Image of Sip Distilling Co, with a rustic, street style decor, wood floors and Copper Stills

The Story of SIP Distilling Co. From Small Batch to Takapuna HQ.

Caci Erasmus

Every legendary elixir has a tale to tell, and ours kicked off way before our Takapuna distillery threw open its doors. Enter SIP Distilling Co., born from a wild idea: to craft premium, handcrafted New Zealand spirits that unite folks like a flavorful family reunion. What began as a tiny passion project soon blossomed into a bustling craft distillery, a retail wonderland, an experience extravaganza, and the headquarters for some of NZ's most thrilling gin and cocktail escapades.

This is how SIP Distilling Co. sprang to life!

Where It All Began: A Passion for Craft Spirits

Before the stills, workshops, or tasting room came to life, SIP Distilling Co. was just a twinkle in the eyes of spirit lovers who craved more than just a sip—they wanted to unravel the mysteries behind each drop!

Back in those humble beginnings, the batches were as tiny as a thimble, recipes were concocted one magical ingredient at a time, and every bottle was lovingly hand-filled, brimming with the same heart and soul that defines the SIP brand today.

This playful experimentation became the bedrock of our craft. It’s where Shimmer Gin found its sparkle, where SIP Dry Gin made its grand debut, and where our future concoctions began to bubble with possibilities.

Growing the Vision: From Home Experiments to a Full Craft Distillery

As our gin-loving fans multiplied, so did our craving for a bigger, bolder HQ! That dream came true with our swanky new digs in Takapuna, Auckland, where you'll now find:

✔ A snazzy custom 400-litre still

✔ A fully kitted-out production distillery

✔ A gorgeously crafted retail store

✔ A cozy tasting room

✔ An interactive gin-making workshop space

✔ Our top-notch contract distilling facility

With ample space to stretch our creative wings, SIP Distilling Co. evolved from a charming boutique endeavour into a full-throttle distilling paradise!

Meet the 400-Litre Still: The Heart of Our Distillery

Smack dab in the heart of our Takapuna HQ sits our crown jewel, our 400-litre copper still! This beauty lets us:

  • Whip up bigger batches while keeping that handcrafted charm
  • Tinker with wild new botanicals and flavors
  • Conjure up gins, liqueurs, cocktails, and more with spot-on consistency
  • Offer contract distilling for brands and entrepreneurial spirits

This isn’t just a hunk of metal, it’s the powerhouse fuelling the daily magic and innovation at SIP!

Opening the Doors: Retail, Tastings & Workshops

With our shiny new space, the floodgates of community connection swung wide open!

🛍 Retail Wonderland

Step right in to explore our treasure trove of delights! We've got the entire lineup of spirits, Shimmer Gin, SIP Dry Gin, MIXED cocktails, snazzy gifts, chic glassware, and exclusive goodies you can only snag at our distillery.

🍸 Gin-tastic Tastings

Join us for a guided flavor adventure! Sip, learn, and uncover the magic of our spirits, flavors, and botanicals while diving deep into the craft of each bottle.

🔬 Gin Wizardry Workshops

Our crowd favorite! Guests channel their inner mixologist to distill a custom gin using mini stills and botanicals, with expert guidance. Walk away with a one-of-a-kind creation to call your own.

🏭 Bespoke Spirits Services

For the visionary businesses and creators out there, we craft custom spirits to bring your ideas to life as beautifully crafted NZ spirits.

These snazzy additions have turned SIP Distilling Co. from a mere spirits brand into an unforgettable experience!

The Future of SIP Distilling Co.

As we sprout like a beanstalk, our mission remains rock-solid: crafting top-notch spirits, unforgettable escapades, and a wonderland of creativity!

On the horizon, we’ve got:

✨ Fresh seasonal concoctions

✨ Bigger, better workshops & events

✨ More mind-blowing MIXED cocktail creations

✨ Extra tasting journeys

✨ Team-ups with local creatives and brands

The saga of SIP Distilling Co. is a page-turner, and guess what? You're a starring character!

Visit Us in Takapuna

Whether you’re here for a tasting, a workshop, a bottle, or just to explore, we’d love to welcome you into our space.

👉 Explore Our Gin Making Workshops

👉 Book a Tasting Experience

👉 Shop Our Full Range of Spirits

👉 Learn More About Contract Distilling

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