Greenville bars and North Carolina gin producers join forces to support women in hospitality
Several Greenville bars are showing their support for women, with a little help from a North Carolina distillery.
Conniption Gin launched “Raising a Glass to Closing the Gap” in March, a national campaign to recognize the efforts of women in the hospitality industry. The campaign was launched during Women’s History Month and runs through October.
For every cocktail sold, Conniption donates $1 to the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Programs.
Downtown restaurants Scoundrel and O-Ku contribute their own cocktails.
The decision to use Conniption Gin goes beyond the occasion.
“I liked that the American Dry was more refreshing and floral for a gin, which is good for spring (and) summer,” said Lauren Painter, manager and head bartender at Scoundrel.
The La Belle uses Conniption’s American Dry Gin. When shaken and poured into the glass, botanical notes waft through the air. The cocktail plays with the base botanical notes of the American Dry, Indian coriander and cardamom, and uses homemade cardamom syrup, lemon, champagne and orange blossom water.
Painter created the cocktail after dining at Chai Pani in Asheville, North Carolina.
Conniption is probably best known for its Kinship Gin, which is recognizable by its rich purple hue.
O-ku uses the Kinship for the Purple Lotus, a fruity drink that contains fresh lemon juice, bitters and St-Germain liqueur.
The drink is foamed, but no traditional egg white is used. Instead, Fee Brothers Fee Foam is used, an egg-free alternative.
Head Bartender John “JO” Odumakinde expressed his admiration for the campaign and its inclusive efforts as well as Kinship’s versatility.
The distillery is very passionate about this cause. Its co-founder Melissa Katrincic was the first American distiller to be accepted into the Gin Guild.
“The distillery industry has long been a male-dominated industry, so to break through these barriers and be recognized for our contributions is both a personal and professional triumph,” said Katrincic. “It is important to me to serve as a role model for other women in the industry and to bring my passion, dedication and innovation to the gin industry as a whole.”
Other participating bars include The Anchorage, Hall’s Chophouse and The Rabbit Hole.
