This week, we talk Anton Nocito of P&H Soda. I met Anton about five years ago just as he was getting started. If you make your own sodas or cocktails at home, you have to try these sensational syrups. Check out his cookbook, Make Your Own Syrup: Syrup Recipes For All-Natural Pop, Floats, Cocktails and More.
What was your inspiration for starting P&H Soda?
We originally started P&H with the idea of opening a luncheonette/soda fountain. Erica, my wife, talked me into selling the sodas I was playing around with at a food market in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They became a hit and we began to get inquiries from shop and restaurant owners. We hadn't really planned on bottling them but that ended up being the course we took. Here we are, just over 5 years later and still going strong.
How did you come up with the name and logo of your business?
At the first Greenpoint Food Market, my wife also was selling her screenprinted greeting cards. The name of her company is Pumpkin & Honey Bunny, an homage to Quentin Tarentino and the two characters from the film 'Pulp Fiction'. I didn't yet have a name for the sodas. After trying to swipe hers and her telling me it didn't seem like a great fit, I decided to shorten it to P&H Soda Co. Erica designed all of our branding and came up with the seltzer bottle theme since our syrups are usually mixed with seltzer.
What websites or apps that you use that are essential for your business?
Gmail, QuickBooks, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Squarespace.
What's the best thing about having your own food business?
Everything I've learned. It's been a great, unbelievable experience. It's also a fantastic feeling, knowing that there are people all over who are enjoying the syrups.
What food or drink trend do you think will be big in 2015?
Cider, I think will be a big one next year. Especially ciders produced in the 5 boroughs with local apples. I also think it will be on more restaurant menus, people will accept it as a beverage all year not just in the fall.
[Note: Buzzfeed has a list of 21 Boozy Cider Drinks]
Previous Interviews:
Five Questions With A Food Founder Craft Coffee
Five Questions With A Food Founder Hot Sugar Atlanta
What was your inspiration for starting P&H Soda?
We originally started P&H with the idea of opening a luncheonette/soda fountain. Erica, my wife, talked me into selling the sodas I was playing around with at a food market in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They became a hit and we began to get inquiries from shop and restaurant owners. We hadn't really planned on bottling them but that ended up being the course we took. Here we are, just over 5 years later and still going strong.
How did you come up with the name and logo of your business?
At the first Greenpoint Food Market, my wife also was selling her screenprinted greeting cards. The name of her company is Pumpkin & Honey Bunny, an homage to Quentin Tarentino and the two characters from the film 'Pulp Fiction'. I didn't yet have a name for the sodas. After trying to swipe hers and her telling me it didn't seem like a great fit, I decided to shorten it to P&H Soda Co. Erica designed all of our branding and came up with the seltzer bottle theme since our syrups are usually mixed with seltzer.
What websites or apps that you use that are essential for your business?
Gmail, QuickBooks, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Squarespace.
What's the best thing about having your own food business?
Everything I've learned. It's been a great, unbelievable experience. It's also a fantastic feeling, knowing that there are people all over who are enjoying the syrups.
What food or drink trend do you think will be big in 2015?
Cider, I think will be a big one next year. Especially ciders produced in the 5 boroughs with local apples. I also think it will be on more restaurant menus, people will accept it as a beverage all year not just in the fall.
[Note: Buzzfeed has a list of 21 Boozy Cider Drinks]
Previous Interviews:
Five Questions With A Food Founder Craft Coffee
Five Questions With A Food Founder Hot Sugar Atlanta
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