booze news

Starting November off on a somber note…

• First, remembering Dave Pickerell.
• Not concerned with climate change? Well, maybe you will be when your beer prices sky rocket (although you already should be concerned)!
• Uhhhhh….. looks like someone has been perusing my “adding aroma to cocktails” column on the site...
• Dinner party tidbit: why do we age spirits in oak barrels? VERY INTERESTING!
• A brief history on cocktails garnishes and maybe a push to get simpler again.
• And in case you missed it in the above article, please go read about punch biscuits and then everyone start making them.
• Ok, ok… servers? Is this true? Do you treat a guest like royalty if they give you their leftover wine?
• An argument for keeping the Old Fashioned simple.
• But since we don’t always like simple, just look at all the entries for The Old Fashioned Week over at TheOldReFashioned Instagram!
• Lastly, zero to do with cocktails but tomorrow are the midterm elections. Go vote. Go schedule it on your phone so you don’t forget. DO IT NOW.

Happy October! Put on a sweater and let’s read some news…

• First, we celebrated #NationalCoffeeDay this past weekend by mixing it into a cocktail.
• You may or may not be excited about the Star Wars land coming to Disneyland next year, but we can all be excited for cocktails being served there for the first time in the park’s history!
• GIVE ME ALL YOUR COCKTAIL ONIONS!!!
• Are you a believer in screw top wines? I AM.
• Would you drink from a reusable beer bottle? Or would you bottle your beer with one? Oregon is trying that out right now.
• Audrey Saunders gets real technical about drink ratios, ice, and the perfect Daiquiri.
• I have so many questions about an ax throwing bar here in Los Angeles, but mainly what does their insurance policy cost??
• As we gear up towards holiday party season, here are some good food and wine pairing tips you should learn now.
• If you’re a fan of Japanese whisky, get ready for their gin!
• And finally, science says NO amount of alcohol is good for you. So… I guess I’m out of a job now?

• First up, voting closes September 12th (this Wednesday) for Saveur’s Best Blogs. We’re up for best drinks! Give us a vote if you like us!
• Second, did you know it’s Dale DeGroff who coined those cocktail glasses Nick & Nora glasses? He also gives the budding cocktail enthusiast some good advice….
• We just wrapped up a whole week of outfitting you home bar around a house cocktail for under $50 (including booze!). Catch up on all the guides here!
• Here’s some good advice for making an Old Fashioned cocktail.
• I am so behind in my edible gummy cocktail recipes.
• See also Ginhound.
• Should you judge a whiskey by its color? Maybe not. Unless it’s green. Then walk the hell away.
• Here’s something kinda gross: beer made from belly button lint.
• And finally, the more people who can talk about mental illness and addiction in the bar community, the more people will be helped.

• Oh hey! We’re a finalist for Saveur Magazine’s Best Drinks Blog! If you like what we’re doing here, please consider voting for us.
• Like drinking cocktails but want a beer? Try these cocktail-inspired beers for your next drink.
• Is that fancy French rosé really cheap Spanish wine?
• This article has convinced me I need some cocktails with gold flakes in them. And also need to stock up on goldfish crackers.
• Sometimes I wished I lived near a forest so I could make foraged cocktails.
• If you’ve got some marmalade around, I’ve got a cocktail for you.
• Let’s take a journey down the long, funky road of Jamaican rum.
• This “underrated” list of liquors has me confused. When are gin and rum underrated? But yes, the takeaway here is we should all be drinking more Aquavit.
• My guide for how to enjoy an almost labor-free labor day (with drinks).
• And lastly, the Joy of Mixology was my BIBLE when I first started getting into mixology and now there’s a newly updated edition and I’m SO EXCITED. This is a must have in your cocktail book library.

