Today we’d like to introduce you to Neal Cohen.
Atlanta-based Tip Top Proper Cocktails was founded in 2018 by childhood friends and music industry veterans Neal Cohen and Yoni Reisman. After years producing large-scale events and festivals in NYC and around the country, the two discovered something was missing from the market: high-quality, classic cocktails that could be enjoyed with convenience at a concert, dinner party, tailgate, or simply at home. Enlisting the help of veteran Atlanta mixologist and six-time James BeardAward nominee Miles Macquarrie (of Kimball House and Watchman’s) to develop the recipes, the team created three 100ml canned low-ball classic cocktail recipes: the Manhattan, Negroni, and Old Fashioned. After more than two years of recipe development, Tip Top Proper Cocktails officially launched in Georgia in September 2019 and is currently available at package stores, restaurants, and bars throughout the state.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Creating any type of consumer package good from an idea to an actual product in hand is quite the daunting task. From sourcing materials and machinery to recipe development, it’s quite the winding road. Lots of 2 steps forward, 1 step back. The lengthiest and most challenging part was probably jumping through hoops for compliance as an alcoholic beverage which took us the better part of a year and is thankfully behind us, for now. It’s amazing to think about the whole process while sitting here with actual cans of our cocktails in front of us. Super proud to see it come to life but truly this is just the starting line.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tip Top Proper Cocktails – what should we know?
We are taking classic cocktails that have always been in-demand and giving people an on-demand, high-quality and consistent option when they want one. Up until now, if you wanted a great cocktail, you’d need to go to a cocktail bar or go purchase all the ingredients, learn how to make them and then take the time and energy to put it all together.
We didn’t just choose any cocktails. We chose classic, high proof 100 milliliter cocktails – Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Negroni. They come in a cute little can that is the appropriate size for these types of cocktails. We chose cocktails that don’t traditionally have anything perishable in them like fruit juice so that they’d be loyal to the authentic recipes and would have an infinite shelf life.
The biggest differentiator is going to be taste. Just because you’re having a canned cocktail doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Our recipe developer, Miles Macquarrie, is the beverage director at the James Beard Award-recognized Kimball House in Decatur, GA and at Watchman’s at Krog Street Market in Atlanta. Miles has a very precise, fine-tuned palette and worked methodically with us to ensure that we could create a consistently amazing cocktail that you can get conveniently out of a can, whenever the occasion might arise.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
We want people to see how having an excellent beverage available in a convenient fashion can elevate their favorite experiences. Our success is dependent upon people seeing that if they stock the bar at a party or bring these to a tailgate or are able to very quickly get a hold of a delicious cocktail at a concert, that their life has been positively enhanced in some way.
Pricing:
- Found for under $5 at most liquor stores in the greater Atlanta area
Contact Info:
- Website: tiptopcocktails.com
- Email: info@tiptopcocktails.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiptoppropercocktails/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiptopcocktails/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TipTopCocktails
Image Credit:
Solo images of Manhattan and Old Fashioned with green background are by Tim Lampe; Can pyramid image is by Bart Sasso; Outdoor image of all 3 cocktails and cans is by Mia Yakel; Image of Negroni behind cocktail glass is by Luke Beard; Beach image and Cleremont Hotel image are by Neal Cohen
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