Florida’s craft spirits scene has exploded in recent years with over 40 distilleries producing award-winning rum, whiskey, vodka, and gin. From historic rum distilleries in Tampa’s Ybor City to innovative craft operations in St. Petersburg and Miami, the Sunshine State is becoming a major player in American craft spirits.
Florida distilleries take advantage of the state’s natural resources—using Florida sugarcane for rum, local citrus for vodka and gin, and aging spirits in the state’s warm climate for unique flavor profiles. Many distilleries offer tours, tastings, and cocktail bars where you can experience their spirits firsthand.
This guide covers the best distilleries across Florida’s major regions, each crafting distinctive spirits that reflect the character of the Sunshine State.
Tampa Bay & West Coast Distilleries
The Tampa Bay area is home to some of Florida’s most historic and innovative distilleries.
Gasparilla Distillery & Cocktail Bar (Tampa) holds the distinction of being the oldest rum distillery in Tampa. Located in historic Ybor City, they produce craft rum and serve creative cocktails in their popular cocktail bar.
82 West Distilling (Tampa) started as Tampa’s first craft rum distillery but has expanded to produce a diverse range of spirits. Their passion for rum remains central to their operation.
Dark Door Spirits (Tampa) specializes in unique and unexpected handcrafted spirits that have earned them prestigious awards.
Gamblers Bay Distillery (Tampa) is a local craft distillery committed to using locally-sourced products in their spirits.
American Freedom Distillery (St. Petersburg) produces award-winning spirits with outstanding accolades in international competitions, solidifying their legacy in every bottle.
St. Petersburg Distillery (St. Petersburg) is a premier craft distillery celebrating the art of barrel-aged perfection. They offer tours with tastings and limited releases.
Cotherman Distilling Co. (Dunedin) handcrafts artisan spirits 100% on-premise and serves cocktails in their tasting room.
Preez Distillery & Tasting Room (Largo) takes pride in handcrafting high-quality vodkas and spirits from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Discover Pinellas County distilleries →
Browse Hillsborough County distilleries →
Orlando & Central Florida Distilleries
Central Florida’s distillery scene combines traditional whiskey-making with innovative tropical spirits.
Forward Slash Distillery & Blending House (Winter Park) is a boutique distiller and blending house in historic Winter Park, offering unique spirits and cocktails in an intimate setting.
Winter Park Distilling Company (Winter Park) has earned prestigious awards for their bourbons, which set the standard for excellence in Florida craft whiskey.
Caribbean Moonshine (Orlando) is located at Orlando’s Vineland Premium Outlets and offers behind-the-scenes tours showing how they craft their bold, smooth, and delicious rum.
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Miami & South Florida Distilleries
South Florida’s distilleries capture the tropical essence and multicultural flavors of Miami.
Tropical Distillery (Miami) is owned by former NFL All-Pros Mike and Maurkice Pouncey. They produce award-winning tropical spirits that capture the essence of Miami.
Big Cypress Distillery (Miami) offers a unique Miami spirits experience in their cocktail bar, showcasing locally-crafted spirits.
ChainBridge Distillery (Oakland Park) was named Best Craft Gin USA 2025 by USA TODAY. They produce award-winning, innovative, artisan small-batch spirits handcrafted in South Florida.
Shady Distillery (Fort Lauderdale) offers distillery tours, tastings, and seasonal group dinners, providing unique experiences for locals and visitors.
See Miami-Dade County distilleries →
Explore Broward County distilleries →
North Florida & Jacksonville Distilleries
North Florida’s historic cities provide the perfect backdrop for craft distilling.
Saint Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine) operates in a restored circa-1907 ice plant, combining historic architecture with modern distilling. They offer tours and tastings in one of Florida’s most beautiful distillery settings.
City Gate Spirits (St. Augustine) is located directly across from the historic Castillo de San Marcos. They offer tastings seven days a week featuring their lineup of whiskey, moonshine, and rum with easy sipping and no pressure.
Find St. Johns County distilleries →
Southwest Florida & Gulf Coast Distilleries
Southwest Florida distilleries take advantage of coastal ingredients and year-round tourism.
Wicked Dolphin Distillery (Cape Coral) is known for award-winning small-batch rum made with Florida sugarcane and only local natural ingredients.
Red Horse Distillery (Fort Myers) invites you to take a seat in their tasting room and enjoy a handmade drink crafted with care.
List Distillery – Mr. Tom’s Spirits (Fort Myers) produces the United States’ first certified 100% sugar-free and gluten-free vodka and gin.
Browse Lee County distilleries →
Nature Coast & Central Counties
NJoy Spirits Distillery (Spring Hill) handcrafts premium whiskey, rum, and moonshine, using a portion of their own grown grains along with grains from local sources.
Sugar Sand Distillery (Lake Placid) is a Florida estate-grown sugarcane farm distillery, producing spirits from sugarcane grown on their own property.
See Hernando County distilleries →
Treasure Coast Distilleries
Indian River Distillery (Vero Beach) produces whiskey, rum, agave spirits, bourbon, and more on Florida’s beautiful Treasure Coast.
21st Amendment Distillery (Vero Beach) celebrates American craftsmanship with their spirits: ‘You built America. We built this distillery to celebrate you.’
Explore Indian River County distilleries →
What Makes Florida Spirits Unique?
Florida Sugarcane Rum: Many Florida distilleries use locally-grown sugarcane to produce rum, creating spirits with authentic tropical character and supporting Florida agriculture.
Tropical Ingredients: Distillers incorporate Florida citrus, tropical fruits, and local botanicals into vodkas, gins, and liqueurs that capture the essence of the Sunshine State.
Warm Climate Aging: Florida’s heat accelerates barrel aging, creating unique flavor profiles in whiskeys and rums that develop faster than in traditional cool-climate aging.
Historic Distilling Locations: Several distilleries operate in restored historic buildings, combining architectural beauty with craft spirits production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of spirits are Florida distilleries known for?
Florida distilleries are particularly known for rum made from Florida-grown sugarcane. Many also produce award-winning whiskey, vodka, gin, and moonshine. The state’s tropical climate and local ingredients create unique flavor profiles in Florida-made spirits.
Can you tour Florida distilleries?
Yes, most Florida distilleries offer tours where you can see the distilling process, learn about spirit production, and sample their products. Many also have tasting rooms or cocktail bars. It’s best to check individual distillery websites for tour schedules and reservations.
Do Florida distilleries use local ingredients?
Many Florida distilleries prioritize local ingredients including Florida sugarcane for rum, citrus for flavored spirits, and locally-sourced grains for whiskey. This farm-to-bottle approach creates authentic Florida spirits and supports local agriculture.
What is the legal drinking age at Florida distilleries?
You must be 21 or older to taste or purchase spirits at Florida distilleries. Valid ID is required for all tastings and purchases.
Can you buy bottles at Florida distilleries?
Yes, most Florida distilleries sell bottles on-site. Some also offer online ordering with shipping to Florida residents and select other states where permitted by law. Check individual distillery websites for availability and shipping policies.
Are Florida distilleries family-friendly?
While tastings are 21+, some distilleries welcome families for tours during daytime hours. However, many distilleries are primarily adult-oriented venues. Contact individual distilleries to ask about their policies for visitors under 21.
