Dry Point Distillers began as a father-son project between Chris Schaefer and his father, Stefan. Now, it stands as one of New Mexico’s most focused small-batch distilleries.
The tasting room in Las Cruces is intimate and full of character, offering cocktails that showcase local flavors like Hatch red chile and pomegranate.
Recipes change with the seasons, keeping things exciting. Every step of the process, from fermentation to labeling, happens right on-site, reflecting the care and craftsmanship behind every bottle.
The Story Behind Dry Point Distillers
Dry Point Distillers began with curiosity and a still. Chris and Stefan started experimenting with distillation as a hobby after initially trying their hand at homebrewing. Their interest shifted quickly once Stefan bought a small still, and the pair began testing anything they could ferment.
“We tried fruits, red chile, and I would even go out to the desert for prickly pear and honey mesquite,” Chris recalls. “Anything that I tasted and thought ‘that has a good flavor.’ Then we would ferment it and try to make something out of it.”
As Chris refined his skills, he began working with ingredients that reflect the Mesilla Valley. Red chile from Hatch, pomegranates from nearby orchards, and prickly pears foraged in the desert are now signature components of Dry Point’s small-batch spirits. When sourcing outside the region is necessary, Chris looks for the closest alternatives to keep the taste grounded in Southern New Mexico.
Community at the Core
That sense of place runs through every bottle of Mesa Vodka, Monsoon Gin and Blue Corn Bourbon . Many of the ingredients come from New Mexico producers like locally grown rosemary and coriander in the Monsoon and Barrel Aged Gin to New Mexican
heirloom blue and yellow corn from Southwest Meritage Mills in the Blue Corn Bourbon. “My whole mindset and identity come from this region,” Chris says. “When you have a lot of pride in where you’re from, you want to use stuff that is [grown] as close as possible.”
The same thinking shows up in the design. Artist Jamila Gilbert, who lives in Las Cruces, creates the artwork on the labels, each one centered on native plants and animals. She also shares stories of local makers and small businesses online, helping build visibility for Dry Point and others like it. Her work blends art and advocacy in a way that feels lived-in and true.
Dry Point’s visual identity was shaped by another local creative, Bree Lamb, who designed the logo and labels, built their website and helped with the interior layout.
Here, community isn’t a slogan. It’s how things get done.
Signature Spirits and Sustainable Craftsmanship
At Dry Point Distillers, attention to detail starts well before the bottles are filled. Blue Corn Bourbon, Monsoon and barrel Aged Gin and Mesa Vodka are all distilled on-site in Las Cruces, using ingredients sourced as close to home as possible. With a focus on quality and small-batch production, Dry Point has built a reputation for spirits that reflect the character of Southern New Mexico.
Mesa Vodka
Take Mesa Vodka, for example, distilled multiple times and purified using a custom-built carbon filter. It’s bottled clean and crisp, with a soft mouthfeel that makes it versatile: drink it chilled, on the rocks, or in a house cocktail. Like several of Dry Point’s spirits, it’s gluten-free and produced in micro-batches.
Blue Corn Bourbon
Their Blue Corn Bourbon reflects a commitment to New Mexican ingredients and process. Distilled and aged in American white oak barrels, it incorporates heirloom blue corn alongside rye, wheat, and barley. The result is a whiskey that honors traditional bourbon while grounding it in the flavors of the Southwest.
Monsoon Gin
Monsoon Gin, developed to reflect the region’s summer storms, carries citrus and floral notes on the front and finishes with earthier botanicals like licorice and rosemary. It’s distilled in a vapor-infusion style and designed to drink well neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
Barrel Aged Gin
Their Barrel Aged Gin, aged seven months in used brandy barrels, adds warmth and depth to the botanical blend, bringing out hints of orange and oak. It’s a rounder, wood-toned take on Monsoon Gin and a favorite among regulars in the tasting room.
These four form the core of Dry Point’s in-house production, but many more round out the collection including several imported Mexican Agave Spirits (Mezcal, Sotol and Tequila). Each one reflects the same values: small-batch care, regional character, and a belief that spirits can carry a sense of place from soil to shelf.
The Distillery Experience
Dry Point isn’t flashy, but it’s warm and thoughtful. The bar shares a wall with the stills, and the cocktail menu, with more than 20 options, relies on house-distilled spirits and seasonal infusions. “We try to keep everything as local and fresh as we can,” Chris says.
The delicious food is created by Chef Gary of Stone Cold Gourmet. Recent bar upgrades have added space for dinner service, extra seating, and live music and trivia. Events stay simple: good drinks, familiar faces, and a place that feels like it belongs to the people who fill it.
Planning Your Visit
Dry Point Distillers is located at 1680 Calle de Alvarez in Las Cruces and operates Wednesday through Saturday. Current hours are listed on the website and updated regularly on Instagram and Facebook. The bar features large windows that look into the still room, where spirits like Mesa Vodka, Monsoon Gin, and Blue Corn Bourbon are made on-site.
Guests can choose from a cocktail menu built around house infusions and local ingredients. Indoor seating is also available with a food menu by Stone Crow.
To keep up with new cocktails, special hours, or upcoming events, follow Dry Point on Instagram or Facebook.
Where to Find Dry Point Distillers’ Products
In addition to the tasting room, Dry Point spirits are stocked in several Las Cruces retailers, including Kelly Liquors, Toucan Market, Elephant Ranch and Shorty’s in Mesilla. In Albuquerque, their bottles are available at Jubilation Wine and Spirits. The distillery also sells bottles onsite during business hours.
Tastings and bar service are available without a reservation, though larger groups are encouraged to reach out in advance via the contact page on the website.
Crafting Spirits with Purpose and Place
Dry Point Distillers has a rare kind of clarity — one rooted in process, place, and purpose. Every bottle reflects the landscape that shaped it, from the New Mexico distillery’s use of regional ingredients to the careful design of its space and spirits.
For those curious about small-batch spirits and committed to supporting local work, Dry Point is worth seeking out. Visit the tasting room, try a cocktail, and see firsthand how one Las Cruces distiller continues to shape what New Mexico spirits can be.
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STORY SPONSORED BY DRY POINT DISTILLERS
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You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Please enjoy responsibly. Government Warning: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause health problems. For detailed product information, please refer to the government warning and other important information printed on the product label.
Posted by LasCruces.com
