On our Islands we have a range of local beverages that are brewed, distilled and roasted right here by local experts; from gins and vodkas to speciality coffees, kombucha and cider. Since we are a small Island, these beverages are often made in smaller batches, guaranteeing quality in every drink.
You can find many of these drinks being sold in local bars, cafés and eateries, and also in a range of local shops, making it easy to try them whether you are dining out or enjoying a self-catering stay.
If you want to learn more about the process of making these drinks there are several tours and tastings available, where experts will give information about your chosen drink and you can see how it is made for yourself. You'll also find a great variety of wine, cocktail and gin-tasting experiences, perfect for a fun group evening out.
We’ve created a list of these tastings and tours, and the local drinks to look out for on your next trip to our Islands.
Get a taste for local drinks
On your visit to Guernsey, you'll find a variety of local drinks. From coffee and kombucha to beers, ciders and more, you're sure to find a drink for you.
Look out for these local producers in cafes, on your restaurant menus and in the shops to take home. It's a great way to enjoy an authentic taste of our Islands.
Coffees and Kombucha Tea
The Guernsey Roastery and Bean 14
Bean 14 is a small coffee roastery nestled in the heart of Guernsey. They are passionate about coffee, bringing the best beans from around the world and roasting them right here on Guernsey. Their coffee beans are carefully selected from ethical and sustainable sources, ensuring that each cup is not only delicious but also responsibly sourced.
You’ll find many eateries and cafés on Island selling coffee made with Bean 14, so make sure to try it for yourself. You can also find beans available at The Guernsey Weigh if you'd like to take a cup home with you.
Found in a hedge veg stall at Petit Bot, these are sustainably sourced, locally roasted beans. You can also order from their website if you don't pass the stall on your visit. The beans are roasted in small batches on a weekly basis in Guernsey and are best enjoyed fresh. Hedgerow Coffee Co. also sell all of the gadgets you need to make a perfect coffee, from brewing kits and presses to coffee cups and milk jugs.
Oryx are committed to supplying only sustainably sourced, high-quality beans, roasted with state-of-the-art equipment in the heart of Guernsey. They have a coffee shop based in the heart of Guernsey’s Old Quarter where you can pick up your favourite beans, drink their coffee and pick up a wide range of coffee making equipment.
KTea Kombucha is brewed locally using the finest, ethically sourced whole-leaf teas and botanicals, filtered water and raw cane sugar. There are currently five flavours available, and they are all low-sugar, low-caffeine, gluten-free and vegan. You’ll find these delicious drinks in most health stores on our Islands, in some restaurants and the Co-Op.
Locally Distilled Gins and Vodka
Widely stocked throughout Guernsey, this artisan gin takes inspiration and ingredients from the Island’s maritime environment, giving it a unique and authentic local taste. Particularly popular are the Rock Samphire and Pink Grapefruit Gins. It can be found in a range of local bars and bottles are sold in local shops and supermarkets, so you can take it home with you.
The award-winning Blue Bottle Gin is another boutique gin distilled on Island. Alongside the traditional juniper notes, you can delight in the tropical (almost coconut) scent of the local gorse flowers. These flavours are complimented by nutmeg and cubeb pepper. Blue Bottle Gin can be found at various bars and restaurants throughout Guernsey and is sold in many shops.
Fermented and distilled from 100% malted barley, Blue Mantis is a small batch vodka handmade exclusively in Guernsey by local distillers, Randalls of Guernsey. Blue Mantis has a unique, clean and mellow taste. You can find it in bars and at their stores around the Island.
Part of the Extrodinary Spirits range from Randalls, this drink is made on Island by re-distilling Caribbean rum with a range of spices in their hand-built copper still.
Tonto is a sparkling alcoholic premix (4% abv) with a unique taste that provides a refreshing local experience. With its blend of refreshing citrus flavours over a smooth vodka base, these drinks are found in many local pubs and off-licences. You can also order them online.
Cider, Ale and Craft Bears
Randalls of Guernsey also brew a range of their own beers, ciders and lager on Island, with something for every beer lover to enjoy. Their popular Breda and Patois beers are sold in many Island pubs, and you can also find bottled versions in our supermarkets.
The Liberation Group and Brewery have been in the Channel Islands for the last 150 years, and are award-winning for their beers. The group owns a number of pubs and restaurants on both Guernsey and Jersey where you can try their beverages on tap. Bottled versions can also be found in some stores around the Island.
