Kōloa Rum Hosts “Eat Your Drink Maui” Event

Bartender Matthew Biancaniello, author of “Eat Your Drink Culinary Cocktails.” Photo courtesy of Mallory Francks.

Hawai`i’s award-winning Kōloa Rum Company has announced “Eat Your Drink Maui,” a culinary cocktail event in partnership with The Mill House Restaurant & Bar. The event on Saturday, March 2, will feature Kōloa Rum cocktails with ingredients foraged from Maui’s finest farms, crafted by renowned bartender Matthew Biancaniello, author of “Eat Your Drink Culinary Cocktails.”

Recognized as one of the most unique talents in mixology, Biancaniello creates culinary “farm-to-glass” cocktails inspired by seasonal, organic ingredients. A perfect pairing with The Mill House’s farm-driven dining concept, coupled with Kōloa Rum’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, the “Eat Your Drink” event will be a celebration of local flavor.

“We are so excited to be partnering with Matthew Biancaniello for this unique event,” said Bob Gunter, president & CEO of Kōloa Rum. “Sustainability, support for our local agricultural industry, and unrivaled flavor make up the heart of the Kōloa Rum brand, and we’re thrilled to work with Matthew and the like-minded team at The Mill House to present ‘Eat Your Drink Maui.’”

The Mill House Restaurant & Bar in Waikapū. Courtesy photo.

At the event, guests will enjoy views of the Waikapū Valley and the Royal Palm Lawn from The Sugar Room at The Mill House Restaurant & Bar, located in the heart of Maui Tropical Plantation. Biancaniello’s handcrafted cocktails will be crafted with ingredients foraged from Maui Tropical Plantation, Oko`a Farms and the Upcountry Farmers Market. Guests will sit at communal and private tables in front of “Matthew’s Bar” for the night and enjoy pūpū that pair with the drinks available for purchase.

“Eat Your Drink” will take place at The Mill House Restaurant & Bar’s private event space, The Sugar Room, on March 2. Seating begins at 5:30 p.m., with the last seating at 7 p.m. Reservations are limited. “Eat Your Drink” is restricted to guests 21 and older. Event tickets are available for $35 plus tax, which includes pūpū from Executive Chef Taylor Ponte, gratuity for food and a seat at the event. Special retail items including Biancaniello’s “Eat Your Drink Culinary Cocktails” book will be on sale at the event. Tickets can be purchased here.

Kōloa Rum Company was established in 2009; it produces artisanal, single-batch Hawaiian rum and ready-to-drink cocktails at its distillery in Kalāheo, Kaua`i and operates the island’s first distilled spirits Tasting Room and Company Store. Its products are available for purchase online and at select retailers nationwide, as well as in Australia, Canada, France and Japan.