As we start Father’s Day month we like to honor the Dad’s in town! We love a good business with a good story behind it. We love it even more when it’s a cocktail and many dad’s favorite past time golf! Meet Fred Evanko the owner of the most delicious cocktail on the course and one of the friendliest guys ever!
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Fairfield?
Grew up in Stamford been in Fairfield for 15 years now.
Tell us about your Family!
My wife Denise and I have been married for 23 years. We have a son Riley who is a going to be a Junior Film Major at Quinnipiac University and we have a 9 year old Havanese Dog named Bentley. We also had a Daughter Grace who passed away from cancer 8 years ago at the age of 10. We try to honor her memory every day. We’ll always be a family of 4!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I gave acting a shot a few years ago. Even managed to secure an agent was able to land a few small roles including a featured extra spot in the movie St. Vincent with Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy.
One thing you wish someone would have told you about fatherhood?
Work less when the kids are young.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
It’s such a great family town and a close knit community. We love all the restaurants and living close to the beach too.
Best dad hack that makes your life easier?
It’s not a hack, but I was loving my Solo Fire Pit on the Patio this past winter! It really helped us get through the long winter last year. I’m not really handy by the way, but I make a good assistant.
Tell us about your business, when & why you decided to start links drinks?
I worked in the golf industry for over 20 years and came up with the idea to create a Ready to Drink version of the popular golf club drink called a Transfusion made with Vodka, Ginger Ale and Grape Juice. After our daughter passed away we had all of this perspective and just realized life is way too short. I had this light bulb moment and my wife and I decided to give it a shot. We launched the business in 2019 in CT and we’re now in 15 states and over 2,000 locations. Denise came up with the name and handles all the creative side of things including the packaging, website and social media and I handle all of the sales, distribution and production. We make a great team!
What do you love about your job? Challenges you face?
I love being my own boss and running a family business. It’s the ultimate risk reward opportunity. The biggest challenge is not having a team of people to help with every little detail, but it’s still a lot of fun!
If you weren’t working in this industry, what do you think you would be doing today?
Well, we started the business when we were almost 50 so I would like to think if not this hopefully retired playing a lot of golf, grilling out and BBQ’s with family and friends.
Best advice for dads who experience the inevitable guilt handling a career and helping support a family?
We have the saying in our logo and right on our can…Enjoy Life!
Who has most influenced you to be the father that you are today?
Both of my parents. I get my work ethic from my Father and my family first mentality from my Mother. Nothing more important in life than my family.
What advice would you share with a new dad or other dads?
Make sure you line up a good babysitter for frequent date nights. Haha.
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Fairfield to…
Have Dinner with Family: Colony Pizza of course! We love Nauti D take out pizza too.
Grab a Drink with Friends: Tony D’s. Yeah that’s right Tony D’s. The coldest draft beer in the state!
Have a Date Night: Cocktails anywhere first followed by dinner at Little Goose, Quattro, etc. Can’t go wrong downtown.
Spend time together as a Family: The beach or a good movie at home.
Outside Activities: Golf and more golf. BBQ’s and cocktails. It’s a theme. Haha.
Grab coffee: D&D every morning I drink it at the beach. Freddie runs on Dunkin.
