Juneteenth Cocktail Crawl
Charleston has some of the most talented and innovative mixologist in the Southeast. To celebrate Juneteenth and Black Excellence, this tour aims to highlight some of the Black bartenders in the Holy City bar scene. The group will hop aboard a party bus to visit four different bars to enjoy four unique and custom cocktail created specifically for the tour. Every cocktail will feature a premium spirit made with Jack Daniels and Herradura Tequila. Each cocktail is paired with a delicious snack to compliment the cocktail and reflect the vibe of each venue.
Purchase tickets using the link below:
Cocktail Bandits Host: Trappy Hour
Highlighting up-and-coming Charleston artists, Trappy Hour is truly a unique experience.
The energy in the room was magnetic and it was so special to hear live hip-hop performances in a downtown Charleston venue.
We had great live performances by Matt Monday and Salis.
Matt Monday has opened shows for artists like J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa. He brought that same energy to his intimate live performance at The Royal American
Salis’ first EP, Cadillac Chronicles was inspired by artists like UGK, Outkast, and Big Krit. He did an awesome job opening up the show.
The Cocktail Bandits shared their love of Tequila with rounds of Espolon Tequila shots and delicious Tequila sours.
The Royal American kept the crowd hydrated with their 32 oz Royal American Whiskey Punch featuring William Wolf Whiskey. The Royal American always has great drink specials.
DJ T.O. kept the crowd moving all night. We love to work with women making their mark on male-dominated industries.
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Negroni Week Bike Ride
Negroni Week Charity Bike Ride
Negroni is a classic Italian drink that begs to be celebrated.
Campari & Imbibe Magazine host Negroni Week anually to raise money for charities around the world.
This year the Cocktail Bandits participated in Negroni Week by hosting the Negroni Week Charity Bike Ride as a part of the Charleston US Bartenders Guild.
We rode from Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek to Mex 1 on Sullivan’s Island to benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank!
1 out of 5 children in Charleston rely on food banks for their meals. Lowcountry Food Bank is committed to serving those that need it.
A Negroni is a classic cocktail that uses only three simple ingredients. To make your own, combine
1 part Gin
1 part Campari
1 part Vermouth
Garnish with an orange peel and serve in a cocktail glass on the rocks.
The beautiful Tegroni featured above (Negroni with a twist) was served as our reward for successfully completing our four mile ride through Charleston. Mex 1 added a fun coffee infusion to the cocktail that really showed off the classic cocktail’s versatility.
We also enjoyed delicious Negroni spiked push pops and pie
Are you celebrating Negroni week? Upload your pictures below!
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[usp_gallery]Imbibe Magazine ’75 People to Watch in 2018′
We are so proud to be listed among Imbibe Magazine 75 People to watch in 2018. Thanks for the allowing us to share some of our journey.
Read the full feature using the link below:
Spark Charleston
Spark Charleston: A Tourism Industry Networking Affair
*Free admission for conference ticket holders.
Summer Social Recap
Summer 2017 in Charleston has been beautiful. A record number of sunny days. Plenty of perfect beach days with cool breezes leading into balmy evenings. What better way to the celebrate the season than with a gathering of friends around delicious food and crafted cocktails.
Doors opened at 6:30 pm at the Hyatt Place on King Street on July 7th. Music from Dj YNOT could be heard throughout the ballroom. Our Summer Social began with a busy start.
We provided three options for the beer lovers. Our friends from Bell’s Brewery, Yazoo Brewing and Lagunitas Brewing brought a variety of ales ranging from light pilsners to special edition cask brews.
We invited a few of our favorite Charleston chefs to prepare a Lowcountry dish for attendees. Chef Bj Dennis served a mango couscous, while Chef Glenn served his version of shrimp and grits; each offering their take on southern cuisine.
Dessert came in the form of a fruity frozen treat from Sunset Slush of Lowcountry and super creamy vegan cheesecake bites prepared by Chef TR Creations.
LaWanda’s Creations displayed a few of her pieces throughout the ballroom to simulate the imagination of attendees.
Live performance artist, Kolpeace, captivated the audience creating an original graffiti painting that he sealed with flames!
We served a specialty crafted cocktail to toast the occasion. ‘Southern Living’ consist of vodka, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine and tonic water. It leaves you feeling refreshed and wanting to order another.
We are delighted to share a project that we have been working on for almost a year. Last fall, we were approached by Evening Post books. The publishing company read our blog and wanted us to write a book on our two favorite things: Cocktails and Charleston!
After wiping away tears, we eagerly said, “Yes!” and have been researching Holy City beverage history ever since. We started with the settlement of Charleston, learning what residents of Charleston circa 1776 drank; up to our current and rapidly growing craft cocktail bar scene.
‘Holy Spirits!’ will be released this November 22, 2017 making it a perfect holiday gift. It can be pre-order right now, using the link below.
