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.

Rocket Vodka has 96 calories per shot (1.5 oz). There is no sugar added and no artificial flavoring - just apples, water, and craft.

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.

Rocket Vodka is 40% ABV (80 proof), the standard for premium vodka

Just apples and water. That's it. No grains, no potatoes, no added sugars, no shortcuts.

We use 100% apples sourced from the Grójec region of Poland — known as the "Orchard of Europe" and the heartland of our founder Dariusz Paczuski's heritage.

Three varieties go into every bottle:

• Idared (similar to Granny Smith) - bright acidity

• Jonagold (a cross of Jonathan and Golden Delicious) - balanced sweetness

• Szampion (similar to Fuji) - aromatic complexity

Our spirit is twice-distilled and double-carbon filtered, then cut to 80-proof with Sierra Nevada mountain water. The result is a vodka with genuine fruit character — uniquely sip-able, naturally gluten-free, and no sugar added.

We twice-distill our 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.

Rocket Vodka is handcrafted in California. The brand was born in a Menlo Park garage and remains rooted in the state.

Yes — quite a few. Most notably, we are a two-time Platinum winner at the L.A. Spirits Awards (2024 and 2026).

The 2026 Platinum recognized our refined recipe sourcing apples from the Grójec region of Poland.

Highlights:

• Platinum Medal, 2026 L.A. Spirits Awards

• 93 rating from Wine Enthusiast (May 2025) — "Excellent" and "Highly Recommended"

• Best in Show Vodka + Platinum Medal, 2024 L.A. Spirits Awards

• Gold Medals, 2023 and 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competitions

• Best Craft Vodka Brand, California, 2020 LUX Life Food & Drink Awards

• Platinum Medal — Best in Class Vodka and Consumers' Choice, 2017 SIP Awards

• Best in Class Vodka + Gold Medal, 2016 and 2017 California Craft Spirits Competitions

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.

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.

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.

Yes, Rocket Vodka is available on-premise at select bars and restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.

For wholesale and distribution inquiries, contact us directly at dariusz@rocketvodka.com. We would love to hear from you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

"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.