September 23, 2020 – Sourced Craft Cocktails Is not only a service whose time has come but it is also helping unemployed bartenders and we applaud them for it.  Partnering with Balcones Distilling of Waco, TX, Sourced Craft Cocktails has created a special kit in honor of National Bourbon Heritage...

September 18, 2020 – Five straight bourbons, spaghetti westerns and silk pajamas. Yup, sounds kind of crazy but that’s the story of Fistful of Bourbon, a brand new all-American whiskey launched this month by the Scottish family William Grant & Sons. A blend of five straight bourbons – literally a...

September 11, 2020 –-  Spiced rum is hot.  In fact spiced rum makes up a third of the rum category and Bacardi is taking it seriously.  Just in time for Fall, their Oakheart Spiced Rum is being relaunched in a new package but with the same great spicy flavor. Bacardi...

September 4, 2020 – Just because this has been the weirdest year ever, the unofficial end-of-summer celebrations can still go on.  Hanging on to traditions is helpful, even if everyone is saying “Cheers!” from six feet away.    And trying something new and different keeps life interesting, even if there’s just...

August 28, 2020 – The Macallan has unveiled an exciting new virtual experience providing unprecedented access to the Whisky Mastery Team as they explore the journey of the creation of the new Double Cask Range, a perfect partnership of Oloroso sherry seasoned American and European oak casks creating a range...

August 13, 2020 – National Rum Day falls on Sunday, August 16 but if you want to get an early start on Saturday, or even Friday afternoon, it’s OK with us. Rum makes the best summer cocktails which is hardly surprising considering its Caribbean birthplace back in the 1600s.  As...

July 31, 2020 --- Summer will be different this year but back by popular demand, Crown Royal Peach Flavored Whisky will make it a whole lot more enjoyable. The smooth Crown Royal whisky is bursting with the juicy flavor of fresh Georgia peaches and we’re delighted it’s available again, starting...

July 27, 2020 --- Organic.  Botanic.  Sparkling.  Delicious. What more could any discerning, health-conscious Millennial or Gen Zer want in a canned cocktail?  But there’s more.  This new line of ready-to-drink cocktails comes from Square One, the organic spirits company founded, funded and run by a woman.   Its CEO Allison...

July 17, 2020 -- Wine has graced glass bottles, plastic bottles, boxes, cans, and Tetra Pak but a significant advancement is on the horizon with the introduction of the Flat Wine Bottle brought to you by Garçon Wines of the U.K. The saying that “necessity is the mother of invention”...

July 10, 2020 – Wild Turkey has rounded out its rye whiskey portfolio with the permanent addition of Rare Breed Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.  It is a blend of four-, six-, and eight-year-old non-chill filtered rye bottled directly from the barrels (Barrel Proof) without so much as a single...

July 8, 2020 – Sometimes we get lucky. National Piña Colada Day falls on a Friday this year – July 10 --- and just because bars are closed in some places or are limiting the number guests at any one time, doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t celebrate this delicious...

July 1, 2020 –Independence Day gatherings might be limited this year but we can still ring in America’s birthday with a vibrant and patriotic punch made with a combination of Bacardi white and flavored rums.  The great thing about the Red Rum Punch recipe below is it can be adjusted...

June 18, 2020  --  Summer 2020 officially starts on Saturday, June 20 which is the longest day of the year, officially known as the summer solstice.  Let summer celebrations begin!  Our official solstice celebrants are Hendrick’s Gin where Master Distiller Lesley Gracie takes the start of the summer season so...

June 12, 2020 --- If you’ve been procrastinating about getting Dad a gift, you are coming down to the wire.  Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21 so get off your duff get him something he’ll treasure but probably wouldn’t buy for himself.  You’re done with ties, tools and golf balls...

June 9, 2020 --- World Cucumber Day?  Really?  Indeed.  June 14 is the designated day.   There was something a bit odd, even a bit rum you might say, about the whole thing.  Sniffing around online we found who was behind it --- the sly, creative Brits at Hendrick’s Gin. World...

June 3, 2020 – Wild Turkey is releasing a rarity – Master’s Keep Bottled in Bond. It is the fifth release bearing the Master’s Keep imprimatur but only the second-ever Wild Turkey bourbon to carry the Bottled in Bond label.  This is sure to be of great interest to bourbon...

May 22, 2020 --- Award winning actor, producer, designer and entrepreneur Sarah Jessica Parker is adding a new rosé wine to her collection of wines with New Zealand-based winery Invivo & Co and it will be available just in time for summer sipping. This premium rosé - Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker Rosé - comes from...

