Brewing equipment with three large vertical tanks, labeled Tarik Areke, connected by blue hoses in a brewpub or brewery setting.

Tarik Craft

Distillery

WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS

At Tarik Areke, people are often surprised to learn just how small and hands-on our operation truly is. From the outside, our presence feels much larger but behind every bottle is a tight-knit team working with heart, dedication, and heritage. Every drop of our handcrafted Ethiopian spirit is produced, bottled, labeled, and packaged on our modest yet mighty 500-square-foot production floor in Washington, D.C.

We are proud to run our distillery with a small group of dedicated craftspeople who bring care and character to each batch. There is no corporate machine here, no sprawling facility, just a passionate team guided by tradition and a love for what we do. From sourcing ingredients, to sealing the final bottle, every step is carried out with intention, honoring the generations who came before us and nurturing a vision for those yet to come.

Tarik Areke was born from a desire to honor our roots and share something deeply personal. So, we created a spirit that carries the flavors, memories, and warmth of Ethiopia. It is not just about what is in the bottle; it is about the people who make it, the culture that shapes it, and the community that sustains it. We craft with purpose because we believe every bottle should tell a story worth savoring.

Yamrot Ezineh, Founder and Master Distiller of Tarik Areke, examining a sample through a laboratory microscope as part of the craft spirits production and quality control process in Washington, DC.

Our Process

What Makes Our Areke Spirit Premium?

Our small-batch Tarik Areke is artfully crafted from our meticulous fermentation and distilling process as well as the use of pure honey as our fermentable ingredient. Every step from sourcing the finest honey to our careful, traditional distillation process results in a remarkably distinct, smooth and complex spirit.

Cover of a book titled 'Tarık Areke' featuring a black and white portrait of a woman with styled hair and bold makeup. The background is red and black with some text about the product.

Our Identity

After many rounds of ideas and brainstorming, our creative journey led us to a single, powerful image: an old photo of Grandma Tarik. This portrait, filled with beauty, warmth, strength, and heritage, became the heart of our brand.

Her distinctive neck tattoo, traditional Afro hairstyle and Habesha outfit spoke volumes, each detail deeply rooted in culture and identity. These elements formed the foundation of Tarik Areke’s visual identity. From there, we reimagined her spirit in a modern light: bold, confident, and unapologetically proud of her roots.

We set out to create a design that is simple and minimal, yet rich with meaning — a reflection of Ethiopian culture that feels both timeless and contemporary. The result is a visual tribute that honors Grandma Tarik’s legacy, while also speaking to the generation of today and those to come.

A lineup of seven Tarik brand spirits bottles, each with colorful caps and labels featuring a black-and-white illustration of a woman with an afro hairstyle. The bottles include flavors like coffee, pineapple, classic, ouzo, cinnamon, and reserve.

Our Bottles

As for the bottles themselves, they are color-coded to make it easy to identify each flavor. This functional design choice also adds vibrancy and distinction to the brand experience.

Three colorful promotional flyers for Tarik Areke spirits, each featuring a woman with different hairstyles, a bottle of the spirit, and text highlighting the product's qualities and origin, with a

OUR AD CAMPAIGNS

Our ad campaigns are more than just visuals. They are vibrant, cultural, and intentionally informative. Each image is carefully designed to be memorable and to offer a meaningful cultural experience. We take pride in creating stories that not only catch the eye but also connect you to the spirit, style, and heritage behind Tarik Areke.

Close-up of a black and white logo with the text 'Born in Ethiopia, Made in DC' and decorative stars.

A Spirit of Ethiopian Heritage