Rocquettes Cider and Apple Juice
Beloved locally, you will find Rocquettes Cider in nearly every pub and bar on Guernsey. Their team have been creating cider and apple juice for 25 years and has a range of flavours to choose from. From planting the trees in the orchard to creating the finished product, each step of the process to make Rocquette Cider is done in Guernsey.
A craft brewery established in Guernsey that offers 4 speciality beers from pale ale to lager, as well as a low-alcohol brew. You can order their drinks online, or find them in local stores.
Second Meridian Brew Co., or 2M, are a Guernsey-based brewing company founded by four local friends and beer aficionados. With pale ales, dark stouts, fruity blends, low-alcohol and more, they have a huge range to choose from. You can find them served at The Mermaid Tavern in Herm, in certain stores and hired for private events.
Tours
Keen to know more about the making of our local drinks? You'll find several cider and brewery tours that will keep you entertained and having fun, with a splash of education thrown in for good measure.
Rocquette Cider Tour and Tasting
This family-run organic farm nestled in Fauxquets Valley in the heart of Guernsey has 5,500 trees that comprise the Rocquette Cider orchards. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, learn about the history of cider making and how Rocquette cider, chutney and other products are made on a guided walk through the orchards. Group tours last 90 minutes and include a tasting of their ciders, fruit liqueurs and apple chutneys paired with local cheeses from the Guernsey Dairy and Torteval Cheese.
Brewery Tours
The Brewery offers ‘open’ brewery tours, with 30 minutes of welcome drinks followed by a trip into the brewery to learn about the beer-making process for 30-45 minutes. After your tour, you will be led back to the taproom to relax and mingle. Drinks are included in the tour, with the choice of their 3 beers, white and red wine, Rocquette cider and soft drinks. Tours run on the third Thursday of every month. Booking in advance is advised.
As well as brewing and distilling their own drinks, they offer Thursday evening brewery tours where they take you through their brewery to explain how the equipment and process works, before you can sit and sample their beers in the bar. Please note that bookings are for groups of twelve or more only.
Tastings
During your visit why not explore a range of drinks from across the globe with our local experts. Whether you want to learn about Spanish wines, Scottish whiskey or try your hand at cocktail making, there are plenty of experiences on offer for a fun evening out.
Wine Tasting
For wine connoisseurs, we have several options for an evening filled with delicious wine, good food and, perhaps, even a bit of education. Choose one of our wine-tasting experiences, available for all group sizes.
JB Parker's Wine Cellar's private tasting room is the perfect way to pass an evening as a group. All tastings come with a selection of Artisan cheese and charcuterie platters and last 90-120 minutes. The tasting area is yours for the night, so you can stay and try even more wines from their extensive list. A minimum of 4 and a maximum of 32 guests required. They have a range of tasting packages, or you can book a bespoke tasting with wines suited to your specific tastes.
The only table that can be reserved in Rouge, normally a walk-in wine and cheese bar, is their Tasting Table, a round table seating up to 8 people. It can be booked any time for a custom wine and cheese tasting or just to get a group of friends together.
Found at Les Rocquettes Hotel, the Oak Bar and Bistro features the popular Oak's Wine Corner. A fun way to improve your knowledge and appreciation of wine, their wine packages include 4 different wines from around the world accompanied by a cheese and charcuterie board plus tasting notes. They can even arrange for their Bar Manager, Nico, or one of his team to talk you through all of the wines, offering even more information. Please note that the tastings are for a minimum of 4 people.
Gin Tasting
The Duke of Richmond Hotel offers ‘The Duke’s Gin Safari’. For a gin-tasting journey with a difference, you'll hunt down rare botanicals, discover exotic flavours and utilise them in your very own bespoke brew. They have four gin safaris that can accommodate up to 10 guests, each encompassing three gins from across the world along with light bites.
Tinto is a local gin and tapas bar, normally open to walk-ins. It is also available for private hire, with the option of a gin or Spanish wine and tapas tasting to kick-start your evening.
A Mix of All Tastings
Head to the Old Government House Hotel to enjoy a variety of tasting experiences. The Crown Club offers wine, gin and whisky tasting, depending on your tastes. Whether you want a romantic evening for two or a larger group get-together, all parties can be accommodated.
Cocktail Making
Both Buho and The Duke of Richmond Hotel offer cocktail-making experiences. You choose the cocktails that you would like and experienced mixologists will demonstrate how to make them before you have a go yourself and enjoy them with some light snacks.
