Holy Spirits! Book Launch
Holy Spirits! Charleston Culture Through Cocktails is our debut publication. In the book we take readers on a journey through the City of Charleston, exploring its culture from our unique, urban perspective. We worked so hard to bring this idea to life and we are so excited to share it with all of you.
To celebrate this monumental occasion, we mixed up craft cocktails directly from our book, Holy Spirits! We also signed copies of our book as a special thank you to our supporters.
Pancito & Lefty provided a great setting and delicious food for people to mingle and enjoy the craft cocktails.
Attendees had a great time playing with our special ring light for awesome social media photos.
The most popular cocktails of the night were:
Gentle Lady Gimlet with Bristow Gin, fresh lime juice, and Alley 26 Tonic
Peninsula Tea with Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, fresh lemon juice, ginger honey syrup, and ginger ale
Blacker the Berry with Milagro Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, blackberry puree, and lime juice
Learn to make these cocktails and more in our book! We appreciate everyone who came out to celebrate with us and kick off our book tour.
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:
Dinner at the Navigator’s Table
An enjoyable dining experience is comprised of delicious food, exceptional cocktail, timely service and good company. This summer, we shared an eclectic meal among an even more diverse dinner group; all with a mutual love of Charleston. Renaissance Hotel brand ambassador and world renown Chef, Andrew Zimmern, hosted dinner at the hotel’s downtown Charleston location featuring cuisine prepared by local favorites including dishes from a few of the dinner guests and Andrew Zimmern himself.
Speaking of guests, we were joined by songstress Elise Testone, Chef and restaurant owners: Mike Lata and Kevin Johnson and magazine editor, David DiBenedetto.
Watch – Enjoy – Comment – Share
Part 1
https://youtu.be/7xu-lAV2KFM
Part 2
https://youtu.be/UmddAFx8NWg
https://www.instagram.com/rencharleston
https://www.instagram.com/1kept/
https://instagram.com/chefaz
https://www.instagram.com/thegrocerychs/
https://www.instagram.com/elisetestone/
https://www.instagram.com/davedibenedetto/
https://www.instagram.com/mikelata/
Masquiat
Masquiat: An Art Infused Halloween Event
Art has always provided a space for expression. Join us on October 28th as we play homage to culture changing artist while celebrating the season.
Attire:
As expression, colorful and loud as possible!
Wear your favorite Masquerade mask or craft a custom mask with us during the event.
October 28, 2017 – from 7pm – 11pm
Enjoying bites from Chef Marcus Middleton and a custom knife display and craving station hosted by Quinton Middleton of Middleton Made Knives
Craft and seasonal cocktail served by Cocktail Bandits featuring Virgil Kaine, Cathead Vodka, Bristow Gin and many others!
Games, painting stations, photo booth and so much more!
Redux Contemporary Art Center is a non-profit art center located in downtown Charleston.
Support local art.
Spark Charleston
Spark Charleston: A Tourism Industry Networking Affair
*Free admission for conference ticket holders.
March Madness Part 1 #CHSWFF 2017
Although, we are well into the month of September, we have to recap all of the MADNESS, and CRAZINESS from March. We are not talking basketball, we are talking about the food, fashion, and non profit events that took place… And we were definitely in attendance for it ALL! This three part series, will cover our crazy month that we call MARCH MADNESS… We hope you all enjoy!
Part One – The Food and Wine
Charleston Wine and Food Festival is a five day festival that has over 110 events. That’s right, there are more than 20 events each day to satisfy every foodie/bevvie’s desire to eat, drink and enjoy the amazingness that is better known as Charleston’s food scene. Events are located all around the city but Marion Square is always the central location for most of the festivities. We were able to experience signature dinners, tasting tents, exclusive beverages, mixology classes and amazing after parties this year and can’t wait to share it all!
#CHSWFF was really fun this year because we were able to be a part of the CHSWFF Street Team. The street team was comprised of the top culinary bloggers and influencers in the city. Awesome people like Holy City Handcraft, Queen of the Foodage, Charleston Shop Curator, and Basil and Bubbly were also street team cohorts. Since there were so many events, the #chswffstreetteam was able to split up and give complete coverage of the entire festival.
Tap-to-Table at Craftsman’s Taphouse
Allagash brewing and Holy City Brewing took over the taps at Craftsmen’s Taphouse for a lunch of flights and small bites. Allagash, a North Carolina company commenced the meal with a pour of their Belgian Wit-bier paired with a piece of fried lobster. The buttery sauce combined beautifully with freshness you can only get from local crustaceans. Holy City Brewing followed with their Bowen’s Island Oyster Stout alongside a bite of fried oyster stew. The creaminess of the perfectly fried oyster (which is no easy feat) and the almost milky stout melted in my mouth.
We were ultimately served three courses, each more complex and delicious than the previous pairing. I was impressed by the adaptability of the beers chosen for the flights. Some brews neutralized spice while others enhanced the silky texture of the seafood. Well done!
