THE MIX YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

Let us set the scene for you… It’s Sunday morning, you are hung over from one hell of an amazing Saturday night, your buddies are coming over for brunch and what do you reach for…

Well logically one would say some water but @ Leisuremann’s that’s not how we roll. We reach for the hair of the dog, the morning after drink, the hangover eliminator or as well like to call it Flavor 8.

Without any formal introduction and too long of a time coming we would like to introduce everyone to…drum roll please

FLAVOR 8 : THE BLOODY MARY

A bold concoction so chock-a-block full of tomato and spices that it would make the great bartenders of the yesteryear dance in their graves.

The Bloody Mary for us has been a long time coming.

To be frank it has taken us over 6 months to perfect the recipe, design the packaging, develop the marketing and find the right scoop. Yes there is an actual f$$king scoop in this one. #hellyeah #yesplease

The process has taken us back to recipes from the early 1930s Paris and as recent as studying the effects of specific spices in specific Bloody Mary recipes to determine the correct balance between acid, salt, sweet, and the most important ratio item…BOOZE!

To keep it short, a Leisuremann’s Bloody Mary embodies the true spirt of this brunch staple, harking back through history as well as giving it a slight modern twist.

So raise a glass with us to Flavor 8, The Bloody Mary, and help kick this weekend’s hangover together!

Cheers // Cliff & Mic

:: BIG HUGE AWESOME GINORMOUS NEWS ::

Project Code Name: The Ultimate Adventure

About six months ago, we began a pretty exciting adventure.

Not a physical, hiking down a trail adventure, but more of a “growthventure”, geared towards bringing our mixes into the hands of our target users - YOU!

After months and months of paperwork, hustling, more paperwork, regulations, red tape, new labels, hardship, laughter, even more paperwork, and copious amounts of cocktails…we are proud to announce the “BIG THING” we’ve been alluding to in so many of our social media posts.

So here it goes…drum roll please…

Leisuremann’s Cocktail Mixes are now part of the REI Co-Op!!!

Hooray! - Cheers! - Applause! - Bravo!

Someone said “Speech” - Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far. We appreciate each and everyone of you and hope you keep drinking cocktails with us for years to come.

Back @ it.

You may be asking yourself now, “As a loyal patron of Leisuremann’s, what does this actually mean?”

Outstanding question.

For starters, effective today, you can order our mixes directly from REI.com, allowing you to reap the benefits of their awesome dividend program and members coupon codes from every jar purchased.

Secondly and probably most important, our mixes will be in an REI store near you. Seriously, you can actually buy a jar of Leisuremann’s Cocktail Mix at an REI brick and mortar location. Wow, right?!

Forecasted to be in the major flagship locations (Denver, Seattle, Washington D.C., Bloomington, & SoHo) starting 10/15 through the end of 2018, we are excited to see what adventures you take with a jar of our mix. By purchasing from your local REI or REI Co-Op online you don’t just support local businesses, you also support outdoor adventure culture.

If you don’t live near one of the flagship stores, no worries, simply go to your local REI and request our mixes for your location. This is a simple way to help REI know what you guys are into, want, and would like to see on the shelves.

If you do live by a flagship location, stop in, buy a jar or four, take some selfies, and post those bad boys to social media, showing the world how much you love cocktails!

Lastly, give us a review on REI.com - find your favorite flavor and tell the other adventurers out there why you love a good Leisuremann’s cocktail.

Overall, getting our mixes into your hands so you can use it for your next trip, adventure, tailgate, backyard party, or just a Netflix and chill night, is and will always be our #1 priority.

So…pretty big news right?

Cheers // Cliff

FLAVOR 6 | The Cosmopolitan

THE PINK DRINK THAT STARTED A CRAFT COCKTAIL REVOLUTION!

“Pink is our favorite color!" In other words, we are excited to introduce you to the Leisuremann’s Cosmopolitan mix.

