Former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has partnered with Sugarlands Distilling Company to create his own flavored moonshine
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After playing 19 years in the major leagues, Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones gets to kick back and enjoy watching games now, including the postseason.
When he’s not broadcasting games for ESPN, you will find Chipper chilling with his wife Taylor in the evenings at their suburban Atlanta home. As soon as their kids are down for the night, he’s pouring a drink and watching baseball – just like so many of us. And also, like so many of us, Jones has jumped on board the craft moonshine train. Over the summer, Jones joined forces with Sugarlands Shine to market his own moonshine flavor: Chipper Jones’ Sweet Tea Moonshine.
“Nobody likes to sit down with a cocktail at the end of the day, put on a sporting event and enjoy a little of the sacrament more than me,” said Jones. “It was a good fit for both sides, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Why Sweet Tea Moonshine fits Jones’ Southern lifestyle?
The sweet tea flavor made total sense for Jones, who was born and raised in the South and loves sweet tea to begin with.
“It’s good; it’s really good,” said Jones, who grew up in tiny Pierson, Fla. and has called Atlanta home since the Braves drafted him No. 1 overall in 1990.
“Obviously I’m a sweet tea nut, so the sweet tea part of it was a natural fit, and then they have a ton of flavors. I’ve probably got 50 bottles of Sugarland Shine at my house – a bunch of different flavors – so you can mix the tea with the lemonade or the peppermint or the peach to give you that mix of sweet tea that you enjoy. I’m a big Arnold Palmer fan, so I like the sweet tea and the lemonade together. Not only do you get the Arnold Palmer feel, but you get a little buzz on as well.”
Where can you get Chipper Jones’ Sweet Tea Moonshine?
It’s available at the downtown Gatlinburg distillery, local liquor stores, as well as online.
Sugarlands Distillery, now the official moonshine of NASCAR, opened in downtown Gatlinburg, Tenn., in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains in March of 2014. They produce 29 different flavors of moonshine, whiskey and liqueurs. Their moonshine comes in flavors from Maple Bacon to Peanut Butter and Jelly, Butterscotch Gold to Pina Colada. They have a full line of Sippin’ Creams, including Pumpkin Spice Latte, Eggnog and Dark Chocolate. For the drinker who likes to keep it simple, there’s always Sugarlands’ award-winning Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey.
“Sugarlands is expanding by leaps and bounds to all areas of sports and entertainment,” Jones said. “I feel fortunate that I was able to get in somewhat on the ground level. (Country musician) Cole Swindell was before me. Now knowing how they’re expanding at the rate they’re expanding, whether it’s with the Braves, the PGA tour, NASCAR, country music, it’s pretty far-reaching. And it’s a pretty cool opportunity.”
Sugarlands Shine now available at Truist Park
On the heels of announcing their partnership with Jones, Sugarlands unveiled a new multi-year sponsorship deal with Jones’ former employer, the Atlanta Braves, as well.
Sugarlands Distilling Company at Chipper’s Corner will open inside Truist Park. The cocktail lounge area will be located near third base, where Jones patrolled for 19 seasons, featuring an extensive display of his memorabilia, and of course a wide selection of moonshine. Chipper’s Hot Corner Pub was slated to open for the 2020 season but was delayed due to COVID restrictions.
“For us, moonshine represents a spirit of tradition.” said Patrick Sullivan, Chief Sales Officer at Sugarlands Distilling Co. “This partnership with the Atlanta Braves provides an exciting opportunity to connect with fans of a sport that celebrates new and old traditions. Expanding our growing presence in the world of sports with a high-caliber organization such as the Atlanta Braves enables us to add a new element to the fan experience in Truist Park that is representative of Sugarlands’ commitment to excellence.”
Does Jones Tailgate with Sugarlands Shine too?
As a fulltime professional athlete for most of his adult life, Jones has admittedly never been much of a tailgater. He’s either been playing in the game, watching the game from a luxury suite, or avoiding the crowds from the comforts of home. But Jones got his first real taste of top notch tailgating last fall, when LSU played Oklahoma in the semifinal of the college football playoffs in Atlanta.
Jones was invited down to an LSU tailgate at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by some friends from Louisiana.
“When I tell you these people can tailgate like no one I’ve ever seen…” Jones said. “Screw the tickets to the game, I wanted to stay out there and just eat and drink. I had a blast. My Louisiana friends – they ruined me. If LSU ever comes back to Athens or to Mercedes-Benz, I’m going again. They had everything. Boudin. Crawfish. Crawfish Etouffee, crawfish dip, sausage like you wouldn’t believe. Yeah it was awesome.”
In general, though, if given the choice, Jones says he still prefers to watch a game from the comforts of home with family and a few friends for a Low Country Boil or cookout.
Next on the agenda is hosting a Halloween gathering of close family and friends, complete, of course, with a bar fully stocked with Sugarlands Shine.
Inside Tailgaters: Try out some Chipper Jones’ Sweet Tea Moonshine or use it in a recipe and let us know what you think! Share some photos and tag us on social media. We’re @TailgateWithUs on Twitter and @InsideTailgating on Facebook and Instagram.
The Chipper
Equipment
- Jigger
- Drinking glass
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Chipper Jones’ Sweet Tea Moonshine
- 1 oz. Mark Rogers American Peach Moonshine
- 5 oz. Unsweet Tea
- Peach Slices
- Ice
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a glass over ice.
- Garnish with fresh peach slices.
Tea-Rita
Equipment
- Jigger
- Drinking glass
- Stirring spoon
Ingredients
- 2 oz Chipper Jones Sweet Tea Moonshine
- 2.5 oz Margarita Mix
- Lime Wedge
- Ice
Instructions
- Build cocktail over ice and stir.
- Add a lime wedge for garnish.
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