Bando Bevs

It's the last episode of the year and we're LIVE again! This time we invite you to the Bando to be apart of the conversation. We're going head-to-head with some classic comparisons and asking the audience to vote give input on their favorites. Salt vs. sugar grits. Drumsticks vs. flats. To double up our fan engagement, this week's drink is brought to you by @candrisse, a brand that highlights creativity and self love by providing expressive, useful, and unique works of art. Sip with us and catch our live video recording on Bando Bevs Facebook.Versus Recipe:1/2 cup Cocoa Powder1 tbs Pumpkin Spice Seasoning1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper1/2 cup Sugar1/2 cup Water 1 tsp Vanilla Extract3 cup Oat Milk (or milk of choice)Cognac (as desired)Whipped creamHoliday garnishMix all dry ingredients in a small saucepan.Whisk in water until no lumps remain.Heat on high until mixture boils.Reduce heat to a simmer and whisk in milk. Return to rolling boil.Pour into mugs. Add alcohol (optional). Top with whipped crea

After their first live episode, Paris and Natasha are back in the bando for episode 28.  The two touch on the last episode a bit, and discuss why a live recording almost didn't happen.  The fears that almost kept them from their first live episode led to the question "whats stopping you?" What stops us from going after our desires?  Is it the fear of failure or the perception of others?  Is it not knowing the outcome or the unwillingness to commit? Whatever it is thats stopping you, buckle in and Appcelerate through it. Go for it, give it your all and experience achievement while sipping this curated beverage. Appcelerate Recipe:3 cups of fresh apple ciderJuice of one lemonGrand Marnier (cocktail)Caramel whipped cream CinnamonApple slice for garnish.Heat apple cider in a saucepan and add lemon juice.   Once warm, divide cider into two mugs. Add Grand Marnier for cocktail. Top with whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon, and garnish with an apple slice. 

Welcome to Episode 27! Our first live podcast recording and one year anniversary of the Bando Bevs podcast. We're at the headquarters of the District Running Collective (DRC) and excited to have our guest Matt Green, who is the co-founder and lead captain of DRC. Matt co-founded DRC after hosting several birthday runs with friends and has expanded DRC to an International brand and successful partnership with Under Armor. Matt sits down with Natasha and Paris to discuss going back for more & quick decisions over a glass of "Seconds". This is the first episode where our live audience gets to participate in the conversation and sip with us. Seconds:2oz lemon juice1oz liquid from canned lychee 2oz club soda1oz ginger & mint simple syrup2.5 oz gin (cocktail)Shake everything except the club soda over ice. Pour over ice, add club soda, garnish with mint and lychee. Enjoy!Ginger & Mint Simple Syrup:1 part water1 part sugar1/4 part fresh ginger (peeled & cut)1/4 part fresh mintCombine al

When she walks you stare, when she speaks you care! She is, Black Beauty. There is always something new to learn about skin care, health, and wellness. Join us for episode 26 where we discuss all things beauty with Vivian Wynter, your beauty and lifestyle professional. Vivian has over 16 years of experience as a licensed aesthetician and spokeswoman for the cosmetic and beauty industry. Listen, sip, and share as we drink during our first mocktail only episode with our very own Seedlip specialty.Recipe:3oz Seedlip Spice 942oz Ginger Beer1/2tsp Ginger Syrup3 Blackberries2 Basil Leaves (large & fresh)Lemon to garnishInstructions:Muddle blackberries and basil at the bottom of a glass. Add remaining ingredients and ice. Stir. Garnish with lemon wedge. 

What episode is it anyways? Don’t ask Paris, she doesn’t know. Do you recall a time when you presented yourself to the world as someone else? We often hear the words “be authentic” or “just be yourself” and it scares us. It’s easier to put on a show than to be vulnerable and comfortable in the things that make us unique. For Episode 25, we dive into what authenticity and being authentic means for us and how it could impact your world. As we celebrate Halloween and dress up as others, let’s encourage one another to take the masks off. Partner that authenticity with a spooky drink that is sure to make your skin crawl.Mask Off Recipe:2 oz Lemon Lime Soda (7-up)3 oz Club Soda1 tbsp Ginger Syrup1 oz Pink Gin (for cocktail)Splash of Hibiscus ElixirGarnish with Halloween Candy!Stir all ingredients and sip with spookiness! 