When most people think of a Cosmopolitan, for lack of better descriptive terms, they think electric pink, super sweet, and not worth my time.

Though an accurate description for certain cosmos at certain bars, the Cosmopolitan as a true craft cocktail is far from those very terms.

The humble origins of the Cosmopolitan date back to the mid-1930s where citrus juice, fruit syrup, and gin were mixed to create a variation on the Kamikaze.

Throughout the decades the cosmopolitan grew in popularity. Gin was subtracted and substituted for vodka, ushering in a new cocktail renaissance know as the Craft Cocktail Movement.

This movement would kick into overdrive with the airing of a little-known show named Sex and the City where Carrie, the main character, commonly ordered Cosmos when going out with her girlfriends.

Since the shows airing, the Cosmopolitan along with the craft cocktail movement has boomed paving the way for cocktail drinkers worldwide.

Now for REAL TALK - Don’t get us wrong there are bad Cosmos out there.

Frankly, there are some pretty shits ones that bars try and pass off as remotely decent.

See… the thing about the Cosmopolitan is its complex simplicity.

The drink by its nature utilizes ingredients that alone have strong flavors but when mixed correctly come together in such a copacetic harmony that you can’t help but drink two or three in a sitting.

Echoing this harmony, this mix above all others was truly the hardest to engineer and get right. The subtle balance between the cranberry, lime, citrus, and sweetness almost seems kung fu master zen-like at times. But we managed to pull it off.

A Leisuremann’s Cosmopolitan echoes simplicity and describes a balance of vodka, to cranberry, to citrus, and sugar. Not one ingredient shines above the rest and not one ingredient is left out. When tasting you will first be greeted with citrus, then sugar sweetness, and rounding out the drink is an earthy tart cranberry note.

Truly Sex and the City approved!

EVERY JAR PURCHASED GIVES BACK.

“You must give back to move forward” Oprah Winfrey

Giving back is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while now but just couldn’t figure out how to do it.

When we stumbled on the Cosmo it felt completely right.

So for each jar purchased, we will donate a percentage at the end of the year to a charity that helps women in need. It’s a small step for us to help make the world a better place for those around us.

If you have any charity suggestions please reach out - gents@leisurmanns.com - we would love to hear from you.

Overall, The Cosmopolitan means the world to us and as our 6th and final flavor for 2018 we wanted to go big or go home.

Now the real question - Fellas…how many of you want a cosmo?!

Cheers // Cliff

10 Tips for Mile High Cocktail Drinkers

If you havn't realized it yet we really like to drink and fly. It's become more of a hobby now than a past time. No matter the day, time or airline cocktails are always being made and shared with those around us.. 

With that said, over the past two years we have amassed a cornucopia of airline tips and tricks guaranteed to make your next flight/cocktail experience outstanding.

Below are just a few, in no specific order.

Elaborate on, try, enjoy, and Cheers!

MINI BOTTLES RULE

Firstly, the myth is true: TSA does indeed afford you the ability to bring your own MINI LIQUOR BOTTLES on the plane. Now you are limited to size though. Ideally the 50ml are nice as those provide around a 2oz portion and fit snug in your quart size zip top bag. You can however, pack the 100ml bottle as those are just shy of the 3.5oz maximum allotted for packaged liquids.

The key to the entire situation is the bottles must be packed in your quart bags. Like any other liquid (shampoo, conditioner, hair gel) these mini bottle are considered a “liquid” and should be kept in isolation.

*Pro Tip* SUPPORT YOUR AIRLINES! Yeah we know they make you pay for seats and carry-on bags now but buy a mini bottle or two from them if you run out or need another flavor.

Let’s keep the 'Friendly Skies' friendly for years to come.

SOFT DRINKS SPRITZERS 

There is nothing more refreshing than having a little bubble in your drink, cocktail, or soda. It's the Bee's Knees!

With that said, more and more airlines are offering less and less sugar based sodas and more 0 calorie 0 sugar sparkling “spritzer” style waters.

