15 Drinks From Race Car Drivers That You Have To Try
As well as winning races, some drivers like to try their hand at brewing, distilling and even coffee roasting.
Racing drivers spend one or two days a week competing at the top of their game. For two or three hours on those two days, they need to stay laser-focused while they make driving at 200 mph look easy. But, what do they get up for the other five days in a week?
Sure, some of them probably test their skills in the simulator, hit the gym or plan their next team switch. But, let's be honest, they probably have way more time to kill than you and me, right?
Obviously, that's all said with a dash of classic British sarcasm. But there are an awful lot of race drivers that have some impressive side hustles that they manage to juggle while touring the world in F1 or competing in all 36 NASCAR races that take place each year.
Some drivers have opened their own restaurants, set up driving schools and even launched whole initiatives to get more people into motorsport. But, by far, one of the most popular side gigs for racings drivers is dipping a toe in the drinks industry.
From vodka to coffee, a whole host of racing drivers have set up all manner of drinks businesses for us to enjoy. So we decided it was time to uncover 15 of the best ones that you should seek out.
St Hugo DR3
What is it: Formula 1 racer Daniel Ricciardo collaborated with Australian winery St Hugo on a duo of wines. The DR3 range includes a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and a Shiraz from 2020.
Price: $74.99
High Rock Vodka
What is it: Founded by NASCAR racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Earnhardt, High Rock Vodka is produced in partnership with Tennessee-based Sugarlands Distillery. The spirits itself is distilled from corn and filtered through a bed of maple charcoal.
Price: $18.99
Kahiwa Coffee Roasters
What is it: Kahiwa Coffee Roasters is the baby of Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas, who is a bit of a coffee aficionado these days. The Finnish coffee roaster has a wide range of single origin coffees, and even operates a cafe in Lahti, Finland, that you can visit.
Price: $10.70+
Oath Gin
What is it: Another side hustle from Bottas is Oath Gin, which he's created in partnership with Tiffany Cromwell. To show off the pair's Australian and Finnish heritage, the gin is made with oats from Finland and flavored with apples from Australia.
Price: $43
Michael Waltrip Brewing
What is it: American NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip has his own brewery in Bristol, Virginia. Its brews include Two-Time blonde ale, as well as the Bump & Run Classic Wheat Ale.
Price: $5.50+
Laverstoke Park Sparkling Wine
What is it: Ex-F1 racer Jody Scheckter has a whole food and drink producing empire at his farm in the UK. As well as mozzarella (hence the buffalo you see above), Scheckter produces a portfolio of English sparkling wines.
Price: $49
Edi Spirits
What is it: Double Formula E champion Jean Eric Vergne has his own alcohol-free spirits company called Edi. The company cuts out the alcohol from its products and instead uses other natural ingredients to create a drink that can give you an "uplifting" feeling.
Price: $50
Rowdy Energy Drink
What is it: Another option for anyone looking to avoid alcohol is Rowdy Energy Drink, which was co-founded by two-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch. The canned energy drink comes in five flavors, including strawberry lemonade, mango peach and sour green apple.
Price: $29.95 (12-pack)
Coachbuilt Whisky
What is it: This blended Scotch whisky was developed by 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button and George Koutsakis, who previously worked with whisky giant Johnnie Walker.
Price: $51
Adobe Road Winery
What is it: Le Mans class winner Kevin Buckler has worked with California winemaker Adobe Road Winery to develop a series of racing-inspired bottlings. Launched as The Racing Series, the four wines includes Redline, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Malbec.
Price: $56+
Highland Park Saltire Edition 2
What is it: One of the more exclusive entries on our list is a limited-edition whisky from Scottish distiller Highland Park that was created with ex-F1 driver David Coulthard. The 13-year-old whisky was aged in Sherry-seasoned European oak, American oak and refill casks.
Price: $366
City Lights Shine
What is it: Las Vegas distiller City Lights Shine was founded by NASCAR's Brendan Gaughan. The Nevada-based producer offers a range of flavored moonshine spirits, including blueberry and raspberry, as well as its signature Sour Mash Moonshine.
Price: $39.99
Podere Castorani
What is it: Another ex-F1 racer on the wine trail is Italian racing driver Jarno Trulli, who is behind Italian winery Podere Castorani. Based in the Abruzzo region of Italy, the vineyard bottles wines including Montepulciano and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Price: $12+
Whiskey 43
What is it: Created in partnership with Nashville's King Distilling Co, Richard Petty Whiskey celebrates the career of its namesake Nascar driver. Distilled from a blend of corn, barley and rye, the whiskey has flavors of vanilla, ginger and cinnamon.
Price: $49.99
Andretti Winery
What is it: Founded by Formula 1 and Le Mans ace Mario Andretti, the Andretti Winery is based in Napa, California. While the winery might not be open to visitors anymore, you can still pick up bottles of its wines, including Barbera, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir releases.
Price: $53+