Cocktails & Conversation

It’s always a pleasure to meet new friends. When I heard about Orlando’s first spirit-free speakeasy and tasting lounge, I wanted to invite Kevin Zepf of The Bandbox [https://www.instagram.com/bandboxorlando/] over to learn more! I love that so many bars and restaurants are offering a variety of Zero Proof Cocktails. Not only are more folks going sans alcohol, it’s nice to have the option if you want to have night off of booze. Kevin walks me through his new tasting lounge that opens on June 25th, what he did as a Marine Musician and how exploring his own city is his favorite way to spend a day! Plus there is a zero proof cocktail recipe in there incase you want a booze free drank. ENJOY! [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54aed6bde4b0045aabd19c6d/4d23ea89-df60-49e9-a814-fe832d941033/IMG_4332.jpeg?format=1000w]

If you know me at all, you know I love a good dance party. These two young ladies stumbled into some massive success about a year ago, with meeting the need for raging Taylor Swift dance parties. What started in Orlando has swift(ly), you’re welcome, grown to dancing across the USA! I chat with Courtney and Caitie about how they started Le Petite Feté [https://www.lepetitefete.com], what in the world a Margarita Rash is, and how they are the exact same Enneagram numbers! Join us for some day drinking w my favorite Monkey 47 [https://monkey47.com]Dry Gin cocktails, that are literally perfect for a Hot-Hot Summer. ENJOY Darlings! [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54aed6bde4b0045aabd19c6d/ce4f59b5-8e27-4669-a6b8-3ccf54e39377/IMG_4015.jpeg?format=1000w]

I ♥️ love meeting new friends and Jen Knopf was no exception! Life would be the most challenging without the capacity to read properly. Reading a recipe, holding down a job, reading street signs, all nearly impossible without understanding how all of the letters come together to make sense. Listen in as Jen shares her story on how she started her initiative, The Reed Charitable Foundation [https://www.reedcharitablefoundation.org], to come alongside kids that need help in the reading department to get the assistance they need! We do some early afternoon drinking with Tito’s Vodka [https://www.titosvodka.com] and some local (read: delicious) Limoncello, as well! ENJOY Darlings! 🥂 [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54aed6bde4b0045aabd19c6d/38f878bb-db50-406f-8755-08273c15a602/IMG_6354.jpg?format=1000w]

So much incredible work has come out of Orlando. Wouldn’t you agree? Sitting down with John Rivers was no exception. He is a bit of a (self proclaimed) perfectionist, which works out for us, since his brisket he perfected for 18 years. Plus, that sauce. (Insert a drooling emoji.) We chat his journey from having to figure out how to make life work at a very early age, to being able to take care of over a million people during a pretty challenging time. Plus, we get the scoop on all that is coming up with 4Roots Farm Campus [https://www.4rootsfarm.org/]! I did some day drinking by myself this time, so I made my favorite cocktail, a Blackberry Whiskey Sour with Woodford Reserve. Hope you will make this drink as you listen in. I can personally guarantee you will enjoy both! [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54aed6bde4b0045aabd19c6d/be1d3c28-e1d8-4f6f-998c-f2388ec2b972/unnamed.jpg?format=1000w]

Who likes to party? Whether that is your thing or not, it’s definitely a part of the downtown Orlando scene, which adds a lot to the flavor of Orlando! Dominique held Orlando’s first ever Nighttime Manager position, and honestly it’s one of very few in the country! She has loads of stories to tell including how she moved to and lived in NYC at 16, working with her brothers in the ever growing cannabis industry and why she started the Orlando Hospitality Alliance. Plus, I may have made up a new favorite Monkey 47 Gin cocktail called “Thyme’s Up.” You will have to listen in to get the recipe! Cheers. [https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54aed6bde4b0045aabd19c6d/36e21994-aca6-449a-9676-f23e51959ac1/IMG_2785.jpg?format=1000w]