Born from a Lithuanian family recipe kept in Brooklyn, KAS Spirits makes KAS Krupnikas, a sweet honey-and-spice liqueur, in Mahopac, New York. Founded in 2013, the company hand-bottles its small-batch spirit with local honey and a secret blend of spices, carrying a holiday tradition into modern cocktails.
Martin Family Wineries & DistilleriesWhat began in 1999 as a Martin family honey farm and garage meadery has grown into a Finger Lakes-based group making wines and small-batch spirits across upstate New York. The family’s unusual start with commercial beekeeping still shapes its work, from honey wines to spirits made with local grains, while third-generation Martin Zach leads the distilling operation. The company also provides contract bottling for wineries and spirits businesses.LODI, NY
Xplorer SpiritsAt Allentown’s Kilimanjaro Distillery, the family-run team behind Xplorer Spirits makes small-batch spirits led by its signature Peanut Butter Whiskey. Founder and master craftsman Kishor Chokshi brings a background in medicine and business to a distilling approach that blends science with hands-on craft, drawing peanut notes from American, Indian and African varieties. Xplorer’s distinctive peanut-shaped bottle is patented, giving the brand’s most recognizable pour a design as unusual as its flavor.ALLENTOWN, PA
Hudson Valley DistillersSince 2014, family-run Hudson Valley Distillers has been hand-distilling farm-to-bottle spirits in New York’s Hudson Valley and turning them into ready-to-pour bottled cocktails. Husband-and-wife team Chris and Jennifer Moyer run the operation with Jennifer’s brother, Stephen Theiss: Chris distills, Jennifer develops the cocktails, and Stephen handles packaging. The veteran-, woman-, and LGBT+-owned business sources ingredients from nearby farms and grain growers, keeping its spirits closely tied to the local community.CLERMONT, NY
Bushwick KitchenBorn in Brooklyn in 2014 with its flagship habanero-spiked honey, Bushwick Kitchen makes playful twists on everyday pantry staples. The company builds its range around ingredients sourced from growers and makers, pairing sweetness and heat in products such as spicy honey, maple syrup and sriracha. Its lineup has appeared at Walmart and in Vanity Fair, and has earned recognition from Food & Wine.WASHINGTON, DC