30 Days of 30 – Palmetto Cafe
We love the Palmetto Cafe at the Charleston Place Hotel. Its gorgeous, iconic Charleston and brings us back to one of our first professional photo session.
We participated in the #IWillReflect campaign promoting skin protection awareness. They gave us a great opportunity and we will never forget it. Not to mention the backdrop is simply eye candy!
Pepper Peach Paloma – Ancho Reyes Liquer, Avion Tequila Reposado, Fresh Grapefruit, Lime Juice topped with Cipriani Soda
Photography by Tyler Ashlin Photography Cocktails by Palmetto Cafe at Charleston Place Hotel Sponsored by Avion Tequila
30 Days of 30 – Grand Bohemian
Abstract art infuses with wanderlust at this grand bouquet hotel on Meeting Street that encourages one to gaze deeply counting all its attributes while sipping artfully crafted cocktails.
The rooftop bar not only gives you a breathtaking view of Charleston but is also a great place to take enjoy cocktails.
The Boheme – Signature cocktail at Grand Bohemian Hotel includes Avion Tequila Silver, Pineapple Shrub, Fresno Peeper Simple Syrup and Lime Juice.
MUA by LaNaqua Clarke Nails by Jada Sanders
Photography by Marie Rodriguez Photography
Cocktails by Grand Bohemian Hotel Eleve bar
Sponsored by Avion Tequila
30 Days of 30 – Upper King Swing
Prohibition has to be our FAVORITE “Period” bar here in Charleston.
They have cocktails that mirror the classics from the pre-prohibition period and their food is simply amazing! We have fond memories from this bar and have always remembered that they have supported us from the beginning.
Shaun Gordon has been on our page several times for his creative cocktails. We are thankful to have bartenders like him to support our movement. Shaun made 2 delicious cocktails.
Adair Thomas Photography
Nails by Jada Sanders
Cocktails by Shaun Gordon of Prohibition Charleston using Tequila Avion Reposado
#30Days30Faves
Johnny Caldwell one half of the Cocktail Bandits celebrates her 30th birthday today. And guess what?!? Taneka Reaves celebrates her 30th birthday in 30 days!!! #FriendFate
For the next 30 days we will be counting down our 30 favorite Charleston things. We are having cocktails all over Charleston and sharing why we love this city!
Celebration of the Cowpea
The Celebration of the Cowpea was an event that celebrated “cowpeas” or “field peas” in a very creative and innovative way. The event took place took place at the Gatewood House, which is the house where Nat Fuller, the famous African American and restautanteur learned to cook in the 19th century. The pea which came from West Africa in the 16th century, has had a profound infulence on southern cuisine and chefs Benjamin Dennis and Kevin Mitchell cooked over 30 types of field peas for everyone to sample. The beans ranged from creamy, to rice peas and there were different types of rice to pair with them. Chef April McGreger made cornbread from several heirloom corn strands and the cornbread was the perfect southern touch to this amazing meal. The favorite pea of the evening was the Pink Eyes Purple Hawk pea grown by our favorite organic farmer Joseph Fields. The event was amazing, we even had the opportunity to meet Food and Bev legend, Natalie Dupree!! It was an awesome and educational event and we hope to attend next year!
A Day with Matt Lee and Truveè Wines
Drinking wine with Matt Lee was an absolute treat! For those that don’t know who he is, Matt Lee is one half of the Lee Brothers. The Lee Bros are two brothers from Charleston, who are very involved with spreading awareness of delicious southern cuisine around the U.S. They have a mail order catalog for southern pantry staples called The Lee Bros. Boiled Peanuts catalog and people can order signature southern things like boiled peanuts. The great guys are also authors of cook books like Southern Cookbook, and Charleston Kitchen, have won several James Beard awards, and Finally, they invited us to Atlanta Food and Wine festival to be talent for their workshop! (It was soooo fun!)
Now that I’ve introduced you all to Matt Lee, let’s get to this awesome wine that he decided to share with an awesome story to match!
Truvee Wines has a powerful story and an amazing taste. It was created from the McBride sisters, who are two beautiful African American sisters who were separated when they were extremely young but interesting enough, BOTH grew up on Vinyards thousands of miles apart. They found each other later in life and decided to create their own delicious wine called Truveè – which is from the French word “to find.”
