Our First Showcase: The Christmas Carnival at Raas Baag
Just a month after our official launch, we found ourselves packing up bottles, printables, chocolates, cakes—and a whole lot of nerves—for our very first offline exhibition.
Set amidst fairy lights and festive cheer at Winter Woods, Raas Baag, Chandigarh, this 3-day Christmas special wasn’t just an event, it was our debut, our first chance to meet real people, in the real world, and watch them experience Mandi Unique Coffee Liqueur for the very first time.
We knew just putting bottles on a table wouldn’t be enough—after all, no one knew what our product was. So, we decided to bring Mandi’s versatility to life. We teamed up with a chocolatier for a beautiful pairing, a baker who baked soft vanilla tea cakes so we could drizzle some of our liqueur to show its versatility, and created a custom hot choco-coffee liqueur drink that became our winter signature.
Day 1: Nervous Energy & The First Spark
As we set up our little corner of chaos and colour, we hoped for a few smiles, a couple of curious conversations, and maybe, just maybe, a sale or two.
The branding? Popping. The vibe? Curious. Our first customer? A fellow exhibitor who loved our product as well as the idea of it, and made our first sale feel like a victory.
From there, it began to snowball. People stopped by, drawn by the colours, the brand name, the drinks in steaming cups. “What is this?” “This has no alcohol?” “Wait, I can bake with it?”
Our hot chocolate? A hit. People came back for seconds, and a few even dragged their friends over to try it too. There was music, dancing, conversations, chaos—and in the middle of it all, Mandi was doing its thing. By evening, we were running low on everything, rushing back home, buzzing with energy, and bottling more stock—by hand.
Day 2: Deeper Talks & Sweet Lessons
The second day had a slower rhythm, but deeper conversations. A mix of
coffee lovers, alcohol-free explorers, young families, and older visitors
came by. We were no longer just selling a product—we were telling our story, sharing our experiments, and learning so much about the people we were building this for.
A special highlight? Our parents came by. Seeing us in action, surrounded by our work, cheering us on—it meant the world.
And the last drink we served? Went to a friend we made that day. She loved it, and that small gesture would come full circle the next afternoon.
Day 3: Full Circle Moments
A slow Sunday start gave way to calm conversations. We visited the stalls of the new friends we had made. Joked, shared, sipped coffee. Talked about life. It felt like the calm after a beautiful storm.
And then came back that friend. This time, telling us the real story to what happened to that drink we gave her. She passed it on to her dad, who instantly became a huge fan!
A coffee lover who had given up alcohol years ago, he said our product reminded him of something he missed—but in the best possible way. He tasted, smiled, and bought a bottle. He wasn’t just buying it, he was moved by it. That alone made everything worth it.
And then, just like that, the crowds returned. The drinks flew. Aditya, the co- founder, was fully behind the bar. Rushil, the other half of Mandi, was pouring, serving, talking, laughing, packing bottles and Jannat, the brains behind our brand identity, who herself had a beautiful stall of her brand, Madam Jan, right next to ours, floated between exhibits, helping where needed, calming where needed, lifting us all with her quiet creative energy.
Within the last hour, we were out. Out of drinks. Out of cakes. Almost out of bottles. Our product—the idea that began as a passion project in a quiet town— was being celebrated by hundreds of people who had never even heard of us just days ago.
A Night to Remember
We packed up, stunned and joyful. Then we did what anyone with a full heart and an empty cart would do, we went out for dinner. Talked. Laughed. Let it all sink in.
We came into this exhibition uncertain, but left with a community. With stories. With lessons. And most importantly, with validation that Mandi isn’t just a product. It’s an experience. One that people remember, talk about, and feel something for.
With Gratitude
To everyone who stopped by, shared a story, tried a sip, made a purchase, or just smiled at our pink and purple madness—thank you.
To Jannat, for being the soul of our brand’s visual identity, and our strongest ally through every little crisis.
To our families, our friends, and the strangers who became our people—we’re so glad you were a part of this.
This was just our beginning. And we’re only getting started.
