Queen Bee Mixology is a brand that celebrates the fusion of craft cocktail creation with the artistry of high-quality video and photo production, encapsulating the journey of its founder, Kelly Sparks, from home startup entrepreneur to an award-winning creative agency leader. Queen Bee Mixology exudes an accessible, DIY spirit that invites both novices and experienced enthusiasts to explore the world of mixology with confidence and creativity. The brand embodies entrepreneurial passion, delivering insightful advice with a personal touch that inspires everyone to embrace the joy of cocktail crafting.
Since its inception, Queen Bee Mixology has grown into a venture that includes partnerships and collaborations and a standing weekly feature on local ABC affiliate KOMO TV’s Seattle Refined show. Kelly can regularly be found channeling her passion for mixology into her content on @QueenBeeMixology, a high-profile social media account in the Instagram mixology community with an audience of 186K.
In April 2022, Queen Bee Mixology showcased its strategic marketing prowess by partnering with Duraflame’s subsidiary brand, Western BBQ Wood. Tasked with introducing their wood chips to a new audience, Queen Bee Mixology crafted a compelling three-month social media campaign that seamlessly integrated the product into the mixology world, despite it not being a traditional ingredient. By leveraging its strong follower base and creating engaging, high-quality content, Queen Bee Mixology demonstrated the versatility of Western BBQ Wood, driving significant brand awareness. This collaboration highlighted Queen Bee Mixology’s ability to promote products across various industries and also reinforced its reputation as a go-to influencer account for brands seeking impactful and strategic product promotion.
In October 2023, Queen Bee Mixology showcased its expertise in social media marketing through a high-profile Halloween content campaign with Bacardi, in partnership with Pinterest. Leveraging its platform authority, Queen Bee Mixology produced three captivating pieces of content for Pinterest, masterfully showcasing Bacardi’s spirits and reaching a targeted audience of LDA-34 consumers. This strategic partnership amplified Bacardi’s brand presence during the Halloween season and solidified Queen Bee Mixology’s reputation as a go-to collaborator for premium spirit brands seeking impactful social media engagement.
Queen Bee Mixology’s ongoing partnership with Barfly Mixology Gear spans three consecutive years (2022-2024), demonstrating the brand’s consistent ability to deliver value in long-term collaborations. Through a series of meticulously crafted Instagram photo carousels, Queen Bee Mixology elevated Barfly’s professional-grade barware, showcasing the tools in action during sophisticated cocktail builds. This partnership highlights Queen Bee Mixology’s skill in creating engaging, product-focused content that resonates with both amateur enthusiasts and professional bartenders, further cementing its position as a trusted voice in the mixology community.
Queen Bee Mixology’s October 2022 collaboration with Stanley showcased the brand’s ability to create compelling, seasonal content for premium barware and outdoor lifestyle products. Promoting Stanley’s Lifted Spirits line, Queen Bee Mixology developed the innovative “Glampfire Old Fashioned” recipe, aligning perfectly with Stanley’s ethos of elevating outdoor experiences. The campaign featured an Instagram post highlighting Stanley’s Prismatic Highball Glasses, blending product promotion with engaging mixology content. By incorporating themes of outdoor luxury and fall flavors, Queen Bee Mixology demonstrated its expertise in creating targeted content that resonates with both cocktail enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. This collaboration underscored Queen Bee Mixology’s versatility in partnering with lifestyle brands beyond traditional spirit companies.
Queen Bee Mixology’s enduring partnership with Empress Gin, spanning from 2021 to present, exemplifies the brand’s commitment to fostering long-term relationships and delivering consistent, high-quality content. Throughout the partnership, Queen Bee Mixology has expertly crafted a diverse range of deliverables, including innovative recipe development, stunning photography, and engaging video content. The ongoing nature of this relationship has allowed Queen Bee Mixology to showcase new Empress Gin product launches, demonstrating the brand’s agility in adapting to evolving marketing needs. By consistently producing premium content that highlights Empress Gin’s unique qualities, Queen Bee Mixology has proven its value as a trusted partner for luxury spirit brands seeking to maintain a strong, creative presence in the mixology space.
While mixology is not Kelly’s full-time job, it is her full-time love. You see, in addition to being the mastermind behind @QueenBeeMixology, she’s also the Founder and CEO of VMG Studios. This setup often means she is a busy executive by day and a DIY bartender by night. She is a self-taught, DIY kind of gal who has relied on Google to learn the perfect shaking, stirring, and garnishing techniques. Her work on Queen Bee Mixology is all about making the journey to amazing cocktails accessible to everyone.