What's your relationship with money? Join us for Episode 24 with special guests Victoria Reese (@picturethisvic) and Revaé Tharps (@revaemarie), as we discuss financial wellness. We'll share our personal experiences with money and how we can take what we learn about finances and share with our family and friends. At the end of the day, we have the power to change the "family history" with money. Hopefully this conversation will help develop your relationship with your finances. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee or in our case, financial freedom!Cutting Edge Recipe:1 cup fresh brewed coffee (add cinnamon to coffee grounds)1 oz Bailey’s Irish Coffee Creamer1/2 tsp salted caramel syrup1.5 oz whiskey Choose your favorite coffee mug to savor.#sipdelicately

You know that saying "give people their roses while they can still smell them"? It doesn't specify how many roses or even that you have to give multiple roses. It is easy to prioritize quantity over quality... but the primary factor is actually intention.  Show love whenever and however you can, in the best ways possible. That love includes yourself.  Love yourself so much that you don't need to put guards up. Love yourself so much that your love inspires other. Love is contagious... spread it! Speaking of love, we think you'll love the drink we've concocted for Episode 23 called A Dozen Roses. Mix it up and press play. Cheers!A Dozen Roses Recipe:7-8 Raspberries2 oz Coconut Water3 oz Fentimans Rose Lemonade1 oz Lemon Juice1 tbsp Simple Syrup2 oz Dark Rum cocktailInstructions:Muddle raspberries at the bottom of the glass (reserve one for garnish)Combine coconut water, lemon juice, and simple syrup, in shakerShake over ice & pour into glassAdd Rose Lemonade & Rum cocktailG

Have you ever been asked "are you working hard or hardly working?"  We know all about working hard, but what about working smarter? Let's face it, the harder you work the more tired and burned out you become. Think about life before word processing systems. Remember when you made a mistake writing in pen and had to start over? Insert white out, which allowed us to cover up the incorrect words and write the corrected ones. Well working smarter and not harder is sort of like the concept of white out. You have the option to throw the entire document away or go back and "fix" the part you no longer want. This is similar to how we work. Our emails tend to get fluffy, our calendars fill up, and we get distracted by new work. If you feel you can relate to this then sit back, pause, and focus on what you can do to maximize your time and think smarter, not harder. Our drink this week is called "White Out" and it's the perfect match for productivity. Recipe:White Out4 oz unsweete

Believe it or not, we've been cherry picking all of our lives. Choosing what we feel is the "best" out of the options. We did this as kids when the two captains pick the best athletes in the class for their team. We do this as adults when we pick our friends, our jobs, and even our partners. Episode 21 talks about how we can leverage cherry picking to our advantage. For example, not only cherry picking the right group of friends, but making sure we are checking in on our tribe to give them the same level of support they give us. This week's beverage partners the conversation with a bold cherry juice-based drink that is sure to spark the tart and level the heart. Cherry Picking Recipe:2 oz 100% Natural tart cherry juice1 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice3 tbsp Jalepeño simple syrup3 drops of Cardamom bittersCocktail: Add 2 oz. of Jameson Irish WhiskeyShake over iceTop with club sodaGarnish with lime peelJalepeño Simple Syrup:1 cup chopped fresh jalapeños 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup waterCombine