We tried the chardonnay first, it was light and delicious with notes of pear, citrus, and apples. It was a very crisp and has a clean finish. There was no harsh after taste. After, we tried the Red Blend. It was full of body and had notes of berries and caramel and has a robust finish. Both brands were a perfect blend of New World and Old World practices which can be tasted in the wine.
The McBride Sisters are the FIRST African American sisters to found a wine company and to launch in a digital platform. We are thankful to Matt Lee for exposing us to women who are doing amazing things for the wine world.
To learn more about Matt Lee and the Lee Bros, visit www.mattleeandtedlee.com.
To learn more about Truveè Wines and the McBride Sisters, visit www.truveewines.com
Coffee Cocktails
Life is too short crappy coffee cocktails! And with yummy cocktail creations for Brooks Reitz of Leon’s Oyster Shop there’s never a need too! Brooks brought along his signature Jack Rudy Tonic to blend the Cherry Bourbon syrup cocktail and a few ounces of Revelator El Carmen – cold brew. With literally a cherry on top, this cocktail is refreshing at any time of the day.
Remember, it’s never too late for coffee or too early for a cocktail. But if you’re looking for a happy medium, combine Bourbon infused with Revelator’s Shakiso coffee, coffee syrup and a few dashes of bitters for a Coffee Old Fashioned that takes the classic cocktail to the barista level!
Get as creative as possible when adding coffee to your cocktail. Try chocolate rum or vanilla flavored vodka to your usual morning cup of joe to add spice to your afternoon. If you’re in need of a bit of variety in your coffee collection, grab a ticket to the Charleston Coffee Cup on November 8th at the newly open Cigar Factory from 10am until 3pm.
Charleston Magazine 40th Anniversary Party
Join us to celebrate our big 4-0 at a ’70s-inspired cocktail soirée at the newly opened Gaillard Center! Expect great food, drinks, and entertainment, PLUS amazing live and silent auction items—all valued at $1,000 or more and all proceeds to benefit the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
ENTERTAINMENT: Peter Kiral, Steinway Charleston’s Annette Cantrell Martin, The Plantation Singers, Calvin Taylor, Charlton Singleton and The Dubplates, Elise Testone, & more!
SIGNATURE COCKTAILS: Dixie Vodka, Badger Drinking Vinegar, Red Harbor Rum, Striped Pig Distillery Moonshine, Charleston Distilling Gin, and Chattanooga Whiskey 1816 Reserve, Virgil Kaine, and Bittermilk, PLUS Holy City Brewing and Biltmore Wines
PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES & CHEFS STATIONS by Duvall Catering
DESSERT: Special anniversary cakes by DeClare Cakes
EVENT DESIGN: The Event Cooperative, Big Hair Productions, Miele Events, Nuage Designs, Snyder Event Rentals, and Sperry Tents Southeast
PARKING: Overflow parking will be available in the Aquarium Garage. Shuttles provided by Absolutely Charleston will be available to the Gaillard Center. They will run every 15 minutes from 6-10:15pm.
Skirt! is legal!!
We had an amazing time at The Restoration on King for Skirt! Magazine’s 21st birthday! That’s right, Skirt has been bringing women amazing and empowering stories about women for many awesome years and they showed their love and appreciation last night with unlimited champagne, delicious desserts from Bad Bitches Charleston, and amazing music by DJ Natty Heavy on the rooftop of the Restoration. It’s always so inspiring to see such fabulous women celebrating together. Happy Birthday Skirt!!! Here’s to many many more years of celebrating us women!
Whiskey After Dark
The newly renovated Gadsden House on East Bay Street opened its doors for Whiskey lovers and others who just like a good time! With over 100 whiskies to sample, we were more than eage to get started. We tasted a variety of brown water ranging from Kentucky Rye Whiskey to ultra aged single malt Macallan.
While the majority of the bourbons were being enjoyed straight up or on the rocks, we appreciate sampling the whiskey in a cocktail. It’s difficult to taste drink sample after sample of any liquor straight – even for a Cocktail Bandits.
Serving samples as a cocktail also gives your audience an idea of how the spirit can be enjoyed at home, after he or she has purchased a bottle.
Lewis Barbeque was the only food option at that evening. While guest stood in line all night for their plate of beef brisket, coleslaw, rice and other sides, we mostly partook in the liquid libations. Great evening and fun event overall!
