In October 2012, during the the wee hours of the morning, Terri Sorantino and Jeffrey Cheskin, found themselves in a small Portland, Maine coffee shop, looking for a wholesome breakfast before working their way up the coast. They glanced at the specials blackboard and at the bottom, in tiny purple print, were the words “Lavender Lemonade Mead.” Curiosity prompted them to ask the waitress what it tasted like and her response was quite intriguing. This particular beverages was the waitress’ favorite and conveniently, it was produced just down the street. Almost immediately after the small tasting glass was consumed, a passion for a brand new kind of drink was ignited. An order of two full glasses of the lavender lemonade mead was ordered and dreams to produce these special beverages began.
After discovering there was virtually no mead available in Delaware and the surrounding states, Terri and Jeffrey set out to make their own. First, they used a home mead kit, but then they progressed to visiting a local homebrew supply shop and local apiary. They began to uncover amazing results. The combination of Jeffrey’s background in microbiology and Terri’s keen senses in the kitchen led to countless creative products. Reviews from friends encouraged them to continue creating this new version of a very ancient beverage, classically known as honey wine. As experimentation continued, they discovered many special characteristics of honey and its amazing versatility. Terri and Jeffrey discovered that without even touching a grape they could produce drinks that tasted like a Riesling and a Merlot. Mead, when properly hopped, can even taste like a good IPA beer.
The unique tastes that are produced by fermenting honey and then combining fruits and other natural flavors led Terri and Jeffrey to the conclusion that what they were really creating was a kind of “Liquid Alchemy”. Terri and Jeffrey had never experienced this type of blend of science and nature. Now, three years after their first taste of Lavender Lemonade Mead, they introduce Liquid Alchemy Beverages.
Flavors that you’ll find in the current offerings at Liquid Alchemy Beverages include blood oranges, pomegranates, blackberries, Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, currants, raw coca nibs, limes, chili peppers, hops and gold medal winning Jamaican hibiscus.
In mid-2015, Terri and Jeffrey found the perfect location for Liquid Alchemy Beverages in Wilmington, Delaware. location at 28 Brookside Drive. The building is currently under “destruction and construction”. If all goes as planned, Liquid Alchemy Beverages will be open for business by Fall, 2015.