Oct 13, 2022
Robert Haynes is the Co-founder and maker of Sunday’s Finest Gold Fashioned, the world's first luxury ready-to-serve cocktail. He is an award-winning bartender and spirits producer. Robert started his career as a barback at a cocktail bar in Chicago in 2007 and worked his way up to eventually creating his own line of cocktails and spirits.
Damiane Nickles is the Co-founder of Sunday’s Finest. His career began working in a restaurant, then he shifted to farming, and eventually worked in a PR firm. Robert Haynes invited Damiane to be the brand manager for Apologue Liqueurs. In 2021, the pair launched Sunday’s Finest Gold Fashioned.
Launching a first-of-its-kind product is a double-edged sword. You have no competitors, but at the same time, people could be hesitant to try something they’ve never had before.
Robert Haynes and Damiane Nickles were in this boat — and they decided to embrace the unknown and make it their motivation. The possibilities are endless, so the only way to know what works (and what doesn’t) is to try.
In this episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon host Robert Haynes and Damiane Nickles. The pair talk about the story behind Sunday’s Finest Gold Fashioned, the world’s first luxury ready-to-drink cocktail. They share what inspired them to work on this unique idea and how they got people to try their product. Robert and Damiane also share what’s next for the Sunday’s Finest brand and give advice to people who want to get into the ready-to-drink category.