Take this opportunity, for a free soda and roll with it.

Imaging making a margarita at 30k with sparkling lime water or a Bee's Knees with sparkling Italian lemon water.

OUTSTANDING is the word you are looking for.

*Pro Tip* When adding Leisuremann's Cocktail Mix to sparkling water be sure to be aware of the FIZZ UP reaction. Basically, don’t overfill and you should be fine.

NO MIX - NO PROBLEM

Ask anyone who flies a lot and they should be able to give you a cocktail story, recipe, or fun pro tip from 30,000 feet.

With this great power comes great responsibility…Thanks Uncle Ben. More or less a great responsibility to share with the world!

So…if you find yourself on your next flight with no mix or your mini bottles try one of these out for size: 

Red Wine/Coke (Equal Parts)

Mile High Mule (Ginger Ale, Vodka, mints)

Inflight Irish Coffee (Coffee, Bailey's Irish Cream)

Bloody Mary (Tomato Juice, Vodka)

IDL Sunrise (Tequila, OJ, Cranberry, Sprit, Apple Juice) IDL = International Date Line

ALWAYS ORDER ICE

Nothing and we repeat nothing makes a cocktail better than ice.

Even if you just use the ice to prepare your drink straight up, ice is as pivotal to a cocktail as the glass itself. Don’t believe us - listen to the experts in our blog The Icy Truth!

Try experimenting as well with ice and how it changes the flavor profiles of certain drinks and spirits.

SNACKS GALORE

Peanuts, pretzels, Biscotti cookies, OH MY!

Not all cocktails go with one of those 3 snack selections, so simple solution, bring your own snacks.

We've gone so far as to bring full blown sandwiches onto the plane for lunch and cocktails.

TSA, unless it is outlandish or large liquids, will cast a blind eye to you brining snacks aboard the plane. So fill your pack up with chips, Thanksgiving dinner, tacos, Bananas, or whatever your heart desires.

Moral of the story, have snacks and cocktails too!

SHARE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR

Just think if you were flying cross country and the guy next to you pulled out a jar of Leisuremann's. At first you would question, "What is this dude doing?" or "What the heck is that stuff." But when he/she makes you a cocktail you instantly realize this is most certaintly real life.

The moral of the story is we should be more like Mr. Rogers and less like Oscar the Grouch. Share with your neighbor. Make them a drink, frankly make everyone a drink and spread some cocktail love!

SOCIAL POST EVERYTHING

Do us and yourself a favor, on your next trip post a picture of your cocktails to @leisuremanns, pretty please. (You won’t believe the response)

Simple, we want the world to know how delicious our cocktails are and what a better person to show them than you.

Take a pic of your drink, take a video of you mixing in the airport, take a pic of the plane going crazy because you just made a big batch and everyone is enjoying Margaritas. LOL!

We can dream, right? Have fun!

PREMIX TO MAXIMIZE ENJOYMENT

Crucial to any trip or experience is maximizing time. So when you find yourself sitting in the terminal with your face inevitably glued to your phone or maybe a book, step back, regroup, and premix your cocktails.

Water bottles, travel mugs, travel plastic wine glasses, pretty much any receptacle for drinking can work great.

We would recommend making them in a bigger quantity as they will go quick! #makeitadouble

MAKE IT A DOUBE OR TRIPLE

Always, always, always make it a double or triple when traveling.

This is done for multiple reasons but only a few stand out.

1) You deserve more than one drink when flying.

2) If you need to share, one drink just isn't going to cut the mustard.

3) Everything is better in pairs so bring multiple mixes with you so you can make a Bee's Knees and an Old Fashioned too!

REPEAT

The #1 tip is to REPEAT all 9. Get out there, travel more, explore more, be adventurous!

Seriously, if you haven't planned a trip in a while get to it. Repeat doesn't just mean making more cocktails, which we hope you do, it means doing more, experiencing more, and just simply enjoying the places you will go.

