Mississippi Monday | CatHead Vodka
This Mississippi Monday we are raising a toast to celebrate the 5th birthday of an amazing Mississippi brand and team of people, Cathead Vodka! And we thought it only appropriate we make that toast with a Cathead cocktail (recipe below). Grab a glass, toast with us and read on for our recent interview with co-owner Richard Patrick about their brand, their mission and their roots.
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HoneySuckle Party Punch
Serving Size for 16 | 5 ounce pours
INGREDIENTS
4 cups of CATHEAD HONEYSUCKLE FLAVORED VODKA
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (5 to 6 lemons)
1 cup basil simple syrup
4 cups water
Serve: In an 8oz mason jars filled with cracked ice & garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wheel.
Notes:*Basil Simple Syrup Instructions: Mix 1 cup granulated sugar to equal parts basil water *Basil Water: Make just like you would steep tea, take 10 basil leaves and muddle in 1 cup of water. Muddle until water reaches a simmer. Then strain water from the basil.
Q & A with Richard of Cathead
What exactly is Cathead?
The term “Cathead” is a compliment in Mississippi, first coined back in the day by blues musicians as a nod to artists they respect. Mississippi artists and musicians went on to use “Catheads” in many forms of folk art, as a way to pay the rent and share their legacies.
How did you all get started and what was the inspiration to take the small business leap?
Small business is all we (Richard and co-owner, Austin Evans) really knew, we both grew up with families who own small businesses, so we were aware of the challenges, risks, and the rewards, that part was easy to arrive at. It turns out we both went to college and studied small business management, entrepreneurship and marketing. We got started long before we actually opened our doors at Cathead. We had years of related training in the alcohol industry in supply, distribution, manufacturing, point of sale and bartending. We started Cathead before we both turned 30, and we laugh a lot about it would be worlds more challenging had we started our business now. Next weekend Cathead turns five years old.
How does Mississippi play a role in your business?
Mississippi is everything to our business. This state is our differentiation in our business, we are the first and oldest distillery in Mississippi.
What are your goals for your brand?
To remain original, unique, and relative to our regionality. Bottom line we want something to pass along generationally.
Where do you all find inspiration?
From the people we work with and encounter, learning history, food, listing to music, art, and travel.
What do you all like to do when you aren't "at the office”?
spend time with our families, friends, eat great food, enjoy cocktails and listen to live music.
What are your favorite local places to shop and dine?
too difficult to answer. i like supporting small businesses that directly impact their immediate surroundings.
What are some of the reasons you call Mississippi home?
I consider it home because my family, friends and business are all here. Mississippi has educated me more than anywhere else.
How do you think what you are doing is helping to shape your local community as well as the image of Mississippi?
I hope we are helping to shape the community by making quality products, better alternatives to buy vs mass distributed brands with no personality. I hope small local business alike are inspiring others to take risks, and helping to identify the importance of more small business.
Cheers to Cathead and happy happy birthday from Team Thimblepress!!
Want to learn more about Cathead, their line or how to get your hands on their delicious spirits?
Find them in all these places below:
photo credit for image 1 + 4 to sweetpeachblog.com
http://www.sweetpeachblog.com/
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