
Pawtucket’s Rhode Island Spirits—makers of the award-winning Rhodium spirits line of locally made gins, vodkas and liqueurs—fêted the grand opening of its new location with a reopening party during the weekend of March 24-26, with a preview hosted on March 23. Located at 40 Bayley Street and adjacent to The Guild brewing cooperative and event space, the brand’s new distillery and tasting room gives the RI Spirits team, led by owners Cathy Plourde and Kara Larson, space to expand its operations and guest seating. New England’s only LGBT-owned spirits brand, the RI Spirits line is crafted from local fresh, farmed or foraged ingredients and is gluten-free, organic, non-GMO and vegan, with all in the lineup but one certified kosher by RI Kosher. Rhodium Grapefruitcello, Limoncello, RI Red Vodka, Coffee & Black Walnut Vodka, Citron Vodka and Forager’s Gin are among its brands, all distributed in the state by Horizon Beverage Co. of Rhode Island – Copley division. Guests of the reopening weekend celebration enjoyed cocktails and spirit flights from a new tasting room menu.
- Cathy Plourde and Kara Larson, Founders/Owners Rhode Island Spirits.
- A new distillery and tasting room location showcases the award-winning, locally crafted Rhodium spirits line.
- Whitney Sanchez, Bartender; Amy Gravel, Tasting Room Manager; and Edgar Chamorro, Bartender, RI Spirits.
- A flight of RI Spirits’ Rhodium line.
- A new cocktail, The Banker’s Lunch, featuring Rhodium Vodka, housemade vermouth, grapefruit juice, lemon simple syrup, orange bitters and a splash of club soda.
- A Lemon Drop Martini featuring Rhodium Citron Vodka from the new tasting room menu.
- Inside RI Spirits’ new tasting room on Bayley Street, where exposed brick walls and plush seating awaits guests.
Photos by Laura Widness.