Aisha Farida
Ever wondered what the life of a Vodka distiller is like?
We sat down for drinks with Aisha, a content creator based in NYC, to learn more about her life and the Vodka industry.
First off, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where you're from, your favorite song at the moment, if you have a dogs vs cats preference?
I'm from Frankfurt, Germany, but grew up in sunny Florida. Raised in a multicultural/immigrant household, I always craved living in a metropolitan city like New York, and as I got older I felt more and more like I just didn't fit in in Florida.
When I graduated from college, I finally made the move and haven't looked back since. I love the fast paced inner city lifestyle and really can't imagine living anywhere else. Now, I live in Harlem with my partner and our kitty Mercy, who we love very much; but we also wish we could have a dog!
My favorite music to listen and dance to will always be 90s and early 2000s RnB, especially Usher, Aaliyah, and Mary J. Blige.
How has living in NYC affected/inspired your personal style?
NYC gave me the confidence to experiment with clothes like I never had before. I feel like growing up in Florida, wearing anything other than t-shirts and cut off jeans with converse garnered stares and unwanted attention... But in NYC you're never the one wearing the craziest outfit, and to be honest, people don't really care! I still really enjoy casual style, but love to dress things up with a cool shoe or a fun pop of color.
Distilling vodka is super cool, how did you get into it? Was there something in particular that peaked your interest?
I studied chemical engineering in college, and always thought I would end up in the cosmetics industry. I did work for R&D for a popular beauty company when I first moved to NYC, but it really wasn't hands-on or technical enough for me... I wanted something where I could apply my engineering background, and head distiller at Manhattan's first distillery since prohibition is one of the first jobs I came across. It sounded different and super interesting at the time, and I'm so happy that I went for it.
What is your favorite part of working in the Vodka industry?
My favorite thing about the spirits industry is the intersection of science and creativity. Being able to constantly apply my technical knowledge feels really rewarding, but it’s also so fun to use it in a way that leads to interesting products that I get to try at home and share with my friends and family. There’s also something so satisfying about coming away with a physical product of your hard work at the end of the day and getting to use it in a cocktail.
Do you mind sharing a drink recipe?
Lately I've been loving this cocktail recipe:
1 oz. Our/New York Vodka
1 oz. Lillet
1 oz. Pomegranate juice
0.5 oz. Lemon juice
Shaken with an egg white and topped with a berry garnish of your choice
Cute coupe glass is a must!
Make sure to tag us if you try Aisha’s cocktail recipe @aishafarida & @jbd_label
