May 13th is World Cocktail Day. While I’m usually a wine girl, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like a good cocktail. I’ve been lucky enough to be introduced to some FABULOUS craft cocktail chefs here in Charlotte, even during the pandemic. And while I won’t get to celebrate with them in person on the actual holiday, trust that I’ll be raising a glass to them from my whereabouts and checking in with them as soon as I’m back. So here are a few things they’ve taught me…
- Be confident in sticking with what you like.
I’m a HUGE fan of bubbles! Prosecco. Cava. Brut. Rosé. Let me at ’em! I knew about mimosas, but some of my bartending peeps have pointed me in the direction of other cocktails made with bubbly, like a French 75, the Champagne Cocktail, an Aperol Spritz, and a Dusty Cactus, as well as some of their own creations. Because they’re based in something I know I like, I’m pretty much good to go. - But don’t be afraid to try something new.
I’ve never really liked gin. My taste for bourbon waned a long time ago. For years, I just avoided any drink that included either of these spirits. After a bit of cajoling a couple years back, the bartender at The Grey in Savannah convinced me to give a gin-based cocktail a go…and it was DELICIOUS! Pre-pandemic, during a visit to The Crunkleton here in Charlotte, I opted to try an Elderflower Sour – made with London Dry gin, ginger, elderflower, and fresh-squeezed lime – and liked it, too! Another visit to The Crunkleton had me tasting a Mezcal Sour, only to discover that I think mezcal is one of the most delicious-est things on the planet! So branch out! You never know what you’ll find! - Talk to your bar staff!
One, these folks typically know their stuff. They’re there to help you with bullets 1 and 2. Take advantage of their knowledge! But two, they’re also pretty fascinating people! Ryan at The Crunkleton has started a cheesesteak pop-up restaurant with some of his cohorts…which we try to frequent. The cheesesteaks are DELISH, but we like supporting Ryan and his peeps! Bob Peters literally makes works of art when he mixes something up – and to hear him talk about the process and the ingredients he chooses is enthralling. Hunter at The Crunkleton can educate you on some bourbon…but he was also a drummer in a band and can talk music with the best of ’em. And that’s just three of our faves. I’d have you reading a novel to rival War & Peace if I wrote about everyone!!!
(I know you can read between the lines, but there’s some marketing advice to be garnered from those cocktail tips, too, ya know. Know your audience and what works with them, but don’t be afraid to try and reach them in other ways or to try and reach a new audience. Talk to your industry cohorts and learn from them. Talk to your customers; learn from them, too.)
We hope World Cocktail Day treats you well, no matter how you choose to celebrate. If the cocktails convince you that you need SEO or social media management help, feel free to use the button below to give us a shout! 🙂
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