May 14, 2020 – Have you noticed the acronym for Shelter In Place is SIP --- so let’s do it on Saturday to mark World Whisk(e)y Day.  Crank up FaceTime or Zoom or hang over the back fence and mellow out with something from Scotland, or the USA/Japan/Canada – even...

May 8, 2020 – Remember that blast you had on St. Patrick’s Day on March 17?  Not in 2020.  The day before, state Governors started locking down their states closing bars and restaurants, sports events, concerts and travel, all places and events where people congregate and drink.  I remember thinking...

May 2, 2020 – Like everything these days, celebrating Mother’s Day is going to be different this year so here’s a bold suggestion:  set Mom up with a membership at Haus the new, all-American aperitif that’s only available online. Haus?  Haus is the creation of winemaker Woody Hambrecht and his...

February 12, 2020 – So your dream is to start your own craft brewery.  Can’t be that hard.  There are thousands of them now – over 7,000 in 2019 – and they’re all making money and having fun.  Or so it seems and besides, everyone loves your homebrewed beer and...

April 27, 2020 – Have you noticed more hirsute males in the last month or so?  Undoubtedly the lockdown is to blame.  That’s a lame excuse but we have a really great one for you from Reyka Vodka.  The Icelandic vodka maker has just launched a campaign that’s good fun...

April 22, 2020 – As social distancing continues, we were delighted to come across the favorite martini recipe of the lifestyle maven herself, the Martha Martini.  If we’re forced to drink alone, then it may as well be special. Martha’s recipe uses Belvedere Vodka, no doubt in a nod to...

April 11, 2020 --- Toilet paper isn’t the only thing being hoarded.  People are stocking up on adult beverages too.  When the farsighted folks who run the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced on March 16 that the state-run stores would be closed effective March 17, they thought it would keep...

April 5, 2020 – A couple of nights ago, a TV commentator scolded the liquor industry for not stepping up to help ameliorate the hand sanitizer shortage.  Truth is, spirits, beer and wine companies are rushing to retool their plants to produce required 60 to 80 percent alcohol, and working...

March 31, 2020 – Travelers who love to frequent wine country know the problem so well:  how to safely ship their precious purchases back home.  VinGardeValise offers a safe and practical solution. It’s a very well designed and manufactured suitcase with high-density foam inserts that snugly fit the average wine...

March 25, 2020 – Bacardi Limited, the fabled premium rum producer since 1862, has shifted production at the distillery in Cataño, Puerto Rico to produce much need hand sanitizer.  They have partnered with Olein Refinery to provide raw materials that will enable the production of more than 1.7 million units...

March 13, 2020 – On March 17, everyone is Irish and what could be better than a green cocktail to celebrate.  The recipes below cover the gamut from sweet shots using Sailor Jerry Rums to savory with Milagro Tequila’s Maria Verde.  This recipe requires a juicer.  iI you don’t have...

March 8, 2020 – We’re always thrilled to hear about the latest winners of the Annual Tales of the Cocktail Foundation LEGACY Cocktail Competition that Bacardi has been sponsoring for 10 years.  Having watched competitors create and present amazing cocktails under really stressful conditions, we’re huge fans of all who...

February 27, 2020 – Spiked Coffee is a trendy hot product right now and we think Cafe Agave Spiked Cold Brew Coffee is definitely the way coolest entry in this category.  What sets it apart from its competitors is the use of super-premium ingredients, including 100% Arabica Columbian Cold Brew...

February 12, 2020 – So your dream is to start your own craft brewery.  Can’t be that hard.  There are thousands of them now – over 7,000 in 2019 – and they’re all making money and having fun.  Or so it seems and besides, everyone loves your homebrewed beer and...

Valentine’s Day No Drama Drinks February 7, 2020 --  Valentine’s Day  --  some people love it; some people hate it.  Don’t let society’s expectations stress you out.  Make it whatever you want it to be, count your blessings and enjoy a lovely glass or two of bubbles or an interesting...

January 30, 2020 -  A study recently released by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health outlines five healthy habits that at middle age may increase years lived free of chronic diseases.  Interestingly, one of the habits is to maintain moderate consumption of alcohol, as opposed to no alcohol.  Four...

January 26, 2020 – There’s nothing like a Bacardi Mojito to create the right atmosphere.  So if we can’t be in Miami on Sunday, February 2 to celebrate Super Bowl LIV we can still get the sundrenched feeling that comes with cocktails from Bacardi, the famous rum distillery in Miami’s...