Not all trips are equal so in a way why should each cocktail experience be.

Explore what works for you and use these tip to make the most out of your next travel adventure.

And as a bonus for reading this blog, use code TAKE20 on your next order for 20% off your cart. That’s like we’re saying the first two drinks are on us!

Cheers // Cliff

The Icy Truth

Whether cubed, sphered, squared, tubed, crushed, shaved, rectangular, conical, vanilla, or melted, ice is as pivotal of a component to a great cocktail as the booze itself. 

Ice dates back to the dawn of man. More specifically, ice was always here, we just didn't know how to use it to our advantage.  

Not until the early 1800's did ice really make it debut into beverage culture, being perceived more as a luxury than simply a winter nuisance. 

Throughout the years, the science of mixology has grown utilizing ice to enhance subtle flavors, draw out aromas, and simply boost most of our favorite cocktails. (Get a little more in-depth about ordering terms that revolve around ice with our blog - Know What You're Ordering?)

Cool stuff right? We sure think so.

With that said and with your best interest in mind, we figured it was a little easier to just let Adam Rogers, Articles Editor for Wired and Jennifer Colliau, Beverage Director, The Interval, explain the ins and outs of ice on a segment of Wired's Booze Science.

They REALLY know their stuff.

So take a break, mix a drink, and get your brain in gear from some booze science that will change the way you look at your next cocktail and ice altogether.

Cheers // Cliff

Callin' Baton Rouge

"Callin' Baton Rouge", for those who don't know,  is a 1993 smash single made famous by none other than the great, Chris Gaines. Wait... sorry, error on our part! We mean country superstar, Garth Brooks. LOL! 

Unlike Garth, who is brought back to Baton Rouge because of the lovely Samantha, we make the pilgrimage to our capital city each month because of an ever growing network of talented, creative, and enthusiastic makers. Every second Saturday you will find these makers gathering on the corner of Eugene and Govt. street at the MidCity Makers Market to show off their newest leather bag or their new jewelry line or in our case a new classic cocktail mix flavor.

Now pushing close to 50+ makers, our market is the must attend event for the MidCity area of Baton Rouge. Not only rejuvenating but boosting this area and its community as well.

You may be asking yourself "How can I get involved?" or more specifically "I'm a maker and how can I sell my product?". The answer is as simple as 5 easy steps. Honestly, there are more but we at Leisuremann's like to keep things simple. Capisce? 

1) Find a Market - For us Baton Rouge was a short drive and made the most sense. For you, start with a quick and thorough Google, Facebook, or Instagram search. Use key terms like, "market", "pop-up", "festival", "shop", "event" + "your area" to garner results. Finalize the search by reaching out via email or phone to your perspective event. Searching will pay off. Trust us!

2) Face to Face - It's true, people do buy product site unseen but our experience has shown that people also heavily buy you and your team. Live, love and enjoy the product you sell. Wear it, eat it, use it, flaunt it, post it, snap it, have your brand reflected in you.

3) Quality Product - Make sure your product is up to snuff. Natural ingredients, sustainable, handmade, unique, organic, playful, creative, are just a few traits off the top of our heads. People can see through the bull$h&% from a mile away. Don't skimp.

4) Be Yourself - Just be you. Don't be overly professional or pushy when selling your product or service. Keep it casual, keep it calm, keep it real, and for damn sure keep it business bohemian. Chillax baby!!

5) Transparent - Like a window, if someone doesn't like your product or has an issues with your service ask them why and how would they change it. Honesty is the best policy. Starting and ending each event with a positive customer centric attitude is key.

Not everyone is going to have a "Baton Rouge" but everyone sure can find a community of makers and like minded individuals they rally around and in our case have cocktails with on a monthly basis.

#midcitymakersgonnamake

Cheers // Cliff

For more information about our market visit MidCity Makers Market

To help grow your business get with Paul @ Southern Collaborative

For more information on how you can enjoy cocktail anywhere SHOP TODAY!!!!!