Everything you need to create your own craft cocktails is delivered in an aged bourbon barrel (Credit: Sourced)
Much like James Bond, I love a good cocktail. I’ve spent many an evening transfixed by the hands of a bartender as she mixes, measures, muddles and presents fabulous concoctions that tantalize my tastebuds.
The art of cocktail-making is one the eager hostess in me dreams of mastering. But more than just skill and a penchant for measuring, proper mixology requires a great deal of tools and ingredients. Thankfully, Sourced Craft Cocktails is a new company in Austin that can make anyone’s dreams of hosting grandeur a reality. What’s better: they deliver everything to your door.
Impressive Craft Cocktails, Made at Home
Sourced makes an effort to provide local ingredients (Credit: Sourced)
A few years ago, no one would’ve ever thought delivery companies like Favor would gain so much momentum in Austin. Delivery service for something other than pizza? What a novelty! Leave it to our city to take delivery service to the next level. And now with Sourced Craft Cocktails, your favorite libations are delivered straight to your home.
Sourced was founded by Brian Floyd, one of the top ten mixologists in the world, and his business- and cocktail-savvy partner, Tim Angelillo. The two created the company with a specific goal in mind: designing a do-it-yourself cocktail experience that is convenient, fun and interactive.
With the help of these experts, the Sourced experience allows you to create quality drinks you’d normally have to fly to Los Angeles and spend boo koo bucks for. Thanks to Sourced, you don’t have to leave the ATX, or even your home.
Cocktail Fun Begins With Sourced
The Sourced menu changes every week (Credit: Sourced)
Shortly after I placed my order online, I opened my door to find Tim Angelillo toting the signature Sourced bourbon barrel, full of everything I needed to be a mixologist for the night. Each barrel is a treasure chest of exciting mixology gadgets, expertly-sourced liquors and mixers, local treasures and even artisan hand-cut ice.The whole collection ensures an incredible experience.
Angelillo explained that the idea for Sourced came to him after he spent more than six hours and $500 buying all the essentials to create the perfect craft margarita bar at his wife’s birthday party. After this trying shopping extravaganza, he set up the bar, only to watch everyone shy away from the experience for fear of making the drink the wrong way.
Everyone deserves to experience the joy of craft cocktail-making, but not all of us can be top-ranking mixologists. This eye-opening moment for Angelillo led to the creation of what can only be described as a cocktail paint-by-numbers experience. Sourced’s co-founder hopes that, by removing the uncertainty that comes with procuring ingredients and estimating quantities, customers can create amazing drinks without hassle or fear.
More Than Liquid Entertainment
Ingredients for the Uncle Buck, Sourced’s Austin version of a Moscow mule (Credit: Sourced)
When it comes to mixology, Angelillo clarified that it’s not just about shaking and not stirring. It’s all about chemistry. For those of us who just squeaked by in high school chemistry class, Sourced has done the thinking for us. Each kit comes with step-by-step instructions on how to pour, measure and mix your drink. And don’t forget that you’re the mixologist of the moment, so it’s okay to make a little mess. Angelillo says if you aren’t spilling something each time you mix, then you aren’t having enough fun!
For my first adventure with Sourced, I ordered the Uncle Buck, an Austin twist on the Moscow mule. Freshly-picked mint leaves, ginger syrup, ginger beer, lemon juice and bourbon emerged from the barrel. Each item had a story. I was perhaps most excited by the hand-hammered copper mugs which were made by an artisan in East Austin and chosen by Oprah as one of her featured favorite things. If it’s local AND Oprah-approved, then it must be amazing!
Easy-to-follow instructions (Credit: Sourced)
The reason the folks at Sourced chose these mugs as the vessels for the Uncle Buck is due to their ability to stay cold. No melting ice means your first sip will be as good as your last. Since every detail is important, even the ice is considered. Be it big whiskey cubes or tiny pellets for the Uncle Buck, the ice delivered in each barrel is hand-cut and designed with your particular drink in mind.
Be the Hostess With the Mostess
The secret to the Uncle Buck is the copper mug (Credit: Sourced)
At my cocktail soirée, my guests and I took great pleasure in following our glossy instruction card. Filling different sized jiggers with sugary syrup, rubbing the mint between our hands, and then giving it a quick smack. Angelillo says if you ever see a bartender muddling mint, just walk away. When mint is broken, it becomes bitter. Yuck.
Not only had the Sourced experience armed me with the instructions and ingredients for making a quality cocktail, but Angelillo had also provided me with fun factoids to share. I felt like a proper hostess full of interesting tidbits about mixology history.
Once all the drinks had been sipped to their last drop, we simply put our barware and glasses back into the barrel and placed our kit outside for pick up. Sourced takes pride in not even making you wash the dishes. It’s a no-hassle experience, guaranteed.
Overall, it was a night well-spent. I certainly know where to turn next time I want a delicious drink and an exciting, but very comfortable, experience!
Learn more and order now at sourcedcraftcocktails.com.
@theAustinot wants to know:
What’s your favorite craft cocktail? Maybe Sourced can add it to their menu!
