Bandit Behavior
After hours…
Jonathan Calo treated us to a little custom tasting session after his cocktail tasting social. We sampled a delicious rare rums and mezcal. We started with Vida Mezcal. Mezcal is a spirit made from the agave plant just like tequila. The difference between mezcal and tequila comes down to location. In order to be called tequila the agave plant must be grown and harvested in one of 5 regions of Mexico: Jalisco, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. This difference gives the two spirits uniquely distinct flavors. Vida Mezcal was spicy, earthy and robust without a bitter aftertaste. Much better than the other mescals we have tried.
To our delight, Jonathan offered us some rum straight from the Canary Island. Artemi and Doramas honey rums are surprisingly sweet and round with a beautifully light aftertaste. I just realized that we don’t drink enough rum. I also realized that we need to visit the Canary Islands, ASAP.
Chase After A Cure Charity Golf Tournament
Adam White has done phenomenal things with his non-profit organization, Chase After A Cure. Their mission statement, to bring awareness and funding for children diagnosed with cancer. The golf tournament at Patriots Point did both. Before the games commenced, Adam took a moment to remind everyone of the cause and to continue to support finding a cure. Aside from taking a swing at the $10,000 hole-in-one prize, golfers could also bid on a wide assortment of auction items donated by Charleston area businesses. Several holes throughout the course were sponsored by and offered an additional incentive to participants. While we are novices to the game of golf and forgot our clubs, we fully enjoyed the event as spectators taking in the beautiful scenery and cheering on the participants. Lunch was hosted by HomeTeam BBQ with drinks provided by Beverage Co. featuring a specialty cocktail using Charleston Mix’s Bloody Mary Mix; delicious.
Chase After A Cure host an annual Gala in January. Please contact Adam White at adam@chaseafteracure.com for more information about the organization and sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.chaseafteracure.com
Peligroso Tequila Launch Party
Blu Restaurant on Folly beach was full of tequila enthusiast as Peligroso introduced its delicious tequila to the Charleston market. In true VIP fashion, the event included food, activities and a live band. We were treated to a tasting of the entire Peligroso product line of Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Cinnamon flavored tequila. The crafty bartenders at Blu created four cocktails to showcase the versatility of the tequila while incorporating a little Charleston flair. We didn’t leave the event empty handed. Guest received swag bags full of Peligroso products including a water bottle and keychain. There was even a printing station were guest could create custom Peligroso t-shirts and tanks tops. For more about Peligroso Tequila, visit www.peligrosotequila.com
More experimenting for the Fabrizia Cocktail Contest Larceny Bourbon, Kahlua, honey, lime juice, peach juice, coconut water and Fabrizia Blood Orange Liqueur
Jonathan Calo Signature cocktail
Despite the rain, we had a great time at the cocktail contest last night at Burwell’s Stone Fire Grille. Mixologist Jonathan Calo created a wonderful cocktail for the Signature Cocktail Contest for the Red Party. Stop by Burwell’s any time this week to taste his cocktail called La Doux Picante, then vote for Jonathan at www.redpartycharleston.com One lucky voter will win a ticket to the Red Party on October 24th. Support the American College of the Building Arts. Sponsored by Republic National Distribution Company. Hosted by the Cocktail Bandits.
Fabrizia Cocktail Competition launch party
Fabrizia has challenged Charleston area mixologist to create an original cocktail using their signature product Limoncello and Blood Orange liqueur. The competition takes place in November when the judges visit Charleston to sample the creative cocktails. Fabrizia has organized a pretty swaggy grand prize; a three day, two night trip for two to Boston (all expenses paid), personal tour of the Fabrizia Spirit’s facility, dinner accommodations and admission to the Boston Wine Expo.
The featured bartender from Boston created three custom cocktails for the event. Each displayed the wide use of both the Limoncello and the Blood Orange liqueurs.
Not to be outdone, Radeberger and Schofferhofer craft imported beer was also hosting an event at Bay Street Biergarten. The German beer company was debuting its beverage for the first time in South Carolina during the Charleston Beer Week festivities. The Schofferhofer beer uses ruby red grapefruit to create its unique flavor profile while the Radeberger has a clean and traditional pilsner taste. With so many mixologist in attendance, it was only a matter of time before someone created a drink using both the Fabrizia and the Schofferhofer. 22 of us line up at the bar to chug the just created bomb (1 oz of Fabrizia Limoncello dropped into 4 oz of Schofferhofer). What a perfect way to end a night of making new friends and being introduced to a new mixer; let the creative juices flow. Stay tuned for all the delicious cocktails we create using Fabrizia Liqueurs and Radeberger & Schofferhofer beer.
Check out our video recap below!
Meeting a cocktail legend
We had the pleasure of meeting Dave Wondrich. (@davidwondrich) If you don’t know who this awesome man is, he is an ex professor who became a cocktail historian. He is also one of the founders of the modern craft cocktail movement and writes about cocktails for Esquire Magazine. He is featured on the television show “Best Bars in America.” We were so excited to speak with him and he told us, ” Do what you want to do NOW, when else are you going to do it?!” Say no more Dave, Say no more…
The Lifestyle
Look for the Cocktail Bandit’s first “lifestyle” section in this week’s Charleston Chronicle newspaper. It includes some local happenings and a drink of the week!
#cocktailbandits#charlestonlover #writers #charlestonchronicle#thechronicle #abouttown #charlestonliving#moveshakemix
Cinnamon Whiskey at Royal American
Homemade cinnamon whiskey shots at Royal American?!? Yess please!!! And I don’t even like whiskey…. Smh.. I love this place! Plus the bartender is pretty awesome. This is an amazing little gem here in Charleston. #cocktailbandits#charlestonlover #charlestonliving #whiskey#homemade #goodtimes
