Belle Isle Moonshine

Replace your vodka with something better.

Cocktails,Behind the Bar

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
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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?

Click for our Story

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?

GALENTINE'S DAY MOVIE NIGHT
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?

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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?

CLICK FOR COCKTAILS

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?

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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?

Meet Belle Isle

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?

Click for food Recipes!
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?

Meet Belle Isle

BOO-hind the Bar: The Owl Bar // Baltimore

Behind the BarStephanie StantonComment

The Owl Bar’s Bar Manager Joe Aldridge pours up some dark magic.

All photos by Justin Tsucalas.

The scariest things we typically encounter at bars are drunk, chatty old men and loud bachelorette parties. At The Owl Bar, located on the first floor the historic Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore, things are a bit more paranormal than your average neighborhood haunt. Opening in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood in 1903, The Belvedere has longstanding history as a playground for the rich and famous–including at least 10 U.S. presidents and countless celebrities.

It’s no surprise that with over a century as Baltimore’s premiere venue, The Belvedere has more than a few ghost stories. When we’ve taken you Behind the Bar in the past, it’s to share the secrets of one of our favorite bartenders. In this special Halloween edition, we’re sharing the secrets of the bar itself–and this bar (and the hotel it inhabits) definitely has some secrets. Read on to hear two longstanding employees of the Belvedere Hotel and The Owl Bar share their firsthand otherworldly encounters in the historic building. We’re also sharing two of The Owl Bar’s new spooky cocktail recipes, courtesy of bar manager, Joe!

**If you’re in Baltimore, check out The Owl Bar’s Hollywood is Dead party on Saturday, October 27!

What’s your favorite Owl Bar/Belvedere Hotel ghost story?

Valerie (Belvedere Hotel employee): I have held many positions here at The Belvedere for the past 21 years, so I have many stories to tell. I was in the Grand Ballroom on the 12th floor getting set up for an event when I experienced the ballroom coming alive like it did in the movie The Shining. I could hear people starting to talk, and I could hear ice clinking in glasses as if drinks were being made. Then music started playing–but unlike the movie, I couldn't see any of it. I could only hear it.

One of my last big experiences was about two years ago when I was working on the 13th floor. I had gone down to the 12th floor to clean and lock up. I got off the elevator and heard the sound of women's high-heeled shoes walking on the wood floor. For some reason, I got a bad vibe from whoever’s spirit that was. I told others about it the next day. I said, “We usually have nice ghosts here, but that one last night? I don't think she was.” That night I was cleaning and locking up the 12th floor again. Before I came down, I texted my husband to ask what he wanted for dinner, so just before I was about to lock the doors I checked my phone to see if my husband texted me back. When I opened my phone, the letters were being pressed and a message came across my phone saying, “I am a beautiful person. I am a beautiful person. I am a beautiful person.”

Jackie (General Manager, Owl Bar): I’ve been locking the restaurant doors at the end of the night (early morning) for more than seven years now–so I’ve seen a lot! My first encounter with a ghost was my very first month as the restaurant manager. It was myself and our bar manager at the time, Jeff, as we were doing some last minute cleaning before locking up. The TVs and the music were both off as we were about to leave. I was walking out of the kitchen, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a bright light in the corner up on the ceiling by the television followed by a huge SLAM! Jeff had his back turned to me as he was counting out his drawer and didn’t budge. I was shocked at what I had seen and heard, but I was more shocked that Jeff didn’t react to this god-awful noise. The hit was so hard that I swore it hit the floor and shattered it. The floor was in tact, the bright light I had spotted had disappeared, and Jeff was still counting his drawer as if nothing had happened. I was horrified and screamed for him to come from behind the bar. I explained what I had witnessed in detail. His response? “Sounds like you had your first ghost sighting here at The Belvedere.” Later on after we locked up, we reviewed the cameras, which show me crawling under the corner table to check the floors. I looked ridiculous!

What’s your favorite spooky room or floor in the Belvedere?

Jackie: The Grand Ballroom (12th floor). Rumor has it that a Baltimore woman in the 1920s caught her husband dancing with his mistress in the Grand Ballroom and shot him dead. His ghost, it is rumored, still haunts the ballrooms of the 12th floor, but it only bothers women. Once in a while, people who work up there swear that glasses fall to the floor and break with nobody nearby, or they put something down and a little while later it would be somewhere else.

