Blue Sky Tequila Tasting Cruise on the SS Katie — Seneca River & Onondaga Lake

Blue Sky Tequila Tasting Tour on the SS Katie: Baldwinsville, New York, where the Seneca River widens into Onondaga Lake, offers an unusual way to spend an evening: a spirited tasting cruise that pairs the region’s river scenery with small-batch organic tequila. The one-off Blue Sky Tequila Expressions debut brings founder Tom Carr aboard to walk guests through the brand’s three-ingredient approach while Laura Serway, certified Bourbon Steward and local hospitality figure, guides cocktails and conversation. Boarding the SS Katie feels like stepping into a floating neighborhood bar. Deck lights flicker, the boat slips past low bluffs and cattail-lined wetlands, and the water takes on a mirrored texture as the sun drops. The tasting itself is curated: a lineup of organic blanco, a rested expression, and a sipping bottling delivered with tasting notes and short cocktails that illustrate how each spirit behaves in glass and mixer. Tom Carr shares production stories—agave selection, small-batch distillation, and the brand’s commitment to organic ingredients—while Serway keeps the crowd laughing and engaged. This cruise highlights the local landscape as much as the liquor. Key features include the broad Seneca River channel, the shallow shelf of Onondaga Lake with its reed beds and migrating waterfowl, and the nearby series of historic locks and mill structures that mark Baldwinsville’s river-working past. Expect to see great blue herons quartering the shallows and occasional kingfishers puncturing the distance; the shoreline’s mixture of hardwood pockets and wetland grasses gives the evening a quietly wild edge. Practicalities are straightforward: the event runs about 1 hour 45 minutes—long enough for several guided tastings and a couple of cocktail demonstrations. Tickets are limited, so book early. The SS Katie is a community favorite for evening charters and offers a sociable setting—bring a light jacket for river breezes and a phone or camera for low-light photos. This is not a formal tasting room; it’s a convivial, educational cruise built for people who love good spirits and better stories. Why book it? It’s a rare chance to meet a producer in a setting that ties craft distilling to place: the river, the lake, and a town whose identity was shaped by moving goods and people along these waters. For visitors to Baldwinsville and Central New York who want more than a barstool tasting, the Blue Sky Tequila cruise on the SS Katie delivers atmosphere, expertise, and an evening that connects bottle to landscape. Practical notes: meeting point and ticketing details are provided at booking; accessibility info was not specified, so contact the operator ahead. Bring cash or card for extras, respect shoreline wildlife, and consider arriving early to stroll Baldwinsville’s riverfront before boarding for an extra hour of sunset views and conversation.