Name of business: Golden Hour Spirits

Type of business: Mobile bar and bartending services

Location: Central Valley

Hours: By booking

Contact information: @goldenhourspirits on Instagram

Specialty: Custom-made cocktails

History of business:

Livingston resident Patricia Serna is using the skills she’s developed as a bartender in Turlock to start her very own business, Golden Hour Spirits. 

While serving up drinks in town, Serna found herself frequently fending off requests from customers to craft cocktails at their events and parties. She thought it would be a cool idea, but wasn’t convinced until she saw a mobile bar serving drinks out of a trailer while on vacation in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Shortly after, Serna started Golden Hour Spirits at the end of November and hasn’t looked back, providing pop-up bartending services at weddings, birthday parties, quinceañeras and more via her trendy, boho-style mobile bar rather than a trailer. So far, she’s provided services throughout Stanislaus and Merced counties, but said she’s willing to travel even further for customers. 

“I was very, very nervous to even start this business. I think my favorite part has been meeting people. That's probably the best part — besides making drinks, of course, because that’s fun too,” Serna said. 

Serna works with party-throwers to make sure their guests are satisfied, creating unique, seasonal cocktails for occasions of every kind. This holiday season, her customers have been able to enjoy delectable drinks like a Peppermint Mocha White Russian, Spiced Cranberry Margarita and Pomegranate Whisky Sour. She provides everything but alcohol, including mixes and garnishes, and helps hosts purchase enough spirits for the number of guests in attendance, taking the stress of libation planning out of their hands and into her own.

Serna’s blend of experience and talent for creating one-of-a-kind mixtures is a definite step up from the usual ice box filled with canned beverages at parties.

“I am in a bar setting most of the time, so I'm very well aware of dealing with people and conversing and providing that experience that comes with the business of bartending itself,” Serna said. “It's nice being able to have that option of creating your own drinks and being able to sit down with me. I kind of eliminate the stress of you having to go out to purchase anything besides alcohol. I go to the store; I do all the shopping and I figure out all of the numbers for you.”

Those interested in booking Golden Hour Spirits for their next event can direct message Serna on Instagram. For others who may be considering starting their own business based on talents they already have, she offered some advice.

“Just do it. I mean, it's always going to be scary. There will always be people that aren't as receptive, but there will be a huge crowd who is receptive,” Serna said. “There's nothing more fun than doing what you like to do.”