DRINK UP // Caroline Mak's Brooklyn-Made Soda
Caroline Mak wants to get you carbonated. Mak, a former 3rd Ward teacher, and her partner Antonio Ramos, have gone and launched their very own homemade soda company, Brooklyn Soda Works. Intimidatingly donning a bachelor’s from Stanford in Biological Sciences and an M.F.A. from the University of Chicago in Sculpture and Installation, Mak's sort of a force to be reckoned with. In addition to her newfound company, Mak's visual work is about to be displayed at two upcoming shows (more on that below),
Brooklyn Soda Works started last year, when Mak and Ramos “wanted to make the perfect ginger beer for our dark ‘n’ stormies." Mak tells us, "We didn’t have a particular passion for sodas, but just wanted to make a fizzy drink that we'd enjoy drinking and mixing with for cocktails.” So far, they've got cucumber, lime & sea salt, apple & ginger, and grapefruit, jalapeno & honey. All are made with fresh juices (ain't no syrups here!) -- and all make us want to whip up a cocktail first thing this morning (don't judge.)
After a successful Kickstarter campaign got BSW off the ground, the two applied for a spot at the Brooklyn Flea and--unsurprisingly--got in. Now, in addition to being sold at the Flea on weekends, Brooklyn Soda Works is available on tap at Beer Table in Park Slope, 61 Local in Carroll Gardens and Untitled at the Whitney Museum. With a few limited bottles being sold at Palo Santo in Park Slope, Porsena in the East Village, and Blue Hill Manhattan.
Not a bad start, BSW.
Of her time at 3rd Ward, Mak says, “I liked the flexibility that 3rd Ward gave me in creating a syllabus. I have a diverse academic background so it was nice to know that 3rd Ward were supportive in the lecturers that they hire.” Adding, “The classes are as wide-ranging as the artists in Brooklyn are!”
And about those gallery shows of hers: both are coming up this September. Starting September 17th and running for a month, she’ll have a solo show at Gallery Aferro in Newark. Mak says, “I’ve been fascinated with the idea and process behind biological repair for a while… scabbing, bone healing, etc, and have been applying that concept to found objects.” And starting September 23rd, she’ll be transforming the hallway of the Brooklyn Arts Council into a continuous wall installation as part of the DUMBO Arts Festival.
In the meantime, put down the Four Loko and get your hands on some of that delicious-soundin' Brooklyn Soda Works bubbly.
-- Anastasia Friscia
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