MIXING IT UP Rachel Jacobs turned her pandemic project into a thriving business
by
Amy Passaretti |
W
photos by
Daria Amato
hen COVID hit in 2020, For the Love of Margaritas owner RACHEL JACOBS was a recent UNCW graduate and laid off from her bartending gig. She knew she needed a way to support herself but never thought a small side hustle would flourish into a budding business. The Wilmington native unofficially launched For the Love of Margaritas, offering fresh-pressed drink mixers, during Cinco de Mayo in 2020, and she’s stayed busy ever since. “All the sudden COVID hit, and just all of us, we were kind of swept off our feet. I was kind of worried and trying to figure out a way to support myself during that time, but I also wanted to bring a fresh WILMAMAG.COM
cocktail to people,” Jacobs says. Jacobs began crafting homemade mixers and selling them to friends and family. After posting her offerings on social media, Jacobs says interest around town escalated quickly. “People were head over heels and so excited about this idea,” she says. “It got me excited about it, too. Before I knew it, I had people all over Wilmington reaching out asking, ‘How do I get my hands on this? I would really love to try your margaritas.’” For the Love of Margaritas sells fresh, homemade juices in 16-ounce, 32-ounce, and gallon-size jars. A 16-ounce jar makes six to eight margaritas. Jacobs created five core flavors: Original, Skinny Paloma, Pomegranate Lime, Mango Habanero, and Pineapple Ginger. She also rotates in seasonal flavors. Each mixer is made with a base of organic lime juice and light blue agave as well as other organic ingredients. “I don’t add any sugars or preservatives; most of them are pretty low glycemic,” Ja-
cobs says. “There aren’t extra carbs, and we offer some skinny options.” While her initial idea was to add tequila, Jacobs says her mixers are versatile and pair well with other liquors as well as sparkling wines. They can even be enjoyed without any alcohol at all. Jacobs says that in addition to mixers, she always has sparkling water or club soda, ginger beer (especially for seasonal cocktails), and a selection of garnishes on hand. “They all pair really good with tequila, but I recognize not everyone prefers tequila as their cocktail base,” she says. “My goal is to empower people to create a delicious margarita, expand people’s palates, and prove that margaritas don’t always come in a single flavor or are made with a single liquor.” Currently Jacobs’ seasonal offering is Apple Cider, which she says pairs well with tequila, warm with bourbon, or even mixed with sparkling wine as a mimosa. She also has her cranberry-orange flavor available during the holidays.
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