Mannya, a specialty cocktail service, is the culmination of over a decade of passion and dedication to the art of cocktails. The name “Mannya” derives from the well known Greek/Latin word “mania,” which in Albanian is used as an expression “mani,” and usually refers to a person who possesses a deep passion for their craft. Mannya’s mission is to be able to bring the latest of the world’s cocktail scene to any event.
Founder Rina Loshaj is from Kosovo, situated in the Balkan Peninsula, and is of Albanian descent.
While growing up in the picturesque town of Peja, nestled in the foothills of the Albanian Alps, Loshaj acquired a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for nature. She utilizes this extensive knowledge to craft an exceptional range of syrups, bitters, cordials, and tinctures, inspired from a lifetime of experience with the rarest herbs, trees, and vegetables indigenous to Rugova Mountains.
After relocating to New York City in 2014, Loshaj began working as a bartender, which sparked her fascination with the art of cocktail-making. She resolved to pursue this passion and express herself through it. Although she considers herself to be a New Yorker at heart, in 2018, she ventured to Miami to explore the city’s cocktail bar scene and worked at several of South Beach’s top restaurants for two years.
Loshaj chose to return and assist various bars and restaurants in developing their cocktail menus and advising them on bar construction while spending summers in the Hamptons. Despite having conceived the Mannya concept in 2021, Loshaj, who is a stickler for perfection, opted to postpone its launch until she was confident in its readiness.
Having the help and support of her brother Gino and her friends and team members, the very talented mixologists Keitha Clarkson and James Dickerson, in the spring of 2023 the brand Mannya was officially launched.
The service can provide cocktails at events within the tri-state area, including the Hamptons. Follow at @mannyacocktails or visit mannyabarservices.com.