Clara Robbins became the first woman in Florida to hold the title of master distiller when St. Petersburg Distillery announced she’d be guiding the future of their spirits earlier this year.
She studied chemical and biological engineering at the University of Alabama, and early in her career she worked in a medical laboratory while brewing beer on the side. She got national recognition for her distilling after winning on the Discovery Channel competition series “Moonshiners: Master Distiller.”
Originally from Alabama, Robbins visited Florida with family for 20 years before moving to the state in 2019. Today she lives in Sebring and commutes to St. Petersburg.
Robbins shared three favorite pieces of Florida culture with the Times. Her responses have been edited lightly for length and clarity.
Florida craft distilling: There’s a strong sense of creativity and community among Florida distillers. I love that we’re able to make spirits influenced by where we live, with oranges and strawberries. Everywhere I turn there is an opportunity for a flavor. On my commute to work, I pass fields of various fruits which are constantly giving me inspiration to create products that show off what Florida actually grows. I love to visit distilleries across the state. They are like little Florida attractions where you can see behind the scenes and learn the art of the craft. This is my passion, but I think that these gems are worth a stop for anyone.
Sunset on Siesta Key: Riding my bike to Sunset Point, grabbing a cocktail from a local bar and settling in to watch the sunset. There’s something about having a drink and watching the sky change over the water that feels quintessentially Florida. When I first moved here, I lived in my family’s vacation condo on Siesta Key and I soaked up every bit of it. The weekend I moved in, there was a seafood festival across the street. Before I unpacked anything, I raced over there and simply took it all in. I knew this is where I was meant to be.
Gator Shack: I moved inland to Sebring reluctantly, initially, but it didn’t take long for me to fall in love. The small town feel is comforting and I was surprised by some incredible local restaurants. Gator Shack is where you can get amazing gator bites and frog legs. They even have a steak cart where you pick out your own steak and they put your name on a sticky note right on it. It sounds simple, but it was genuinely the best steak I’ve ever had. Florida can be busy and fast-paced, but there are still places where you can slow down. That balance is one of my favorite parts of living here.
Have a suggestion for someone we should feature in My Favorite Florida? Email cspata@tampabay.com.