Rum The North Star State
Discover the surprising Minnesota rum scene in the cool climate Land of 10,000 Lakes. From a rich seam of distilling heritage, modern craft distillers have diversified to produce some interesting rums. While Minnesota’s cool climate landscape of rolling hills and the vast expanse of Lake Superior doesn’t suit sugarcane cultivation, the state’s Red River Valley holds the distinction of being a major sugar beet producing region in the U.S., bordered by Michigan and Wisconsin along the Lake Superior coastline. The North Woods’ extensive forests and countless lakes in the north and east. Then there’s the Western Prairie’s rolling plains and grasslands in its southwestern and western reaches. This stunning geography shows that Minnesota has far more than just the well-known Mall of America. Did you know that Rum River State Forest, north of Minneapolis, has an interesting backstory? The ‘Rum River’ likely gets its name from a translation error, with early settlers mistaking the Dakota ‘Spirit River’ for a river named after rum.
Distilling in Minnesota has roots stretching back to the 1800s, with sugar beet mills established in St. Peter as early as 1865. While sugar beets aren’t used in rum production, they serve a similar purpose to sugarcane in colder climates as a source of sugar. Minnesota’s distilling scene truly took shape during Prohibition. Farmers in Stearns County ingeniously used surplus corn to produce moonshine, famously known as ‘Minnesota 13.’ In the same era, the state’s strategic location bordering Canada via Lake Superior made it a significant route for rum runners smuggling illegal spirits. Today, over a dozen craft distillers now make rum in Minnesota. Minnesota’s strong Scandinavian heritage is reflected in its distilling story to this day. While state laws create hurdles in licensing distilleries, tasting rooms, and cocktail rooms, this also means that when you visit, many local distilleries serve their own spirits in their cocktail rooms, giving you a more local taste experience.
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis Saint Paul metropolitan area is a hub for today’s rum scene and a natural starting point for adventures, but we’ll take this rum road trip from north to south, buckle up your snowmobile as we explore Minnesota’s off-the-beaten-path rum scene.
Northwestern Minnesota
From the sweeping prairies of the Red River Valley to its dense forests and numerous lakes, the Northwest has year-round appeal, including the iconic Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park. Immerse yourself in its natural wonders by fishing and boating, biking and hiking in state parks, or enjoying a day of golfing and bird-watching. When winter arrives, discover the magic of snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing, and the unforgettable spectacle of the northern lights.
Far North Spirits
In Hallock, approximately six hours north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Far North Spirits is the northernmost distillery in the contiguous US. It was founded in 2013 by Michael Swanson and Cheri Reese and the distillery is situated on the Swanson family farm, continuously farmed since 1917. As a fourth-generation farm, they use their own grains to produce estate-grown single varietal whiskies and gin. Their rum brand is Ålander, meaning “Islander.” Ålander White Rum is made from Demerara and turbinado cane sugars with an open-top fermentation of 4-5 days. It’s then double-distilled in hybrid pot stills. The Aged Rum rests for one year in used Roknar Rye Whiskey barrels. The core rum expressions include Ålander White Rum, Ålander Nordic Style Spiced Rum, and Ålander Aged Rum. Ålander Spiced Rum is infused with whole bean spices. Their Cocktail Room is open on Saturdays; call ahead to reserve your spot for tours, and you can find the rum across the region.
Find out more on Far North Spirits
Stearns County
Venture just north of the Twin Cities to St. Cloud in Stearns County, a region that leads Minnesota agriculture as the state’s organic farming capital and centre for granite production. As a compelling day trip, it allows you to explore its rich old railroad history or enjoy water sports in the Rum River State Forest and its slow, meandering waters that connect Mille Lacs Lake with the Mississippi. Amidst these fertile farmlands, a hidden gem rum producer awaits your discovery.
