The Blinking Owl is Orange County’s first craft distillery. Moreover, it is one of the first distilleries in California to get a Type 74 Craft Distillers License, which allows it to operate a tasting room and sell a limited number of bottles. The Blinking Owl creates its own alcohol the old-fashioned way, using grain instead of pre-made spirit. They grind it, mix it, ferment it, distill it, and barrel-age it in the case of whiskey. All of the grain used to make their spirits are organic and sourced from California farms. The Blinking Owl produces Vodka, Gin, Whiskey of various sorts, and Aquavit, Scandinavian alcohol.
Origin
Longtime Santa Ana residents Brian and Robin Christenson had heard tales about the midcentury “Blinking Owl Bar” on the intersection of Birch and Third Streets, which was famous for its distinctive owl sign that would “blink.” The husband and wife duo recognized a chance to introduce a local distillery to the area, paying homage to Santa Ana’s past, influenced by the handmade cocktail movement, farm-to-table food movement, and present flourishing craft distilleries.
Ingredients
The ingredients used by the Blinking Owl are both natural and exquisite. Most of their grains, fruits, and botanicals are 100 % organic, but they also buy from wonderful local farmers who employ sustainable agricultural methods (including the oranges they get from the Heritage Museum of Orange County in the City of Santa Ana, CA, and Nisson Ranch in Tustin.)
Working with the local grain community, they were able to achieve their stated goal of being a 100 percent California product. All of the grains used are 100% organic and come from California farmers as of February 2018.
Spirits
BLINKING OWL VODKA 42.5% ABV (85 PROOF)
- 130 pounds of whole Valencia oranges from the Orange County Heritage Museum and the historical Nisson Ranch orchard were added.
- Hand-cut oranges – soaked them in the Vodka overnight (flesh, pith, juice, and peel included)
- The vodka is then redistilled with oranges in the still’s vapor basket.
- The addition of natural orange macerations and vapor distilling to an already lush, sweet vodka base results in a full-bodied and delectable flavored vodka with a genuine orange flavor.
BLINKING OWL AQUAVIT 42.5% ABV (85 PROOF)
- Set out to create aquavit that was inspired by the classic Scandinavian aquavits, but with a California touch.
- They macerate 10 beautiful organic botanicals after making the base spirit with organic wheat and malted barley (with a final steep in Caraway, leaving a natural golden hue).
- Fresh dill, caraway, and hibiscus (the flower of Santa Ana) are the main flavors of the Aquavit, with fennel and cardamom overtones.
The outcome is sophisticated aquavit that may be served chilled as a digestif or added to a variety of drinks to add wonderful flavors.
BLINKING OWL AQUAVIT Barrel Vacationed® 45% ABV (90 PROOF)
- Inspired to create an Aquavit with a Californian twist, reminiscent of Norwegian traditions.
- Wine barrels from Napa, California, were sourced late in the harvest.
- This batch of Aquavit vacationed in barrels for 22 months. Baking spice, golden honey, and dill abound.
Source: blinkingowldistillery.com
Hours
Wednesday: 5pm-9pm
Thursday: 5pm-9pm
Friday: 5pm-10pm
Saturday: 3pm-10pm
Sunday Brunch: 11am-3pm
Visit Santa Ana Artist’s Village
TechWaste Recycling Inc. is nearby.
Directions
Blinking Owl Distillery
Get on I-5 S
1 min (0.4 mi)
Continue on I-5 S to E Edinger Ave. Take exit 9 from CA-55 S/State Rte 55 S
4 min (3.1 mi)
Continue on E Edinger Ave. Drive to E Occidental St – TechWaste Recycling Inc. 3 min (0.6 mi)