Sip Happens
- Haverly Erskine
- Sep 16
- 5 min read
Best Friends, Big Laughs, and the Espresso Martini Mission Taking Over Rochester
You know those friendships where everything just clicks? Where laughter comes easy, selfies are second nature, and even spilled drinks turn into core memories? Meet Natalie Rae and Breezy Sloth — Rochester besties who’ve turned their shared obsession with espresso martinis into a citywide sip-and-review series that’s equal parts cocktail critique and feel-good friendship goals.
They call it “Sip Happens,” and what started as a spontaneous spin-off idea has grown into a joyful ritual — one martini at a time.
The inspiration? French onion soup. (Naturally.)
“A couple years ago I was reviewing French onion soups on Instagram, and people loved it,” Breezy explains. “One night, Natalie and I were out — doing what we do best — drinking espresso martinis. And we just thought, why not turn this into a series too?”
From that very first buzzed brainstorm, “Sip Happens” was born. No pressure. No pretension. Just two stylish, sharp-witted women documenting their martini missions across the city — foam, beans, fails, and all.
The Anatomy of the Perfect ‘Tini
Of course, once you commit to the bit, the standards get serious. So what makes the ultimate espresso martini?
Breezy says, “For me, it’s got to be sweet and creamy, a hint of vanilla, light on the coffee flavor. Foam is non-negotiable — it makes the drink — and it’s got to be topped with three espresso beans. Always. Beanless ‘tinis are a red flag.”
Natalie, of course, has a totally different take, saying, “I’m a coffee girl first, martini drinker second! I take my coffee with cream, no sugar, always. So when it comes to an espresso martini, I need it to taste like coffee, not a milkshake. It should be unapologetically coffee-forward. Think less dessert, more after-dinner power move.”
Her ideal ‘tini is bold, rich, and creamy, but balanced. “I want that just-right ratio of espresso to cream where the coffee still shines but the cream smooths it out like velvet. Never sweet. If I wanted dessert, I’d order it. And I usually do. I’m also a big gluten-free dessert lover.”
That said, there is one place where they agree: “The three espresso beans on top are non-negotiable,” Natalie confirms.
“We’re opposites in all the best ways,” Natalie adds. “She’s vanilla and sugar, I’m deep roast and cream. She likes her martinis light and sweet, I want mine strong enough to wake me up and smooth enough to sip slow. It’s why our reviews work — we’re giving both sides of the espresso martini spectrum. You’ll always know whose team you’re on.”
So far, they’ve reviewed over 20 local spots, with wildly different results which they find both delightful and mildly chaotic.
Breezy says, “Every place makes it their own. It’s exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking when you’ve got expectations. That said, our top three right now? Pourin’ Joy, Tin Cup, and Branca in the Basin.”
They’re not stopping there. Breezy says, “We’ve joked about going national with it. A girls’ weekend in NYC? Hitting every espresso martini we can find, responsibly, of course. The options are endless!”
“It started as a joke. Now we can’t stop ordering espresso martinis everywhere we go.” - Breezy
A Friendship with Foam and Sass
While the martinis make for great content, the real magic is their friendship, the kind that lights up a room and never takes itself too seriously. Natalie says, “Our friendship is a perfect blend of laughter, loyalty, silliness, and a little bit of sass. We hype each other up, whether it’s business wins, fitness goals, or the perfect foam on a cocktail.”
That energy translates into their videos, which feel more like watching two sisters riff than a polished influencer duo. Natalie says, “People can tell it’s real. We’re just two best friends having a great time. We love being out and about in Rochester and connecting with people. And others want to be a part of it.”
But “Sip Happens” has grown beyond reviews. It’s now a way for them to slow down, catch up, and reconnect in the midst of their busy lives.
“Life gets hectic, we’re both entrepreneurs, so setting aside time to laugh and sip something delicious is therapeutic,” Natalie says. “It’s more than just a drink. It’s self-care with a twist.”
Fall Vibes & Favorite Places
When they’re not chasing martinis, the pair leans hard into Rochester’s cozy season. Natalie says, “You’ll probably find us at Schutt’s for warm fried cake donuts. They’re the highlight of fall for me.” Other favorites? Genesee Valley Park for crisp autumn walks along the water, browsing local boutiques like Shop Peppermint, or hitting the Clothesline Art Festival.
And naturally, Panache Consignment and Panache Home, Natalie’s shops, are frequent stops. She says, “We love supporting local artists and makers. That’s a huge part of what we’re about.”
“These outings are more than just drinks – it’s self-care with a twist.” - Natalie
Sip Fails, Sun Disasters, and the Bean Controversy
Of course, no great series is complete without a few unforgettable outtakes. Natalie recalls, “One time, we filmed outside for the lighting — but didn’t realize the sun was baking my phone.
It shut off 30 seconds into filming, and we had no clue. We went through the whole review, thought we nailed it, only to find out it never recorded. We just looked at each other and burst out laughing.”
Another time a bar tried to get creative with an orange slice garnish, and she says, “It was all we could taste. We ended up plugging our noses mid-review to see if it helped. Spoiler: it didn’t.” The clip was hilarious but it never made it to the ‘gram. “Some reviews are just for us,” Natalie says with a wink.
Start Your Own Sip Tradition
Asked what advice they’d give readers looking to start their own “Sip Happens” adventure, Natalie doesn’t hesitate, saying, “Do it! Don’t wait for a special occasion. Make time for fun. Pick a theme, set some loose rating criteria, and enjoy it. It’s not about being influencers. It’s about friendship, laughter, and discovering new places together.”
And at its core, that’s what makes this series and this duo so magnetic.
“Being a woman entrepreneur can feel isolating sometimes,” Natalie says. “But having a friendship like ours reminds you that you don’t have to do it all alone. Supporting each other, whether in life or over martinis, is what makes the journey joyful. And the Rochester community has been such a big part of that. We’re grateful to explore it, one sip at a time.”
Natalie & Breezy’s
“Sip Happens”
Espresso Martini
1 shot of fresh espresso (or cold brew concentrate)
1 shot of Tito’s Vodka
0.75 oz Coffee liqueur Mr. Black
0.5 oz Baileys or a splash of unsweetened oat milk cream (depending on how spicy we are feeling!)
Garnish with 3 espresso beans for good luck!
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