City Distilling is proud of its finished product and the fact that the vodka is produced right at its Holmesburg location, with a special recipe.
“This is where the magic is,” said partner Jamie Wermuth, pointing to the machinery. “Everything is done in-house here.”
City Distilling opened at 7600 State Road, Suite F, in February 2020, after more than a year of demolition of a former discount door factory. Wermuth and partners Valerie Knecht, Nick Capecci and Megan Campbell-Capecci and their family and friends put in the blood, sweat and tears scraping walls, removing pipes and more.
City Sips – ready-to-drink cocktails in a convenient pouch with a straw – can be purchased for takeout on Thursdays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There are flavors such as Orange Crush, Iced Tea, Cosmo, Blue Lemonade, Green Tea, Bloody Buddies, Prickly Pear and Pink Lemonade. There are seasonal flavors for the summer, perfect for the beach or pool parties, and Christmas. Current seasonal flavors are Autumn Apple, Basic Witch and Vampire Venom. The cost is five for $20.
“The Sips are very popular,” Wermuth said. “What customers call them is adult juice boxes of adult Capri Suns.”
A Taste Room, added on Black Friday last year, is open Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 to 11 p.m., for craft cocktails, acoustic music and good vibes. There is seating, and guests can bring in their own food or order from nearby Sweet Lucy’s or a local pizza shop. The distillery license allows for the sale of Pennsylvania products.
“It’s a nice, relaxing atmosphere,” Wermuth said. “You can relax and have a conversation.”
The Taste Room is also available for events such as bridal and baby showers and birthday parties.
Also for sale are bottles of vodka and merchandise such as T-shirts.
The bathrooms are built to look like the El, in keeping with the city theme.
There is also a bottling and storage area.
City Distilling is a hands-on operation and the saying goes, “80 proof and 100 percent truth.”
“They love the smoothness of it,” Wermuth said of customers. “The product speaks for itself.”
City Street Vodka is available at some local bars and restaurants, such as Dagwood’s Pub. You can find it at Roger Wilco and some Pennsylvania state liquor stores.
City Distilling products appeared at Mayfair’s Third Thursday Nights events, along with at the Pennypack Music Festival at Cannstatter’s, and Wermuth was happy to see repeat customers. On Saturday, you’ll find the product at the Polish American Festival at St. John Cantius Church in Bridesburg. And you might find it in a basket donated to charities for a raffle.
“We support local, and we hope local supports us,” Wermuth said. ••
For more information, visit citydistilling.com, City Distilling on Facebook or City Street Vodka on Instagram.
