Husband and wife team Joe and MariElena Raya sought to simplify the process of making craft cocktails at home creating a line of cocktail mixers with real ingredients. Known as Bittermilk, these yummy mixers are crafted and bottled by hand just up the road in Charleston.
Whether it’s making a pitcher for the backyard barbeque or making just one or two for happy hour, Bittermilk is designed to keep cocktail culture simple. Just check the back of each bottle and you’ll find a suggested mixer to booze ratio to make a delicious drink. Better yet, place these beautiful bottles on the bar and let guests create their own drinks with their spirit, strength and taste all on their own. The Bittermilk product line covers everything from an Old Fashioned to a Charred Grapefruit Tonic to the Limited Edition Mixers.
The best news? Joe and MariElena are taking a short road trip to Moreland Village March 27th through April 1st. As part of Artist in Residence, the Raya’s will be treating Palmetto Bluff to their yummy mixes Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. for Gallery Happy Hours at the Artist Cottage.
Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and learn the secrets to elevate your craft cocktail game. On Thursday, March 30, from 1 to3 p.m., Joe and MariElena will mix up your standard cocktail routine during a hands-on lesson in turning ordinary produce into essential cocktail components in the form of shrubs and syrups.
We’re not done yet. On Saturday, April 1, stock your bar at the G&G Mercantile + Co trunk show featuring mixology must-haves and Bittermilk’s latest products at the Artist Cottage’s Stock the Bar Trunk Show. Make sure to stick around for the ultimate mixology matchups between Bittermilk’s Joe and MariElena Raya and Palmetto Bluff’s Beverage Director Ross Hardigan as they face off in a head-to-head “Behind the Bar” cocktail competition. Joe and Ross will be charged with the task of creating and naming a unique cocktail with their selected spirits and a handful of ingredients to choose from.
Be sure to RSVP for this month’s Artist in Residence programs. Cheers!