December 7, 2019 -- The party season leading up to Christmas and New Year is the best time of year to shine with glamorous and sophisticated drinks, not just for guests, but for yourself, too.  There’s so much going on with shopping and festivities that you deserve a reward when...

December 4, 2019 – Just in time for the Holiday Season, Bacardi Rum has released a limited edition Bacardi Coquito.  This is the drink of Caribbean holiday celebrations that originated in Puerto Rico, a sort of tropical eggnog that is really delicious.  Traditionally home made, Bacardi has created a ready-to-drink...

November 23, 2019 – It’s Thanksgiving, it’s fall, it’s apple time, it’s time for fun and new and interesting cocktails.  If the Thanksgiving weekend means lazy mornings and enjoying someone else’s kitchen slog then by all means indulge in Svedka’s Rise & Shine and you’ll be in a good mood...

November 15, 2019 – As much as we all enjoy the Christmas and New Year season, it does come with its own stress and that includes entertaining and pocketbook issues.  Let’s face it, throwing a party can get expensive.  But we have a suggestion to alleviate some of the stress...

November 13, 2019 – The summer of hard seltzer has morphed into the fall and winter of hard seltzer.  If hard seltzer is a part of your journey to a healthier lifestyle, and if gluten-free is an important or necessary part of that, then you can rejoice. If neither applies,...

November 6, 2019 – Once again, Kona Brewing Co. has captured the flavor of Hawaii with a newly released Hibiscus Brut IPA.  We poured ours into large wine goblets and loved the rosy hue as it swirled under a big creamy head.  Hibiscus is Hawaii’s national flower so they must...

October 30, 2019 --  Starward Australian Whisky burst on the U.S. scene in May 2019 with Nova, an international award-winning single malt that led Forbes Magazine to opine that Australia might replace Japan as the hottest unconventional crafter of fine whisky.  Recently, the Melbourne-based distillery increased its visibility in this...

October 27, 2019 – Things aren’t quite normal on Halloween and neither are these cocktail recipes designed just for the occasion.  Want a Martini?  How about an appropriately red one from Belvedere Vodka?  Or for a crowd of creatively attired guests, offer creative punch recipes from Nolet’s Gin (frequently voted...

October 17, 2019 – For anyone seeking to live an all-natural lifestyle, Belvedere Vodka offers the three guilt-free recipes below for making ultra-premium vodka cocktails using healthy ingredients already in your pantry. Candice Kumai who is known as the go-to girl for healthy eating and drinking, created these recipes exclusively...

October 15 , 2019 – Merlot has overcome the Sideways effect  and is back with a vengeance.  The main character in the 2004 hit movie, Miles, played by Paul Giamatti despised Merlot, vehemently threatening to leave a dinner date if anyone ordered Merlot.  His passion was Pinot Noir which immediately...

October…, 2019 – Martini fanciers have very strong views on how a martini should be made.  It starts with whether it should be made of gin or vodka and heats up from there.  But we’ve found a recipe that is sure to impress even the most stubborn Martini maven.  Its...

September 24, 2019 – The cult classic, Sideways, turns 15 on October 22 the date when it first hit the theaters in 2004.  And in the interest of never letting a reason to celebrate go to waste, the Santa Ynez Valley wine country is ready to welcome fans to Sideways...

September 19, 2019 – The Fall or Autumnal Equinox occurs on Monday, September 23 this year.  It marks the time when the length of the day and the length of the night are almost equal.  This occurs at 3:50 a.m. on the east coast or 12:50 a.m. on the west...

September 13, 2019 – Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, has just released Grand Cru. This exclusive and elegant whisky has matured for 23 years in American and European oak casks and elegantly finished in rare French cuvée casks for up to six months. What exactly does...

September 6, 2019 – Jägermeister, the iconic and popular shot liqueur, is adding intense rich Arabica coffee and cacao to its 56 herbs, blossoms, roots and fruits to launch Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee. “Combining Jägermeister with coffee has been a fan favorite for years, so we wanted to perfect that...

September 29, 2019 --- Friends coming over for Labor Day?  Sometimes we just want to show off a bit, right?  We think the Venezuelan Colada below does just that.  Santa Teresa 1796 Rum is the base of this yummy cocktail.  And the secret is, as long as you have the...