Iron Street Distillery
The sole distillery in St. Cloud, Minnesota, was founded in 2023 by John Martens and Kevin Johnson. Located in the original International Harvester Company building, the distillery’s name, Iron Street, comes from the distillery’s location at the railroad tracks. It even features a room to watch the trains go by. They make Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, and rum. All spirits, including their rum, Baby Red Rum, are distilled and served on-site in their bar. Baby Red Rum is a white rum, named after the International Harvester Red Baby truck, a significant marketing campaign. Visitors can try Baby Red Rum and other spirits at the distillery’s cocktail bar. The core rum expression is the white rum, Baby Red Rum.
Find out more on Iron Street Distillery
The Twin Cities
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers converge, are the vibrant heart of Minnesota’s cultural attractions and foodie scene. Explore the scenic Minnehaha Falls, discover the vast Mall of America, enjoy the golf courses and museums, and delve into the local craft distilleries to experience the state’s local rum.
Skaalvenn Distillery & Cocktail Lounge
A family-owned business in Brooklyn Park, founded in 2014 by husband and wife, Tyson and Mary Schnikter. Skaalvenn, meaning “Cheers, friend!” in Norwegian, reflects their desire to celebrate life and friendship. This disabled veteran, woman, and minority-owned distillery produce Skaalvenn Rum, a white rum distilled from 100% cane sugar and molasses, recommended for cocktails like mojitos and daiquiris. They also offer Skaalvenn Habanero Rum with a fiery kick. Their cocktail lounge, a Japanese speakeasy-themed bar (reservations recommended), serves classic and original cocktails made with their own spirits and is open Thursday through Saturday.
Find out more on Skaalvenn Distillery & Cocktail Lounge
Norseman Distillery
Founded in 2013 by Scott Ervin, this was the first micro-distillery in Minneapolis. The craft distillery makes a range of spirits using the local ingredients, where possible, to produce in small batches. Blue Label Rum Modelled after the classic time-honoured rum-making traditions, they rest it in aged bourbon barrels. Distilled from 100% Organic Panela, Norseman Rum is the perfect warm getaway from those cold MN winters. Norseman Navy Rum is a spiced-flavoured rum made with allspice, clove, nutmeg, and brown sugar to recreate that Jamaican warmth, then aged with oak chips to build a warm, vanilla, spiced rum that complements any island cocktail. Norseman Pineapple Rum is a combination of Norseman Rum macerated with fresh pineapple rinds, nutmeg, clove, and allspice creating a juicy, caramel sweetness with a smoky finish. The distillery features a cocktail room and offers tours and tastings.
Find out more on Norseman Distillery
Bent Brewstillery
Located in Roseville, Ramsey County, this brewery distillery began in 2007 after owner Bartley received a beer kit as a gift from his wife, Brenda. Bartley switched from corporate America in 2012 to dedicate himself to brewing and distilling. The production uses a 500-gallon MegaStill and a 26-gallon Spirit still for development. Their rum portfolio includes Storm Bringer Barrel-Aged Spiced Rum and Flame Bringer, with a notable limited release, Peppery Fiery Rum, aged in a former Sriracha hot sauce fermentation barrel. Visitors can participate in tours that feature both spirit sampling and a beer flight.
Find out more on Bent Brewstillery
11 Wells Spirits Company
In East Saint Paul, 11 Wells has been distilling since 2013. Recently acquired by the Clapp family, the distillery’s name honours the eleven wells of the historic Hamm’s Brewery which is their location. They use the on-site well water in their production. Their Boiler Room White Rum is produced from blackstrap molasses, fermented with champagne yeast, and some are aged in their bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey barrels. The signature rums include Boiler Room White Rum and aged Boiler Room Rum. Visitors can experience their spirits at The Cocktail Room, which opened in 2018 within the historic Blacksmith and Millwright Shop buildings on the Hamm’s site, and distillery tours are available.