Episode 20 is here and we are pleased to announce our very first guest!  On this episode, we have our good friend Elliott Johnson of DC's homegrown Soul Mega Brewing Company.  We're known for cooking up beverages in the bando and Elliott is cooking up beverages "Worldwide" so this was a perfect fit for our podcast.  Our drink is mixed with Soul Mega's Worldwide, an American Pale Ale and it will be sure to help our listeners Gravitate to the power of beer.  Join us as we "tap in" and discuss what it takes to develop your own product from the ground up and the challenges of starting small with big plans. Gravitate Recipe:1 1/2 cups apple cider1/4 cup honey3 cups seltzer water1/4 cup fresh lemon juice1 apple (sliced)12 oz Soul Mega Worldwide Pale Ale [Cocktail]Sparkling apple cider [Mocktail]Instructions: Combine apple cider and honey in a small saucepan over medium-high; bring to a simmer.  Cook 10 minutes or until reduced to about 1 cup, stirring occasionally.  Remove pan fro

We brought the fire with a Jalepeño limeade for Episode 19. This drink is sure to bring out the “Hot Girl Summer” in all of us. Join us as we discuss our own Hot Girl Summers and how to cool down for cuffing season with some dating app advice. Keep the spice alive and sip Hot Girl Summer while you listen.Hot Girl Summer Recipe:1/2 cup lime juice 2 cups tonic water 2 cups alkaline water 1/2 cup jalapeño simple syrupStir in pitcher Pour over iceAdd 1 oz Pisco for a cocktail. Garnish with mint.Jalapeno Simple Syrup:1 cup chopped fresh jalapeños 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup waterCombine in a pot over heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Let steep for 20 minutes. Keeps up to 2 weeks!

We are back from vacation feeling refreshed with our latest drink, The Refresher, to match our vibe. Coming back from vacation always puts you in a place where you are ready to get back to work to afford more vacations. This episode we discuss our travel experiences and what life was like returning to work as a team manager. It’s summer! It’s hot! Cool off and sip on “The Refresher” with us!The RefresherMocktail:2.5oz Red grape purée2oz Cucumber water1/4oz Lemon juice1/2oz Thyme simple syrupClub sodaCocktail: Add 1oz of Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice (or any dry gin)Instructions:Combine grape purée, cucumber water and thyme simple syrup. Dry shake without ice. Fill glass with ice. Fill bottom quarter with club soda. Top with juice mixture. Add gin (for cocktail). Stir.Grape purée: Purée red grapes in blender. Press on solids/ pulp to get as much juice into the mix.Cucumber water: Peel and dice one cucumber. Blend with 2 cups water. Strain in chinois.Thyme simple syrup: See Episode 15, Thyme Spent

Traveling, packing, car shopping...It's all the same. We think we know what we want until we get to the “destination” and get presented with multiple options. Maybe we should be a little more intentional about what we need to accomplish. Are we overpacking our suitcases and over accessorizing our vehicles? The goal in a car is to get from point A to point B safely, right? Do we really need a good sound system and heated seats? If the goal of wearing clothes is to not be naked, do we really need to pack 10 swimsuits and multiple outfits? Today we discuss being "Fully Loaded" with a fully loaded beverage. Make the recipe below and listen as we discuss packing and traveling with intention, as well as, what it means to throw in the towel.Fully Loaded Recipe:10 Thai Basil leaves3 Grapefruit - juiced2 Peaches - pittedBlend Thai basil leaves, grapefruit juice and peaches. Mocktail:2/3 cup blended mixture2 oz Ginger BeerPour over ice. Stir. Garnish with grapefruit slice. Cocktail:2/3 cup blended mixtur

The price of fame could cost a lot. In episode 16 we dive into how people use social media for a “moment” not considering the repercussions of their actions. We also discuss how others, kids specifically are being posted on the Internet without their permission with the intent of going viral. Sit back, sip, and listen...At What CostRecipe:Mocktail:1 oz Pineapple Juice1 oz Orange Juice2 oz Lime Juice1 tbs Chopped MintTop with Ginger AleCocktail:1 oz Pineapple Juice1 oz Orange Juice1 oz Lime Juice1 oz Ciroc VS Brandy1 tbs Chopped MintTop with Ginger Ale*Shake and pour over ice. Garnish with mint, lime and pineapple slice