August 25, 2019 – Right now you can purchase a limited edition 1.75 Svedka Vodka for your Labor Day bash that will decorate your bar cart or drinks table in eye-catching and festive red, white and blue – with a dash of gold – totally appropriate for the national holiday...

August 22, 2019 -- Drinking pink comes to summer reading with the publication of Hip, Hip Rosé,  a delightfully illustrated parody of a well-known children's story portraying Alice, passionate patron of the pink drink who, after a particularly happy, happy hour, finds herself in for a rouge awakening: The next...

August 21, 2019 – If Meiomi Pinot Noir is on your favorites list, then you can rejoice at the news that its creator, Joseph Wagner, has launched a new line of wines, including Pinot Noir, under the name of Böen.  Back in 2015 the industry was abuzz when Meiomi was purchased...

August 12, 2019 – Good news on two fronts: Crown Royal Peach Flavored Whisky Crown Royal Peach Flavored Whisky is back by popular demand at least for the month of August which, it turns out, is National Peach Month.  This super delicious offering from Crown Royal was a limited release...

August 11, 2019 – Calling all bourbon enthusiasts, hog and chopper zealots and denizens of the man cave start your engines!  Easy Rider Bourbon is back and even better. In 2018, Hood River Distillers acquired Easy Rider and have reintroduced the brand as Easy Rider Kentucky Straight Bourbon.  The distillery,...

August 8, 2019 – The Summer of 2019 is almost in the history books but it’s still hot and we’re still inviting friends to gather around pool and patio for a final fling.  We’ve got some great cocktail suggestions to carry you from now through Labor Day.  They’re new, different...

July 31, 2019 – Guinness, the storied Irish brewer is marking the first anniversary of the opening of its Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore this weekend and a super celebration is planned. Among the celebratory activities is daily live music at the brewery all week leading up to the anniversary,...

July 25. 2019 --- Well, Comic-Con is over and apparently so is The Walking Dead.  But fans can drown their sorrows in The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey coming soon. The announcement was made at a sneak preview event at Comic-Con in San Diego last weekend.   For those...

July 17, 2019 -- The limited edition fourth iteration of Crown Royal’s Noble Collection is now available nationwide.   Crown Royal Noble Collection French Oak Cask Finished used new oak casks sourced from the Voges region in France.  The tight grain of this oak helps to impart subtle flavors and...

Note: Last Friday was National Diquiri day and we apologize we missed the post date due to a minor technical issue. July 19, 2019 – It’s hot, you’re tired, but TGI Friday.  Not only that, it’s National Daiquiri Day.  Here’s a recipe (below) from Bacardi that’s so simple you don’t...

July 15, 2019 --- An unparalleled collection of wines and spirits that date as far back as 1796 are now on permanent display at The Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University in Union, N.J. Livingston and Kean Families The wines and spirits in this exhibition were collected by the Livingston...

June 10, 2019 – The Mojito is so popular that it has its own day for celebration -– Thursday, July 11 is National Mojito Day. The Mojito comes to us from Cuba and who better than Bacardi to offer a new take on this classic cocktail.  The latest addition to...

June 29, 2019 – Independence Day is such a fun holiday to kick back with friends, get the grill going and toast our great country with cooling drinks. Hosts want to enjoy the party too so we’ve come up four winning recipes, including dessert. Punch makes the drink scene super...

June 28, 2019 -- Tequila lovers and people with beautiful bars, this is your moment. Patrón, the ultra-premium tequila has gone super-ultra-premium with the release of Gran Patrón Smoky.  The bottle is so beautiful you absolutely have to have it and what a perfect gift for the third marriage of...

June 27, 2019 – The past week has been a very interesting and lively one for changes to long-standing laws concerning the sale and distribution of alcohol both in the U.S.A. and Canada.   Wisconsin   June 26, 2019 -- Did you know that in Wisconsin certain retailers were not...

June 20, 2019 – We know that wine labels sell wine so there’s a good chance the same can be said for beer.  We’ll admit to being suckers for Kona Brewing’s labels and the Gold Cliff IPA is no exception.  We want to be there! We were lucky enough to...

June 13, 2019 – Will the Napa Valley continue to flourish as the USA’s premier wine appellation or will the lure of big bucks from cannabis cultivation prove irresistible?  That is the question that promises heated debate between now and the March 2020 ballot. For A group known as the...

June 4, 2019 – The 39th Annual Auction Napa Valley raised nearly $12 million for nonprofit organizations that focus on health and children’s education.  Since 1981 when the first auction was held,  $185 million has been distributed to these good causes in the Napa Valley.  The wine industry, the hundreds...

