Coit Spirits and Firebelle Lil
Coit Spirits Background
Veteran wine-makers Gerry and Linda Rowland had always enjoyed spirits, and in 2018, they founded Coit Spirits in Napa Valley. The Rowland couple felt capable of launching a unique and soon to be award winning spirits company, as they had formerly harvested and bottled 48 vintages of wine to success.
Specializing in gin, Coit Spirits prides itself on finding the perfect botanicals at peak maturity, and turning them into something magical. Not only do they make three unique gins, Coit Spirits also produces a bourbon whiskey and multiple types of RTD cocktails, each featuring Coit Gin. Coit has won multiple spirit awards, including Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Berlin International Spirits Competition, and New York International Spirits Competition, among others.
If Coit Spirits was founded by Gerry and Linda Rowland, where'd the name Coit come from? That's a great question, and there's a great answer too.
Lillie Hitchcock Coit
The name for the spirit company came out of admiration for a woman ahead of her times, with a bold spirit and unique interests: Lillie Hitchcock Coit, aka Firebelle Lil. She'd wear pants, smoke cigarettes, drink, and gamble, in defiance of the social norms for women of her time and stature.
As Gerry Rowland, Coit Spirits co-founder and distiller says, “Live life fully like Lillie Hitchcock Coit: fearless adventurer enjoying, premium cigars, quality food and good spirits.”
Mrs. Lillie Hitchcock Coit.
Photo Credits: The Museum of the City of San Francisco.
Not only was Lillie Hitchcock Coit her own unique person, she was also known for her involvement and passion for the San Francisco fire department. One day, 17 year old Lillie was walking on her way when she saw a fire wagon having difficulty getting up Telegraph Hill to put out a fire at the top. It was lack of manpower. Lillie wasted no time, helping the fire fighting team pull the wagon up, and yelling to everyone on the street to come help as well.
Ever since then she was a part of the fire department in her own way. Fundraising for firefighting, visiting hurt firefighters in the hospital, and managing parades fell to Lillie, who soon became known as Firebelle Lil, and she was awarded honorary membership in 1863.
Coit Tower Landmark in San Francisco, named for donor Lillie Hitchcock Coit.
Lillie Hitchcock Coit died at the age of 86 in 1929, and left 1/3 of her fortune to the city of San Francisco. Coit tower was built as a result, atop Telegraph Hill, in addition to a memorial sculpture of firefighters erected in Washington Square.
Coit Spirits values being bold, independent, and rare; and Lillie Hitchcock Coit was all three, making her the ideal namesake for this Napa Valley craft spirit company.
Coit Spirits- Buy Online
They're based in Napa Valley, but all 8 bottles and cans can be found for sale online. TIPXY ships to 48 states in America, with free shipping on orders above $99.
Making a wedding? A Halloween party? A picnic, pool party, or birthday event? Coit has something for every occasion, and it'll come straight to your door, too! No hassle, no cliche bottles, and always premium quality. Coit products have no sugar added, and are all made with quality botanicals, grain, and juices.
Check out the Coit Spirits gins, whiskey, and Ready-To-Drink cocktail cans below!
Earl Grey Gin
Cape Tea Gin
Caravan Tea Gin
Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey
RTD North Beach Cocktail
RTD Sunset Cocktail
RTD Paradisio Cocktail
RTD Mission Cocktail
Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 mint leaves + 1 mint sprig for garnish
- .5 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz Coit Spirits Indiana Hi Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Crushed ice
- Dash of Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to a julep glass (any other type of glass works too), and muddle well.
- Add the bourbon and crushed ice, and stir until the glass frosts over.
- Add the bitters and mint sprig for garnish, and your Kentucky Derby Coit Spirits Julep is ready to serve!
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