Agriculture Campus brings mixology to UT staff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSlEnAKhWWA

A dry campus was wet for a few hours Wednesday, Oct. 25.

The event, which was called Botanical Mixology, was posted on the University of Tennessee’s event calendar with a small disclaimer that read, “21 and over. No currently enrolled UT students admitted per UT policy.”

While students were not admitted, UT staff members were, and two members of the university’s faculty hosted and ran the event.

Milly Burnett, part of the education staff at UT Gardens, led the event based on her experience as a bartender. Holly Jones helped run the event and is the kitchen garden manger on the Agricultural Campus. She is also a garden educator.

“We are a dry campus, but we are allowed to have special events here,” Jones said. “This event is a fundraiser for the Gardens.”

Those in attendance learned how to properly garnish and mix drinks using simple items from their gardens. Attendees could indulge in samples of each alcoholic beverage as long as they were not students enrolled at UT.

According to the university’s campus policy on alcohol, “The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in compliance with federal, state and local law, allows lawful, responsible alcohol consumption at University functions, as long as the use occurs at a University activity and at a campus location where alcohol is allowed.”

Before the event began attendees were checked in by name through their online registration application, but no IDs were checked to verify that they were at least 21-years-old.

Featured image and video by Danielle Apgar

Edited by Taylor Owens