April 30, 2019 -- Patrón Tequila announced the winner of the 2019 Margarita of the Year competition just in time for Cinco de Mayo.  This year May 5 falls on Sunday, so there’s time to work on mixology skills and be awesomely creative. The international competition, now in its fifth...

April 26, 2019 – For luxury brands, placement in a James Bond movie is worth buckets of money – Champagne buckets when the brand is Bollinger.  The UK Daily Mail reports that Bollinger Champagne is thought to have paid £10 million to be in the 25th Bond movie.  That’s $13,548,000...

April 17, 2019 – The debate over cork vs. other types of closures has been roiling the wine industry for about half a century.  And it still goes on.  A recent piece in Forbes by Thomas Pellechia described three separate tests in Europe and the U.S. illustrating that the jury...

April 5, 2019 –The 19th Century was regarded as the golden age of Irish whiskey and one of the most innovative distillers was George Roe. The Roe family began distilling whiskey in the 1700s, but it was George Roe in the mid-1800s who turned his family’s small distillery business into...

March 28, 2019 – Bulleit, one of the early contributors to the booming Rye Whiskey category, has released a limited edition ultra-premium straight whiskey matured to perfection in new charred oak barrels for a minimum of 12 years. Rye whiskey is the choice of bartenders around the world interested in...

March 22, 2019 –The hazy, lazy days of summer will happen, we promise, so be ready for some sweet sipping with Crown Royal Peach limited edition offering that’s in stores now. The addition of sweet, juicy Georgia peaches to Crown Royal’s signature smoothness and the result is delightful enjoyed on...

March 20, 2019 – Soon making a Margarita will be as easy as dropping a Keurig pod in a machine and pressing a button.  The two companies in the joint venture, Keurig Dr. Pepper and Anheuser-Busch InBev, tested the Drinkworks machine in the St. Louis market for four months and...

March 15, 2019 – Things with a green tinge are on the menu on St. Patrick’s Day and for a really festive touch from Smirnoff Ice, we’ve found a way to make shamrock ice cubes that won’t dilute your drink. (If you don’t have a shamrock shaped ice tray, just...

March 11, 2019 -- If beer is your go to beverage for celebrating, then make it a Guinness on March 17.  Black, creamy Guinness has been helping the Irish toast their patron saint since 1759 when Arthur Guinness founded the brewery.  According to the London Telegraph, as many as 13...

March 3, 2019 ---  It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, on March 17 everyone is Irish.  And to help you celebrate in style, Tullamore D.E.W.  Irish Whiskey has teamed up with IrishCentral to give you the name change you need to qualify as truly Irish for...

February 22, 2019 -- Imagine owning an entire AVA (American Viticultural Area) in one of the most scenic parts of California.  For $3.3 million, it can happen. Viticultural Area Located in Mendocino County, the 150-acre Cole Ranch has just come on the market.  It isn’t just a vineyard.  It has...

February 20, 2019 --- National Margarita Day is this Friday February 22 – which is better than when it happens during the workweek.  But we keep wondering who chose Freezing February to celebrate America’s favorite cocktail.  Perhaps the idea is that sipping a Margarita after shoveling the driveway will remind...

February 16, 2019 – Aerating wine is a trending passion for wine lovers.  For an industry obsessive about blocking oxygen from wine packaging, it might seem odd to be finding ways and spending money to add it back in.   That’s because a little oxygen enhances the flavor.  Operative word being...

February 8, 2019 – It’s time to get into gear for Valentine’s Day and if staying home and keeping warm is in your plans, make it memorable with a really great cocktail. Rum cocktails are among the best and Bacardi has teamed up with actor and filmmaker, Michael B. Jordan,...

February 8, 2019 – What happens when a Scotch whisky meets a cocktail-inspired ice cream maker?  You get a totally decadent new romance called Monkey Shoulder PB&J Old Fashioned Ice Cream - perfect for Valentine’s Day! Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky teamed up with Tipsy Scoop just in time for Valentine’s...

February 1, 2019 -- To celebrate Chinese New Year, The Macallan has unveiled the Lunar New Year Limited Edition Gift Box. The box includes two bottles of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old in beautiful packaging featuring a specially designed label for the Year of the Pig. Somewhere in...

January 30, 2019 – Next Tuesday, February 5 marks Chinese New Year also known as Lunar New Year throughout Asia.  It will usher in the Year of the Pig in the 12-year Chinese zodiac.  Like Western New Year, it is a time for celebration and new beginnings. Family get-togethers, special...

