Bando Bevs

The kids are saying "Torch" in place of "It's Lit" now...so that's what we're calling this week's drink, because it's lit. Natasha and Paris enter into Episode 39 with no drink name and no prepared conversation, but are enlightened throughout the show. Join us for a smooth berry beverage and some connection as we chat through our experiences the past two weeks.

Torch Recipe:
(Mocktail)
1 oz Berry Puree
4 oz Ginger Beer
2 oz Club soda
1 oz lime juice
0.5 oz Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 lime wedge

(Cocktail)
1 oz Berry Puree
2 oz Ginger Beer
2 oz Club soda
1 oz lime juice
0.5 oz Rosemary Simple Syrup
2 oz Rum
1 lime wedge

Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the ingredients and stir until combined.
Serve with a lime wedge

Berry Puree: Blend 1 8-ounce bag frozen blueberries & strawberries in a or blender until smooth. Add 1 ounce of Triple Sec to enhance flavor and blending experience.

Rosemary Simple Syrup: Add 1/4 cup rosemary, 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a small saucepan.  Stir over medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved.  Remove from heat and cool for 15-20 minutes.  Strain to remove rosemary leaves.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

It's been a month since we've sat down and had a conversation, but just enough time for us to process what is going on in the world around this. With the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade at the hands of law of enforcement, our country is fighting for the rights of black people in powerful ways. On this episode we discuss and process thoughts that have come up since the last time we spoke and we hope that it inspires you to express your feelings as well. Join us as we sip some tea in hopes of liberty and justice for ALL.

Want to support black businesses? Our very own Natasha Boler created an initiative to solely support black business starting Juneteenth. Visit weallwegot.carrd.co for more details.

LiberTea Recipe:
4 oz Lavender Lemonade
4 oz Sweet Tea
1.5 oz Vodka (optional)
Shake with ice and pour over ice.

Lavender Lemonade
1.5 oz of Lavender Simple Syrup
6 oz water
2 oz 100% lemon juice (not from concentrate)

Lavender Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup culinary lavender flowers
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Allow to cool (10-15min). Strain to remove lavender flowers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

Paris and Natasha get into their creative bags while staying safe at home.  Testing new recipes, taking on new challenges and of course making beverages! On episode 37 your hosts give quick updates on what they have been up to and explore how powerful black culture and blackness is. Long story short, you can always Bet on blk.

Bet on blk. Recipe:
2 oz of blk. alkaline water in Focus
2 oz Ginger Beer
2 Mint Sprigs
1 oz Vodka (optional) 

Combine blk water, ginger beer and vodka. Stir. Serve over ice. Garnish with mint

We've lost count of how many days we've been in quarantine. Let's be honest, sometimes its hard to keep track of the days of the week! On episode 36 we craft a new drink titled after a very important question, "How are you, really?"

How Are You, Really? Recipe:
1 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
Chopped plum
1 oz gin (optional)
2 oz ginger beer
Cinnamon


Combine all ingredients in shaker except the ginger beer. Shake over ice. Pour over ice. Add ginger beer. Garnish with plum and lime. Top with cinnamon.

With Stay at Home orders in full effect, Paris and Natasha took a different approach to episode 35. Social distancing precautions led the hosts to record their first podcast from separate locations with two separate drinks! To avoid exposure to the Coronavirus, they decided to create their own concoctions with the ingredients they had at home. Natasha is drinking 'Tussin' and Paris is drinking 'Good Morning, Sunshine!' While different from the typical bando setup, the commitment to bring you amazing content remains; even if they do it from their respective homes. So join in for a discussion about various experiences being at home, some recent challenges they've overcome, and new challenges they are taking on while at home for at least another month.

Tussin Recipe:
1/2 oz Hibiscus Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Ginger Liquor
2 oz Dark Rum
Splash of Club Soda
Stir and serve over ice.


Hibiscus Simple Syrup - Equal parts sugar, water, and dried hibiscus leaves.  Combine ingredients in saucepan over medium heat. Stir consistently until sugar has full dissolved. Remove from heat and cool in saucepan.  Strain to remove leaves.  Keep in fridge and use within 2-3 weeks.


