Phoenicians Aaron DeFeo and Ross Simon conceptualized Stabyl in 2020 to combat two unique challenges: how could they reduce citrus waste and spoilage, and how could they obtain greater consistency in flavor, quality, and cost? The COVID-19 pandemic, along with shifting climate concerns had frazzled the markets and made prohibitively expensive citrus an everyday reality. Not every lemon and lime are the same, and as producers struggled to bring crops to harvest, the immediate and year-round availability of fresh citrus produce became harder and harder to predict.

For two operators who pride themselves on consistency, this uncertainty needed to be addressed. Drawing from nearly 50 years of combined experience developing cocktails and ingredients in award-winning bars, DeFeo and Simon set out to research and develop a solution that would keep all the best qualities of citrus—while eliminating many of the drawbacks. Over the course of two years, the pair were able to create a solution—STABYL—that provides operators a unique opportunity to reduce costs, eliminate waste and produce more consistent and better tasting cocktails.

STABYL adheres to the unwavering ethos that cocktails should always be made with the best possible ingredients for the application. Great care and thought is put into every stage of cocktail development across the globe, from the specific type of base spirit to modified vermouths and precisely calibrated syrups… why should the acid component be any different?

• Stabyl pricing
• 1:1 Replacement citrus juice
• Increased profitability through reduction of labor and waste
• Consistent favor profile
• No pithy bitterness
• Lifespan 30-day freshness
• Time savings
• PH-calibrated
• No fine straining required
• 100% reduction of citrus waste
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Sustainable
• No artificial flavors and preservatives or other crap
• Created & made in USA

Co-Creator/Founder

Tucson native Aaron DeFeo is best known as the co-owner and Bar Director of the award-winning Little Rituals, a 75-seat reimagining of the hotel bar concept in Downtown Phoenix.

A passionate advocate of creative mixology, DeFeo holds more than 20 years of experience and has been credited with elevating Arizona’s cocktail culture. His creations blend familiar spirits with unexpected flavors, creating an extraordinary sensory experience for his guests. DeFeo is also a partner in Arizona Cocktail Weekend, the premier cocktail event in the Southwestern United States, as well as the founder of Solid Sipping LLC, a consulting company that specializes in cocktail creation and operational solutions for restaurants and bars.

DeFeo earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and is certified B.A.R. Ready. He is also a Society of Wine Educators Certified Spirits Specialist. He holds the Spirits Professional distinction from the United States Bartenders’ Guild (where he was the founder and president of the Tucson chapter, and currently sits on the Phoenix Chapter Board of Directors) and often holds classes on the fine art of cocktail creation for industry professionals and the public.

Co-Creator/Founder

Ross Simon was steeped in the culinary and hospitality service from youth, working at the family restaurant in the old country of his native home of Scotland since 1990. He has three decades of experience in the beverage industry and during such has had the pleasure of mixing it up with the biggest names and brands in the cocktail world. Recently he was honored to be part of, and one of the inaugural judges of the TAG Global Spirits Awards that took place February 23–26, 2022 at Delano Las Vegas.

Currently, Ross owns and operates two cocktail bars. The globally renowned and award-winning cocktail bar Bitter & Twisted (2014) and the recently opened Little Rituals (2019). He also produces the annual cocktail event Arizona Cocktail Weekend, in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

Visit drinkbettercocktails.com for more information.