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When the pandemic forced many to rethink their routines, Gregory Etienne discovered an unexpected talent that would change how beverage consumers experience craft cocktails without leaving home.
Although entrepreneurship was never part of his original career plan, Etienne now finds himself at the helm of Alchy Cocktails, operating as a one-man production team who personally crafts every syrup, mixes every batch and bottles every product by hand.
“I would describe my cocktails as bar-quality cocktails you can enjoy without actually going to the bar,” says the mixologist. “They are fresh cocktails you can pour at home and taste like someone made it for you at that moment.”
Prior to launching his beverage enterprise, Etienne supported IT systems for a grocery chain and had formal education in business technology – expertise that initially seemed worlds apart from craft cocktails.
“I’ve been a lover of cocktails long before this business existed,” he explains. “I would visit the many bars and speakeasies in D.C., which helped me learn what separated good cocktails from truly memorable ones.”
A New Take On Craft Cocktails
The pivot to cocktail creator began in 2020 when Etienne participated in a virtual Cinco de Mayo happy hour. After purchasing ingredients for the event, he began expanding his home bar. That summer, his love for craft cocktails grew even more as he experimented with recipes and shared them with friends at socially-distanced picnics.
The leap from hobby to commercial venture was remarkably swift for Etienne. With four craft cocktails as his initial offering, he launched Alchy Cocktails in early 2021 after just weeks of preparation. Etienne credits this speed to a willingness to take risks and adapt quickly. The first orders were managed through a simple Google form before an official website was developed, showing that sometimes simplicity can be the best approach.
“I thought to myself, ‘Let’s make this happen already,’” the entrepreneur recounts. “My very first lineup included seasonal cocktails with each of them having their own creative twist.”
After winning a $10,500 business grant from the Something in the Water festival pitch competition, Etienne invested in a liquor license and moved production to a commercial kitchen, providing the space needed to scale production beyond his living quarters.
As a Black and queer business owner in the spirits industry, Etienne sees his company as a platform for visibility and representation. He sponsors events hosted by other Black queer organizations and has established partnerships to support the community.
“One of the things that’s important for me is elevating Black queer stories and just being unapologetically me,” he says. “I want other Black queer boys to know we’re not limited to what people say we can do.”
Etienne’s Haitian heritage subtly influences his craft cocktails. During the holidays, he creates a Caribbean eggnog called Blanco Nwèl, blending Haitian Kremas and Puerto Rican Coquito flavor elements. The unexpected connections between his cultural background and his creations continue to emerge as the business evolves.
Merging Craftsmanship With Chemistry
Alchy Cocktails now offers six signature craft cocktails available year-round, with each providing beverage enthusiasts with a distinct flavor profile:
- 1865 – Smooth, herbaceous whiskey cocktail with fresh rosemary lemonade and notes of bitter orange, hazelnut and toffee
- Apple’Onia – Bold, smoky-spicy jalapeño-infused mezcal cocktail featuring cognac undertones, bitter orange and crisp apple cider
- Basil Hazel – Strong, herb-forward cocktail where basil syrup complements rich orange liqueur and DC’s queer woman-owned spirit, Civic Vodka
- J’ouvert Joy – Potent Caribbean rum punch blending overproof white and dark rums with mango nectar, passion fruit and lime juice
- Pinky Promise – Luscious, floral gin cocktail featuring house-made orgeat syrup, pineapple and a subtle peppery finish
- Purple Rain – Sweet, strong tequila-based Prince tribute transforming the classic margarita with black raspberry liqueur, orange liqueur, agave syrup and lime
The artisanal brand distinguishes itself in the ready-to-drink market through Etienne’s dedication to craftsmanship. Each bottle contains preservative-free mixtures made from fresh, carefully selected ingredients – a stark contrast to mass-produced alternatives flooding store shelves.
The glass bottles housing Alchy Cocktails have evolved beyond mere containers to become signature brand elements. The boldly-displayed logo sits within an element-shaped outline, serving as a nod to the chemistry connection in the brand name which combines “alchemy” and “alcohol.”
“When you look at a Coca-Cola bottle with no label, you instantly recognize it,” Etienne notes. “That’s exactly the level of instant recognition I’m building toward.”
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Bringing Craft Cocktails to a Home Near You
The next chapter for Alchy Cocktails may include a foray into non-alcoholic alternatives, as Etienne recognizes the surging demand for sophisticated mocktails. He’s simultaneously weighing the commercial viability of marketing his cocktail syrups as independent products.
His five-year vision includes establishing a D.C.-based cocktail distillery that doubles as a production headquarters and inclusive tasting room, where visitors can enjoy Alchy craft cocktails alongside other Black and queer-owned producers.
“I really want my brand to be a manufacturing company that creates business in D.C., but also puts D.C. on the map in terms of the ready-to-drink industry,” Etienne says.
For those eager to sample Alchy Cocktails, current distribution includes direct pickup and delivery throughout D.C., a regular presence at local farmers markets (Thursdays at NoMa, Saturdays at Southwest and periodically on Sundays at Eastern Market), plus retail availability at Good Old Reliable Liquors in northeast D.C., though Etienne’s ongoing negotiations with additional retailers suggest expanded availability in the near future.
For more information on Alchy Cocktails, follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