What we do with our time is important. Life is short, but can we say we are spending our time wisely? There is saying out there, “You have the same 24 hours as Beyonce.” So if we have just as many hours as Bey, how many are we using to slay? Wha can you accomplish in those 24 hours, well the 16 that you are not at work? Let that soak in while you sip and listen to this week’s episode, Thyme Spent.Recipe:Cocktail:1 oz - Thyme Simple Syrup1 oz Tonic Water1 oz Lime Juice2 oz TequilaMocktail:1 oz - Thyme Simple Syrup3 oz Tonic Water1 oz Lime JuiceThyme Simple Syrup:1/3 cup Fresh Thyme1/3 cup Sugar1/3 cup Water

This week’s drink tastes just like we set up our own lemonade stand, but cooler because we had blueberry lemonade! Sip and join us as we use our Truth Juice to spit out our biggest successes and failures.Recipe:Cocktail:8 oz of fresh blueberry lemonade1 oz of Toki (or Japanese Whiskey)Mocktail:No whiskeyBlueberry Lemonade:1 pint fresh blueberries5 lemons 1 1/3 cup ginger mint simple syrup2 cups cold water Combine juice of lemons and blueberries in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Strain into pitcher. Add ginger mint simple syrup and water. Stir.Serve over ice(Optional) Garnish with remaining mint leaves & blueberriesGinger Mint Simple Syrup: 1 cup sugar1 cup water1 cup ginger mint leavesCombine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let sit for 30mins. Strain mint leaves.

Ever have something and felt like it wasn't enough? Like a summer fling - here in May, gone by August. After that, you’re left with questions, assumptions and sometimes self-doubt. This week we discuss what makes people feel secure in relationships and ways to build more meaningful relationships. Episode 13 is packed with thought provoking perspectives. Listen and sip with a drink called, “Summer Fling”.Summer Fling Recipe:Cocktail:1 oz Hendricks (or Gin of choice)1 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice1 oz Fresh Lime Juice1 oz Ginger Beer Mocktail:1 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice1 oz Fresh Lime Juice2 oz Ginger BeerGarnish:1 lemon slice1-2 pieces of Ginger candyShake over ice. Serve over ice. Garnish with lemon and caramelized ginger candy.

Episode 12 is here and we are back with a special drink we call Tearin Up My Heart. We put our muddling skills to work with some raspberries, basil, and kombucha. We had a ton of fun crafting this delicious cocktail/mock tail combo. Join us as we discuss some things that are tearing up our hearts

How often do you “wait until…” something happens to start another thing? What if you used the resources you already have to get where you want to go?  Get rid of the “wait until…”! Let’s Elevate! We have a cocktail and mock-tail that serve as the perfect resource for elevating your dreams to reality. Join us on Episode 11, as we discuss how great we can be with what we already possess. “Use what you got to get what you want” - Ronnie, The Players Club. Recipe: Cocktail version:2 oz Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 2 oz Ginger beer1 Egg white 2 oz vodkaGarish- dried lime slice and burnt rosemaryMocktail version:2 oz Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice 2 oz Ginger beer1 Egg white Garish- dried lime slice and burnt rosemaryInstructions:Shake grapefruit juice, egg white and vodka over ice. Pour over ice Add garnish

We’re in the double digits now...Episode 10! Just in time to for a new beginning. Paris announces her full commitment to sobriety and we’ve decided to add a twist to keep the podcast even more interesting. We now have a mocktail version of our creative cocktails. So if you are not a big drinker you can still partake in the festivities. The future is shining bright and we don’t want tan-lines...or do we? Tan-lines gives the perception that we tanned in the sun, but  they don’t look good in reality. Join us as we break it down a little deeper discuss perception vs reality.No Tan-Lines Recipe:Nectarine Purée1 nectarine1 tsp of lemon juice1 tbsp of sugarA dash of water to loosenPeel and core nectarine and combine with lemon juice and sugar. Blend until smooth and strain.Cocktail:1 shot of nectarine puréeProseccoGarnish: peach sliceMocktail:1 shot of nectarine puréeClub SodaGarnish: peach sliceIn a champagne flute or glass, pour in the purée and top with Prosecco or Club Soda. Add garnish.