Donner-Peltier Distillers has announced a series of “Evenings of Giving Back” to take place at six Emerald Coast bars/restaurants throughout the summer, where proceeds of the sales of the cocktail dubbed “Summer on 30A” will be donated to a charity selected by the host restaurant.
The lucky seven Emerald Coast establishments that have signed-on to host “An Evening of Giving Back” include The Pearl, NEAT Bottle Shop, Caliza Alys Beach, Shades, Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant, Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar, and Roselie Dining & Seafood Bar.
The first event was held at Shades in Panama City Beach (appropriately located on County Highway 30a) on July 21, with proceeds going to the Children’s Volunteer Health Network.
On the calendar next, Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant and Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar in partnership with Donner-Peltier Distillers will host the “Evening of Giving Back” to benefit the charity, Food for Thought. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 from 5-9 p.m. at both Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar and Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant located at 2236 East County Road 30-A in Seaside.
The series of “Evenings” was the idea of Donner-Peltier Distillers’ Johnny Culpepper, who sought a way to introduce Donner-Peltier’s craft-distilled spirits to the Emerald Coast – with a little something extra to make it even more special. “After we debuted the Summer on 30A at a film festival in the area, it became quite apparent in a very short time that we had a winner on our hands; people immediately liked it! We figured it would be worth a try to connect with more people but attach it to something greater — that’s how the idea came into being,” said Culpepper. “The concept spread, and the local restaurateurs were eager to participate.”
The “Summer on 30A” was invented by Corey Jernigan, head bartender at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach. It is slightly tart, sweet, very aromatic, and an altogether refreshing summer treat.
The “Strawberry Letter 23″ was also created by Jernigan and photographed by local Tommy Crow. It is especially refreshing in the moth of August as the temperatures heat up and the kids head back to school, just before our last hoorah come Labor Day in South Walton.
Recipe
Strawberry Letter 23
2 oz. Oryza Gin or Oryza Vodka
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
3/4 oz. spiced agave nectar
1/4 oz. elderflower liqueur
2-3 fresh Ponchatula strawberries
2-3 Dashes El Guapo sLove Potion #9 bitters
Combine all ingredients in shaker tin and lightly muddle strawberries. Shake vigorously, and double strain over crushed ice.
Tip: Liquor ingredients can be found at Neat Bottle Shop in Alys Beach, Emerald Coast Wine & Spirits, and Kwiker Liquor.
For more information on the event, call Bud & Alley’s at (850) 231-5900. For more information on Food for Thought, visit www.fflfl.org.
About the Bud & Alley’s Restaurant Group
Founded in 1986 in Seaside, Florida, Bud & Alley’s, owned and operated by local Dave Rauschkolb, operates with one simple mantra: Good Food. Good People. Good Times. A pioneer of the farm- and sea-to-table movement, Bud & Alley’s is known for serving award-winning menus with the freshest regional seafood and its daily sunset celebrations. Known for its quality food and exceptional service, Bud & Alley’s is a Top 20 Florida Restaurant and a Florida Trend magazine’s Golden Spoon Hall of Fame award winner. Bud & Alley’s has garnered numerous Perfect in South Walton Awards for its menu and view. All Bud & Alley’s restaurants have been voted 30A Hot Spots. The Bud & Alley’s Restaurant Group includes Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant, The Taco Bar, The Pizza Bar and the Bud & Alley’s Catering Company.
About Donner-Peltier
Located in the heart of Louisiana’s sugar cane country, it is the only distiller in the world to make vodka from long-grain rice; and rum from Louisiana sugarcane. Founded in Thibodaux, Louisiana in 2012, Donner-Peltier Distillers has a diverse product line including Oryza Gin, Oryza Vodka, Rougaroux Sugarshine Rum, Rougaroux Full Moon Rum, Rougaroux 13 Pennies Praline Rum and LA1 Whiskey. In just a few short years, Donner-Peltier spirits have won numerous awards and genuine admiration throughout the region; and enjoy ever-increasing demand. is a locally-sourced, micro-distiller.