The progression of “professional drinking” over the last year has spurred an innovative and creative approach to the beverage industry. First there was the basic beer, then craft beer became all the rage with the plethora of breweries popping up all over the country. Next entered White Claw, who initially dominated the seltzer market last year during the pandemic pool days, followed by their well-known cousin, vodka seltzers known as High Noon. But much like anything else, the next latest and greatest thing has started to take its market share in the social drinking market; RTD Cocktails (short for Ready-to-Drink).
We decided to crack open and tip back the only RTD made in Georgia. This “little” drink became an idea at a Yacht Rock concert when the craving for a good cocktail hit. After 2 years of R&D, long-time friends Andrew Rodbell and Charles Sain launched Post Meridiem Spirit Co.
Creativity is not in short supply with this new brand; from their name to the can to the ingredients, no drop of attention is left untouched.
“Post Meridiem is the long form of P.M.” (As in, afternoon. As in, time for a drink.) “Our name was inspired by the magic hour – that last hour of light when the sun hangs heavy just above the horizon, creating a tipping point between winding down a day and getting the evening started. No matter where in the world you are, nothing compliments this P.M. ritual like the satisfying sip of a timeless cocktail, crafted from the highest quality ingredients,” said founder, Andrew Rodbell.
While their cocktail list might not wow a “mixologist” with fanciful creations, they are classics done right! They challenged an award-winning mixologist to turn classic cocktails that everyone knows and loves into canned drinks without sacrificing the “fresh” taste you get from a bartender. Boasting of their authenticity, Andrew states, “We use oils of lemongrass or orange zest because it is the real ingredient. As opposed to engineered flavorings that most ready-to-drink beverages use.” And there is no hiding on the inside…the ingredients and amounts are proudly displayed on the front of the label for ingredient transparency.
As for the “cute” can size, it’s really more about a proper cocktail pour. A standard cocktail serving is 100ml (3.4 oz). The can is the same size you would normally get at a bar. You can find these RTD cocktails at over 300 liquor stores, venues and hotels across Georgia (and more across the southeast). They offer five distinct classic cocktails that your grandparents used to drink, but better!
“Great taste, recognizable cocktails, real ingredients, novel packaging, ingredient transparency and a low price point of $3.99 per cocktail are some of the reasons Post Meridiem has been successful. But I am proud to have created a way for people to mark that time of day when work turns to play with an effortless, bar-quality cocktail anywhere, anytime,” Rodbell explains.
Keep an eye out on The DiG’s Instagram channel for a full review of the cocktails in our IG Stories. We look forward to drinking with you soon!
The Line-Up:
The Real Lime Juice Margarita
27.5% ALC/VOL, 55 Proof
1 oz Silver Tequila
1 oz Orange Curacao
3/4 oz 100% Real Lime Juice
The Double Old Fashioned
37% ALC/VOL, 74 Proof
3 oz Straight Bourbon Whiskey
4 Dashes Blend of Three Bitters
1/3 oz Demerara Syrup
Orange Zest Oil
The Lemongrass Vodka Gimlet
25% ALC/VOL, 50 Proof
2 oz Vodka
2/3 oz 100 % Real Lime Juice
2/3 oz Cane Sugar Syrup
Lemongrass Oil
The 1944 Mai Tai
23.5% ALC/VOL, 47 Proof
1 1/2 oz Blend of Caribbean Rums
3/4 oz 100% Real Lime Juice
2/3 oz Orange Curacao
1/2 oz Almond Orgeat
The No. Four Daiquiri
27% ALC/VOL, 54 Proof
2 oz Silver & West Indies Rums
1/3 oz Italian Maraschino Liqueur
2/3 oz 100% Real Lime Juice
1/3 oz Cane Sugar Syrup