Many thanks to all of our beverage, food and entertainment sponsors.
www.hyattplace.com www.kolpeace.com www.bellsbeer.com www.lagunitas.com www.yazoobrew.com www.gentsgingerale.com www.hoochitup.com www.sweetgrassselfies.com Photos by Jovon Roberts and Brenda Peart
Charleston Vikings
Scotch on the beach may sound like a naughty cocktail name but it actually describes our afternoon with Highland Park Scotch and the United States Bartender’s Guild. We boarded a bus and headed over to the Windjammer on Isle of Palms. I’m embarrassed to say it was the first time we’ve had our feet in the sand all 2017.
We sipped frozen pineapple and whisky coladas while a few fellas played giant beer pong with trash cans and beach balls.
After a lunch of pulled pork and fixin’s, we teamed up for a battle of the sexes.
Fueled by Highland Park mules, our team of all girl boozy lovers were challenged to build a sea vessel using only cardboard boxes, duct tape and trash bags.
We’ve faced worse. We carefully thought and comfort in mind, we secured a 4 sided floating craft complete with team flag and drink holder, we needed it to toast our victory.
The boat built by the guys team took on water and quickly capsized under a wave. Never modest about triumph, the ladies team was sent home with a bottle of the Single Malt Scotch.
Inspired by another victory, we create a cocktail in honor of our accomplishment.
Maiden Voyage
1.5 oz of Highland Park Scotch
.5 oz of Hoodoo Chicory Liqueur
1 oz of Orange Juice
1 barspoon of Gent’s Spiced Orange Syrup
Hibicus and Sea Salt rim.
Add scotch, liqueur, syrup and orange juice to mixing tin full of ice. Shake passionately. Pour mixture into glass rimmed in hibiscus salt and filled with ice. Take #GentleLadySips
www.highlandparkwhisky.com
www.gentsgingerale.com
Photos by Arielle Simmons: http://ariellesimmons.com
Featured Blog: The Fashionable Traveler
On May 27th, we partnered with Charleston based candle company, Candlefish, on a special craft event.
This lovely Charleston fashion and travel blogger attended our Maker Break class, where we hand crafted cocktails and custom blended candles. Read her insightful event recap using the link below:
#DrinkDifferently
My oh Maille!
We’re suckers for a well made condiment. French gourmet mustard company, Maille hosted a private luncheon at Chez Nous on the 3rd Friday in June. Our first time at the cozy restaurant off Spring Street, we made our way up the narrow staircase to be seated with a window view of Payne Street. The polite waitress filled our glasses with chilled Chablis as we met the guests of honor: Charleston’s #FlavorHeroes Maille conducted a nationwide challenge encouraging individuals to share their creative dishes that include a product of Maille. The luncheon at Chez Nous was an effort to show appreciation for their creativity.
Chez Nous prepares a fixed menu everyday giving you 2 options for per course. I love it when restaurants get it simple. Tomato tart appetizer had a buttery crust full of sun ripened heirloom tomatoes.
Followed by a meaty perfectly pan seared snapper and seasoned potatoes. We finished the meal with a decadent chocolate cake with a fudge like center.
I slowly sipped traditional French coffee; just heavenly after the cream soaked confection. The good folk at Maille who accompanied us during the meal, sent us home with two of their signature products: classic mustard and dijon mustard.
We were inspired to craft a Dad friendly cocktail in the spirit of Father’s Day.
Daddy’s Day Off
1 Barspoon of Maille Dijon Mustard 1.5 oz of Highland Scotch 1 oz of Montenegro Amaro 1 Barspoon of In the Raw Agave .5 oz of Lime juice Garnish: Beef sausage, lime slice, Dijon Maille on a Spice Daneson toothpick Add ingredients to mixing tin. Shake passionately. Pour contents into rocks glass. Garnished with cooked beef sausage, lime slice topped with a dollop of Maille dijon mustard. Enjoy your cocktail Dad, you deserve it!
www.daneson.com
www.mailleus.com
www.highlandparkwhisky.com
www.amaromontenegro.com
www.cheznouschs.com
www.intheraw.com
Diner en Blanc Charleston – 2017
Just a picnic with a few hundred of your favorite friends. You bring all the fixings and the organizers of this secret dining event bring all the fun…
The concept is simple:
1. Assemble your dining party.
2. Assign tasks. (someone needs to bring the table, the chairs, flatware and of course, food.)
3. Wear white.
4. Meet at Unknown location.
Attendees are challenged to curate a meal and table-scape that lends itself to the ‘All White’ theme. Guest are required to wear all white, even their shoes. Outfits range from elaborate ball gowns to casual seersucker suits, very Charleston.
Some fashionable ladies used unique white headpieces to stand out in the crowd. We saw flower crowns, white beads, and even full masks. The creativity was impressive.
We danced until the last song; drinking One Hope wine and celebrating with new and old friends.
Top 3 Faves
- Amazing Black Diamond Band
- Couple coordinated outfits, so cute!
- Unexpected location in the heart of Charleston
www.dinerenblanc.com
http://charleston.dinerenblanc.com/
www.onehopewine.com
www.moet.com
Vita Images
