Gin · Florida
Gin Distilleries in Florida
Tour 5 gin distilleries in Florida. Each offers visits, tastings or experiences you can book directly — including Big Cypress Distillery, Loggerhead Distillery, Gamblers Bay Distillery.
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About gin distilleries in Florida
Florida's gin makers have a clear advantage: a year-round abundance of citrus and a subtropical larder of botanicals you won't find further north. The state's craft distillers have leaned into that bounty, building gins around Sunshine State citrus, soft florals and locally grown or even self-cultivated juniper. St. Augustine Distillery, working from a beautifully restored former ice plant in the nation's oldest city, makes a New World Gin built on around a dozen botanicals including three types of Florida citrus peel. Down in the Panhandle, Timber Creek Distillery distils a Florida Gin layered with honeysuckle, rose, lavender, fennel, peppercorn, cucumber and lemon peel over juniper they grow themselves, using a Florida wheat base. Elsewhere, Big Cypress Distillery, Gamblers Bay Distillery and Loggerhead Distillery add their own regional takes. The through-line is brightness: where many gins lean cool and piney, Florida's tend toward sunny citrus and gentle florals, a style that feels made for the climate. Tasting your way around the state means sampling that warm-weather character in settings that range from historic St. Augustine to the Gulf Coast.
What makes Gin here special
Florida gin is shaped by its subtropical pantry. Year-round citrus is the defining ingredient, and distillers use it generously: St. Augustine Distillery's New World Gin features three types of Florida citrus peel among its botanicals, lending a bright, sunlit lift, while its recipe also draws on classic supports like cassia bark and angelica. Timber Creek takes a notably hands-on approach, growing its own juniper and layering in soft florals such as honeysuckle, rose and lavender alongside fennel, peppercorn and cucumber, all built on a Florida wheat base. Other producers like Big Cypress, Gamblers Bay and Loggerhead bring their own coastal and regional interpretations. Rather than the cool, resinous profile common to northern gins, Florida's house style leans warm, citrus-forward and floral, a direct reflection of what grows well in the state's climate.
What to expect from a Gin tasting
A Florida gin tasting is usually a bright, approachable experience. At St. Augustine Distillery the setting is part of the draw, a restored historic ice plant where guided tastings and tours sit alongside award-winning bourbon, rum and vodka, so gin is one stop on a wider journey through the range. At Timber Creek you'll often hear how the botanicals are distilled separately to keep the flavour clean and controlled, and how the self-grown juniper and Florida wheat base come together. Expect to taste the gin neat to appreciate the citrus and florals, then in a simple serve like a gin and tonic where the Sunshine State character really opens up. Tasting-room staff tend to be generous with the story behind each botanical.
Best for…
Florida gin is perfect for drinkers who favour bright, citrus-led and floral styles over heavy juniper, and for travellers who want to fold a tasting into a holiday. History lovers should head to St. Augustine, where the distillery's restored ice-plant home pairs naturally with a day in the historic centre. Anyone exploring the Panhandle or Gulf Coast can build a visit around Timber Creek and its hands-on, grow-our-own ethos. With Big Cypress, Gamblers Bay and Loggerhead spread across the state, Florida gin also suits road-trippers piecing together tastings between beaches, springs and coastal towns.
Frequently asked
- What gives Florida gin its distinctive flavour?
- Citrus and subtropical botanicals. Florida's year-round citrus features heavily, with St. Augustine Distillery using three types of Florida citrus peel in its New World Gin, and Timber Creek layering soft florals like honeysuckle, rose and lavender over self-grown juniper. The result is a brighter, more citrus-forward style than typical northern gins.
- Which Florida distilleries are best known for gin?
- St. Augustine Distillery, in a restored historic ice plant, and Timber Creek Distillery in the Panhandle are two of the most prominent gin makers. Big Cypress Distillery, Gamblers Bay Distillery and Loggerhead Distillery also produce gin with their own regional character.
- Can I tour the distilleries as well as taste the gin?
- Yes at several. St. Augustine Distillery is well known for guided tours and tastings within its restored ice-plant home, where gin sits alongside bourbon, rum and vodka. Tour availability varies by distillery, so confirm directly before visiting.
- Is Florida gin made with local ingredients?
- Often, yes. Distillers make a feature of local citrus, and Timber Creek grows its own juniper and uses a Florida wheat base. Asking about sourcing in the tasting room is the best way to learn what's local in each specific gin.
- How should I drink Florida gin?
- The bright, citrus and floral character shines in a gin and tonic, but tasting it neat first lets you pick out the individual botanicals. Tasting rooms will usually pour it both ways so you can compare.
- Are the Florida gin distilleries spread far apart?
- Yes, they're spread across the state, from St. Augustine on the northeast coast to Timber Creek in the Panhandle. It's best to plan visits by region or build them into a wider road trip rather than trying to see them all at once.
- Do I need to book a gin tasting in advance?
- It depends on the distillery and how busy the season is. Popular spots like St. Augustine Distillery can be busy, especially at weekends and during tourist periods, so checking hours and booking where possible is wise.