North Carolina help!

I'm in North Carolina for a few days and I'm on the usual hunt for those elusive ingredients that can't be found in my neck of the woods. I'm staying/working in the Greensboro vicinity. I know NC is an ABC state, so my expectations are low. If anyone knows the area and can help me it would be much appreciated! I'd love to find something like Orange Bitters, but if anyone can tip me off on a good spot for cocktail ingredients (syrups, bitters, or even a particularly well-stocked ABC store) I'd be thrilled to check it out. I'm actually staying in Burlington but driving into High Point everyday, so Greensboro is right in the middle and maybe Winson-Salem is not out of the question (Raleigh or Charlotte would be a little far...). An extensive web search has yielded nothing. Can anyone help me?

[ Edited by: Brandomoai 2011-10-23 08:19 ]

Whenever I go back home (from NC) I check out the ABCs trying to see if they have anything out of the ordinary, and I am consistently disappointed. The only thing I've ever seen in the way of mixers are the usual generic things like sweet & sour, pina colada etc... I once asked if they had any orgeat and they looked at me like I was from another planet. Best bet is to wait until you're in a state that doesn't control what you're allowed to buy. Did I mention I hate ABC stores?

I didn't think there'd be much out here. Even though we have a privatized liquor system, and there's no doubt it's one of the best in Canada for availability, our prices are outrageously taxed and there are some key items that are simply not distributed up there. So, whenever I'm in the US, no matter which part, I always try to see what I can find. Thanks for the feedback!

Years ago I came across a bottle of TV Macadamia Nut Liqueure there, but generally NC and SC have the very basics.

As much as I complain about the Virginia ABC stores, they're not nearly as bad as the ones in NC sound.

So, as a transplant from SF Bay CA to Cary, NC I will tell you first-hand that Tiki culture in NC does not compare. But, do not throw in the towel so fast!

True, liquor is State Controlled BUT the ABC can special order for you. Google NC ABC Board and you can order (min 6 bottles) off a list. I have ordered Martinique and Demarara Rums off the list :) Also on any out of state business trip I simply bring a few prized bottles back. So, no excuse for not being able to mix a Beachbum Berry worth Mai Tai in NC.

Regarding mixers and syrups - order online or make them yourself (nothing like homemade orgeat, not rocket science) or hit Fresh Market. You are correct, the ABC store offers little in terms of these. Hit Fresh Market for real grenadine and real ginger beer (Dark 'n Stormy, etc). Also Fresh Market carries demarara and other sugars which are useful for homemade syrups.

Be sure to hit City Beverage (bar and restaurant) in Durham and there are Tiki Drinks (Mai Tais, Zombies, flaming bowls, etc) - I always feel a little bit closer to the West Coast while there :)

Also the recently opened Fox Liquor Bar (what is it with these names :) ) in Raleigh serves an excellent Mai Tai. Homemade ingredients with Smith & Cross Rum and it is top notch - worth the $11.

Good luck!

RhumStorm

Jason "RhumStorm" Murphy

[ Edited by: RhumStorm 2011-12-15 21:42 ]

[ Edited by: RhumStorm 2011-12-15 21:51 ]