MEET OUR CREW: STELLA SNYDER
Erica Sagon
We have the best flock here at Cardinal Spirits, and we want to introduce you to everybody one by one.
Today, meet Stella Snyder, one of our wonderfully talented bartenders.
Here, Stella answers some Cardinal Qs.
STELLA SNYDER
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WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Fort Wayne
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BLOOMINGTON?
8 months
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT LIVING HERE?
The people here are incredibly sweet. I've made a lot of good friends in the short time I've been here, especially at Cardinal. I like that it's a very healthy and active town, that it's easy to get outside and go hiking or bike riding. I like that you can get anywhere in 5 minutes by car — I hate traffic.
FAVORITE THING TO DRINK
Whiskey
GO-TO DRINK AT CARDINAL
The 24 Carrot Gold is a delicious gin-based cocktail that's on our menu now, and it's made with carrot juice. It was created by our own Baylee Pruitt, and was even featured on the Imbibe website recently!
WHAT SORTS OF THINGS DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT BARTENDING?
I teach yoga to cancer patients in Indianapolis, and it takes up most of my time. I also have 2 dogs, a rat, and a turtle, so that's always fun. And I like to read and do yoga.
ANY HIDDEN TALENTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
I'm really good with animals, they just love me. I'm like Snow White, they are just drawn to me. And I love all of them back, even the spiders and snakes and opossums and bats, and other things that most people don't like.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My first job was at Blondie's Cookies at the mall. And I was blonde, it was pretty cute.
FAVORITE CEREAL?
Peanut butter Captain Crunch.
IF YOU COULD HAVE A DRINK WITH ANYONE…
Sam Cooke for sure!
ADVICE FOR MAKING DRINKS AT HOME TASTE THEIR BEST?
Make anything that's not a spirit! Make your own syrups, squeeze your own juices, and even make your bitters and tinctures. There are so many good bartending books out there that tell you exactly how to do everything. And use the right tools. A pretty cocktail shaker tin from Williams-Sonoma isn't going to work as well as a Koriko tin from Cocktail Kingdom.
TELL US ABOUT SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT’S HAPPENED TO YOU SO FAR IN LIFE.
I took a pretty epic trip to India that involved a delayed flight with Air India, that prompted a riot before and on the plane, and resulted in 36 hours before we reached our destination. We were immediately led to Ayurvedic doctors who had us take off our clothes for Ayurvedic treatments, such as being beaten with herbal bags or having warm oil dripped over our foreheads. It was pretty bewildering, especially after such a long journey getting there. We attended a birthday party for a one year old that was like a carnival with a huge feast of food and several Bollywood-style dancing acts. We met several vagabond cows, a taxi cab driver named Shaquille O'Neal, crashed an insane wedding, and watched Aarti on the Ganges River.
MAKE A PREDICTION ABOUT THE FUTURE.
I predict happiness and health for all.
FIND STELLA ON THE INTERWEBS
Instagram: @stellarenee12 | On Facebook