Cheers! Salud! Sláinte! No matter how you say it, sharing time with one another over a drink of any kind feels like a universal language. In our Drink Issue, we raise our glasses to the world of beverages—from wine to brunch cocktails to milkshakes—and there’s a little something for everyone.
Growing up, I remember the days of stopping by the Northgate Soda Shop for an orangeade, or “gold punch” from the now-closed Tanner’s Big Orange. One sip of those drinks could bring back a flood of memories today. One of the biggest treats growing up, though, was a stop for a classic milkshake at the Pickwick Pharmacy’s soda counter. Many Greenvillians will find themselves having a moment of nostalgia as we check in with the classic favorites and the new additions at this local staple—now run by Pink Mama of ice cream fame.
As I aged, my taste buds did as well, and I began to learn about all things cocktails. My mom is the go-to girl when her friends want a new and fun cocktail recipe, and she has passed that love of mixing up flavors and trying new tastes to me. From finding a fun summer cocktail to share with friends to enjoying a perfectly paired bottle of wine with dinner, I’ve started to consider myself a bit of an connoisseur when it comes to beverages. Greenville’s food scene is bustling, and local mixologists have brought the wine, cocktails, and mocktails to match. It’s one of the things that I truly love about this city and its culture.
But it’s not just about the drinks themselves; it’s about the people and communities that create and enjoy them that I’ve come to love. We shine a spotlight on some of the people who are making an impact in the beverage and culinary industry in Greenville. You’ll meet Darlene Mann-Clarke, who shares her journey to becoming a certified sommelier. Chef Nico Abello of Table 301 provided garden-friendly cuisine for a private dinner party, and expert bartender Vegas Placas created an award-worthy signature cocktail to match.
We also travel the short drive to the wineries of Helen, Georgia, and share details of the Kentucky bourbon trail. And we check in with a social group designed around brunch, the perfect opportunity to try a new drink, whether that’s coffee or a over-the-top bloody mary.
We hope you find the issue as fun to read as it was for us to create. Whether you’re sipping a fine wine, a sweet milkshake, or a refreshing brunch cocktail, we invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy this tribute to the drinks that enrich our lives.
Want to share your favorite cocktail recipe for the summer or have another idea of event you would like to see in TOWN? You can reach me at marion@communityjournals.com. Cheers!
My go-to classic cocktail
Traditional Champagne Cocktail
1 sugar cube
2-3 dashes of bitters
Champagne
Place sugar cube in a Champagne glass. Add 2-3 dashes of bitters on top of the sugar cube. Top with Champagne.