January 17, 2019 – The small country of Georgia, bounded on the north by Russia, on the south by Turkey and on the west by the Black Sea, is the cradle of wine.  Justifiably proud of their 8,000-year wine history, the country is now embarking on research to find a...

January 10 – Heineken’s new alcohol-free beer is shipping to stores across the country this week just as Dry January is getting a bit tedious.  With Heineken 0-0 you can satisfy that craving for a nice cold one and at the same time, keep your resolution.  Fantastic!  And if you...

January 7, 2019 --- A Danish man was trying to open a bottle of Champagne on New Year’s Eve by holding the bottle between his legs when it exploded.  A shard of glass cut an artery causing serious blood loss.  He was rushed to a hospital in Copenhagen where doctors...

January 4, 2019 --- The annual Zinfandel celebration is scheduled January 17 through 19 in San Francisco.  If you are a Zinophile then join a couple of thousand like-minded tasters and indulge your passion at ZinEX in the beautiful setting of San Francisco Bay where the temperature is probably warmer...

December 27, 2018 -- Bloody Mary recipes are a staple at Brunch and since January 1 is National Bloody Mary Day, no New Year's Brunch would be complete without them. If you are looking to up your game, these three recipes will fit the bill -- no resolution needed! Here...

December 26 – New Year’s Eve calls for a celebration and something bubbly is pretty much de rigueur.  But even after breaking the bank with Christmas gifts and entertainment, a great party is possible without going into debt. Ruffino Prosecco to the rescue!  At around $13.00 a bottle, this lovely,...

December 20, 2018 – We want to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  We hope you’ll watch this touching video “My Christmas Eve” and please share it with family and friends.  Have the tissues nearby!   Have a wonderful holiday season and please don’t drive...

December 18, 2018 – Eggnog has been around for centuries.  Food historians believe it got its start in Medieval times when a drink called “posset” made of hot milk, sugar and spices was enjoyed in the winter months.  The sugar was surely honey back in the day.  There is a...

December 6, 2018 – We’ve rounded up ideas from stocking stuffers to the expensively elegant and plenty in between.  These gift suggestions cover the gamut of relatives, friends, co-workers and the client you really need to thank for making another year a big success. Let’s start with the Stocking Stuffers...

November 20, 2018 – Delicato Family Vineyards is a California Winery that was named the USA Wine Producer of the Year at the 2018 International Wine & Spirit Competition Awards Banquet in London on November 14. Now in its 49th year, the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition remains more...

November 13, 2018 --- You either volunteered in a weak moment or you have been dragooned into supplying a dessert for Thanksgiving, or a holiday gathering of friends, or Christmas dinner, or ….. whatever it is, you are now panicking. But you can be a hero with a Ruffino Prosecco...

November 10, 2018 – As great as this time of year is, sometimes there’s an overload of pumpkin/spice/sugar flavored everything, including cocktails. Ready for something clean and refreshing? Ketel One Botanical to the rescue. We love these Botanicals, all three of them. The flavors are so fresh and clean and...

October 24, 2018 – Halloween brings out the kid in all of us and if we’re going to dress up, then let’s have Halloween cocktails to match!  We’ve rounded up some really fun recipes from Bacardi, Smirnoff and Svedka.  We’re told the Svedka cocktails are being served at Heidi Klum’s...

October 19, 2018 -- Smirnoff Vodka bottles featuring New York, Florida, Texas, Colorado, Seattle, Chicago and California are now available in those markets for a limited time. The regular 750 ml bottle is decorated with iconic skylines and images associated with a particular city or state and includes an “ode”...

October 4, 2018 – Her name is Carley Gaskin and she hails from Chicago.  She is the North American Winner of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) 12th Annual “Most Imaginative Bartender” Competition presented by Bombay Sapphire Gin.  The story of how she won this title and what she and...

September 28, 2018 – Remember that small island nation of 335,000 people with the Viking chant that made the cut in the World Series when we didn’t?  Yeah.  That island – Iceland.  Well, with National Vodka Day coming up on Thursday next week, we checked in with Rekya Vodka’s Brand Ambassador,...

September 21, 2018 – On Saturday, the sun will be directly over the Equator marking the Autumnal or Fall Equinox, so summon your inner Druid and mark the occasion with the appropriately named cocktail:  Star of Autumn. Most of us won’t make it to Stonehenge, the 5,000 year-old ring of...

