Danny Childs recently won a 2024 James Beard Foundation Book Award for his book “Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More.” And now, the author/ethnobotanist/bartender is bringing his backyard mixology expertise to Asheville with a series of special events.
Childs’ Asheville tour begins on Saturday, June 29 at Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins with an Amaro Adventure, where Childs will lead a foraging tour, letting you gather goods to create your own amaro, followed by a party with live music and a food truck.
On Sunday, June 30, enjoy a five-course dinner prepared by the chefs of Gemelli and Strada using ingredients foraged on a No Taste Like Home tour, paired with cocktails and mocktails by Childs. Check on the Gemelli site for tickets.
On Monday, July 1, Childs will take over the bar at Chai Pani and MG Mini to serve up drinks from his book, including new cocktails and a nonalcoholic soda that bridges the flavors of Appalachia and India.
If you want to learn to incorporate local and foraged ingredients into your cocktails, the Tuesday, July 2 edition of Eda Rhyne’s Cocktail Lab is for you. Childs will talk through the process with Eda Rhyne co-owner Chris Bower before a pop-up with a special menu + book signing.
To learn more about Childs and his approach to the Slow Food Movement, follow him on Instagram — you’ll find how-tos on seed starting, foraging, and making special fermented beverages.
