Belle Isle Moonshine

Replace your vodka with something better.

Cocktails

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?

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?

Drinksgiving 2018: Cocktails for Each of Your Annoying Family Members

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

This Champagne Hunni is the perfect match for your annoyingly fancy cousin.

All photos by Kate Magee. All cocktail garnishes by Dress the Drink.

It’s almost that time again. On one hand, Thanksgiving is the absolute best holiday. It’s the only day of the year during which you’re encouraged to gorge yourself on carbs and desserts, drink wine at 2 p.m., and fall into a tryptophan-induced coma before dusk. But there is something standing in the way of all this pure, unadulterated gluttony: your family. Sure, you love them–but how are you supposed to concentrate on getting the best stuffing-to-turkey ratio while they’re bombarding you with questions about your career, bad habits, or (worst of all) love life?

The bad news: you’ll never beat them. The good news: you can temporarily distract them with cocktails! We here at Belle Isle Moonshine have provided you with a guide to get your nosy relatives happily tipsy and out of your business before the turkey hits the table. You may have to play bartender, but, hey, at least you won’t have to field any political or personal questions!

For Your Mom

who won’t stop asking about your 401k

This sweet (and boozy!) little stunner will make your mom forget all about your finances and realize that just being together makes you rich enough…or whatever. But beware: give her one too many and she might to that weird dance she did back on Christmas 2008.

Pear Necessities

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin over ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

For Your Sister

who really thinks you should try pilates and a raw diet

Who wants to talk about intermittent fasting and yoga retreats while you’re stuffing your face with turkey? Your health nut sister, apparently. This antioxidant-packed, juice-based cocktail may quench her appetite for nagging you to come to spin class with her.

24-Carrot magic

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to a mixing tin over ice. Shake and double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

FOR YOUR UNCLE

Who WON’t stop baiting you into political fights

There’s no use arguing over who’s right or wrong (although he’s definitely wrong). Let’s find an easy compromise–like this awesome cocktail! Half cider, half mule, and 100% amazing, this drink doesn’t force anyone to choose sides.

50/50 Mule

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Build in glass or mule mug over ice and enjoy!

For Your Grandma

Who just wants you to watch the damn parade

There’s no trickery involved for this one. Just whip up a few of these blood orange bloodies (I know–it sounds weird, but it works!) and go watch the damn parade with your grandma! Your grandma rules.

Bloody Bloody

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Belle Isle Blood Orange

  • 4 oz. bloody mary mix (pick your favorite!)

Preparation:

Mix ingredients in glass over ice, then tumble back and forth in a shaker a few times.

Need more Thanksgiving help?

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?

Spooky & 'Shiny: Five Frightening Halloween Cocktails

CocktailsStephanie StantonComment

It’s alive!

All photos by Joey Wharton.

Want to plan a spook-tacular Halloween celebration but feel like Oct. 31st is creeping up on you? Don’t be scared, guys and ghouls! The Good Times Experts here at Belle Isle Moonshine have some frighteningly good cocktail ideas that are sure to bewitch even your pickiest visitor. From creepy spins on the classic cocktails to 90’s TV-inspired bright orange highballs, let us help you plan the perfect cocktail party menu to slay your friends this holiday season.

Happy Halloween, ya freaks!

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.

Want to hear more about Belle Isle?