Cool Off with American-Made Craft Gin & Tonics from Founding Spirits 

Looking for the best American-made craft cocktails to sip this summer? Founding Farmers has just what you need with our trio of house-crafted gin and tonics, featuring our award-winning, small-batch Founding Spirits Dry Gin – proudly distilled in the heart of Washington, DC. 

Crafted with Our American-Made Founding Spirits Dry Gin 

What sets our gin and tonics apart? It starts with our house-distilled spirit. Our Founding Spirits Dry Gin is crafted in our downtown DC distillery at Founding Farmers & Distillers, giving us total control over the quality and character of every sip. This isn’t just any gin; it’s our gin, distilled with the same farmer-owned philosophy that drives everything we do. 

Three Craft Cocktails, One Standout Spirit 

Our Proper G&T 

Sometimes classic is best. Our Proper G&T honors the traditional gin and tonic while elevating it with our exceptional Founding Spirits Dry Gin, premium tonic water, and fresh lime. This drink is proof that when you start with quality ingredients, simplicity becomes sophistication. 

Our Frozen G&T 

Who says gin and tonics can’t be slushies? Our Frozen G&T transforms the beloved cocktail into a frosty, refreshing treat that’s perfect for those sweltering summer days. Our house-made tonic syrup crafted for our Frozen G&T ensures we don’t dilute the botanical complexity of our gin. Instead, it creates a smooth, cooling experience that’s as satisfying as it is Instagram-worthy. 

Our G&T Fizz 

For those who like their cocktails with a little extra sparkle, our G&T Fizz adds effervescent excitement to the traditional recipe. This variation maintains all the crisp, clean flavors you love about a gin and tonic while adding an extra layer of refreshment that makes each sip feel like a celebration. 

Why Our Craft Cocktails Stand Out 

At Founding Farmers, we believe that great cocktails are built on great ingredients. That’s why each of our gin and tonics features: 

  • American-made Founding Spirits Dry Gin – distilled in small batches with botanical precision 
  • Premium mixers – because your gin deserves the best companion 
  • Fresh, seasonal garnishes – thoughtfully chosen ingredients to elevate each sip 

Discover Your Favorite Gin & Tonic  

Whether you’re winding down after a long day, celebrating with friends, or simply looking for the perfect way to beat the heat, our gin and tonic trio offers something for every palate and occasion. Each variation showcases the versatility of our Founding Spirits Dry Gin while delivering the refreshing experience that only a well-crafted G&T can provide. 

Ready to experience the best American craft cocktails of the summer?  Visit Founding Farmers and discover your new favorite way to stay cool. With three distinct takes on this classic cocktail, you might just find yourself working through the menu – and we wouldn’t blame you one bit. 

Ready to beat the heat? Find your nearest Founding Farmers location and try all three of our signature gin and tonic variations today. 

Founding Spirits Named a 2025 “Best of DC Magazine” Winner!

We’re raising a glass to some incredible news — Founding Spirits has won a 2025 Best of DC Magazine award!  

This recognition from DC Magazine’s readers means the world to us — and it’s a true reflection of the passion, craftsmanship, and dedication poured into every bottle of Founding Spirits. 

Handcrafted Spirits, Made Right Here in DC 

Founding Spirits isn’t your average distillery. We’re proud to be locally operated in Washington, DC, crafting small-batch spirits that are as bold and distinctive as the city we call home. 

Our lineup features award-winning spirits that celebrate quality ingredients, time-honored techniques, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way: 

  • Founding Spirits Rye – Bold and spicy, with deep grain character—perfect for classic rye-forward cocktails.  
  • Founding Spirits Bourbon – Rich and balanced with warm vanilla, caramel, and oak tones; great neat or in classics like an Old Fashioned.  
  • Founding Spirits White Rum – Light and clean with hints of fruit and vanilla—great for mojitos, daiquiris, and tropical cocktails.  
  • Founding Spirits Dark Rum – Aged and flavorful with notes of spice, caramel, and oak—perfect for sipping or dark-n’-stormy style drinks.  

We’re proud that these small batch spirits have found a home not only on our shelves but also in restaurants, bars, and home bar carts across the DMV. 

Why Founding Spirits Stands Out 

We believe great spirits start with great values. As part of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, our commitment to sustainability, traceability, and community is at the heart of everything we do. From sourcing ingredients to supporting local businesses, we take pride in keeping it close to home — and keeping it personal. 

“We are grateful for this Best of DC recognition and everyone who supports small-batch distilling and our American family farmers who make our spirits possible,” says our Distiller, Bob VanLancker. “We’re honored to create world-class spirits right here in the heart of the nation’s capital.” 

Being named a Best of DC winner reinforces what we’ve always believed: DC deserves world-class spirits. 

Experience the Best of DC Spirits 

Whether you’re a DC local, a cocktail enthusiast, or someone simply searching for the best craft spirits in Washington, DC, we invite you to experience Founding Spirits for yourself. 

Stop by Founding Farmers & Distillers or any of our Founding Farmers restaurants for a taste of our award-winning spirits. Toast our win with handcrafted cocktails featuring Founding Spirits and enjoy a scratch-made meal. In our DC locations, you can also pick up a bottle to bring home (or order online for shipping to most states). 

Cheers to this honor — and to many more shared pours ahead! 

Introducing Our Newest Limited-Edition: Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels

A bold new chapter for Founding Spirits has arrived — smooth, complex, and entirely unexpected. 

We’re proud to share the latest addition to our small-batch, award-winning collection: Founding Spirits Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels. This limited-edition spirit combines American craftsmanship with a distinctive, island-inspired finish. 

A Bourbon with a Bold, Exotic Twist 

This exclusive release begins with our 100% American bourbon, aged for two years in oak barrels to develop its signature rich character. But we didn’t stop there. We then finish this exceptional bourbon for an additional six months in our very own Founding Spirits Dark Rum barrels, allowing it to absorb layers of deep molasses, rich caramel, vanilla, and subtle herbal spice. 

The result? A refined bourbon with an exotic rum twist that’s full of character. 

Tasting Notes 

Expect an enticing balance of bold bourbon flavors and sweet, tropical influences: 

  • Warm caramel and vanilla on the nose 
  • Rich molasses and herbal spice on the palate 
  • A silky-smooth finish with lingering sweetness 

It’s familiar — yet elevated. Classic bourbon meets unexpected depth. 

Sip It Your Way 

This unique bourbon is perfect for: 

  • Sipping neat for the purest expression 
  • On the rocks to let the flavors unfold 
  • Or transforming your favorite bourbon cocktail into something extra special 

Small Batch. Locally Bottled. Limited Time. 

At Founding Spirits, we do things the right way. That means: 

  • Carefully crafted in small batches 
  • Aged and finished with intention 
  • Made with pride inside Founding Farmers & Distillers in Chinatown, DC 

Our Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels is available only for a limited time. Once these bottles are gone, they’re gone. 

Get Yours Before It’s Gone 

Available for purchase in all our Founding Farmers DC city locations, or you can order it through our website

Cheers to bold innovation, small-batch tradition, and a bourbon experience unlike any other.