July reminded us why we started Bar Buoy in the first place.
Long evenings by the water, great summer food, time spent with friends and, of course, beautifully balanced cocktails enjoyed wherever we are.
Alongside all that, it's been another busy month for the Bar Buoy crew, with new stockists, summer events and a well-earned day out together.
Here's what we've been up to this month.
From the Crew
It's become something of a tradition that every July, we close the laptops, down tools for an afternoon and head out together for Bar Buoy's annual team day.
This year there was waterskiing, a few extreme ringo rides, a swim in the River Exe, Margaritas on the beach and, naturally, a fish supper at the River Exe Café.
Building Bar Buoy is hard work (especially during the height of summer), but spending a day together reminds us why we do it. Great drinks are all about bringing people together, and we think work should be too.
Out and About This July
Summer is our busiest time of year, and one of our favourite parts of the job is getting out and meeting people discovering Bar Buoy for the very first time.
This month we spent two sunny days hosting a pop-up in John Lewis Exeter, introducing shoppers to our award-winning ready-to-drink cocktails.
We also showcased our Margarita and Mojito at the Exeter Science Park Summer Social, where local businesses came together to celebrate another fantastic Devon summer.
Away from events, we've been delighted to welcome several fantastic new stockists to the Bar Buoy family, including:
- Hartstone Inns, launching in four pubs, including the beautifully refurbished Sidcot Arms
- Glebe House, a stunning boutique hotel and restaurant in East Devon
- Seals Cove Adventure Park, Bridport
- Springfield Farm Shop, Kingsbridge
Every event and every new listing means a few more people discovering Bar Buoy for the first time. That's still one of our favourite parts of the job.
The Perfect Serve: Why Garnishes Matter
We often say people eat with their eyes first, and cocktails are no different.
A garnish isn't just there to make a drink look beautiful. It changes the aroma, enhances the flavour and transforms the whole drinking experience.
This month we're loving our Margarita served over plenty of ice with a wedge of fresh watermelon on the side.
The sweetness of the watermelon beautifully balances the citrus, chilli and Cornish sea salt in the cocktail, creating an incredibly refreshing serve that's perfect for long summer evenings.
Sometimes it's the simplest finishing touch that makes all the difference.
Where We'll Be Next
Summer festival season isn't over yet.
In August you'll be able to find us at:
- Love Local Festival, Exeter Castle
- Eat: Honiton
If you're visiting either event, we'd love you to stop by, say hello and try a cocktail or two.
Meeting our regulars (and introducing Bar Buoy to a few new faces) is always one of the highlights of the season.
The Bar Buoy Coastal Tip
One of our favourite places this month is Kiosk on the beach at Lyme Regis.
Take a dip in the sea, dry off in the sunshine and wander back for one of their brilliant bagels and a Bar Buoy cocktail.
Good food, sea air and salty hair.
That's our kind of afternoon.
Until Next Month...
July has been another reminder that the best moments are often the simplest: time by the water, good food, great company and a beautifully balanced cocktail in hand.
Whether you've joined us at an event, discovered us somewhere new or simply enjoyed a quiet drink in the garden, thank you for being part of another month at Bar Buoy.
We'll see you back here for the August edition of The Logbook.