ATHLEISURE MAG #113 | CHEF ESTHER CHOI
In this month’s issue, our front and back cover story is with Chef Esther Choi of Mokbar and GAHM as well as a Food Network host on 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing. We talk about how she got into the industry, her food philosophy, love for Korean Cuisine and upcoming projects that we can keep an eye out for!
We shot Chef Esther Choi's beautiful cover editorial in Hudson Yards' The Maybury that gets you near all the exciting shops, beauty destinations and galleries in the area. We chatted with Phil Lavoie COO of Gotham Organization about their portfolio of developments, this property, and this neighborhood.
In this month's issue we have pre coverage of Governors Ball as well as Bar Convent Brooklyn. Make sure to check back in our JUN ISSUE #114 as we share the sights and sounds from both of these events which we will be attending next month.
We caught up with Gwen Conley, Head of Innovation and Global Expansion of Cutwater to talk about this Ready to Drink range of beverages. She talks about their tasting room, the process behind the creation of flavors, and their latest offering, Spicy Margarita.
Keith Bynum of HGTV's Bargain Block talks about how we can approach upcoming renovations and provides a few tips that we should keep in mind. He also talks about his partnership with American Standard and a giveaway that you will want to know about.
We sat down with Zuri Hall to talk about her career as a celebrity journalist whether you enjoy watching her on NBC's Access Hollywood or chatting it up with the stars during Awards Season E! Live from the Red Carpet. We also talk about her coming back for S17 of American Ninja Warrior. We talk about how she got into the industry, naviating Hollywood, being a safe space, and more!
We head to Washington D.C. for this month's The Art of the Snack which takes us to A.Kitchen + Bar which serves Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner! We found out about dishes that we should have our eye on, the ambiance, and upcoming events that will take place there that we should have in mind.
This month's Athleisure List comes from Nordic Strong which launched in Copenhagen and is now coming stateside first as a pop-up in Sag Harbor now through Labor Day and then as a permanent studio in Flatiron. We find out more about the creation of this fitness experience, their studios, and the classes offered. We also take you to Park Hyatt Marrakech to immerse yourself in a luxurious and restorative experience filled will wellness options and a phenomenal menu.
This month's 9PLAYLIST comes from popstar Sabrina Carpenter as she shares with us the songs on her playlist that she is listening to right now. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from The Bachelorette and Co-Founder of Saint Spritz, JoJo Fletcher as well as Team USA Olympic Beach Volleyballer Sara Hughes as they share what they enjoy having, doing and being Morning, Afternoon, and Night. This month’s THE 9LIST STORI3S comes from our cover star, Chef Esther Choi as well as Founder/Designer Lele Sadoughi of her namesake accessory brand.
Of course, we have a number of roundups that you can also check out from our must-haves to yours!
Read the MAY ISSUE #113.
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SPRITZ & GO | JOJO FLETCHER
We first met JoJo Fletcher on S20 of ABC's The Bachelor and then she was the lead for S12 of The Bachelorette where she met Jordan Rodgers. Since then, we have seen her and her husband embark on a number of projects and TV shows. With the Summer being around the corner, we're excited for her latest venture, Saint Spritz which allows us to enjoy a great sip wherever we happen to Summer! We wanted to know about how she felt about her time in Bachelor Nation, upcoming projects, and Saint Spritz!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We've been fans since Ben Higgins’ The Bachelor season and your engagement to Jordan Rodgers on The Bachelorette. What did you learn about yourself during this time?
JOJO FLETCHER: I think the biggest takeaway I had after coming off my first season was just this new found confidence in myself and what I deserved that really stuck with me. The entire filming process is such a unique growing experience and it forces you to challenge yourself emotionally and mentally which really helped me know exactly what I was looking for in a partner. I’m thankful for the growing pains that came from the heartbreak of that first season because it ultimately led me to find my husband, Jordan on my season of The Bachelorette.
AM: You are an entrepreneur with a diversified portfolio that has included clothing brands, home renovations, and more. What do you enjoy about this work?
