Cheers to Giving Back: How Orange County Bars Are Turning Drinks Into Donations
- Ashley Ryan
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Whether you're at a farm-to-table Newport Beach restaurant or grabbing a bottle off the shelf, these O.C. spots make it easy to drink with purpose.
Few things are more refreshing than a craft cocktail. But your next margarita will taste even sweeter if you’re exploring options that give back to those in need. These Orange County events, restaurants and companies are using their sips for good, as they’re able to donate funds to local charities that assist those with disabilities, food insecurity and other struggles. And as more local spots embrace purpose-driven pours, it’s becoming easier than ever to raise a glass that lifts someone else up, too.
PHOTO 1: An event space at The Park Club California. PHOTO 2: At each event, a representative from the chosen organization speaks about its mission and efforts. Photos courtesy of Lisa Renee Photography
The Park Club California
Located within the Segerstrom Center for the Arts complex, The Park Club California business and social club has become a haven for culture, art, business and connection. The stylish space has been open for two and a half years, offering diverse dining concepts and a well-rounded social calendar — but, now, it has added sip-centric philanthropy to its lineup. The Cocktails for a Cause series kicked off in April in support of Free Wheelchair Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those with disabilities become mobile again, after a successful fundraiser for Project Youth OC that raised $54,000 for local kids, teens and young adults.
“Philanthropy is a defining pillar of The Park Club experience and a core value our members share,” said Tim Vels, club manager. “With Cocktails for a Cause, we wanted to create a space where social connection can translate into tangible community impact. It's an opportunity for our members to come together in a meaningful way, ensuring that while we are building lasting connections within these walls, we are also lifting up and supporting the vital causes outside of them.”
During each remaining event, guests will be able to learn about the featured nonprofit’s mission and efforts while helping a worthy cause. The Park Club’s philanthropy committee is donating half of each ticket sale in addition to money raised during the event, and each attendee is invited to enjoy curated cocktails and small plates while networking with like-minded professionals. The impact is tangible, and the initiative continues June 10 in support of The Wilshire Foundation, a group that aims to make the world a better place through economic and social change across a variety of channels. On July 8, The Park Club will host Veterans Legal Institute and the series wraps Aug. 5 with an event for Autism Health.
Swig for Selflessness
At Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, everything is fresh – including the cocktails. Thanks to weekly visits to the farmers market, chef-partner Rich Mead and his culinary team innovate with the freshest flavors of the season. But the farm-to-table ethos extends beyond the cuisine, translating to the restaurant’s bar program as well. The standard drink menu is ever-evolving with sips inspired by Mead’s produce runs, such as the Rooted & Raised, crafted with mezcal, beet, pineapple, habanero and lemon, or the Me Time, a blend of tequila with aloe liqueur, cucumber, lavender and lime.
One thing you can always count on to be available is the Swig for Selflessness, a give-back beverage that was added to the menu back in 2019. Over the last seven years, the restaurant’s bartenders have developed cocktails that shift by the week, changing with the seasons and supporting a different charity.
For every Swig for Selflessness ordered, Farmhouse donates half of the proceeds. Recent organizations highlighted by the program include public charter school Samueli Academy, food rescue nonprofit Bracken’s Kitchen, the youth-focused Orangewood Foundation and experience-based Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire, which fulfills the dreams of children fighting illness or disease; funds have also been allocated to community-centric groups like Orange County United Way and Share Ourselves in an effort to enhance the quality of living in the region and provide assistance to those in need.
Mission Craft Cocktails
Marcin Malyszko and Amit Singh connected at a Southern California food drive, bonding over their humble upbringings, love of ready-to-pour cocktails and shared passion for philanthropy. Even with 20 years between them, the meeting led them to become fast friends, and Mission Cocktails was born. “Together, we wanted to combine our business experience, passion for cocktails, and desire to make a difference by creating a perpetual giving machine to help fight food insecurity,” Malyszko said.
It’s been three years since the duo launched their pre-made, spirit-driven cocktails, a project dreamt up during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bottled drinks range from fruity mai tais, cosmopolitans and margaritas to bold Manhattans, old-fashioneds and espresso martinis. All are crafted with local California ingredients for sips that are authentic and offer a sense of place.
In that short time, the Mission Viejo-based brand, which donates 5% of every sale, has contributed more than $250,000 to Feeding America and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to fund upwards of 1,276,000 meals for families. The startup, now sold in more than 600 storefronts – including Total Wine, BevMo!, Whole Foods Market, Bristol Farms, Pavilions and more – is on pace to double its sales this year and anticipates sponsoring more than 2 million meals in 2026 alone.
Despite only being in operation for a few years, the significance of their work is clear. “If two guys with no experience in the alcohol industry, operating in one of the lowest-margin businesses, can create this kind of impact, we hope our story inspires other companies to give back, lead with purpose and help make the world a better place,” Malyszko said.
