Charleston Beer Garden
Craft beer lovers from all over the Lowcountry descended on The Grove at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant. Over 30 breweries from the east coast offered their best beers to be sampled by thirsty attendees. Representatives from huge brands like Oskar Blues to small micro-breweries like Boulevard Brewing were on-hand to answer questions and hand out swag. Several food trucks were conveniently located around the perimeter providing much needed refreshments between beer tastings. Local bands kept our hips shaking while we sought shade from the beaming sun. Great afternoon of frothy craft beers, greasy food and live music!
Sweet Palmetto Cocktail
Southern Accents Coconut Cake Liqueur
Firefly Lemonade Vodka
Tippleman’s Falernum
Lime Juice
Lime slices (garnish)
Club Soda
Add Southern Accents Coconut Cake Liqueur, Lemonade Vodka, Tippleman’s Falernum, Lime juice and ice to mixing tins. Shake passionately. Layer lime on the bottom of chilled glass. Pack in crushed ice; add contents from mixing tins. Gently add club soda. Garnish with lime wheel. Imbibe responsibly.
McDonald’s Gospel Showcase – Mommy/Daughter Beauty Suite
The beauty experts at African Pride prepared a lush beauty suite for local fashion and beauty bloggers to hear all about their amazing product during the McDonald’s Choir Showcase on Mother’s Day. Brand Ambassador, Camilla Crews and Ebbie Drayton, creator of the Charleston Natural Hair Expo, were on hand to answer questions about the natural hair process.
Out front, several hundred people filled the North Charleston Performing Arts Center to hear some the best Choirs in the city. Tasha Cobb & Jonathan McReynolds headlined the showcase bringing their unique and modern take on Gospel.
For more events in Charleston, visit www.cocktailbandits.com
BACE League VOTES event!
The Charleston Music Hall was packed with music enthusiast and active residents for the BACE League Voter Registration and Brave Baby Album release party. BACE League includes all businesses, artists, cultural activists and entertainers in the Charleston area who wish to have a voice in the political changes taking place in our fair.
The launch event was a huge success with major community sponsors and almost 1000 attendees. BACE co-founders Makenzie Eddy & Elliot Smith have more events and community engagement planned to ensure that our voice on “new” Charleston is heard by those who represent us.
For more information about the BACE League, visit www.bacechs.org
Cocktail Bandits + AF&WF
We are excited to announce that we will be presenting an original craft cocktail during Atlanta Food & Wine Festival with Matt & Ted Lee (The Lee Brothers) and Heidi Trull in a session entitled, “South Carolina: Out of the Way & Out of this World” on May 30th. We will be sharing this experience, so follow along as we bring a little bit of Charleston to Atlanta!
Charleston Blog Society Meetup
Charleston bloggers of all genres met for a monthly gathering at Elizabeth Stuart Design. The interior design firm located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina was the picture perfect backdrop for photo happy bloggers. We hosted a Moet Imperial Ice Champagne bar, courtesy of Moet & Chandon.
The guest were able to choose their own garnishes of pineapple, mint, thyme, lime, lemons and blackberries. Lemon agave syrup made with premium agave syrup from iidea Company added mild sweetness to the slightly dry champagne specially designed to be served over ice.
The agave syrup is made from the leftover mash used to distill tequila. We also heard encouraging words for Elizabeth Stuart herself. She advised that as bloggers we stay true to our message and our brand as it is easy to fall victim to conformity. It was a pleasure being around other bloggers. The group of ladies included wedding bloggers, fashion and make-up writers. All adding their unique perspective to the blogging experience.
Looking for an event host, email info@cocktailbandits.com
Tasting Tents – Sunday
Charleston Wine & Food
We walked into the main festival gate at Marion Square closest to Calhoun Street. We were delighted to see a vintage Tequila Don Julio truck with a special bar serving draft Tequila Paloma (soda, Tequila, grapefruit). After a few sips, we meandered passed by a pit filled with colored balls before wandering into the huge tasting tents. Lines of festival attendees wrapped along the perimeter of the structure. We waited in line for 30 minutes before heading for one of the several wine and spirits tasting tables. Wineries from all over the country presented their offerings generously. Bottles Mt. Pleasant provided a retail tent for patrons to purchase any of the spirits they tasted in the tents. Genius!
Painting with Jonathan Green
Nationally reknown artist, Jonathan Green, collaborated with Wine & Design to host a private painting lesson during the festival. Mr. Green instructed students brush stroke by brush stroke to create their interpretation of balloons in the sky. Jonathan graciously assisted everyone and personally signed several of the students creations.
The festival hosted several activities to keep attendees busy like an agave history lessons from Tequila Don Julio, live cooking demonstrations, interactive cooking classes and lots of photo opportunities. It was inspiring to see so many local businesses represented at the festival. Wine makers from John’s Island and Walterboro proudly poured samples of their grapes or slices of their goat cheese or spoonfuls of craft fruit jams. As Charleston Wine & Food enters its eleventh year, we hope the trend of ‘keeping it local’ continues.
Charleston Travel Council Meeting
Charleston Area Convention & Visitor’s Center
The Cooper River Room at the Mount Pleasant Visitor Center played host to April’s Travel Council Meeting. We heard from Julie Ann Oldham of Lowcountry Parks Venues Center and from Bing Pan, Ph.D, professor at the College of Charleston. He discussed travel trends between first time visitors to Charleston and repeat visitors to Charleston; very informative. Mix Charleston Premier Bartending services provided the libations and Hamby Catering & Events supplies us with a beautiful spread of vegetables, fresh fruit and delicious breads.
For more information about the Charleston CVB, visit www.explorecharleston.com
Krug Champagne Ghost Tour
We were told to meet at White Point Gardens nearest King Street. After brief group introductions, we were escorted to a trolley and chauffeured down Legare and Tradd street until we arrived at Wentworth Mansion. (more…)
Tequila Don Julio: Farm-to-Shaker Event
We never need an excuse to indulge in agave spirits but Tequila Don Julio provided a one of a kind experience. We were told to meet at Proof for a welcome cocktail and to await the bus. Proof is known for innovative whiskey cocktails but today, mixologist and bar owner, Craig Nelson prepared at delicious tequila, made with Don Julio 70th Anniversary, called The Underdog.