Happy Halloween, y’all!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. Belle Isle Blood Orange

  • ¾ oz. Sour Apple liqueur

  • ¾ oz. Melon liqueur

  • 4 oz. lemonade

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin over ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

 


Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ oz. Belle Isle Cold Brew Coffee

  • ¾ oz. Jägermeister Manifest

  • 1 oz. Tyku Coconut Sake

  • ¾ oz. egg white

  • ¾ oz. coconut syrup

  • 2 dashes chocolate bitters

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin over ice. Shake and strain out ice, then dry shake for 15 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Recipes by Joe Aldridge,

Bar Manager

Craving more creepy cocktails?

Click for Spooky Spirits
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 us?

Our Story

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?

Click for Cocktails!

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?

Meet us

Behind the Bar: Joshua Le // The HofGarden

Behind the BarStephanie StantonComment

Some venues just can’t be tied down to one concept. With three stories, a rooftop bar, a music venue, and a private event space, The HofGarden has room to cater to almost any crowd. Located in Richmond’s brewery-saturated Scott’s Addition neighborhood, The HofGarden is primarily a German-style biergarten–albeit one that serves some amazing pizza and stellar cocktails. The latter is due partially to bartender Joshua Le, an industry veteran who knows a thing or two about shaking a cocktail. We recently chatted with Joshua about his favorite guilty pleasure cocktail (hint: it’s frozen and fruity), his favorite places in Richmond, and his #1 way to annoy a bartender. Scroll down to read all about it, plus get the recipe for Sun-Kissed, a cocktail featured in our upcoming addition of The Moonshine Book.

First thing’s first, who are you?

I’m Joshua Le, bartender (and babysitter) at the The HofGarden. I’ve been at the Hof on and off for three years and back full-time since early 2018.

What first got you behind the bar?

I’m like a bar fly: the booze.


Any pro-tips for someone starting out behind the bar?

Focus on the customer and operating the bar you’re behind as efficiently as possible. The cocktails will come to you as you go.

Favorite drink made by someone else?

I never know the names of the drinks, and honestly, I don’t think the person making them for me ever knows the name either. I like trying something new and different, so I always have the latest cocktail they’ve been working on or their favorite.


Favorite drink that you make?

I call it “The Equalizer”–gin, lemon, simple syrup, mint, and Peychaud’s. It’s light, refreshing, boozy, and it’s served in my favorite glass–the coupe.

Favorite thing to drink when no one’s looking?

Miami Vice. You can look, though. I don't mind.


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

Belle Isle, duh.

What’s your favorite part about working at your bar?

There's always something different going on here. We have a lot of space to work with, so we have live music, DJs, fashion shows, weddings, spoken word events, and, one time, an amateur wrestling match. So there’s always something to keep you on your toes.

What makes your bar unique?

The Hof has a unique culture that I've never seen in any bar I've worked at. This place is always growing, and they really support employee growth–if it's restaurant related or not. They really invest in the best interest of their staff.


Where do you like to stop in for a drink?

Sticky Rice is and has been one of my favorite bars ever. Always a great crowd, and if I had my own joint, I would hire any one of their exceptional bar staff. Always polite, personable,  and quick.


What’s your take on today’s cocktail culture in your city?

The craft cocktail scene in Richmond is growing right along with the city. Richmond has grown exponentially in the last five years, and people are taking note. I think we have more breweries than Starbucks, and new restaurants are constantly opening giving plenty of opportunities to those passionate about craft cocktails. It’s an exciting time to be here, and anybody serious about craft cocktails should consider Richmond as a great place to make a name for themselves.


Give us your golden rule when it comes to bar etiquette.

I don’t care if you’re a bartender, so don’t tell me.

What’s your favorite way to drink Belle Isle?

With [Belle Isle Key Account Manager] Ashley Grant. If she’s not available, I do enjoy a Belle Isle Cold Brew Negroni.


Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. vanilla bean-infused Belle Isle Black Label

  • 1 oz. pineapple juice

  • ½ oz. sunflower seed orgeat

  • ½ oz. fresh lemon juice

  • 1 egg white


    Preparation:

    Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin over ice. Shake and strain out ice, then dry shake for 15 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with vanilla bean paste.

**Recipe by Bobby Kruger of The HofGarden.

All photos by Kate Magee.

Still thirsty?

Click for cocktails!
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?

