8 Reasons to Join Us at The Cocktail Classic

8 Reasons to Join Us at The Cocktail Classic

Haven’t got your tickets yet? Here’s 8 reasons to nab ’em ASAP.

If you were looking for a sign to buy tickets to our first annual The Cocktail Classic, presented by The Exchange Raleigh, on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Killjoy, here it is! This promises to be the party of the year, complete with all sorts of elevated experiences and surprises. We promise you don’t want to miss it. Only a few tix are left, so get yours now—and avoid the FOMO! Here’s what we have in store.

10 Cocktails Mixed by Raleigh Magazine’s Best Bartender Nominees
Our cast of Best Bartender nominees—the best of the best mixologists in the city!—were each tasked with mixing up riffs on classics (think Old-Fashioned, Negroni, martini) in tandem with a top-shelf liquor brand. You’ll get to taste your way through all 10 of them throughout the night—plus enjoy special cocktail demonstrations at the Killjoy bar. Um, cheers to that! P.S. There will be NA beverages available as well.

Music by Deluxe Event Group and Food by Ladyfingers Served All Night Long
When the munchies hit (which they likely will), we’ve got you covered with a plethora of delicious grub from Ladyfingers. … NTM water to keep you hydrated throughout the evening. And providing the background jams for the entirety of the event will be Deluxe Event Group—so get ready to get down with your bad selves!

Glam and Glow Experience to Keep You Looking Your Best by Woodhouse Spa North Hills
Need to freshen up midevent? Woodhouse Spa has you covered with a glam setup of travel-size makeup products, mirrors, Champagne (!) and more. Glow on, gals!

Cocktail & Couture by Charles & Colvard
Baubles and booze unite at Charles & Colvard’s private room feat. jewels and The Exchange’s signature cocktail. Talk about a *sweet* attraction! 

Cocktail Classic Book
Since you can’t order these riffs at the bar and will definitely be left craving more, you’re going to love this. We’ve created a cocktail book with photos and recipes from each of our noms for every guest to take home. … And it’s so beautiful you’ll want to drink it all up.

Rideshare Code
We cannot stress this enough: Don’t drink and drive! Each group of ticket holders will get a rideshare code to take them to and from Killjoy on the day of the event only. This is your excuse to safely enjoy yourself at The Cocktail Classic!

Discount Code for The Longleaf Hotel
Enjoy and extend your evening even further by taking advantage of our block of rooms at The Longleaf Hotel available at a discounted price. Staycation all I ever wanted… (!)

Tickets Benefit Ben’s Friends and the RDU Chapter of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild
To top off the entire Cocktail Classic event, ticket sales benefit both Raleigh-Durham USBG and Ben’s Friends, a support group for members of the food and beverage industry suffering from abuse or addiction. Drinking for a good cause? Don’t mind if we do!

Oh, Hive

Oh, Hive

Local bees are bringing homegrown honey to The Exchange

Now buzzing: Honey is soon coming home to The Exchange Raleigh via Buddha Bee Apiary’s Raleigh-bred beehives. Adding to the development’s MO to amplify wellness and nature, the hives are set for a soft launch in an off-the-beaten-path pollinator garden this spring featuring custom-painted beehives by Durham artist Sara Bordner. Building more buzz, find renowned bartender Brian Van Flandern—famed for developing the bar program at New York City’s three-star Michelin restaurant Per Se—mixing up a lineup of craft cocktail recipes incorporating the fresh honey. … Try your hand at mixing up one of the bevs via the recipes below—it’s sure to be the bee’s knees! 

EXCHANGE OLD-FASHIONED

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve bourbon
• 1/2 oz. Exchange honey syrup
(1:1 honey + water) 
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 Luxardo maraschino cherries
• 1/2 thick-cut orange wheel

Add first three ingredients to a mixing tin and muddle thoroughly. Add a large ice cube, shake vigorously and double-strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with the orange wheel skewered with cherries and serve. 

SOCIAL FIZZ

• 3 oz. Champagne
• 1/2 oz. Tanqueray gin
• 1/2 oz. peach puree
• 1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz. Central Park honey syrup
(1:1 honey + water) 
• 2 dashes Fee Brothers peach bitters
• Peach slice for garnish

Add all ingredients to a Champagne flute, leaving the Champagne to pour last very slowly. Use a long spoon to pull the ingredients from bottom to top. Garnish with a peach slice and serve.