Good Morning, Sunshine! Recipe:
1/2 lemon sliced
0.5 oz lemon juice 
8 oz of Mango Tumeric Kombucha

What a time to be alive! COVID-19 has brought us some significant distinctions in ways that we connect while being quarantined. Whether it be virtual meetings that could have been handled in an email exchange or Zoom happy hours, this moment will change the world. It is important that we take care of our bodies while we fight to stay safe and that is why we cooked up the Quarantoddy, an immune system building drink that is sure to spice up your day. We're live this episode and with social distancing the sound might be a little off, but we did it. If you didn't join us live, listen to Episode 34 NOW!

Quarantoddy Recipe:

• 5 cups of water
• The yellow peel of 1 lemon use a veggie peeler
• 2 inch piece of ginger cut in thin rounds, skin on
• 2 inch piece of turmeric root cut in thin rounds or grated, skin on
• Tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 crack of black pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil, butter, or avocado oil
• Honey, preferably raw

Bring the water, lemon peel, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and black pepper to a bare simmer, turn the heat down to low, cook for 7 minutes.

Take off the heat and squeeze in the lemon juice and stir in the coconut oil. 

Strain the tea into a cup and add 1 teaspoon of honey. 

If using raw honey, wait for the tea to cool a few minuted

The ladies sit down this week to talk about being paired up! Whether it is on Netflix's hit TV Show 'Love is Blind' or being paired with you life partner, it's important to be open and honest from the start. For Episode 33, we are are drinking a pear influenced drink and it's worth every sip. Sit back and get pear'd up!

Pear'd Up Recipe:

2 oz pear juice
1 oz lemon juice
.75 oz rosemary-infused simple syrup
1 oz rum (Cocktail only)
Club Soda

Instructions

Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain into rocks glass (or serve up) and top with soda water. Garnish with a slice of pear.

This week's episode of Bando Bevs discusses a bit about Black History Month and what legacy we want to live and leave in the world. On top of that, Paris just celebrated her 34th birthday and Natasha's is coming up. During the episode, we realize that we are black history mavens and talk about why diversity and inclusion is so important. Our drink is Legacy Lemonde and it is ohh so delicious! Sit back and sip with us as we lock in our legacy.

Legacy Lemonade:

• Mango Simple Syrup
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup fresh mangos (diced)
• Lemonade
  • 1 can lemonade concentrate thawed
  • 1 liter mango sparkling water chilled
  • 2 cups cold water

1 oz vodka (cocktail)
1 oz mango simple syrup
Fill cup with lemonade
Serve over ice
Add slices Lemon for garnish
Mint sprigs for garnish

Back in the bando and back to the regularly scheduled program. Fresh off of 90 days of leadership and goal accomplishments, Natasha and Paris reflect on what they've learned throughout their entire process. Most importantly, the two discuss habits they are letting go and habits they are welcoming. The drink is called Habijto, a mojito with a twist of habits and blackberries. This week's episode might inspire you to create your own new habits!

Habijito Recipe:
2.5 oz lime juice
1.5 oz simply syrup
8 mint leaves
5 blackberries 
1 oz of rum (cocktail)
1 oz of Seedlip Spice 94 (mocktail)
1 oz club soda
Ice

Add the lime juice, simple syrup, and blueberries. Lightly mash together with a muddle stick. Fill the glass with ice, then add spirit. Top with club soda.

Music is important to us and we chose to make this episode about sharing the music we love. Everyone loves to be introduced to a song or introduce others to songs that made them feel a certain way. Whether it is joy, pain, or comfort, music has the power to evoke emotion and often change a bad mood to a great one. This episode we not only curate a lovely drink, but we also allow our fans to curate the jams by sharing their favorites with us. Episode 30 is all the way LIVE with our listener inspired playlist! We're calling this week's drink, Play to Win! 'Cuz if you are not playing to win then you are just playing!

Listen to the Play to Win Playlist

Recipe:
The Game Changer (Green Tea) by Candid Tea
Fresh Pear
Chili Infused Honey
Bourbon

One week in advance, combine equal parts honey and chili peppers. Store in cool dark place. Strain prior to use.

Prepare tea according to package directions, and steep with 2-3 slices of fresh pear.  Sweeten tea with as much chili infused honey as desired. Allow to cool (think sweet/iced tea).

Optional: Add a shot of bourbon.

Serve over ice and enjoy!