Muscle Craft Distillery
Offering vodkas, moonshine, rum, and bourbon
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Stuart, Muscle Craft Distillery is one of the few woman-owned distilleries in the country. Founded by Grace Gillespie—a former personal trainer, fitness competitor, and nutritionist—this brand is all about strength and authenticity. Every spirit is handcrafted, blending time-tested techniques with a modern twist to deliver bold, clean, and crave-worthy drinks that fit perfectly into an active, health-conscious lifestyle.
Grace Gillespie, Founder
Q: What inspired you to become a distiller?
A: As a former personal trainer, I saw a gap in the industry. I wanted to create a clean spirit for fitness-minded individuals. My first batch of Muscle Vodka was made with that goal: zero sugar, zero carbs, gluten-free, full-strength. I was obsessive about quality, and when I tasted it, I knew I had something special—something that could stand out and represent strength, discipline, and living without compromise. That moment ignited my passion and set me on this path.
Q: Which of your spirits makes you most proud?
A: I’m most proud of our flagship Muscle Vodka. It embodies everything Muscle Craft stands for; it’s clean, strong, and intentional. Overcoming the challenges to create a spirit that fits a healthy lifestyle makes me proud—and it resonates with fitness enthusiasts and everyday drinkers alike.
Q: If you could distill a spirit inspired by a place or memory, what would it be?
A: It would be inspired by the Florida coast—salty sea breeze, warm sunshine, and relaxed beach vibes. Bright, refreshing, with subtle complexity, it would capture the essence of home and transport drinkers to that laid-back feeling with every sip.
Mule Down Under
Lemongrass adds an unexpected tropical flair to this tangy kiwi Moscow Mule.
Ingredients
- 1 kiwi, peeled (plus 1 kiwi wheel for garnish)
- 2 lime wedges (plus 1 lime wheel for garnish)
- ½ oz. lemongrass syrup (see recipe)
- 1½ oz. Muscle Craft vodka
- 3-4 oz. ginger beer
Place the peeled kiwi, lime wedges, and syrup in a shaker and muddle well. Add ice and vodka and give it a good shake. Double strain into a copper cup filled with fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish with the kiwi and lime wheels.
Lemongrass Syrup Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup honey
- 2 lemongrass stalks, sliced
Combine the water, honey, and lemongrass in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the honey is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Strain into a clean jar, cover, and keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. To preserve your syrup for longer periods of time, add a splash of vodka.
Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co.
Crafting vodka, gin, and rum—plus beers, hard seltzers, and sparkling wine (and everything in between)
Located just west of Frazier Creek in Stuart—a city with deep German roots—Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co. contributes to the city’s rich brewing history. Master distiller and brewmaster Dan Rogers serves their mission by offering exceptional beers, seltzers, sodas, spirits, and cocktails. Perhaps that’s why the spot was named the Best New Brewery in the U.S. by USA Today in 2025.
Dan Rogers, Master Distiller and Brewmaster
Q: What makes Frazier Creek Brewing & Distilling Co. stand out?
A: It’s pretty exciting—combining brewing and distilling all in one spot isn’t common, especially here in Florida. Plus, its location near Frazier Creek ties us to Stuart’s historic roots, giving it a unique local flair.
Q: How does Stuart’s history and German influence play a role?
A: We celebrate that heritage by sticking to traditional brewing and distilling methods. It’s our way of connecting the old with the new.
Q: Which ingredient most influences the final flavor of your spirits?
A: The charred barrels contribute the most— not only to the aging process, transforming the raw spirit by adding color and filtering impurities—but also imparting flavors like vanilla, caramel, and smoke. Char levels determine the intensity, with heavier chars producing more smoke and oak, while lighter chars yield sweeter, more subtle notes.
Q: Are there any unusual ingredients or techniques you’ve experimented with?
A: The most interesting ingredient I have experimented with are ylang-ylang flowers in our gin.
Garden Variety
Using Frazier Creek’s limited-edition Nectar Del Sol, this hearty twist on the Bloody Mary is chock-full of fresh market ingredients.
Ingredients
- 5-6 tomatoes
- ¼ cup watercress
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 lemon
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 8 oz. Nectar Del Sol Agave Spirit
- 2 tsp. Himalayan or sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Using a juicer, process the tomatoes, watercress, bell peppers, celery, garlic, lemon, and parsley. Whisk in the cayenne, gin, salt, and black pepper and pour into an ice-filled glass. Alternatively, the ingredients can be placed in a blender, blended until smooth, and strained. (Makes 4 servings.)
Facebook Comments