On Wednesday evening, Welcome Merchant attended the 5th birthday celebration of Aunty’s Ginger Tonic, held at Canva Space in Surry Hills. It was a joyous event that celebrated both the achievements of founder Yarrie Bangura and wider African culture.
About Aunty’s Ginger Tonic
When Yarrie was just eight years old, she fled her war-torn home in Sierra Leone and came to Australia as a refugee. While the memories of fleeing her home country were painful, there were also many memories of home that were positive. Yarrie fondly remembers ginger tonic being concocted by her aunty and grandmother; “I remember as a child sitting by my grandmother’s side and she peeled the ginger roots she had grown and harvested…sometimes she would sing to make the ginger stronger”.
The drink itself combines organic Australian ginger with tamarind. The ingredients are great for warding off colds and boosting digestion and immunity. It’s a beverage that not only tastes great, but one that you can feel great about consuming.
AGT’s 5th Birthday Celebrations
The birthday celebrations on Wednesday were a delight for all of the senses. Aunty’s Ginger Tonic was of course flowing, with Yarrie introducing three new exciting flavours – AGT with lemon, AGT with cloves, and AGT with pineapple. There were also AGT cocktails on offer (swap out conventional ginger beer for Aunty’s Ginger Tonic in a Dark ‘N’ Stormy and you’ve got yourself an exciting twist on the highball cocktail!)
There was charcuterie a-plenty, and guests dancing to the music played by the band Simba Mushete & Echoes of African Music. The main highlights of the evening were the panel of all-female entrepreneurs (the panel included Heaven Leigh, owner and operator of Bodhi Restaurant Bar, Elizabeth Grady, head of Philanthropy & Partnerships for UNHCR and Dai Le, Federal Member of Parliament), the cameo appearance from Boost Juice founder Janine Allis (who mentors Yarrie) and of course a speech from Yarrie herself, who explained the origins of Aunty’s Ginger Tonic and expressed how grateful she is to be able to ‘give back’ to the Australian community through her business.
To support Yarrie and Aunty’s Ginger Tonic, visit their website here. Aunty’s Ginger Tonic also features in Welcome Merchant’s Gift Hampers, which you can buy here.
All images via Yarrie/Aunty’s Ginger Tonic.