Meet Rachel D’Acquisto | Owner | Brewer of Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel D’Acquisto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Working for other business owners, I would daydream and ask myself questions. Can I do this? Can I learn what I don’t know? Do I have good ideas? Do I want to be a leader? It took me a few years to answer yes, and when I did, my goals began to take shape. As a bartender I had a signature cocktail. People loved it, it had to be made in big batches just to keep up with demand. I was surprised, delighted and validated. I wanted to share my craft with more people, to be a part of their experience, and a part of their joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a career bartender and love it. I take pride in connecting with folks and helping them create memorable experiences. It was natural for me to transition a singular cocktail experience to a large-scale production. Learning how to, was and continues to challenge me. I started with a non-profit, Start-Up Tucson, and took every lead I could to make this idea work. The best advice from Keneshia Raymond, my mentor, was to work on my business every day. Doing so allowed me to take smaller bites of new information and complete action items. In the 6 years, from the idea to can cocktails to my first day of wholesale, I had two children. My life shifted from Hospitality Professional to hustling Mom in order to continue my passion. Becoming a mom helped me focus, set goals, reach them and set new ones!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Aside from a Tea Tour of all the places that carry Ray Ray’s Sonoran Spirit Tea…(listed on our webpage and social).Our city is a designated UNESCO City of Gastronomy, so I will show them why! The list of sights and snacks:

1. San Xavier del Bac Mission Tour + Fry Bread

• Little Mexico Steakhouse – dinner and dancing. Possibly hit up the Casino if we are feeling lucky.

4. UofA – Bike ride through campus

• Tumerico
• Taqueria Pico de Gallo

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have an incredibly large, supportive family. We are the type of family that will make it work. We thrive supporting one another. Everything from my husband carving tap handles, to product naming sessions with my Dad, or my in-laws watching our babies while I zoomed about shelf stability. I could not have persevered without my rad family!

Website: www.CocktailLabAz.com

Instagram: @rayrayssonoran

Image Credits
Photos: Gino Calles Graphics: Alison Koehler