Shaken or Stirred, Racquet Club Spirits Is Our Summer Go-To!
After over 30 years as life partners, Brian Harke and Matthew Winks decided it was time to become business partners too. āWe met in Chicago and lived there for about 11 years and then moved to San Francisco and Los Angeles before finally landing in Palm Springs,ā explains Harke. āWeāve had many different careers ranging from advertising and marketing to academia, and once we were ready to branch out and do something on our own, we realized that one thing that always interested us was the process of making liquor.ā Racquet Club Spirits Palm Springs
Racquet Club Spirits Palm Springs
Insert: Racquet Club Spirits!
Once the idea had sparked, Harke and Winks traveled to Napa, where they spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of creating hand-crafted spirits. āWe started networking with several people in the industry, and everything just sort of fell into place. In addition to meeting the right people, our professional backgrounds also helped us with the business side of things,ā says Winks. After finding the perfect distiller in El Dorado Hills, the formulation process began.Ā
āMost bourbons are really strong, as is vodka, so we wanted to create a formula that would result in very smooth and soft spirits,ā says Harke.
Even thoughĀ Racquet Club Spirits is only a little over a year old, the brand has already won several awards, including Double Gold at the 2022 Sip Awards. In addition to distilling the vodka seven times, it is also filtered through a coconut-based carbon, paying tribute to the iconic palm trees of Palm Springs. On the other hand, the bourbon is unfiltered, allowing all of the natural flavors to remain intact. āWe put so much energy and effort into the formulation of our spirits. Our bourbon can be enjoyed straight, and in addition to being super clean, our vodka doesnāt have that unpleasant medicinal aftertaste.ā Racquet Club Spirits Palm Springs
When it comes to the brand itself, Racquet Club Spirits is innovative, meaningful, and above all else, inclusive. Named after the historic Racquet Club in Palm Springs, this brand encourages everyone to raise a glass to be themselves.
“In the 30s and 40s, the Racquet Club was a sort of safe haven for celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Rock Hudson and Lucille Ball. It was still within the two-hour studio rule. However it was far enough away from the paparazzi, allowing these icons to let loose and feel free,ā says Harke.
Racquet Club Spirits is 100% LGBTQ+ owned and operated, and the brand proudly celebrates the freedom to be fully yourself. That spirit of authenticity is woven into everything they do, from their products to the community they serve.
Racquet Club Spirits Palm Springs
The brand may be based out of Palm Springs, but itās widely available across Southern California. āOriginally, our goal was to get some good distribution through Palm Springs. However since building credibility by winning awards and blind tastings, weāve been able to expand and reach more communities. Now, we have distributors across SoCal and can even be found in several different restaurants and bars,ā explains Harke.Ā
Whether you’re a bourbon loyalist, a vodka enthusiast, or just searching for a new favorite nightcap, Racquet Club Spirits delivers. Their lineup is crafted to suit every kind of palate, making it easy to find a bottle you’ll love. The price point is fair and affordable for most, while the quality and taste remain exclusive. āAt the end of the day, itās not just about putting a label on a bottle; itās about making really good products,ā says Harke. āWeāre so proud to have created a 100% LGBTQ+-owned brand that values inclusivity, representation and great liquor.ā
Racquet Club Spirits Palm Springs
Racquet Club Spirits
@racquetclubspirits
Allie Lebos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 with a BA in Communication. While in school she was a staff writer at The Daily Nexus for nearly two years. Since graduating she has written for The Palisades Magazine, as well as Hidden Hills Magazine. Currently living in Santa Monica, Allie loves to indulge in good food, hot yoga, and daily walks along the beach; writing articles on travel, special events, as well as features on local businesses and individuals.
