For 3 months now at Lark + Lily we’ve been offering a cocktail special with 50% of the price earmarked as a donation to a not-for-profit organization. We determine the recipient with a good old fashioned system – you order a drink, you get to vote for one of the three organizations which we’re featuring for a particular month. Whomever has the most votes at the end of the month gets a check. Simple.
I have to say, it has been a remarkably successful program. The creativity shown by my staff, has been tremendous – lavender infused dry vermouth? Anise flavored simple syrup? Fresh basil? Oh, yes, we’ve had some very special and tasty cocktails recently and I intend to keep this special going for the foreseeable future. It just feels good for everyone, I think. Seriously? Drinking for a cause? Sign me up!
This month’s potential recipients are Capital Roots, The Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Parks and Trails New York. You see, I like to have a bit of a theme. It’s a pretty close contest currently, with Capital Roots slightly ahead of the other two organizations as we near the end of the month. I’ll be sad to see our Leather & Lace Cocktail (Walthen’s bourbon, lavender infused dry vermouth, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice) depart, but writing that donation check is my favorite business “expense” every month.
For May, we’ll be focusing on organizations which support girls and women and Girls on the Run, Strong Through Every Mile and the Perrin House in Schenectady will be on our board vying for a donation. I’d like to think our guests will be challenged to pick just one and may perhaps be inclined to make additional personal donations to worthy organizations which could use some financial help.
Our May cocktail has not been finalized but we’re thinking about something a little spicy, maybe a white rum base and a chipotle infused simple syrup.. I promise it will be tasty and that drinking one will make you feel good in numerous ways. Cheers!
DelSo 