5 Organic Alcohol Brands You Can Feel Good About Supporting

Searching for something to sip by the water this summer? If so, it's possible you've noticed that most alcoholic beverages don't list ingredients on their labels. While most foods and beverages are required to do so in the U.S., alcohol companies are overseen by a different governing body than regular food, which means that they are held to different standards. This is all well and good unless you're a health-conscious person, or a person concerned about the environment (or both). 

Not having an ingredients list can make picking the right drink very tricky. Who wants wine that was made from grapes sprayed with harsh pesticides that can harm bees and other parts of the environment, or beer infused with artificial flavorings and colors? And how do you avoid such beverages, without being able to see an ingredient list?

The best way to do so may be to buy organic. Yes, organic alcohol exists, and in order to be certified organic, alcohol must meet all the same environmental and health standards that regular organic foods are held to. If this sounds like just the cocktail you've been hoping for, then take a sip of these 5 organic alcoholic beverages this summer. 

This USDA Certified Organic table wine is sweet, inexpensive, and fruity enough to be perfect for summer. According to a review from Clever Girl Reviews, Roule Rouge is made from Merlot grapes from California's central coast, and its scent "gives raspberry, cherry, blackberry, and cola aromas." She describes the taste as similar to "juice," which follows up with a rush of espresso, baking spices, and light oak.

For so much complexity, you can't beat the price, which averages around $7 per bottle. This wine is available at various online outlets, as well as Trader Joe's grocery stores. 

This IPA from Bison Brewery has made quite a name for itself, racking up awards at beer festivals across the country, including a bronze medal at the U.S. Beer Open. Bison is a company that demonstrates a deep dedication to helping the environment, even making the packaging for its four and six packs completely recyclable. According to Bison's IPA Information Pamphlet, Joe Tucker, of ratebeer.com, once stated that this pale ale's flavor showed a "bit of toast... assertive but not overbearing malt character  of straw, biscuit and light caramel fringed with understated phenols." 

This IPA is available in many supermarkets across the U.S. Read more about Bison's commitment to sustainability here. 

What's summer without a gin and tonic? In fact, many summer cocktails rely on a splash of gin--the poolside just isn't the same without this liquor! Luckily, The Art of the Still, a Trader Joe's brand, offers an organic variety of the summer favorite. According to the Trader Joe's website, this gin is "a refreshingly dry, herbal spirit with flavors of juniper and sage, and a delicate finish." 

Available at Trader Joe's grocery stores, a 750 ml bottle of organic The Art of the Still Gin (or vodka) retails for $13.99. 

Though some wine enthusiasts have a habit of rolling their eyes in the direction of all wine coolers, Ramona is a different beverage altogether. This refreshing organic wine cooler comes in a recyclable can, and according to Bloomberg, it has several celebrity fans, including Kanye West. More importantly though, Ramona is made from organic zibibbo grapes from Sicily. The  flavor is "a little bit sweet, a little bit bitter and citrusy, and it's utterly refreshing", according to Bloomberg. 

Ramona is currently available in bars and restaurants in New York, California, and Texas, but the small company is making a push to begin distributing more widely, according to their website. 

Vodka makes a great base for all sorts of refreshing summer cocktails. If you're searching for an organic variety, then look no further than Rain Organics Vodka, made with organic white corn. According to the Rain Organics website, this vodka is "distilled seven times for unmatched smoothness." For the adventurous, Rain Organics offers organic flavor-infused vodkas as well, made with all-natural ingredients. Flavors include mango and cucumber. 

Rain Organics Vodka is available at liquor and grocery stores across the U.S.