7 Proudly Filipino-Made Alcoholic Drinks

The Philippines is a country rich in natural resources, and nowadays, are used to create alcohol, spirits, and liqueur.

So if you haven’t tried anything yet, we have listed below a few notable non-beer alcoholic brands made in the country—some of which you may be familiar with and some could be new to you!

Don Papa Rum

The island of Negros is known for growing sweet sugarcane that only a handful of regions can grow to create high-quality rum.

And with such, Don Papa Rum is created with this locally grown main ingredient that tastes naturally of vanilla, honey, and candied fruits.

Also read: 5 years of premium rum: Don Papa Rum celebrates ‘Sugarlandia’

Retail price: Php 2,000
Available at: Kultura Filipino
Facebook: Don Papa Rum
Website: donpaparum.com

ARC Botanical Gin

The country’s first authentic craft distillery Full Circle Craft Distillers Co. officially launched their flagship gin spirit last July. Archipelago Botanical Gin and its sister spirits, Archipelago Barrel Reserve and Archipelago Lava Rock Vodka are taking the country by storm!

Also read: Archipelago Botanical Gin Is Now Available in the Philippines

Retail price: ARC Botanical Gin (Php 2,800), ARC Barrel Reserve Gin (Php 3,400), ARC Lava Rock Vodka (Php 1,800)
Available at: Kultura Filipino at SM Malls, boozy.ph, Tesoro’s boutiques, and in Duty Free Philippines.
Facebook: Full Circle Craft Distillers Co.
Website: fullcircledistillers.com

Lakan

Lakan is an artisanal liquor known locally as lambanog. Adhering to a centuries-old tradition of harvesting and distilling nectar from the inflorescence of coconut trees, Lakan is a coconut liquor that conferred international awards for quality and taste by Monde Selection International Institute.

The brand takes its name from a title given to nobility from a time before the Spanish came to the country—a fitting name for the unique flavor profile of the Philippine coconut liquor.

Also read: A drink fit for royalty: Lakan Extra Premium Lambanog

Retail price: Lakan Gold (Php 4,000), Lakan Silver (Php 3,000), Lakan Bronze (Php 1,650)
Available at: Through their website or at Kultura Filipino at SM Malls, Duty Free Philippines, Rustan’s Supermarket, Tesoro’s, Wine Depot, Barcino Wine and Resto Bar, Landmark, Robinson’s Supermarket
Facebook: Lakan
Website: lakan.com.ph

Manille Liqueur

The Philippines has its own lime hybrid fruit that is used in many Filipino cuisine. It is such a common household ingredient that Distileria Limtuaco—the oldest distillery in the country—created the Manille Liqueur de Calamansi, a local version of the limoncello.

Manille bottles the essence of calamansi by using fruit rinds in a vodka base, creating a zesty, citrus-fresh alcoholic drink. Try it as chilled shot or on the rocks for a refreshing drink to remind you of the ubiquitous Philippine lime.

Retail price: Manille Liqueur de Calamansi (Php 440), Manille Liqueur de Dalandan (Php 440)
Available at: Liquor Express website
Facebook: Manille Liqueur
Website: liquorexpress.ph

Also read: Filipino Drinking Culture

Tapuey from Adams

Tapuey is a traditional rice wine liquor from the highland Northern Luzon. It is normally served during rituals and special occasions after it has fermented for two months in clay jars. This particular brand, Tapuey, is from Adams, Ilocos Norte.

The original recipe for the tapuey or tapuy cannot be sold in stores because of short shelf life. This evolved recipe used for Tapuey will not have the bitterness of the similarly made lambanog, but instead is sweet and tangy with the smoothness that matches the Japanese sake.

IMAGE grabbed from Proudly Promdi

 

Retail price: Php 500
Available at: Ritual at 2/F Languages Internationale Bldg. Arnaiz Ave. Makati City and Proudly Promdi

Also read: Eco-Friendly Shops to Check out for Your Holiday Gift Hunting

Sirena

Destileria Barako Corp. in the Philippines created the Sirena line of liquor that includes a vodka and a gin. The Sirena Blue Pea Gin is distilled in small batches with Philippine botanicals, including sampaguita, pink pomelo, and blue pea flower!

Meanwhile, the Sirena Vodka is distilled two times and filtered in charcoal six times to be one of the purest vodkas in the country. The distillery also sells a salted caramel version!

 

Retail price: Sirena Blue Pea Gin Php 1,200, Sirena Dry Gin Php 1,000
Available at: The Philippine Craft Kings (thepck.ph)
Facebook: Destileria Barako
Website: destileriabarako.com

Kanto

As mentioned, Destileria Barako also makes a salted caramel version of their vodka called the Kanto Salted Caramel. The addition of this sweet tang makes this vodka zing in celebration, just like how locals would cheer their drinks, tagay!

Retail Price: Php 800
Available at: The Philippine Craft Kings (thepck.ph)
Facebook: Destileria Barako
Website: destileriabarako.com

Is there any Filipino-made alcohol that you have tried? Tell us in the comments below!
For the list of locally produced beers, read our past article, Go local: A list of locally-produced beer.

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Written by Heloise Diamante