Blinking Owl OC Orange Vodka

Blinking Owl Distillery, Orange County's first craft distillery, opened in September 2016 in downtown Santa Ana. Named after a historic midcentury bar that once stood on Birch and 3rd streets, the distillery was founded by husband-and-wife team Brian and Robin Christenson alongside Kirsten Vangsness. The OC Orange Vodka represents the distillery's commitment to local sourcing and craft production. The spirit begins with a wheat-based vodka foundation, to which 130 pounds of whole Valencia oranges from the Heritage Museum of Orange County are added. The production process involves macerating hand-cut oranges in the vodka overnight, followed by redistillation with additional fresh oranges placed in the vapor basket of the still. This technique infuses the spirit with vibrant citrus aromatics while maintaining clarity, making it ideal for cocktails. The result is a bright, juicy expression that captures the essence of Southern California's citrus heritage.

Wheat-based vodka macerated overnight with hand-cut Valencia oranges, then redistilled with fresh oranges in the vapor basket. Standard filtration maintains clarity while preserving citrus character. Water sourced locally in Santa Ana, California. Small-batch production at Orange County's pioneering craft distillery.