I recently went on a trip where I met two very charismatic miniature donkeys, Macie and Mabel. Later that same day I learned a delicious recipe for a simple syrup and a spin on my favorite drink, the Old Fashioned. I made myself another drink and took a deep dive into the demeanor and history of miniature donkeys. I pictured the recipe written on a scrap of paper wrapped around a beaten up half full bottle of simple syrup. I assumed, after one too many old fashioneds, the owners of the recipe and two inseparable miniature donkeys forgot to tie up their little helpers, allowing them to wander off with their simple syrup and bourbon in their carrier bags. A lucky traveler stumbled upon the grazing donkeys to find two loyal friends, and a recipe they’d pass down for centuries.
I created the label and recipe card as if a relative of the lucky traveler came to me requesting a refreshed look for their family’s greatest treasure. The designs are inspired by and in dedication to miniature donkeys, specifically the two that started it all: Macie and Mabel. After designing and assembling the bottles and labels, as a gift for friends and family I put together an updated recreation of what the lucky traveler found (minus the donkeys); a bottle of homemade simple syrup, a recipe card, and the ingredients for a few old fashioneds.