Staff photo by Clay Schuildt The Willkommen Committee and Mayor Kathleen Backer welcomed Sweet Haven Tonics into the community with a special ribbon cutting Thursday. The grand opening for the business is scheduled for Friday, March 31.

NEW ULM — The Willkommen Committee of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Sweet Haven Tonics into the community with a special ribbon cutting Thursday.

Located at 116 N. Minnesota Street in the former Herberger’s building, Sweet Haven Tonics is the new locally-crafted cocktail concentrate business created by Leah Pekrul.

The cocktail concentrate business and bar is set to open to the public by the end of March.

Sweet Haven Tonics got its start during the COVID pandemic, Pekrul began sending handcrafted cocktail concentrates for friends and family. These concentrates can be mixed with spirits are sparkling water to create refreshing drinks in a variety of flavors. Pekrul was encouraged to sell her concentrates. She began selling the products at A to Zinnia where they proved very popular and she began to expand.

Dr. Ann Vogel offered Pekrul lease space in the former Herberger’s building in order to build the brand. Production of the concentrate has been moved to the new locations with the plan to open a cocktail lounge in the storefront.

Sweet Haven Tonic has nine concentrate flavors available. Pekrul said the flavor profile of the concentrates is designed to work with any spirit, but it also tastes great with non-alcoholic drinks. One of the goals of Sweet Haven Tonics is to offer flexibility for those who do not want to drink alcohol.

The products will be sold off-sale for those who want to try the concentrates at home, but the cocktail lounge will offer specialty drink combinations as well.

A private soft opening event is planned within the next week with the official grand opening scheduled for Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1.

Regular shop hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visitors can sample from a limited menu of concentrate drinks as well as purchase off-sale products.

From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the cocktail lounge will be open with a wider range of products for sale.

For more information, visit Sweet Haven Tonics Facebook, Instagram and website for further updates.