Meet Belle Isle

Behind the Bar: Tony Hairston // Wong Gonzalez

Behind the BarStephanie StantonComment

Located in the hustle and bustle of downtown Richmond, Virginia, Wong Gonzalez is definitely one-of-a-kind in the River City. Not only is the space bright and beautiful, but it’s the only place in town you can find Mexinese food. Although it’s a newer addition to the prolific EAT Restaurant Partners group, Wong Gonzalez sets itself apart from the pack with a delicious Chinese-Mexican fusion menu, a killer Happy Hour, and a selfie-inducing bathroom. Thanks to Bar Manager Tony Hairston, the cocktail menu is just as unique. With drinks like Baby One More Time and Boujie-Vardier, the cocktail list at Wong Gonzalez is just as playful as the kitschy, Old Hollywood interior. We recently chatted with Tony about his favorite drinks, his bartender beginnings, and his amazing Belle Isle cocktail on draft (!!!). Read on to get that recipe, plus another one: the spicy, smoky Strut.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF…


I’m Anthony “Tony” Hairston, Bar Manager at Wong Gonzalez. I’ve been bartending at Wong Gonzalez for a little over two years, but in general for about six years.


What first got you behind the bar?

I was serving at the time, and one of my friends who was the bar manager just kept encouraging–as well as nagging–me to work behind the bar. One day I just said, “Fine! I’ll give it a try,” and that’s all she wrote.


Any pro-tips for someone starting out behind the bar?

Someone once told me when starting out bartending that a good thing to do is go to other bars. Check out how it’s run and learn from watching other bartenders’ techniques, such as how they stir a cocktail or shake a drink.


Favorite drink made by someone else?

I think maybe a Strawberry-Mint Mojito topped of with a little bit of Champagne.

Favorite drink that you make?

Currently on our menu we have a Sorry Not Sorry cocktail (#SNS) that I think is pretty delicious. It’s made with peach vodka, blackberry-peach syrup, lemon, tea, and ginger beer. My second-favorite is our Saint Amy–jalapeño-infused tequila, elderflower, pineapple, lemon, and lime.


Favorite thing to drink when no one’s looking?

Tequila! It’s my go-to, as most people know.


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

Honestly, any of the Belle Isle Moonshine spirits. They always work well when creating cocktails!

What’s your favorite part about working at your bar?

What’s not to love about Wong? It’s beautiful inside. We have really good food. Our Happy Hour is pretty awesome, and we have it everyday we are open–including Saturday and Sunday! We are located in a great area, so we get a mixture of guests that come in, from business people getting off work trying to catch happy hour to a group of ladies having dinner before going to see a show at one of the venues nearby, to a late night pop of people coming in right after partying at a wedding reception. I do think the number one best thing about working at Wong is family. Not only is the staff some of the best people I have worked with and grow with, but EAT Restaurant Partners itself is probably one of the best companies to work for!


What makes your bar unique?

I think the visual aspect of the bar does attract a lot of people. We also pride ourselves on having a great amount of different spirits–especially tequila, vodka, and bourbon! Our bar is a place where you can come by yourself and not have to worry, or meet up with a group and not feel pressured or rushed. And again, you can’t beat the Happy Hour!


Where do you like to stop in for a drink?

I’ve been hanging out in the Fan and Carytown areas. Some places I like going are The Jasper, Weezie’s, Buddy’s Place, and Babe’s of Carytown, just to name a few.

What’s your take on today’s cocktail culture in your city?

I like the trend of how cocktails are being made today. I feel like more people and restaurants are becoming innovative with cocktails, which makes it exciting to try something new. When I first started, a “complicated” drink was a Long Island. Over the years, I have been able to learn and grow as a bartender, and explore new methods of creating cocktails. It’s fun to learn not only what’s in a cocktail, but the reason why it’s made a certain way.

Give us your golden rule when it comes to bar etiquette.

Wow, a loaded question! There are so many. I guess for guests: waving money around yelling “Yo, bartender!” while there are a plethora of other guests before you is not going to get you a drink any faster than the rest of them!


What’s your favorite way to drink Belle Isle?

I like the Belle Isle Black Label, Honey Habanero, or Ruby Red Grapefruit with some freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice and some simple syrup. Something very easy to make, yet refreshing.



Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. Belle Isle Ruby Red Grapefruit

  • ¾ oz. Aperol

  • 1 oz. fresh orange juice

  • 1 oz. fresh lemon juice

  • ½ oz. Honey Syrup

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin over ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over ice.




**Featured on tap at Wong Gonzalez!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. Belle Isle Honey Habanero

  • ¾ oz. honey-ginger syrup

  • ½ oz. carrot juice

  • ½ oz. fresh lemon juice

  • 3 dashes orange bitters

  • Spritz of mezcal

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin over ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over a big ice cube. Spritz with mezcal.




Recipes by Tony Hairston.

Photos by Joey Wharton.

Still thirsty?

More Cocktails, please!
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.

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