From understanding distillation and boiling points to creating a product that tastes good, making liquor is described by experts as being both an art and science.
Master distiller and owner of Rio Grande Distillery Jerrod Leon Henry has been making moonshine and whiskey for about 30 years.
He’s showcased his skills on national television while on Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners: Master Distiller.
Most recently, Henry’s been creating and serving up a variety of tasty food and drinks in Los Fresnos since Sept. 24, 2020.
Mixed drinks, moonshine mixers and bottles, tatar salad and pulled pork sandwiches are some of the many savory treats that can be found on the menu at Rio Grande Distillery.
“What we make is traditional corn whiskey or moonshine, and then we have a variety of flavors like apple pie, peach cobbler and strawberry banana,” Henry said. “We have margaritas, bloody Mary’s and stuff that we make with our moonshine. It’s very good.”
Henry said the distillery makes sandwiches and pulled pork with their own sauce and rub.
“We make cheesesteak sandwiches, ham and cheese and we’re adding pulled pork tacos and quesadillas to the menu,” he added.
Henry’s business is the Valley’s first and only distillery.
“We’re the southmost distillery in the United States so that’s pretty cool,” Henry said. “We’re a little different and it’s kind of an accomplishment to have gone ahead and done it.”
Originally from the Ozarks in Missouri, Henry has called Los Fresnos home for the past 21 years.
“We have a long tradition of making moonshine and whiskey,” he said. “Here, not so much, so it’s nice to be able to bring something new and share a different culture with the people here. They’ve been really receptive to it.”
Henry said customers have told him that after their first visit, the Rio Grande Distillery becomes their favorite place because it’s unique and different.
“It’s kind of a folksy place,” he said. “We got old shotguns and antique toys and different things that are around like gumball machines and barrels. There’s a lot of neat stuff to look at.”
Rio Grande Distillery opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday through Friday and at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Closing time is at 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
“We’re happy to be here and we’re proud to have accomplished it and be able to share something with people here in the Valley,” Henry said. “In the end, it’s about making people happy and sharing so that’s what’s most important.”
For more information, visit www.riograndedistillery.net.