September 20, 2018 – If you want to stay somewhere really cool in wine country, get ready for a different experience next summer at the Cass Winery in Paso Robles.  The new guest quarters will be made of shipping containers so it will be the sleek, “un-quaint” bed and breakfast...

September 12, 2018 – This football season be prepared to take water breaks.  Frequently.  Crown Royal, the Canadian whisky in the nifty purple bag, has launched a responsible drinking campaign, which they claim is the largest ever, and it probably is. If you watched the season opener last Thursday, you...

September 8, 2018 – Metallica’s recently launched Blackened American Whiskey has gone through an unusual aging process: The black brandy barrels have been subjected to low hertz sound waves from their “…And Justice for All” album.  The sound waves cause vibrations that allow the molecules of liquid in the barrel...

September 7, 2018 – National Coffee Day on September 29 calls for a Cup of Joe with pizzazz and there’s even a kit to help make it happen - the Cold Brewtini Kit! Reyka, the Icelandic Vodka, and La Colombe Coffee Roasters have created a marriage made in heaven for...

August 29, 2018 – Nobody wants to be a party pooper but for many reasons, some of us prefer to go easy on the booze.  We’ve found some Detoxwater recipes that look pretty, have plenty of flavor but fall into the “better for you” category. The cocktails below have no...

August 25, 2018 – Ketel One Botanicals are the solution to laboring less on Labor Day, summer’s unofficial end and casual entertaining’s big finale. There’s every reason to offer guests a simple, sophisticated Botanical and soda.  Let’s start with great fresh flavor whether you choose to serve any one of...

August 23, 2018 – Treasury Wine Estates which enlivened the purchase and enjoyment of wine with augmented reality  labels on 19 Crimes and other brands, is launching emBRAZEN, a trio of California wines honoring trailblazing women on August 26 which is Women’s Equality Day.  In case you’ve never heard of...

August 21, 2018 – About 18 months ago a breathless media opined that blue wine was the next big thing for summer 2018.  It didn’t happen, at least, not in this country, but blue wine is back causing a stir in France. Last Year Last year Gik from Spain and...

August, 15, 2018 – Tomorrow is National Rum Day.  Too bad it falls on a Thursday but rum makers won’t mind if you move your celebration to Friday and Saturday and Sunday.  We’ve gathered a group of recipes to make sure you have the perfect choice to enjoy this intriguing...

August 9, 2018 – Captain Morgan’s latest foray into the fruit and veg department is Apple Smash now available in stores just in time for National Rum Day on August 16. Apple Smash comes in the familiar round cannonball bottle this time in bright green scratch and sniff cladding.  And,...

August 8, 2018 – Red wine has an emoji.  Sparkling wine has an emoji.  Beer has two emojis.  Cocktails have a plethora of them.  But white wine has none.  How unfair is that? But we can change that and thanks to Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards, white wine is now on...

August 7, 2018 – Kona Beer suggests it’s time to do something different before the summer of 2018 becomes one for the history books.  About this time every year we see news items invoking the well-worn phrase about the “dog days of summer” and we know it’s something to do...

July 31, 2018 – It’s hot and steamy and you’re tired but TGIF!  Not only is it Friday but National Watermelon Day to boot.  Celebrating summer’s favorite cold, sweet, juicy fruit can cool you off just thinking about it. Watermelon is high in Vitamin B6, Potassium, Vitamin A and Lycopene...

July 30, 2018 – Guinness, the iconic Irish brewer, will open a new brewery in Relay, Maryland this Friday, August 3.  It’s 64 years ago that Guinness closed its brewery in New York. The new facility known as the Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House is located in a...

July 27, 2018 – A member of the family that owns the famous Australian wine brand, Yellow Tail, will be spending a couple of years in the Big House, according to the Brisbane Times.   Marcello Casella, described as a winemaker and businessman, changed his not guilty plea to guilty...

July 26, 2018 – Suddenly the Cosmo cocktail will have a whole new meaning.   Silver Screen Bottling Company is collaborating with CBS Consumer Products to market a luxury vodka blended with vodka that has traveled beyond Earth.   Named Ten-Forward Vodka, for the bar on the Starship Enterprise-D, each bottle...

July 19, 2018 -- Bulleit Bourbon is teaming up with four trailblazing artists and shaking up tattoo culture with the announcement of Bulleit™ Bourbon Tattoo Edition.  The collaboration marks the first time the frontier-inspired Bulleit bottle will be altered and each design is guaranteed to become highly collectible and a...

