Sip, Savor, Smile: The Journey to Perfect Cocktails with SAYSO

Calling all cocktail connoisseurs and mocktail enthusiasts! Today, we were interviewing Alison Evans, Co-founder of SAYSO. Join us as we chat about how SAYSO came to be, and what sparked the creation of the mocktail tea bag that's changing the game in the world of mixology.Alison and Chloe, driven by a passion to transform the way we enjoy drinks, decided to embark on a flavor-filled adventure. Armed with a vision to create a hassle-free, all-natural, and delectable drink experience, they stumbled upon a brilliant idea – using dehydrated ingredients in a convenient tea bag format to achieve near-instant infusion. And that's how SAYSO was born!

Now, let's take a step back to those early days, when SAYSO was nothing more than a wild idea in the minds of two friends.

How did SAYSO come to be? What sparked a Mocktail tea bag?

Co-founders Alison Evans and Chloe Bergson met at Harvard Business School where they were constantly frustrated trying to make delicious cocktails at home. Why was it so hard to make a cocktail from scratch, and why were all the options on the market full of sugars and additives? We wanted to change this, and create a way to make delicious drinks at home without the hassle, or extra sugar. Using all-natural, dehydrated ingredients, we realized we could use the tea bag format to allow for a near-instant infusion, and SAYSO was born!

Can you share any interesting or amusing anecdotes from the early days of developing SAYSO that still bring a smile to your face?

SAYSO was born in our apartment kitchens - we were mad scientists! We ordered so many unique ingredients, and got to work trying to come up with our own formulas. We soon realized that wasn’t our expertise, and turned to hire a food scientist, but remembering the early days of working in our home kitchens always brings a smile to my face.

How do you ensure that SAYSO sachets maintain the peak flavors of the fresh ingredients even after they've been dried and packaged?

That is the beauty of dehydrated ingredients - they are dehydrated when they have peak flavor, and this allows them to stay fresh until they’re ready to be used. Just like your favorite spices or teas, but even better, because they make cocktails :)

If each drink was a destination what would they be?

Skinny Spicy Margarita - Los Angeles, CA
Skinny Cardamom Paloma - Miami, FL
Old Fashioned - Stowe, VT
Honey Rosemary Moscow Mule - Catskills, NY

How do you envision SAYSO contributing to the emerging trend of self-care and wellness-focused rituals, especially during challenging times like the past couple of years?

SAYSO is perfectly for a ritual. Because it is shelf-stable and dehydrated, it stays fresh for 14-24 months (depending on the cocktail). Once you open the bag, just reseal it for freshness and you no longer need to worry about liquids that go bad within a week. The other beauty of SAYSO is that it is equally delicious with or without spirits, so you can enjoy it as a mocktail. Whether you are getting ready for a night out, or want a night in to relax, you can have your SAYSO ritual in just a few minutes.

Which cocktail from the SAYSO lineup best represents your personality, and why?

Skinny Spicy Margarita! Not only is it my favorite, but I think I have a good balance of sweet and spice. I also can be known for relentless followups, so I may start out sweet and end spicy!

Do you have any unique rituals or traditions related to enjoying a drink, like a favorite glass or special toast?

I love having SAYSO with friends. While this isn’t a special tradition, I can take all 8 sachets and use them to make a pitcher, and then make 8 drinks for when friends come over.

If you had to sum up SAYSO in a hashtag and string of emojis, which would it be?

⭐👯‍♀️🍋🍊😋

Do you have any pregame songs to listen to while you drink your Sayso brews?

Higher Love, Kygo and Whitney mix always puts me in a happy mood!

At Chill, we are all about reducing stress and finding balance. How do YOU Chill?

Walks in the park with my mini labradoodle, Buddy! Fresh air and a little exercise can do wonders for the mood!

And there you have it, folks, the tasty story of SAYSO, a journey from frustrated mixologists in their apartment kitchens to the creators of a revolutionary Mocktail tea bag. It's a testament to the power of innovation, friendship, and the pursuit of flavorful perfection. We hope you've enjoyed this sip-sized peek into  SAYSO. Remember, it's not just a drink; it's a ritual, a moment of self-care, and a way to savor the good times with friends. So go ahead, indulge in your favorite SAYSO concoction, find your balance, and let your taste buds have fun! Cheers!