A different way to drink
Maria Easley is The Midnight Muddler - drinks advocate and educator, and someone deeply involved in how drinking culture is changing.
She creates events and experiences that open up a more flexible, inclusive and expressive way for people to enjoy the night. Whether that is a private cocktail party, a public pop-up, a brand activation or an alcohol-free discovery session, her work is built around the idea that drinking does not have to be a fixed, one-dimensional choice. It can be shaped around mood, pace, preference and pleasure.
The old binary of drinking or not drinking is starting to give way to something more fluid. A night can move between alcohol-free, mid-strength and full-strength serves. Functional drinks can open up different moods and feelings. The same cocktail can exist in different expressions so everyone still feels part of the same moment. Better choices do not have to feel limiting or worthy - they can feel social, grown-up, delicious and full of possibility.
Maria judged at both the World Alcohol-Free Awards and the Great Taste Awards in categories spanning spirits and low/no alcohol - recognition that speaks to both her palate and her perspective. She has also completed specialist training through Club Soda in Low and No and Functional and Mood Enhancing drinks, trained with respected industry experts and leaders, and was awarded a place on the Double Dutch Female Bartending Scholarship. That expertise is underpinned by a WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits, achieved with Distinction.
How to work with me
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Every event has its own energy. Some are intimate and celebratory. Some are social and high-spirited. Some are about bringing people together around a brand, a moment or a shared experience. Maria builds drinks-led events around that energy - giving guests the freedom to enjoy the night in the way that suits them best. Whether it’s a private party, a corporate/team-building event or a public pop-up, the result is an experience that feels inclusive, thoughtful and genuinely memorable.
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The right brand experience can change how people see a drink. Maria creates brand advocacy experiences that help people discover new products in a way that feels natural, credible and enjoyable. From retail tastings to pop-ups, she brings warmth, expertise and a clear point of view - creating moments that people connect with and remember.
The right brand experience can change how people see a drink. Maria creates brand advocacy experiences that help people discover new products in a way that feels natural, credible and from a place of knowledge. From retail tastings to pop-ups, she brings warmth, expertise and a clear point of view - creating moments that people connect with and remember.
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AF discovery begins with the idea that better choices should still feel exciting. These sessions help people explore alcohol-free and functional drinks with more confidence, more curiosity and a clearer sense of what’s out there and what suits them. It is a chance to discover new flavours, different moods and more flexible ways of drinking, without feeling like you are settling for less.
"Maria hosted a workshop in my Canterbury shop, and I was blown away with her professionalism and her excellent teaching style, not to mention the delicious cocktail recipes!
The event ran incredibly smoothly, and Maria's warm and friendly personality made everyone feel relaxed. The attention to detail, not only with the setup, but with the emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and supporting independent distilleries, was not lost on the attendees.
Such a fantastic evening!"
— Happy & Glorious