9 questions with the creator of Charleston Bloody Mary Mix

So, I decided to find out who was behind one of Charlotte’s favorites – Charleston Bloody Mary Mix (even though it’s from Charleston). Here’s what founder and nice guy, Ryan Eleuteri, had to say.

You founded Charleston Bloody Mary Mix. What was the moment where you knew you wanted to shake things up?

​After a typically fun night of Charleston revelry, Sunday morning was a bit hazy. I went to the local grocery store to pick up some of my favorite bloody mary mix, of which they were sold out. After picking up some of the other mixers on the shelf, I realized they were pretty sub par, and the light bulb struck​. There was a need for a better bloody mary mix, and why shouldn’t I be the guy to provide it?

Any advice for the aspiring entrepreneurs out there? 

​Do your research. Look at the market, and figure out what your niche is going to be – then become the best at it. From there – don’t just tip your toe in the water, jump in with both feet.​

What was your most memorable moment so far? The weirdest? 

​Most memorable moment so far was getting the call from Garden & Gun Magazine that we had won the “Best Food Product in the South” in the first ever “Made in the South Awards.” With Sean Brock, who had just won for best new restaurant in the country, judging our category – I was blown away.​

​Weirdest? Maybe the random call from a rep at the NFL wanting to use our mixer at the Super Bowl. Thought it was a friend playing a prank. It turned out to be legit, and they have now used our mix exclusively for the past two years at all Super Bowl events.

(Writer’s note: That is a really, really cool kind of weird. I like it.)

Now to the good stuff. What’s your favorite place to eat in Charlotte?

Baku and New South Kitchen & Bar. Big fan of the S’mores trifle at 5Church.​

What is the most vital ingredient in a great bloody mary? 

​Besides the mix obviously? I’d say the vodka. A good vodka can make all the difference. I’m a huge fan of some of the high quality cucumber vodkas paired with Charleston Mix. The coolness of the cucumber plays amazing well against the heat you get from the habanero mash in our mix.​

Your mix has a big presence in Charlotte. What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed in the Charlotte food and beverage scene since you started coming (and when was the first time you visited?)

​It actually reminds me a lot of the Charleston food scene in the changes I’ve witnessed. It has definitely grown and matured over the past few years with the addition of different cuisines and regional influences. My first time visiting Charlotte was 2003, right after graduating College of Charleston.

You’re originally from the North (me too!). What made the South home for you?

​It’s funny, if you had told me when I was moving South in 1998 that I would be this happy living below the Mason Dixon – I would have absolutely thought you had drank too many bloodies.

I think the sense of place that the South imparts is what has made it home for me. It sounds a little hokey, but people who live in our area really seem to share a common love of our communities. We say hello to our neighbors, we hold doors open for strangers, we’re quick to offer a smile. I’ve become a softy for that kind of stuff in my old age.​

Curveball: You worked at Rick Hendrick Dodge Chrysler Jeep for nearly a decade. What car are you driving these days?

​I currently drive an Infiniti QX56. The thing is a tank, but it makes for a great road trip vehicle when lugging, friends, equipment and 2,000 pounds of mix to a food festival.  ​

Describe your ultimate bloody mary, from top to bottom and spare no details.

​My Ultimate Bloody:
2/3 Charleston Mix
1/3 Effen Cucumber Vodka
Old Bay Rimmer
2 whole pickled okra
A blue cheese stuffed olive​

Where you can find Charleston Mix in Charlotte:

BARS

• Aria (28202)
• Assorted Table Wine Shoppe (28202)
• Draught (28202)
• Mimosa Grille (28202)
• Roosters Wood Fired Kitchen (28202)
• Carpe Diem (28204)
• Bodega (28205)
• Whiskey Warehouse (28205)
• Workman’s Friend (28205)
• Napa on Providence (28207)
• Rhino Market and Deli (28208)
• Rock Salt Charlotte (28209)
• Dogwood Southern Table & Bar (28210)
• New South Kitchen and Bar (28277)
• River Bleu (28273)
• Smoke Modern Barbeque of Birkdale (28078)
• Vinyl Pi (28078)

RETAIL ($5.99 – $7.99 per bottle) – locations here

SKIP THE LINES – online shopping here

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