Iron Mixology Challenge
Bar Mash played host to a cocktail competition that’s not for your average bartender. Charlotte Voissey, brand ambassador for William Grant & Son moderated a “Top Chef” style cocktail challenge. Each round, competitors were given mystery ingredients to create a craft cocktail with. Each round was timed and contestants were eliminated if their cocktail got the lowest score from the judges’ panel.
Attendees were treated to a Hendrick Gin punch created by Charlotte to whet their whistle, yummers! Head bartender and owner of The Gin Joint, won the competition after crafting a cocktail with the last mystery ingredient, balsamic vinegar. Its amazing to watch creatives in the moment; the packed bar agreed as attendees cheered on each bartender. Hoping the festival brings this event back next year!
Origins of Ice Class
One of my favorite classes from Charleston Wine and Food was the ICE class that was led by Charlotte Voisey of William Grant & Sons. In the beginning of the class, she opened with a cocktail that had one large ice cube; it was delicious! After the cocktail, she talked about the origins of ice. Frederick Tudor, a New England business man, created the commercial ice business about 200 years ago. He would take ice from his lake in Boston and send it down to places like South Carolina, the Caribbean and even all the way to India. Before that time, cocktails were served punch style, warm. The accessibility of ice changed everything.
After learning about the history of ice, we enjoyed Mint Julep cocktails that are served with plenty of crushed ice and a vodka Martini that is stirred with ice but poured neatly in a chilled glass.
SieMatic Kitchen
The King Street concept kitchen studio served as a VIP lounge for day 1-3 of #CHSWFF. The comfortable King Street location provided beverages and bites for festival talent and media. The state-of-the-art kitchen hosted live food and beverage demonstration throughout the afternoon supplying entertainment and refreshment for all the drop-in guest.
Chef Marvin Woods of the newly opened Gentry Bar, prepared spaghetti squash bolognese with juicy veal, incredible and nutritious!
Charlotte, North Carolina mixology legend, Bob Peters, crafted a fun French 75, with a little help from Johnny #FestivalMade. This classic cocktail is simple to make and pleases every palate. We will be visiting Bob at The Punch Room in North Carolina very soon!
Tasting Tents
The last 3 days of Charleston Wine & Food festival in the tasting tents in the Culinary Village are the place to be! There are food, wine, beer and spirits vendors all around Marion Square and we tried almost every sample available! It was also great to catch up with other foodie friends, take plenty of food photos and dance to live music.
Industry Lounge
We found refuge from the hustle and bustle of the culinary village in the Opentable VIP tent. Located conveniently by the exit and the restroom. This climate controlled lounge provided media and talent an on-premise location to charge their phone and rest their feet. Friday through Sunday, different chefs and bartenders hosted tent takeovers providing libations and snacks to VIP badge holders.
Additionally, media outlets like Eater and Hoffman Media held social media interviews live on Facebook! We met Brian Hoffman, of Southern Lady Magazine, who was gracious enough to sign our copy of his book ‘Coupe’.
#CHSWFF Top 3
1. Super Swag bag
2. Seeing all our favorite Food & Beverage folks
3. What The Pho?!? Party at Le Creuset
What the Pho??
Hands down, THE best event/after party of #CHSWFF was “What the Pho?!” The entire Le Creuset was made over with Asian inspired decorations. It was beautiful. There were over 20 different pho dishes to sample and just as many cocktails to pair with the noodles. They had gin, tequila, vodka and whiskey cocktails to keep us warm on that cold, cold evening. It was only 46 degrees, but we couldn’t tell because we were on the dance floor all night… The DJ was awesome, even had us sweating!
2017 Charleston Wine and Food West was one for the books. We ate. We drank. We learned. We danced…. And we can’t wait til 2018! Cheers to an awesome event!
www.bobpeters.net
www.opentable.com
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
Mink Blink
The life of a Cocktail Bandit has its privileges. Our evenings are often filled with live music from local bars, lively conversation with foodie friends and glasses overflowing with craft cocktails. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for pampering and priming. We take time to exercise (almost daily), moisture our natural curls and try to eat a balanced meal. We typically partner with talented local makeup artist to prepare us for photo shoots or black-tie events. But more than likely, you will catch us bare faced and smiling.
In an effort to add a little razzle dazzle to our appearance, we researched eyelash extension. The process takes two hours but our technician had a gentle touch and soothing voice that made the experience virtually painless. This subtle change adds definition and a certain brightness to the face. People notice a difference but can’t quite pinpoint what it is.
I prefer this method over the one-time use eyelash strips. The look is more ‘natural’ and you don’t risk ripping out your own lashes trying to remove the temporary extensions.
La Roc Beauty sent us home with our own lash maintenance and cleanser kit. Our lashes remained intact for 4 weeks with minimal shedding and no irritation.
www.larocbeauty.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
