Top Isle of Wight Tipples

One of the things I love most about being on the Isle of Wight is tucking into all the delicious fresh local food. But what to wash it all down with?

Fortunately, the island has a great selection of locally-produced tipples to enjoy too. In fact, the local scene has really flourished in recent years, and many producers are now regular award winners – thanks in part to their creative use of island ingredients.

In this article you can read about my top picks – all worth a visit or looking out for in local shops, bars and restaurants. In many cases, you can also place a delivery online to keep the spirit of the island alive long after you’ve returned home!

Fancy a cheeky G&T? Then you’re in luck because the island is home to the Isle of Wight distillery. You’ve likely seen their colourful Mermaid Gin bottles around – sometimes upcycled into table lamps – and these days they offer several excellent rums too.

The bar and shop is free to visit and it’s a nice little place to chill, with a terrace overlooking a vineyard. There’s no tour, but you’ll catch a glimpse of the distilling area and the staff are friendly and always happy to chat.

My top tip is to orientate yourself by purchasing their good-value Spirit Taster Board, which gives you samples of several different gins and rums. Along with a full drinks and cocktail list from the bar, there’s also a menu of nicely-done comfort food (I like the gluten free pizza).

See if you can detect the different flavours from the natural island ingredients in their spirits – such as wild rosemary, elderflower and strawberries. You might also notice a taste of the sea, thanks to rock samphire foraged from the cliffs and sea salt from Ventnor!

The Isle of Wight Distillery is open daily and is located just a few miles outside Ryde and has its own bus stop – the number 8 service stops right outside. You’ll find their products widely across the island or can order online.

Based in Godshill, Isle of Wight Gin is a welcome addition – and relative newcomer – to the Isle of Wight spirit scene. It’s already an award winner, now also served at the Houses of Parliament!

Last year I had the pleasure of meeting the couple behind it, Cris and Leigh, and trying their gin for the first time last year. Their spirits make great use of island-inspired botanicals and we gave them a big thumbs up.

If you like your gin clean and simple, try the Island Spirit, which is also available in Navy Strength. The Island Spirit Pink is crafted with homemade strawberry bitters and makes a perfect long drink or cocktail. There are other gins with intriguing names to try too – we particularly enjoyed the zingy citrus flavours of the Gigglemug (an old English word for joy).

There are several rums and vodkas on offer too – but we warned, the Dark Spiced and Sea Salted Caramel are extremely moreish!

Purchase online or check the handy list of stockists on their website for when you’re out and about.

Using island-grown barley and working in partnership with other great local producers, Wight Whisky is the Isle of Wight’s first locally-produced whisky.

Their Signature Malt Blend sets the standard and is a deliciously smooth and creamy whisky. Also on offer is the No. 1 Single Malt, and ready-mixed cocktails in a can – the Wight Mule (whisky, ginger ale and lime) is delicious. I’m not a whisky drinker but I really enjoyed it – so maybe you will too!

Purchase online or find it in island venues using the list of stockists on the website.

Two things about Tipsy Wight strike me as genius. One is their quirky leaning bottles that you’ll want to keep hold of long after you’ve finished drinking. The other is their use of island fruits and berries to create a range of enjoyable and often unusual flavours.

These vodka-based liqueurs come in a wide range of delicious options, from cherry to elderflower. Three are particular standouts for me – quince, crab apple and medlar. Give them a try!

Purchase online or find them in island venues using the list of stockists on the website.

Rum lovers might also like to keep their eyes peeled for Barnacles Brothers Coastal Rum when out and about in the island’s bars and restaurants.

The company’s two young founders, Bruno and Dylan, were born and raised on the Isle of Wight and use a Caribbean rum base and add their own unique coastal twist to it. Two of the secret ingredients are gorse flowers and rock samphire which they sustainably forage by hand on the Island. I find it very refreshing, with a nice mix of botanical notes and a hint of spice.

You can purchase the rum online or look it out in island pubs and restaurants.

Goddard’s is located roughly midway between Sandown and Arreton. It’s an impressive site and has the feel of a mountain retreat, with a sunny terrace to enjoy a beer on too!

They brew a nice mix of both traditional and contemporary beers, along with some seasonal specials. If you haven’t tried any of them before, I’d recommend starting with a crisp, refreshing Planet lager (which is also gluten free) and end up with their rich and fruity red ale, Fuggle Dee-Dum.

There’s a viewing platform overlooking the brewing hall and an interactive exhibit. I recommend hanging out in the cool restaurant bar with a pint or two where you can also buy breakfast, small bites and pub classics.

Goddard’s is open daily and is located near the number 8 bus route, a 5-minute walk from the Amazon World bus stop.

Founded in 2021, Wight Knuckle is another favourite of mine – a local craft brewery which is ‘on the up’ and recently moved its production to the Nunwell Estate near Brading.

They brew a number of interesting beers, from a light Unfiltered Lager to Pale Ale, Best Bitter and a rich and toasty Black IPA. New to the list for 2026 is a low-alcohol Hazy Pale Ale too.

During the summer months they also run some Saturday tours, where you can learn about the craft brewing process and sample the products in person (booking is required via their website).

Wight Knuckle is widely available across the island –check the list of stockists on the  website, visit the Nunwell Estate Farm Shop or purchase online.

Adgestone, near Brading, is now the only island vineyard open to the public and produces a wide range of still, sparkling and fruit wines and liqueurs.

They cultivate several unusual grape varieties which make some great tipples. Their Full Bodied Red has an unusually good depth for an English red wine – and be sure to try England’s only blue sparkling wine (yes, you read that right – the unique colour comes from the grape skins). The vineyard has recently started producing sparkling red wine too, meaning you can fulfil your patriotic duty by drinking red, white and blue fizz in one session!

Entrance to the shop is free, you can buy drinks and food sharing platters to have onsite, and there are regular music events in summer. There are three different tour options too.

The vineyard is open seasonally from Wednesday to Saturday. It’s located approximately 15 minutes’ walk uphill from the Yarbridge Cross bus stop which is served by main bus routes 2 and 3, or a 20-minute walk from Brading railway station.