About | Brown Sugar & Bourbon

Hey Mama...

Welcome to Brown Sugar & Bourbon. So glad you stopped by to visit! While you're here, I want you to feel like you're hanging out with the mom friend of your dreams. The friend that never judges you, always has good advice and a chilled bottle of wine waiting.

This is the place to turn when you need the lowdown on what to stock up on for your postpartum journey and where you go to find an amazing roasted chicken recipe for dinner tonight when your in-laws stop by for an impromptu visit. This blog is here to support you with encouragement, tips and recipes that truly work.

Here, you'll learn how to become the hostess with the mostess, find meals your picky toddler will actually want to eat and master the art of stirring up a stiff cocktail (or two ...you deserve!)

Brown Sugar & Bourbon is where real life and real food intersect.

About Ryan

Ryan Shepard is a wife, mom and content creator based in Atlanta. She is classically trained and graduated from culinary school in 2016. She's passionate about creating content that helps foster a supportive community for all mothers.

Brown Sugar & Bourbon is a food and lifestyle blog where women come to fellowship over their shared life experiences, love for strong cocktails & of course delicious food."

ryan shepard — founder, brown sugar + bourbon

Press Clips

WORK WITH ME

Hey Ryan,
I want to work with you!

irst things first...Thank you! I'm really protective of my community. That means that I only work with brands that I truly believe align with the wants and needs of my readers. I'm in the business of keeping it real so I truly need to believe in your company/brand/product/campaign. That being said, I welcome the opportunity to work with you if you feel like we'd be a good fit. Go ahead and shoot me an email so we can chat.

Just looking to get in touch with me? Hit the 'contact me' button below and email me any questions, concerns or whatever else may be on your mind.

2014

year founded

45+

recipes

newborn baby

I can't wait to hear from you!

work with me

contact me

get to know me

F.A.Q's About Ryan

WHY DID YOU CREATE BROWN SUGAR & BOURBON?

“The women most important to me, from my great grandmother to my best friends, have been there throughout every moment of my life to encourage me, guide me and tell me that I’m still the shit even when the world has knocked me on my ass.
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I wanted to create a space for women where we can discuss the hard topics in life over a delicious meal and a strong cocktail, just like my best friends and I do.”

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FOOD BLOGGERS?

“In a world in which everything is presented perfectly, a lot of women--especially women of color--feel out of step with everyone else's highlight reel. I think what’s missing is a voice that keeps it really, really real.”

WHY DO YOU LOVE COOKING AND WHAT EXPERIENCES INFLUENCE YOUR RECIPES?

“I love cooking because it's on of the few parts of my life where I feel fully in control and wildly free. I love nothing more than just spending hours in the kitchen experimenting.

Without a doubt, growing up in Los Angeles in a proud Black family surrounded by South East Asian and LatinX cultures definitely influences the food I make. Almost everything I plate has elements of at least one of these cuisines on it.”