Black Ink Book Festival Recap
Black Ink is Charleston’s African American Book Festival.
The festival aims to support emerging artists by immersing them in a rich literary environment surrounded by Black authors from all walks of life.
The theme for this year’s festival was Wakanda from the movie “Black Panther”.
Wakanda provided a refreshing look at the diversity and creativity present within the black community and Black Ink succeeded in doing the same. There were over fifty authors present, each with a unique story to share. Their books covered a variety of genres including romance, science-fiction, and history. Speaking with the authors, their passion for their work was contagious.
The Cocktail Bandits spoke on the Empowerment panel.
Other Empowerment Panelists included authors Kimberly Bowman and Gaynelle Whittle-Ship. Each author on the panel took a different path to authorship, but found writing their story to be a source of strength. The Cocktail Bandits view their book as a statement of the progress they’ve made within an industry that has not always been kind or welcoming to women of color.
Black Ink also hosted a series of poetry Readings. Regina Duggins delivered a powerful reading of her poem, “Black Magic”. Participants also included local writers Sybil Nelson, Marcus Amaker, and Synithia Williams who shared their own stories and experiences of self-discovery through writing.
Terry McMillan was the keynote speaker for the event.
McMillan is the #1 best-selling author of “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”. Her story of perseverance and determination is an inspiration.
Black Ink was organized by Charleston Friends of the Library. Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization that raises money to support the Charleston County Library programs and events.
Fried Chicken Challenge Judges
Charleston is known for it’s delicious southern cuisine. The Cocktail Bandits lend their refined palette as featured judges at the 2nd Annual Southern Fried Chicken Challenge. Local and Regional chefs will compete to see who has the best fried chicken. Culinary students from Charleston County School District will also compete.
In addition to the fried chicken samples, attendees will spend the day listening to live music from Quentin Ravenel and The Dubplates.
Purchase tickets here: https://tickets.postandcourier.com/e/southern-fried-chicken-challenge/
A Night For New Beginnings Gala 2018
LowCountry Orphan Relief (LOR) presents the 218 Annual Gala- A Night for New Beginnings. LOR works to provide aid and services to Lowcountry children identified as at-risk of suffering from abuse and/or neglect. This Black Tie event attracts over 300 guests with a live 7 piece band, silent & live auctions, decadent dinner, and dancing.
2018 sponsors include SC Federal, Equiscript, KB Kitchen & Bath Concepts, Keller Interiors, and Gentry Law Firm.
Purchase tickets for this event here: https://lowcountryorphanrelief.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/826
PechaKucha- Talks for Creatives
The Cocktail Bandits join the Charleston Music Hall and Charleston Arts Festival as featured presenters for PechaKucha. PechaKucha got it’s name from the Japanese word for “chit chat” and aims to deliver powerful, concise presentations that are less than 7 minutes each. This event will feature talks from a diverse array of artistic, creative, and entrepreneurial speakers that represent the Charleston creative community.
Tickets are $14.00 at the door.
Buy advance tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/event/1725306-pechakucha-31-charleston/
Booze & Books Recap!
There was a packed house at Itinerant Literant
The Cocktail Bandits hosted the Inaugural Booze and Books Happy Hour: for the inebriated reader.
The Cocktail Bandits served samples of their signature cocktail, Peninsula Tea.
Peninsula tea is a perfectly balanced cocktail featuring Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka. You can learn more about the origins of the Peninsula Tea recipe in their book, Holy Spirits! Charleston Culture Through Cocktails
Fun fact: Firefly was one of the first brands that the Cocktail Bandits built a relationship with!
Guests were impressed and inspired as they flipped through Holy Spirits! and sipped their craft cocktails.
Itinerant Literate was the perfect place to host an event like this. The little independent bookstore was packed with unique, thought-provoking titles and diverse authors. The store features several cozy reading nooks, inspiring quotes, and interesting trinkets. We are so appreciative of the support we get from the Charleston community. Can’t wait for our next book signing event!
Ladies Wine & Design- Confidence
The Cocktail Bandits will be taking over Wine and Design at SDCO Partners. We will sip on some custom cocktails as we discuss the Confidence Gap. This event will be held outside.
If you’re a female student or creative and would like to join, please RSVP. It’s free and reservations are first come, first serve. We welcome creatives beyond traditional designers – the more varied the better!
Reservation details will be sent prior to the event. If you need to cancel, please release your ticket to allow attendees to join from the waiting list.
This event is currently sold out.
Join the waiting list: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-wine-design-confidence-tickets-48177501203
Summer Soiree at The Tiny Tassel
The Cocktail Bandits link up with Mimi Striplin, fellow College of Charleston Alum and founder of The Tiny Tassel. The Tiny Tassel is an accessory boutique that offers fun, colorful accessories and gifts. Join us for cocktails and extended hours Wednesday 8/15/2018 from 5-7 PM. Plus 50% off Turkish Towels and 20% off Straw Clutches and Totes!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Gin+Watermelon Dinner Recap
We had the pleasure of doing a collaborative dinner at The Asbury with Chefs Matt Krenz and Scott Crawford of Crawford and Son. The theme was ‘Gin and Watermelon’.