Find out more on 11 Wells Spirits Company
King Coil Spirits
King Coil Spirits is an award-winning craft distillery in St. Paul that focuses on making great spirits for great cocktails. King Coil currently produces two different rums: White Rum and Blackstrap Rum. King Coil White Rum starts with a base of organic Panela. Panela is pure, unrefined cane sugar that undergoes no additional processing other than the evaporation of water; it is the closest you can come to pure cane sugar juice without being right next to a sugar field. The Panela fermentation is distilled in-house on King Coil’s hybrid copper still, using a five-plate column to create a smooth, clean rum reminiscent of the Puerto Rican style. The rum is then aged for 3-9 months in used Jamaican rum casks to mellow without adding a significant oak barrel flavour to let the flavours of the rum shine through.
King Coil Blackstrap Rum uses the White Rum as a base, and adds a small amount of blackstrap molasses and burnt sugar to create a dark colour and a hint of smoky sweetness in the rum, perfect for tiki cocktails like a Mai Tai or Jungle Bird. The King Coil tasting room in St. Paul features top notch specialty cocktails all crafted with house-made spirits. The distillery offers tours and tastings, has private event spaces for rent, and is home to OG Zaza St. Paul and their fantastic artisan pizza.
Find out more on King Coil Spirits
Du Nord Social Spirits
America’s first Black-owned distillery, the spirits company was founded in Minneapolis in 2013 by Chris and Shanelle Montana. With a mission for social impact and fostering diversity within the spirits industry. The name “Social” reflects this commitment. Rebranding from Du Nord Craft Spirits in 2021, their name signifies following their own North Star. Chris Montana is the master blender behind the country’s first and only four-crop vodkas. Their spirits are available at ReserveBar for local ordering and shipping. The Du Nord Cocktail Room reopened in 2024, featuring beverages from brands owned by historically excluded communities.
Find out more on Du Nord Social Spirits
Copperwing Distillery
Founded in 2014 and based in St. Louis Park by three friends who initially aimed for spirit distribution before adding a cocktail room. Copperwing White Rum is made in St. Louis Park from a blend of molasses and cane sugar, fermented at elevated temperatures to develop a high ester and distinctive character, featuring notes of pineapple and lychee with a Caribbean “funk.” It can be enjoyed neat, over ice, or in cocktails like the Jungle Bird and Mai Tai. The distillery offers a one-hour Distillery Tour & Spirit Tasting experience.
Find out more on Copperwing Distillery
Flying Dutchman Spirits
Located in Eden Prairie, founded in 2016 and taken over by co-owners Jonathon and Katie Nelson in June of the previous year. Inspired by international travel, they craft spirits with global influences. Their rum offerings include Kapitein Idioot Spiced Rum, infused with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, anise, black pepper, clove, and orange peel, and Sailor’s Rantsoen Rum, distilled from sugarcane. Visitors can enjoy their spacious cocktail lounge, which hosts live music and other events, and tours are available.
Find out more on Flying Dutchman Spirits
South Minnesota
South of the Twin Cities unfolds a charming region of rolling hills and river valleys, home to the historic German town of New Ulm with its breweries, the vibrant college town of Northfield along the Cannon River, and the scenic Driftless Region near Harmony, known for its limestone bluffs and karst landscapes. Hike or bike the Cannon River Valley trail created during the last Ice Age and savour a local rum.
Loon Liquors Distillery
Founded by Northfield High School friends Simeon Rossi and Mark Schiller, Loon Liquor Co. emerged from a shared enjoyment of homemade liqueurs, and both have diligently researched the biological, chemical, and business sciences of the distilling industry since their initial inspiration. Launching with significant community support through micro-funding in 2012, their journey gained momentum. Notably, in 2013, they achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first to receive federal distilling permission in Southern Minnesota in over a century, highlighting their dedication to their craft. Committed to certified organic practices, their white rum is made entirely from scratch using carefully selected cane juice and a subtle touch of blackstrap molasses, contributing to its unique flavour profile. The fermentation process employs a distinctive combination of red wine and apple cider yeast. The resulting spirit is a thoughtfully crafted blend of two-thirds double pot still distillate, known for its richness, and a third single 10-plate column-distilled spirit. Loon Liquors White Rum is their current flagship product, and visitors are welcome to experience it firsthand at their current cocktail and tasting room, open Thursday through Saturday. Looking to the future, Loon Liquor Distillery has ambitious plans, including the anticipated release of a barrel-aged rum. This release will coincide with the grand opening of their new, larger destination distillery in Fall 2025. This expanded facility will not only house a welcoming cocktail room but also offer engaging world-class tours and feature a farmer-focused pizzeria, promising a truly immersive visitor experience.