• Looking for a two-ingredient cocktail? I’d like to introduce you to the Suze and Soda.
• I spritz, you spritz, we spritz. Here’s 10 Spritz(es).
• Is that tobacco on the cocktail menu? RUN AWAY!!!
• It’s still hot out. Let’s go drink some frozen cocktails at a bar.
• Get your wallet! Best Asian Whiskey under $100 (and not just from Japan).
• Snoop Dog made the world’s largest gin and juice and no one was surprised.
• This cocktail book has both alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions of drinks for days when you do and days when you don’t. Get it!
• Science saves the day! Here’s the quickest route to visit the top breweries in the U.S.
• If you can paint by number, you can learn wine types by color! And not just red, white and pink.
• And finally, WTFFFFFF is going on with the Seagram’s family?! Two words: sex cult.

Welcome to your August Booze News. Enjoy.

• It’s summer. You should be drinking your cocktail out of a coconut.
• We all enjoy cocktail umbrellas in our drinks (yes, even you). Here’s where they came from.
• Ever wonder how a tiki mug gets made? Check out how Lono Hollywood got theirs with Tiki Farm.
• Get to know your rum types… and how to drink them!
• What some high-speed video of citrus fruits spitting oil 30 feet per second because… why not?
• For those of us who might be buying their wine picked on the bottle, here are some wine’s with epic, and creative, packaging.
• Taking a break from the booze this summer? Here are a few mocktails you should really try.
• The bar industry is doing its part to become greener. Here’s how!
• Need a fun idea for a night in with your friends? How about a DIY Amaro Party?! Yes, you CAN do this.
• And finally, if you’re in London this month, you’re very lucky, as you can get an Aperol Spritz DELIVERED to you.

 

It’s July! We’re back with some new boozy stories for you. Enjoy!

• First, did you see our color changing drink a few weeks back? It’s real pretty.
• Heineken wants you to not drink alcohol if you’re driving. Here’s what they’re doing to prevent drunk drivers.
• Beaver flavored whiskey. You know you’d try it at least once...
• Need a new rosé to try this summer? Here’s 30 F&W approved bottles.
• Another reason to visit Poland besides the sausages… a vodka museum!
• Glitter ice cube DIY. Yup, I’m making these this weekend.
• A new golden age of Tiki? Yes please and thank you!
• And speaking of tiki, rum has come a long way here in the US. Like, real big.
• Heading to Los Angeles this summer? Here’s a list of must visit bars in my town.
• And finally, Arkansas is literally creating fireballs on their highways…with Fireball whiskey.

 

• First, if you’re not buying your Rosé by the keg, do you really Rosé?
• Here’s a few last minute entertaining ideas for your Memorial Day party today. (You’re going to want these shoes!)
• Oh noooooo! Someone showed up to your party with warm beer. Gross. Here’s how to chill those cans of beer in TWO minutes.
• Looking to deep dive into some useful cocktail knowledge? Try this book on for size.
• Welcome the schnapsicle. Get your booze in popsicle form this summer.
• You can have a savory spritz now. Just add pickled cucumber brine. You’re welcome.
• Some people about to Benjamin Button the heck out of Memorial Day today.
• Beer foam art… fad or rad??
• Session Cocktails mean you can drink them in quantity over the course of your party and still remember the next day!
• Personally, I’ve had some great rooftop bar experiences, but this article might make one think twice. What about you folks?
• What’s going on with the tequila shortage? People need to be a lot more mindful of the whole process.
• And finally, Bon Jovi has a Rosé. And it sells out. I’m just going to leave this right here for a bit...

It’s the blue moon of cocktail events this week as the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo converge on Saturday.

• You’re going to need a horse piñata Saturday.
• Also, the ultimate Mint Julep (which is surprisingly simple).
• And lots of tequila. And tequila cocktails.
• But seriously, how DO bartenders remember all those drink recipes?
• I like coffee in my cocktails, and these folks are making it real easy for me.
• This kid knows how to dine and dash with a $1200 glass of whiskey (I’m not condoning it, I’m just saying he’s getting the most out of his delinquent behavior).
• What booze will pack on the pounds? I mean, do you really want to know…?
• So many new cocktail books, so little time (to drink).
• Got a bottle of Fernet Branca? Here’s a roundup of pretty drinks you can make with it.
• The weather’s getting warmer, are you ready to Tiki? Here’s a (brief) history… with drinks!
• And finally, WTF Canada?!? You can have a cocktail with a human toe garnish. *Insert vomit emoji*