Drift Distillery & Smokehouse sits on South El Camino Real in San Clemente, combining craft spirits with barbecue smokehouse fare in a casual coastal setting. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jennifer Neumann, who left corporate careers to pursue their passion for distilling, the operation opened in 2017 after navigating the complex permitting process to become one of Orange County’s first craft distilleries. The 3,000-square-foot space houses both distillation equipment and a full restaurant, creating an unusual pairing that reflects the founders’ belief that great spirits deserve great food. The Neumanns spent three years developing recipes and securing permits before opening, with Chris handling distillation duties while Jennifer manages the restaurant operations. Their approach focuses on small-batch production using a 500-gallon copper still, emphasizing quality over quantity in both spirits and food. The distillery produces vodka, gin, and whiskey, with plans for longer-aged expressions as their barrel program matures. The team sources ingredients locally when possible and maintains hands-on involvement in every aspect of production. Visitors find themselves in a relaxed environment where they can watch the distillation process while enjoying house-smoked meats and craft cocktails made with Drift’s spirits. The combination creates an experience that’s part distillery tour, part restaurant, appealing to both spirits enthusiasts and casual diners. The coastal location adds to the laid-back vibe, though the focus remains squarely on the craft of distilling and smoking meats.