JF: I love the grind. I truly love the feeling of setting my mind towards something and seeing it through and learning how to pivot along the way. I have so many different passions that I have been fortunate enough to turn into business but it doesn't come easily or by luck. I think there is this misconception that if you are considered an "influencer" that I just slap my name onto something and call it a business. While this may be true for some, it’s not this style of work that fuels that entrepreneurship itch inside of me. Building and creating something from start to finish, being truly invested in the outcome of whatever business you plan to launch and working hard towards success is what I love the most about being an entrepreneur.
AM: When it comes to launching a new concept, what is it that you’re looking for in terms to collaborating with partners?
JF: I think it’s so important to stay authentic in whatever you do. Oftentimes, the best ideas are the ones that come from solving a personal problem, and I think that same authenticity has to translate into brand collaborations as well. For me, I have to like and use the brand first and have confidence that they can deliver on a new product that meets a “standard” I have in mind. Not only that, I want to make sure that I can bring something different or more unique to their existing portfolio that feels authentic to me and my personality. I always try to think, “How can I add my creative touch to this to add even more value to what they may already be offering.” If a brand is open and receptive to that sort of creative hands-on collaboration and I have confidence that we can put out a product/collection that I know speaks true to me and that others will love, then it usually makes for a successful partnership.
AM: Thankfully, it’s getting warmer every day and we’re thinking about ways to enjoy the outdoors, to hang out with friends, and more. You launched Saint Spritz. Can you tell me how this came about and what the meaning behind the name, Saint Spritz?
JF: The idea for Saint Spritz was actually born during a family trip to Italy for my brother, Ben’s wedding, where we really became captivated by the aperitivo tradition. When we came back home, we became a little obsessed with spritzes. What we noticed whas that depending on where you were or who made the drink, the flavor profile was always a little different. We wanted to capture that feeling of Italy but make it fit into our own lifestyles — something you could take on the go, whether you’re heading to the beach, the pool, the pickleball courts, or even the slopes.
Our whole goal was to transport people — to bring them to those places that really define that spritz vibe: Saint-Tropez, St. Barths, St. Moritz. We wanted it to feel like ‘après beach’ and ‘après ski’ in a can. And when it came to naming the brand, we went through a lot of ideas, but Saint Spritz just felt right. Like it was meant to be.
AM: It definitely ticks off a number of boxes from being RTD, a premium Italian spritz, wine based, convenient can and real fruit juice. Why was it important for you to have something like this on the market?
JF: At the time, the RTD category was packed with seltzer-style drinks or overly sugared cocktails, and we just didn’t want that. We wanted something that felt like a full-bodied cocktail, reminiscent of the iconic Italian spritzes, but without compromising — no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no toxic dyes. We also wanted it to be easy and for all occasions.
AM: Tell us about the 3 cocktails that are available.
JF: Our signature flavor, Amalfi, was actually the one we launched the company with. It’s a bittersweet orange spritz, with a flavor profile really similar to the classic Italian spritz everyone knows and loves. It’s bright, bittersweet, and super refreshing — made with orange wine, natural juice, and just the right amount of bubbles.
Then we have Sicily, which is our lemon basil spritz and probably our most universal flavor, It's this crisp fusion of zesty lemon and aromatic basil, with just the right balance of tanginess, subtle sweetness, and sparkling fizz.
And finally, there’s Hugo, our elderflower and lime spritz. Hugo’s kind of our ‘surprise and delight’ flavor. Traditionally, Hugo spritzes are clear, but ours has this beautiful purple color that makes it so Instagrammable — and it tastes amazing too, with floral sweetness, bright lime, and just a hint of mint. It’s definitely a crowd favorite when people try it.
AM: What can we expect from the brand this Spring and Summer?
JF: Our national retail launch is a huge milestone for us and something we’re really focused on right now. Last year, our retail footprint was mostly in Texas, so we’re really proud to now be expanding nationally and reaching so many more people.
AM: Where can we purchase it and will you do trade shows such as Brooklyn Bar Convent which is coming up soon?
JF: Target is kicking off our national distribution, which we’re really excited about, and we also have a great retail footprint with stores like Total Wine & More, Walmart, Tom Thumb, and more. You can check out our store locator to find us near you — and we’re actively adding even more retailers and locations as our national launch continues to roll out.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Saint Spritz
Read the APR ISSUE #113 of Athleisure Mag and see SPRITZ & GO | JoJo Fletcher in mag.
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