Know Your Bartender: Aaron Hamilton at McEwen’s
by Phoebe Cramer
Hometown: Clarksdale, Mississippi, the “Home of the Blues”
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Are you a student? Not currently. I started at Delta State University and also went to The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
What are your specialties? My favorite question is “surprise me.” I love it, but I’m known for my frosty Martinis and classic Old Fashioneds.
What is your most essential bar tool? My Boston Shaker, because without it I couldn’t create any of my cocktails.
Most craved mid-shift snack: I am a French fry goblin! During mid-shift I’ll go to the back and get some by chef Eric Tate—he makes the best French fries.
Who is the most famous customer you’ve served? Most famous is Morgan Freeman. I’ve served him a couple of times. And Kal Penn—I was trying to be cool and make it a regular day for him but inside I wanted to talk to him about everything he’s done.
What’s on your favorite playlist right now? I create all the playlist at McEwen’s, and my favorite two artist on the playlists are The Dip and Vulfpeck.
What’s the best movie you’ve seen lately? I just saw Cuckoo with Hunter Schafer from Euphoria, and it’s absolutely unhinged.
What is your favorite sport & team? College football. I get really invested, and of course it’s Ole Miss.
Have you read any good books lately? I’m currently listening to No Country for Old Men by Cormack McCarthy. It is a a thriller and the book is way better than the movie
What is your favorite bar in the world? It doesn’t exist anymore—it was called The Thirsty Hippo (in Hattiesburg). It was a classic bar, and I saw the best concerts of my life there.
Tell us about your most memorable night in Oxford: I’ve been here for 14 years, but the most memorable night was when we beat Alabama at home and we tore down the goal posts and marched them through the Square. The town was electric, and the vibes were immaculate.
What’s the best band you’ve ever seen in Oxford? I love music. The best band I’ve seen is the Wood Brothers or Bela Fleck.
What do you like best about living in Oxford? I like that it feels like we live in a postcard and that it is simple, peaceful, beautiful, and it feels like home immediately for everyone. That’s why I think people fall in love with this place.
Who is your all-time favorite Rebel? I gotta go with Eli Manning. He’s a legend, he is fun and funny, and he was an incredible quarterback.
Where’s your favorite place to go on a road trip? Either New Orleans or Chattanooga. I go there the most and have the best time.
If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be and what are you pouring? Quentin Tarantino. I would be pouring two glasses of Green Chartreuse on a big rock, and we’d talk about old movies.
Roses in Aruba (McEwen’s)
Ingredients: Empress Elderflower Rose gin, a fresh pineapple and orange zest cordial, and fresh lemonade.
How often do you serve this drink? It’s one of our top-selling drinks.
What inspired this drink? I wanted to blend floral and tropical flavor components.
