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.
Fashion Confessional
We really enjoyed participating in the Fashion Confessional during Charleston Fashion Week sponsored by Charleston Grit and Yelp Charleston. Check it out!
PS – Love, love, LOVE creator of Charleston Fashion Week, Ayoka Lucas.
Oculto Launch Party at Republic Reign
During Charleston Wine and Food, we had the pleasure of tasting the Mexican Beer, Oculto, which is a “tequila” beer, made with blue agave and blended with beer aged with wood from tequila barrels. (more…)
Thank you Post & Courier
So we look in the Post and Courier (local newspaper) this morning, and we realized that we are in the paper again! Wow! We love the people at the Post! We are beyond happy and grateful for this!! So excited for all of the opportunities we are receiving. We were enjoying some barrel aged beer. It was amazing! Thanks Post & Courier and thank you Stephanie Barna for the invitation to this event!
Dead Rabbit Takeover
New York City’s well-known cocktail bar, The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, made an impromptu visit to Charleston last night to share their delicious custom cocktails and we were lucky enough to get a seat at the table. (more…)
