Uncover the origin story…
Q&A- Meet the founder, Eron Mibo
What made you start Tales and Tails UK?
The idea for Tales and Tails UK came to me one day while I was laying in bed in my old council flat! I created it as a hobby and a way to showcase my creative flair. My interest in cocktails started during university while completing my criminology degree.
I worked part-time at a bar called the Church Street Tavern in Colchester and we would make cocktails all night. My fondest memory working there was a challenge in which all the bar staff had to create a cocktail and the best one would be added to the menu.
Now looking back I think my drink was the probably not the most complex, but nonetheless it sparked my creativity in recipe development! I would also go home and replicate the drinks I made at work and i was always creating new punch recipes for all my parties.
After receiving so many compliments, it was clear that I had a talent for mixing flavours and there, the idea for Tales and Tails UK was born!
“I intend to spread the joy of cocktail making to the masses through fun-filled interactive events and story telling”
What made you start offering content creation for brands?
The more I posted on Instagram, the more I fell in love with the art of cocktail making and developed a newfound love for product photography and content creation as a whole.
I pay close attention to detail and make every effort to ensure that whoever is looking at my picture feels thirsty! I was constantly asked by other brands to shoot and incorporate their products into the recipes that I made.
I realised that not only do I enjoy creating my own content but I also love making other brands’ visions come to light in the most flattering way. Therefore I added the content creation service to my platform in order to support other small businesses to incorporate quality content in their marketing.
“My aim is to use my creativity to support small drink based businesses by creating engaging content to help boost their sales and solidify their brand voice”
What is your favourite thing about making cocktails?
Every step of cocktail making is special to me but I really do love garnishing the most. This is where I can get crazy and creative with it and try out things that I've been inspired by either in my head or by content I see online. Nothing beats the reward of envisioning a cocktail in my head and then bringing it to life and as you can tell from the brand identity, bright colours and juicy aesthetics is our signiture look!
What is your favourite cocktail?
My favourite cocktail is the Amaretto sour which I first tried during my time working at a bar during uni. I love the balance of the sweet and sour citrus flavour and foamy egg white texture.
What is the worst cocktail you have tried?
The worst cocktail I've tried is the espresso martini (an unpopular opinion, I know). I love coffee and I love a vodka cocktail but most certainly not together! (Sorry not sorry)
“For me, cocktail making is fun and not snobby! It is a place for all, regardless of your budget or background knowledge, everyone is welcome!”
What have been some of your positive moments?
In the few years since I've started, I have been pleasantly overwhelmed at how welcoming and supportive the drinks community have been. I've been lucky to collaborate with some amazing UK-based and international brands.
I also had the pleasure of having my recipe and content featured on online publications such as Cosmopolitan which has been a real highlight.
What is your opinion on the cocktail industry as a whole?
I love the cocktail industry because whenever you get like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same thing, there is often a lot of support that is followed. The positive vibes I get when I go to events is really heartwarming and I’ve met some cool people on and offline that i’ve grown great working relationships with.
Is there anything you think needs to change about the industry?
I respect the craft enough to understand that there is a history behind every cocktail and ingredient used. I also understand that the use of high quality products make for a great tasting cocktail.
With that being said, I often see a lot of the cocktail culture pushing for the most top-shelf and obscure ingredients that cannot be found in local stores. There is nothing wrong with this because there is a market for people who have the budget to constantly buy expensive ingredients.
However, as I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a working-class environment and I did not have the budget to follow that protocol. This sometimes left me feeling like I couldn’t participate in the culture fully and i’m sure other creatives with similar backgrounds to mine have felt the same at some point in time. It wasn’t that I didn’t think i was good enough because i believed in myself, it was just that my budget at the time did not leave much room for building up a bar full of top shelf and premium spirits.
However, this did not get me down for long! I decided use it to my advantage and create a platform that allows the average person to make our recipes and find the ingredients in their local store without breaking the bank!
I believe that diversity within the industry is extremely important to ensure that there is a place for everyone to enjoy the craft inclusive of all budgets, skill level and background.
What do you hope to achieve with this platform?
My hope is to share this creative space with everyone and inspire people to try out new recipes and come out of their comfort zone when making and trying new cocktails.
For me, cocktail making is fun and not snobby! It is a place for all, regardless of your budget or background knowledge, everyone is welcome!
I intend to spread the joy of cocktail making to the masses through fun-filled interactive events and story telling.
My aim is also to use creativity to support up and coming businesses by creating engaging content to help boost their sales and solidify their brand voice.