Our task was to pair a delicious cocktail with each course the chefs prepared.
First Course: We wanted to keep the first beverage light and refreshing.
We used Owl’s Brew Wicked Watermelon Radler (a tea beer), and topped it with prosecco and a splash of lime juice to pair with Chef Scott Crawford’s, Watermelon Carpaccio.
Second Course: We made a cocktail featured in our book called “Porgy and Bess”
We replaced the tequila in the original cocktail with Doc Porter’s Gin. We also topped this cocktail with Cannonborough honey basil soda. We paired this cocktail with Chef Scott Crawford’s spicy watermelon Gazpacho.
Third Course: Fried foods, Watermelon, and tea are perfect summer staples.
When we noticed that Chef Matt Krenz made Grilled Watermelon with fried green tomatoes and crawfish salad, we had to pair this dish with our signature cocktail, the Peninsula Tea featuring Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.
Fourth Course: We paired the “Charleston Single” with the Snapper, Watermelon, and Crispy Ham
Learn more about the Charleston Single in our book, Holy Spirits! . We used local Conniption Gin, cucumber syrup, grapefruit juice, and tonic from Jack Rudy and co.
For the last course, we decided to go with a Matcha Mint mocktail.
We wanted to provide the guests with a non alcoholic option to pair with the salted ganache, Matcha meringue, pickled and compressed watermelon. The flavors worked perfectly, together.
After dinner we were able to sit and chat with the guests; everyone was happy and excited to be there. We were excited to hear that people enjoyed the food and drink pairings as well! I mean, who doesn’t love gin and watermelon?!
Pictured: Matt Krenz, Taneka Reaves, Jonathan Cooper (photographer), Scott Crawford, Johnny Caldwell
We HAVE to thank ‘NC’s Chef of the Year’ Matt Krenz and his staff at the Asbury for hosting us. They were phenomenal and such a pleasure to work with. Chef Scott Crawford visiting from his restaurant, Crawford and Sons was amazing as well! We can’t wait to visit his restaurant when we make it back to North Carolina. We also want to thank all of the guests for their enthusiasm… although it was a rainy evening, people came out, showed love, and purchased a book! We are forever thankful!
Special shout out to Jonathan Cooper. Who did a FANTASTIC job with these photos!! THANK YOU!!
Get another perspective on this event+ more pictures from our guest blogger NomKnowledge
Black Girl Magic: Divas of Hospitality
Female chefs face unique challenges in the male-dominated hospitality industry.
Divas of Hospitality is a celebration hosted by Chef Natashnym Meggett that exists to shine a spotlight on black women Chefs in Charleston and the surrounding area. The Cocktail Bandits were behind the bar serving up delicious craft cocktails.
The drink menu included favorites such as Cocktail Bandits’ Peninsula Tea featuring Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Gentle Lady Gimlet featuring Bristow Gin. You can find recipes for these drinks in our book, Holy Spirits!
The Cocktail Bandits also mixed up some fresh Margaritas made with Goza Tequila and garnished with a sprig of mint to surprise and delight the palette.
Featured Chefs, Vendors, and Organizers
Natashnym Meggett– Johnson & Wales alumni, Founder of Divas of Hospitality and owner of Southern Gal Catering. Follow her on Facebook @southerngalcatering or Instagram @iam_southerngal
Follow her on FB @islandgirlsweets
Building a home bar with Belle Isle and West Elm
We recently teamed up with Belle Isle and West Elm to help our guests build their perfect home bar and craft beautiful cocktails. Try making your own cocktails with the recipes below.
home bar must-haves provided by West Elm
Black Magic
1 oz Belle Isle Coffee Moonshine
1.5oz Black Cherry Juice
Splash (less than 1/4 oz) Lemon Juice
Topped with Cola
1 dash of Bitters
Add Belle Isle Moonshine and Black Cherry Juice to load mixing tin.
Shake vigorously for 10 seconds
Pour strained contents into iced glass. Top with cola. Add 1 dash of bitters.
Garnish with lemon wheel and Jack Rudy cherry.
Imbibe and enjoy!
home bar must-haves provided by West Elm
Smooth Talker
1 1/2 oz of Belle Isle Honey Habanero Moonshine
2 oz of Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz of Lime Juice
1 bar spoon of honey
Garnish with a slice of jalepeno
Add all ingredients to mixing tin. Shake passionately.
Double strain into coupe glass
Add garnish. Take #GentleLadySips
To get another perspective on this event, check out our featured blogger The Fashionable Traveler.
