Rocket Vodka FAQ
About Rocket Vodka
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Rocket Vodka is a premium California vodka made from 100% apples - Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith varieties. It takes 68 apples to make a single 750ml bottle, giving it a naturally smooth, slightly sweet character you won't find in grain-based vodkas.
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We start with real apples instead of grain or potatoes, which gives Rocket a clean, naturally smooth profile. The blend of three apple varieties, Sierra Nevada mountain water, and a twice-distilled, double-carbon-filtered process creates something distinctly different from conventional vodka.
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Rocket Vodka has 96 calories per shot (1.5 oz). There is no sugar added and no artificial flavoring - just apples, water, and craft.
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Yes, Rocket Vodka is naturally gluten-free because it is made entirely from apples, not grain. It has always been gluten-free - no special processing required.
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Rocket Vodka is 40% ABV (80 proof), the standard for premium vodka
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Rocket Vodka is made from three apple varieties - Fuji, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith - and cut with Sierra Nevada mountain water. That's it. No grain, no additives, no sugar.
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We twice-distill the apple base spirit and then double-carbon filter it for clarity and smoothness. The process is designed to preserve the natural apple character while delivering a clean finish.
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Rocket Vodka is handcrafted in California. The brand was born in a Menlo Park garage and remains rooted in the state.
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Rocket Vodka has earned Best in Show Vodka and a Platinum Medal at the 2024 L.A. Spirits Awards, Gold Medals at the 2023 and 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competitions, and a 93-point rating ("Excellent / Highly Recommended") from Wine Enthusiast in May 2025. We also took home multiple Best in Class wins at the 2016 and 2017 California Craft Spirits Competitions.
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Wine Enthusiast gave Rocket Vodka a 93-point rating in May 2025, categorizing it as "Excellent / Highly Recommended." That puts us in strong company among premium spirits nationwide.
Where to Buy
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You can order Rocket Vodka online through Passion Spirits (passionspirits.com) for $34.99, with shipping available to most US states. Compliance varies by state, so some states may restrict direct spirits shipping.
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In California, you can find Rocket Vodka at Total Wine and K&L Wines for $29.99. We are currently focused on California distribution, with broader retail expansion ahead.
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Yes, Rocket Vodka is available on-premise at select bars and restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
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For wholesale and distribution inquiries, contact us directly at dariusz@rocketvodka.com. We would love to hear from you.
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We ship to most US states through our online partner Passion Spirits. However, spirits shipping laws vary by state, and some states restrict or prohibit direct-to-consumer alcohol delivery.
Cocktails & Serving
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The apple base makes Rocket Vodka exceptionally smooth on its own - chilled or on the rocks - and it works beautifully in cocktails. Our signature serve is the Rocket Spritz, but it shines in classics like a martini or mule too.
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The Rocket Spritz is our signature cocktail - a clean, refreshing apple spritz. The recipe: 1.5 oz Rocket Vodka, 7 oz apple juice (Martinelli's or organic apple juice), and 3.5 oz club soda or sparkling water. Shake the vodka and juice together, pour into a tall glass, add the club soda/sparkling water, and garnish with sliced apple. Serve cold.
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Three cocktails our fans keep coming back to:
Rocket Spritz - Our signature serve. See the full recipe above.
California Mule - 2 oz Rocket Vodka, 6 oz Fever Tree Ginger Beer, 1/2 fresh-squeezed lime, a splash of apple juice, and a sliced apple garnish. Serve in a double-insulated mug for maximum chill.
Fearless Astronaut - A brighter twist on the Aperol Spritz. 2 oz Rocket Vodka, 1/4 fresh-squeezed lime, 4 muddled mint leaves, 1 oz Aperol, 2 oz strawberry juice/puree, a splash of San Pellegrino, and ice.
Visit rocketvodka.com/cocktails for our full menu of 20+ Rocket Vodka cocktails.
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The Rocket AI concierge is an AI-powered tool built into our website that can suggest cocktails and answer questions about Rocket Vodka. Think of it as a virtual bartender who knows our spirit inside and out.
Our Story
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Rocket Vodka was founded by Dariusz Paczuski, known as the "Polish Rocket." The idea was conceived on a Lake Tahoe ski trip and launched in March 2016, inspired by a Polish family apple spirit formula.
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Rocket Vodka started in a garage in Menlo Park, California. From that garage, the brand has grown into an award-winning spirit available for online ordering across most of the US.
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"Always Apres" - part of our slogan "Always apples. Always Apres. Handcrafted in California." - means we celebrate the moments after the adventure. Our brand ethos is "Celebrating Peak Moments" and #AlwaysApres is about enjoyment after the ride, the run, or the day on the mountain - never before or during.
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"Celebrating Peak Moments" is the Rocket Vodka brand ethos. It is about savoring the high points - the moment after a great adventure, a personal milestone, a gathering with friends. Rocket is how you toast what just happened, not fuel for what is next.
