New Orleans-based distilling company expands handcrafted line of products

Photos courtesy Happy Raptor Distilling.

Happy Raptor Distilling, a New Orleans-based craft rum distillery, announced plans to expand its signature line of 504Syrups.

Located at 1512 Carondelet St., the woman-owned business plans to add

two new varieties of 504Syrups – cucumber mint and lavender lemon peppercorn. Their intention is to also increase availability of continental shipping throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The expansion marks the first major step forward in the distillery’s production since Hurricane Ida in 2021.

“When Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana in August 2021, this project and many others went on hold so that we could focus on keeping our doors open,” Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer Meagen Moreland-Taliancich said in a news release. “Thanks to our community, we are here to tell the tale and we’re growing. While we can’t legally ship craft spirits in Louisiana, having the bandwidth to expand shipment of our non-alcoholic 504Syrups means sharing a piece of New Orleans and of our story with the world.”

The complete line of 504Syrups is locally handcrafted in New Orleans from 100% Louisiana cane sugar and whole, real ingredients. 504Syrups Cucumber Mint establishes the company’s first fundraising product in partnership with Sprout NOLA, a New Orleans-based nonprofit organization. Sprout NOLA provides established and developing farmers in Louisiana with technical and social support. Inspired by the myriad of Sprout’s community gardens, all profits of 504Syrups Cucumber Mint will benefit Sprout through the end of 2023.

“Building an equitable food system is joyful community building,” Sprout Community Food Manager Mina Seck said in a news release. “The fact that too many families lack access to basic necessities and fresh food is heartbreaking, but the community building and joy we experience in urban agriculture is immeasurable. In New Orleans, food is the heartbeat of our city and growing food is (a) special part of it.”

Happy Raptor Distilling recommends 504Syrups Cucumber Mint and 504Syrups Lavender Lemon Peppercorn to “jazz up a cold lemonade or iced coffee and tea, pour over a sorbet, shake into a cocktail or mocktail, or add a special touch to a baked treat,” the news release reads. The new varieties add to the existing 504Syrups Hibiscus and 504Syrups Praline.

Happy Raptor’s mission is to make premium rum “inspired by New Orleans’ culture, community, and the moments that bring us joy,” the news release states. Since 2020, it has donated more than $40,000 in direct funds and in-kind goods and services to the New Orleans community. It now partners with over 100 nonprofit organizations annually.

For more information on 504Syrups and online ordering, visit 504rum.com or follow @504rum on Facebook and Instagram.

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