HVT Stories
—August 23, 2021
#drinkitforward
It started as a small fundraising effort at Juniper for All Heart Inspirations’ Juneteenth Celebration. Kate Wise, Juniper’s passionate bartender and engaged community member, developed a cocktail by the name of 44 Rhubies, for which each drink sold during May and early June $1 would be donated to support All Hearts Inspritiations’ event: a sail with Whistling Man Schooner and safe storytelling space for the BIPOC community. The initiative saw great success and, with the support of all those who purchased the beverage, Kate and Juniper were able to make a significant contribution a to All Hearts Inspirations’ event. The impact of the first fundraiser encouraged a second, bringing the Whi(noo)skey Strong Sour to the drink menu at Juniper for the months of July and August, with $1 contributions to the Winooski Strong organization.
The simplicity and effectiveness of the fundraiser sparked an idea. Kate dove a bit deeper, developing a rotating drink program that would raise money for different non-profit organizations focused on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ to support throughout the year. Every two months, a new drink is introduced to the menu, collecting $1 from each sale for the selected organization during that period. But why stop there?
power in numbers
What started as a small effort from Kate and the Juniper team has now grown exponentially to involve over forty bars, restaurants, and cafés statewide. Kate’s outreach to friends throughout the industry has extended outside of Burlington, stretching from Stowe to Greensboro and White River Junction. The overwhelming support in participating in the campaign has created movement at the state level. As the kickstarter restaurants, Juniper Bar & Restaurant and Bleu Northeast Kitchen will continue to support the initiative and have agreed to match donations. The end goal from these efforts, you ask? To use the platform that bartenders, servers, and owners have to increase awareness and fund local nonprofits that do so much for our community.
Participating businesses will choose one beer, wine, cocktail, or coffee drink to feature, donating $1 from every drink sold directly to the same designated organization. Businesses will encourage their guests to share the drink on social channels using the hashtag #drinkitforward. Each post qualifies the individual for entrance in a drawing to win gift cards to one of the participating businesses.
As we kick off in in September, we honor Vermont Pride Month with fundraising for Outright Vermont, non-profit established in 1989 that is working to build a Vermont where all LGBTQ+ youth have hope, equity, and power.
how to participate
You, a consumer of beverages, play an incredibly valuable role in this initiative. Here’s how you can help.
- Keep an eye out for #drinkitforward drinks at coffeeshops, restaurants, bars, and breweries across the state!
- Repost your drink on social! Snap a shot of your beverage, add #drinkitforward, and tag the business! You’ll be entered to win gift cards to participating restaurants on a rotating basis – up to 10 $25 certificates will be handed out each week!
- Encourage businesses to join! We’d love to continue growing our list of participants.
how to participate
You, a consumer of beverages, play an incredibly valuable role in this initiative. Here’s how you can help.
- Keep an eye out for #drinkitforward drinks at coffeeshops, restaurants, bars, and breweries across the state!
- Repost your drink on social! Snap a shot of your beverage, add #drinkitforward, and tag the business! You’ll be entered to win gift cards to participating restaurants on a rotating basis – up to 10 $25 certificates will be handed out each week!
- Encourage businesses to join! We’d love to continue growing our list of participants.
WHERE YOU CAN #DRINKITFORWARD
American Flatbread | Artisanal flatbreads and craft beer in downtown Burlington
Apres | Cocktail and wine bar in Stowe
Bleu Northeast Kitchen | Ingredient-driven fine dining in downtown Burlington
Brio Coffeeworks | Specialty roaster, retail boutique and coffee bar in Burlington’s South End
Carrier Roasting | Transparently sourced and locally roasted coffee, with locations in Northfield and Burlington’s Old North End
Cork | Natural wine shop and restaurant in Stowe
Doc Ponds | American fare & rotating craft brews in Stowe
Eden Specialty Ciders | Cider producer from homegrown apples in Newport, VT
Hill Farmstead Brewery | Microbrewery offering bottles and cans in Greensboro Bend
Hen of the Wood | Daily menus of local and seasonal fare and craft cocktails in Burlington and Waterbury
Juniper Bar & Restaurant | Locally-sourced & ingredient-driven American fare in downtown Burlington
Mad River Distillers Tasting Room | Craft distillery in the Mad River Valley with tasting room in downtown Burlington
Monarch and the Milkweed | Pastries, creative American fare & cocktails in downtown Burlington
Monkey House | Neighborhood bar and music venue in Winooski
Mule Bar | Craft brews, house cocktails, and elevated bar eats in the Winooski Circle
Peg and Ter’s | Husband and wife owned eatery in the heart of historic Shelburne
PK Coffee | Coffee shop in Waterbury and Stowe
Pro Pig Restaurant & Brewery | BBQ, classic cocktails, and fresh beer in Stowe
Salt & Bubbles | Bar and market offering ethically-made and affordable wines in Essex
St. Johnsbury Distillery | Craft distillery in a rustic barn in St. Johnsbury
Stowe Street Cafe | Local coffee, food, & art in Waterbury
Stowe Cider | Cider producer with taproom in Stowe
Zero Gravity Beer Hall | New American fare & craft beer in Burlington’s South End
Wallflower Collective | Neighborhood bar with a living room feel in downtown Burlington
Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co, | Roaster & coffee bar in Waterbury
