By: Luis Arjona Photos by: Rachel Benavides
Simplicity is bliss. Mastering the fundamentals of a craft, skill, or trade to an unrivaled level illustrates the old proverb “quality over quantity.” At Aerodrome Distilling, quality is everything. And just like the San Antonio Spurs offense, Aerodrome owner and founder Nathan Bitz understood the fundamentals. By mastering pre-Prohibition distilling techniques, Bitz elevates the quality of his spirits.
Bitz took his experiences from traveling the world as a U.S. Navy pilot and distilled his passion for spirits into his own venture. Specializing in gin and bourbon, Aerodrome relies on the quality of its water, grain, and yeast to provide a unique spirit sans additives or preservatives.
An Aerodrome Old Fashioned is well worth driving to this industrial distillery. It’s an elevated experience—the bourbon, bitters, and Aerodrome barrel-aged maple syrup are all enhanced through homemade techniques to serve you what may be the best Old Fashioned you’ll have in your life. With maple syrup aged in barrels and paired with homemade bitters and single-barrel bourbon that recently won the gold medal at the San Diego Spirits Competition, Bitz said visitors often ask how they can recreate his staple at home … so he gave us the recipe.
If your taste buds and evening call for something a bit more modern, Bitz recommends making a Little Italy. Created in 2005 by Audrey Saunders of the Pegu Club, this cocktail is the perfect vehicle for Aerodome Distilling’s bourbon. Using Italian ingredients to complement the flavor and undertone of this Texan bourbon, the Little Italy is the best Italian-American fusion since Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.
“Our cocktails are here to highlight our products,” said Bitz, as the quality of every component at Aerodrome Distilling is nothing short of exceptional.
Old Fashioned
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
Little Italy
1.5 oz Aerodrome bourbon
.75 oz Carpano Antica Formula sweet vermouth
.5 oz Cynar (an Italian amaro made from artichokes)
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
Contact:
401 Aviation Dr | aerodistilling.com