Find out more on Loon Liquors Distillery
Black Frost Distilling
Opened in New Ulm in August 2022, co-founded by sixth-generation brewer Jace Marti and sixth-generation farmer Nate Gieseke. The distillery’s inception arose from a desire to incorporate locally grown barley, extending the concept of terroir to spirits. Black Frost is named after the harsh, beautiful landscape of the Northland. Their rum offerings include Black Frost Rum, a 94-proof white rum made from Louisiana blackstrap molasses and cane sugar with vanilla, tropical fruit, and grassy cane sugar notes, and Black Frost Overproof Rum, a 114-proof rum rested on Brazilian Amburana wood, featuring spiced pineapple, ripe red fruit, and a spicy cinnamon finish. The Quarters cocktail lounge offers a full-service bar with speciality cocktails featuring regionally sourced spirits, and distillery tours are anticipated in the future.
Find out more on Black Frost Distilling
Harmony Spirits
Opened in Harmony, Minnesota, in 2019, this distillery produces vodka, whiskey, gin, and rum. Founders Andy, Damon, Jim, and Larry, who met 16 years prior while working at a local ethanol plant and shared a passion for homebrewing and visiting craft distilleries, established the venture with local investment. Their rum is made using brown cane sugar, sugar cane molasses, and locally sourced honey from AC/BC, resulting in notes of toasted sugar, vanilla, and honey. Tastings are offered in their locally sourced indoor tasting room and outdoor seating area, with the option to order food from nearby restaurants. The distillery is situated in southeast Minnesota’s Driftless Area or Bluff Country, close to attractions like Niagara Cave and Amish tours, and is part of the Root River Trail Towns.
Find out more on Harmony Spirits
The common thread here is that distilleries are pouring their own spirits under state law. So, you’ll be trying local wherever you go. Aside from the distillery tasting rooms mentioned, here are some more places to sip Minnesota rum locally at bars.
Where to Enjoy Rum in Minnesota
Brownsville: Bonefish Tiki Bar
Chanhassen: Rum Row Tiki Bar
Minneapolis/ St Paul: Bar Cart Lounge And Restaurant, Pimento Jamaican Kitchen & Rum Bar, Gus Gus, White Squirrel Bar, Prohibition Bar, Hai Hai, Barrio, Hola Arepa, Cabana Club, Minari, Black Duck Spirits & Hearth
Savage: Pau Hana
Stillwater: The Tilted Tiki Tropical Bar & Restaurant
Operating since 1887, Neumann’s Bar in North St. Paul, considered the oldest in Minnesota, offers a glimpse into the state’s history with spirits. During Prohibition, Minnesota became a hotbed for speakeasies and an underground cocktail culture. It was during this era that the ‘Bootleg’ cocktail emerged – a sweet and sour blend, often with citrus and mint, designed to mask the taste of low-quality Prohibition spirits. Said to have originated on Lake Minnetonka, the Bootleg is generally viewed as Minnesota’s signature drink. So, try it with a Minnesota-made rum when you’re there.
From exploring the wilderness of Voyageurs National Park and enjoying fishing or water sports in the Mississippi River headwaters to discovering the vastness of Lake Superior, Minnesota offers a stunning array of natural beauty. Take a break from shopping at the Mall of America to admire the picturesque beauty of Bluff Country. For an authentic travel experience, take a road trip to the hidden local gem craft rum distilleries. Sip locally made rum while watching a classic sunset in the ‘land of sky blue waters’, or while taking the epic aurora borealis. Unforgettable experiences await you around every corner in Minnesota.
For more general travel advice on Minnesota Tourism
To see all the rums on our Minnesota Rum Map
Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.
