Cocktails to Go: New Program Provides Way to Support Local Bartenders During COVID-19
When Governor DeSantis announced the closure of in-house dining and drinking in Florida, the impact to the local hospitality industry was pretty severe. Shortly after that decision, the Governor gave approval for bars to sell pre-batched, bottled cocktails as a way to help stay afloat, which was welcome news to many area businesses. Local bartender and photographer Nick Hogan, who works as Whiskey Guardian for Louisville-based bourbon company Angel’s Envy, has also seen his business curtailed, though the company is still taking care of their employees for the foreseeable future. That has allowed Hogan to focus on how to support the local cocktail community, because, as he puts it “that’s my family and I have the innate obligation to take care of them.”
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Tell us about the program you are working on to help local bartenders.
The initiative was spearheaded with the help of Chris Bickett on behalf of the Jacksonville Bourbon & Whiskey Society. We have created some cocktails that are batched and bottled using ingredients provided by generous donors in the spirits industry. Leveraging a lot of relationships that I have built over the years bartending and being active with the local chapter of the United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG) I generated a stockpile of donated products to create an impressive nine cocktail menu. Early supporters were Angel’s Envy, Chattanooga Whiskey, Carve Vodka and St. Augustine Distillery. We decided to go spirit forward since they can be refrigerated or placed in the freezer without freezing and the alcohol content allows them to not go bad.
How does the cocktail program benefit local bartenders?
Currently the rotating pre-batched bottled cocktails are available at Grape & Grain Exchange and The Volstead. All proceeds are going directly to Another Round Another Rally, to be dispersed among Jacksonville bartenders. We have been extremely fortunate to find a really amazing charity partner with Another Round Another Rally, a 501(c) 3 organization that can take donations and directs those donations to a certain region or radius. This organization is special in that it was created and run by bartenders and service industry professionals. So all of the money that we raise and donate, we know is a) being properly vetted and b) going right here back to our community of service industry professionals that need it.
What’s next for the project?
The concept is still in its infancy as we see how all of this plays out but it goes far beyond simple batched cocktails. It’s the notion of charity and altruism, providing an opportunity for brands and distributors to donate product and cocktail enthusiasts can continue to support their favorite bars and bartenders.
To stay up-to-date with the latest cocktails and locations check the Jacksonville Bourbon & Whiskey Society Facebook group or follow Nick on Instagram @boldcitybourbon.
