How to Enjoy the Bar Box
The story behind CRAFTED, the Bar Box, and a few ways to make it your own.
From Behind My Bar to Yours
For years, I've made fresh seasonal mixers, syrups, and garnishes from scratch for the cocktails I serve at private parties and events through what now is Bar Foundry.
The preparation has always been a big part of my process. Before I ever arrive at an event, I've already spent time preparing ingredients, working with seasonal flavors, and putting together the cocktail menu.
Over the years, I've had plenty of people ask me how to recreate the cocktails I made at the parties. I'd tell them what was in it, but there was usually more to the recipe than simply combining a few ingredients. And while some people enjoy making everything from scratch, others would rather skip all that prep work and get straight to mixing a drink.
I get it.
I also started running into another situation. Someone would reach out about bartending a party, and I'd already be booked. 🥲 They wanted the service and cocktails I had served before, but I wasn't available to come make them.
At some point, it made sense to offer the mixers separately. They were good, people were asking for them, and I didn't necessarily need to be standing behind someone's bar for them to enjoy what I'd made.
That's how CRAFTED started.
The same approach to seasonal mixers I'd been using in my mobile bartending business, now available for people to make their own cocktails and mocktails at home.
About The Bar Box
My clients entertain in all kinds of ways. Weddings, dinner parties, birthdays parties, holiday parties, a few friends over on a Saturday, just because parties. Not every gathering calls for a bartender, but that doesn't mean the drinks have to be an afterthought.
I created the Bar Box as a way to share CRAFTED mixers and garnishes in a format that works for entertaining.
Each box includes:
• seasonal CRAFTED mixers
•. dehydrated garnishes
•. additional carbonated mixers
•. compostable cocktail straws
Alcohol isn't included.
Depending on how you measure and pour, a box should reasonably serve a small gathering of 4-8 guests.
The mixers do most of the work. You decide what to pair them with, how you want to serve them, and whether you're making cocktails or mocktails.
Let's Talk Blackberry-Sage Sour
Blackberry-Sage Sour is by far one of my most popular flavors, and a good example of how many different drinks you can make from one mixer.
Personally, I love it with bourbon or reposado tequila. 😋
Bourbon brings out a different side of the blackberry and sage than tequila does. With bourbon, I like a shorter cocktail over ice. With tequila, I might add club soda for something a little lighter.
But there's no reason to stop there! Vodka, gin, rum, and even scotch, all work with Blackberry-Sage Sour, too. The spirit you choose changes the drink, even though you're starting with the same mixer.
Here are a few ways I'd use it.
Bourbon + Blackberry-Sage Sour
Add bourbon and Blackberry-Sage Sour mixer to a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a glass over fresh ice, and finish with a dehydrated garnish.
A rocks glass works nicely here.
Tequila + Blackberry-Sage Sour + Club Soda
Combine tequila and Blackberry-Sage Sour mixer over ice, then add a splash of club soda. Serve it in a tall glass with a garnish. You can adjust the amount of soda depending on how strong or light you like your drinks.
Blackberry-Sage Sour + Prosecco
Pour a little Blackberry-Sage Sour mixer into a wine glass or champagne flute and top with chilled Prosecco.
I like this option for brunch or when I want to put out something sparkling without mixing individual cocktails all afternoon.
Blackberry-Sage Sour Mocktail
Add Blackberry-Sage Sour mixer to a glass of ice and top with one of the carbonated mixers included in the Bar Box.
Try different combinations. Club soda will let more of the blackberry and sage come through, while a sweeter carbonated mixer will give you a different result.
Add a garnish and you're done.
Try It With Your Favorite Spirit
If you normally drink vodka, start with vodka. If gin is your thing, try gin. You don't have to go out and buy a particular bottle just because that's how I would make it. Part of the fun is seeing how the same mixer works with what you already enjoy drinking.
Putting Your Bar Box to Use
I think about how people are actually going to use it. You don't need to create a professional bar set-up. A little space on the kitchen counter, dining table, or bar cart is enough.
For a gathering, I'd put out the two mixers in a beverage bin over ice, neatly display the carbonated options near by, have a bucket of ice with an ice scoop, and a few spirits you like. Include the garnishes, a jigger for measuring, cocktail straws, beverage napkins, and a few glasses.
You can make the first round yourself as welcome drinks, then let everyone mix their own.
I like the idea of setting out a couple of suggested combinations so guests have somewhere to start. Maybe bourbon, a sparkling option with Prosecco, and a mocktail using any of the carbonated mixers. From there, people can try what they like.
Hosting dinner? Set-up the drinks before guests arrive so everyone can help themselves.
Going to a dinner party? Bring the Bar Box along with a bottle of your favorite spirit or something sparkling. It's something everyone can open and enjoy together.
Looking for a housewarming gift? The Bar Box is a nice alternative to bringing another bottle of wine. It's best to give when the homeowner plans to have guests since the fresh mixers last about two-weeks refrigerated.
Enjoy It Your Way
The Bar Box was designed for sharing. It brings the mixers I've been preparing for parties and events into the same homes, dinner parties, and gatherings where you, your family, friends, and colleagues can enjoy them together, with or without alcohol, and without the bar staff.
There's room to experiment, find your favorite combination, and make the drinks your own.
And when you come up with a combination you really like, I'd love to hear what you made!
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