b'Snake Oil Cocktail Co.It Up L San Diego snakeoilcocktail.comast year, Snake Oil Cocktail Co. celebrated its 10th anniversary by executing more than 950 events and opening a 500-person venue in San Diego, JULEP (julepvenue.com). We started the company to help elevate the craft of cocktails at events, and until COVID hit, we were growing steadily at over 15% a year, employing more than 100 staff, says Michael Esposito, co-founder and CEO. Initially, Snake Oils business was split between consulting for bars and restaurants, and catering for events.Holiday Cocktail SuggestionIn its early years, the company designed craft cocktail programs for Yankee Stadium and the restaurants of TopHOLIDAY IN Chefs Brian Malarkey.BRITANNIAInspired by their fast pace, Snake Oil eventually turned its focus to marquee event experiences. Its frequently hired forYIELD: 1 cocktailfundraising galas and corporate events, ranging from 250 to 600 guests. We take pride in our bar display, which typicallyINGREDIENTSincludes an array of fresh seasonal California produce, herbs2 ounces Old Raj ginand florals, says Esposito. Under partner and director of1 ounce applewood-infused simple syrupmixology Frankie Thaheld, Snake Oil also runs the beverage ounce lemon juiceprogram for the San Diego Symphony, and several festivals ounce coconut milkthat range from 2,000 to 10,000 people. teaspoon fresh ginger juiceWe are mostly hired by companies looking toClub sodadifferentiate themselves on a serious level, says Esposito.Two cranberries and rosemary stem for garnishAt San Diego Comic-Con, for example, Snake Oil made a splash with Batman artwork on top of craft cocktailsMETHODthrough its Cocktail Graffiti, in which clients provideAdd all ingredients, save soda, to a mixing tin and imagesincluding on-the-spot digital photosthat areshake with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a Collins glass, transformed into edible cocktail toppers. and top with a good splash of soda. Garnish with two POST-COVID PIVOT cranberries on a pick and a rosemary stem that has While Snake Oil was executing 75 to 125 events a monthbeen lit aflame and then extinguished, producing a in 2019, the impact of COVID-19 has brought that numberfine smoke.down to a handful. To help compensate, the company quickly pivoted to bottling some of its most popular craft cocktail mixes. It also created the Virtual Barstool program, where we assemble and ship custom cocktail kits with all the fresh ingredients and tools needed for participants toEsposito. The cocktail really pops because of the natural take part in an interactive team-building experience viabright fuchsia color contrasted with a bright green basil leaf Zoom, says Esposito. The company has conducted aboutand beautiful pink basil blossom for garnish. 100 of these experiences in the last four months to rave reviews, notes Esposito.TRENDSThe trend for liquor-heavy cocktails has come and gone, MOST POPULAR COCKTAIL notes Esposito. The trend is moving away from Prohibition-Our most popular cocktail right now is called Eye of theera cocktails, which have been popular the last few years, Tiger, which consists of tequila, pressed dragon fruit,and moving toward culinary cocktails with chef-driven muddled basil, lime and a hint of black pepper, saysingredients and bright flavors.cateringmagazine.com CATERING MAGAZINE25'