I love a good spicy margarita.

Favorite​ ​drink​ ​that​ ​you​ ​make?

The Tucker G&T which is on the menu at Encore. I actually came up with the recipe in a dream. It consists of gin, Jack Rudy Small Batch Tonic, club soda, and a scoop of house made lime sorbet.

Favorite​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​drink​ ​when​ ​no​ ​one’s​ ​looking?

A great sour beer.

​ ​If​ ​you​ ​had​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​one​ ​cocktail​ ​ingredient​ ​to​ ​use​ ​for​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​your​ ​life,​ ​what​ ​would​ ​you​ ​choose?

Jalapeños!

​What’s​ ​your​ ​favorite​ ​part​ ​about​ ​owning restaurants and bars?

The many amazing people that I get to meet. I love hearing about their vacations, families, and everything else. Several people who have met at Roxx are now married and having children. It’s really fun to celebrate these special milestones with our customers, who are now friends!

Where​ ​do​ ​you​ ​like​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​in​ ​for​ ​a​ ​drink?

I enjoy going anywhere with outdoor seating when weather permits. A great view is always fun, too. When traveling, the first thing I look for is the best rooftop bar.

Mellow Habanero at Encore.

What’s​ ​your​ ​take​ ​on​ ​today’s​ ​cocktail​ ​culture?

I love the popularity of craft cocktails and creativity in mixology, but I also appreciate a good hole in the wall.

Give​ ​us​ ​your​ ​golden​ ​rule​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ the restaurant business?

Golden Rule for anyone in the hospitality industry: Give the best experience to every customer. A bad review or shared bad experience can go viral and destroy a restaurant’s reputation.

What’s​ ​your​ ​favorite​ ​way​ ​to​ ​drink​ ​Belle​ ​Isle?

I love the Belle Isle Honey Habanero in the Mellow Habanero.

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Wanna know more about us?

Five Festive Cocktails to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

That’s the Jingle Bell(e) Rock.

All photos by Joey Wharton.

Since it’s already mid-December, we’re all aware by now that the “most wonderful time of the year” is upon us. There’s a chill in the air, holiday tunes ring out in nearly every public space, and everything smells vaguely like pine and cookies. With your Christmas cheer rising more and more every day, shouldn’t your cocktails be as festive as your mood? Wind down from that hectic Christmas shopping with one of these five holiday cocktails, courtesy of the boozy lil’ elves here at Belle Isle Moonshine! They’re tasty enough to make your spirits extra bright, and easy enough to make in your PJs! Why leave your house for a good drink? Stay in and play bartender–because, baby, it’s cold outside!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Still thirsty?

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Wanna know more about us?

Party Prepped: 'Shiny Thanksgiving Feast

'Shine SpotlightStephanie StantonComment

Make your bird a little boozier this Thanksgiving.

All photos by Joey Wharton.

Here at Belle Isle Moonshine, we know how to mix a mean cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion. A little outside of our comfort zone, though? Preparing a full Thanksgiving dinner. That’s why we enlisted the help of our friend Scott Lewis, head chef at Laura Lee’s in Richmond, to help us out with a few recipes sure to satisfy your whole crazy family this Thanksgiving. Just like last year’s Cranberry Saucey Sauce courtesy of Chef Mike Ledesma, Scott’s menu packs a boozy punch. Because who hasn’t been eating Thanksgiving dinner and thought, “This gravy is good, but it would be better with some moonshine?” Grab yourself a bottle Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee and let’s get cooking!

Cornish game hen

*Serving Size: Recipe for one hen. Serve one for each guest.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cornish game hen

  • 1 tbsp. salt

  • 1 tbsp. black pepper

  • 1 tbsp. rosemary

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 400° F.

  • Mix salt, pepper, and rosemary in a small bowl and season hen with mixture.

  • Put hen in a screaming hot pan skin-side down, then (carefully!) pour in Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee to deglaze.

  • Place entire pan in oven for 6-8 minutes.

  • Let rest for 10 minutes before eating. Top with freshly chopped parsley.

Buttermilk Biscuit Stuffing

Ingredients:

  • 12 (already baked) biscuits

  • 4 cups chicken stock

  • 2 cups chopped onions

  • 1 cup chopped carrots

  • 1 cup chopped celery

  • 3 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

  • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage

  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

  • 2 cups butter

  • 4 tbsp. salt

  • 2 tbsp. pepper

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 300° F. Chop biscuits into ¼ in. cubes, then place on a large sheet tray. Pour 1 cup of melted butter over biscuits.

  • Mix 1 tbsp. of pepper and 1 tbsp. salt in a small bowl, then spread evenly on sheet tray. Dehydrate in the oven until the biscuits are hard like croutons.

  • Sauté onion, celery, and carrots in 1 cup of butter until onions are translucent, then add mixture to biscuits.

  • Add chopped herbs, then put the whole mixture in a baking tray. Pour chicken stock on top.

  • Bake at 350° F for 45 minutes.

Red Eye Gravy

Ingredients:

  • ½ stick of butter or 2 oz. bacon fat

  • ½ cup flour

  • ½ cup Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee

  • 1 cup regular brewed coffee

  • splash of heavy cream

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • ½ cup cooked sausage (optional)

Preparation:

Heat fat or butter in a saucepan over medium heat until starting to brown a little. Add flour until brown, then add Belle Isle and regular coffee. Stir until thick, about 8 minutes. Add a splash of cream, salt and pepper to taste, and sausage if you’d like. If the mixture is too thin, cook down a little longer or add a little extra flour.

Street Corn Pudding

Preparation:

  • Preheat oven to 325° F. Heat cream and corn over medium heat in a sauce pot until corn is thawed.

  • Blend corn and cream until smooth. Add salt, pepper, and sugar as you blend.

  • As slowly as possible, whisk hot corn mixture into egg yolks.

  • Pour mixture into a 6” x 6” baking tray, then put tray into a water bath, then bake in the oven for 45 min. to 1 hour until firm.

  • Top with crumbled Cotija cheese and jalapeños.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. frozen corn

  • 4 cups heavy cream

  • 2 tbsp. salt

  • 1 tbsp. pepper

  • 10 egg yolks

  • 1 tbsp. sugar

Happy Thanksgiving from Scott, his adorable daughter Yoomi, and everyone on the Belle Isle team!

Need some cocktails to pair with this meal?

Belle Isle Moonshine is a premium, handcrafted spirit proudly hailing from Richmond, Virginia.

We take the name Belle Isle from a small, 540-acre island located smack dab in the middle of the James River where Civil War soldiers used surplus corn rations to make moonshine in copper kettles.

Belle Isle Moonshine is distilled from 100% organic corn, grown by three family farms and responsibly sourced. Once triple-distilled, we charcoal filter Belle Isle four times over. Then, we cut it with purified water right from the James River. Our infusions are made with 100% real ingredients, never artificial flavors or color. We use real grapefruits sourced from Texas and California, local honey from the Shenandoah Valley, organic habaneros grown an hour away, and freshly roasted coffee beans from the most socially conscious roastery in Richmond, Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.

From there, each bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is filled, corked, labeled, and packed by hand by our Production team, who check each bottle and batch for quality assurance. Since Belle Isle is made in small batches, you can find the batch number handwritten in the bottom right corner of each bottle.

Distilled from good times and 100% organic corn.

Want to learn more about us?