July 18, 2018 – A new rose pink gin has just been released nationally.  After much success in France and Spain, Bosford Rose Premium Gin & Strawberry Liqueur is set to capture the market’s desire for all things rosé. Strawberry and raspberry flavors are blended with the original Bosford London...

July 12, 2018 – New Wine Glass Design You Need to Know About - 1 Wine Glass Wine drinkers who fuss about the shape of the glass are not being pretentious.  They know that the shape of the glass affects the taste of the wine.  This is something you can...

July 10, 2018 – Jägermeister has just released Mini Meisters nationwide.  The 20 ml minis chill quickly and are perfect single shot serves that can be taken anywhere.  The 10-pack fits in the fridge and the serving size works well for cocktails or alongside a beer. Jägermeister Price: Jägermeister Mini...

July 6, 2018  - U.K. Running out of Beer There’s a heatwave, it’s the World Cup soccer quarter finals starting today, and the U.K. is running out of beer.  It’s unthinkable but true. The reason sounds even more preposterous:  There’s a shortage of carbon dioxide, you know the stuff that...

June 28, 2018 – Easy Cocktails for Fourth of July July 4 is a day to celebrate our Independence with family and friends and not stress out over cocktail concoctions, especially this year with our national holiday falling on a Wednesday.  So we’ve selected eight recipes that do not require...

June 24, 2018  -- Smirnoff Ice Launches Contest to Win Five-Day July 4 Weekend Has it dawned on you yet that the Fourth of July falls on Wednesday this year?  That means back to work on Thursday and Friday.  That’s a bummer, no two ways about it.  But Smirnoff Ice...

June 23, 2018 – Should Wine Bottles be Stored on Their Side? A scientist says storing wine on its side is a myth.  The scientist is Dr. Miguel Cabral, Director of R&D at Amorim, a huge cork supplier in Portugal. In a recent interview with Patrick Schmitt of the UK publication,...

 June 20, 2018 – Crown Royal Texas Mesquite – Let the Grilling Begin! Don’t mess with Texas unless you are Crown Royal which has just released a limited edition Texas Mesquite whisky to go with summertime grilling.  How did they do it?  They used locally sourced Texas mesquite wood to give...

June 12, 2018 – Reyka Vodka Wants U.S. World Cup Fans to Root for Iceland Since Team USA’s face plant in the World Cup playoffs, who are we going to root for?  Reyka Vodka suggests Iceland.  Let’s overlook the embarrassing fact that a tiny nation of 335,000 made the cut...

June 7, 2918 – Mark you calendar.  Sunday, June 17 is Father’s Day and if you feeling challenged in the gift-giving department, here are some helpful suggestions.  We’ve listed suggestions in price points ranging from an affordable $24.99 up to $170.00 and we picked out interesting bottles of domestic whiskey...

June 6, 2018 – Augmented Reality Sells Wine Are you one of the 1.3 million wine lovers who have downloaded the Living Wine Labels app from Treasury Wine Estates on your smartphone? If so, we can guess that you enjoy a glass of 19 Crimes Australian wine from time to...

  May 23, 2018  -- Smirnoff ‘s Splashy Patriotic Bottle for Red, White & Berry Vodka Looking for a way to include the good old red, white and blue on your bar for Memorial Day?  Then pick up Smirnoff’s vodka flavor of Red, White & Berry in an eye-catching red,...

May 29, 2018 – Campari Italy’s famous red aperitivo, joins forces once again with Imbibe Magazine  for the sixth annual Negroni Week June 4 – 10, 2018.  Bars, restaurants and retailers around the world will come together over the classic Negroni – an iconic mix of equal parts Campari, gin...

May 22, 2018 – Quick & Easy Memorial Day Cocktails Whether having friends over or just kicking back this Memorial Day weekend, a no-fuss cocktail is a great way to welcome the unofficial start of summer.  Here are four suggestions that require no mixology skills or a vast bar.  And...

May 21, 2018 – MANCAN Rosé Wine Made for Memorial Day. MANCAN has added a delightful rosé to its popular white, red and fizz wines in a can and it’s available for the start of summer celebrations this coming weekend. MANCAN launched in 2015 and was an immediate hit with...

May 20, 2018 --- A first ever line extension has just been released by Jägermeister.  Manifest is hitting the stores this week and like its parent, it bold, irreverent and in a class of its own. Super-Premium Manifest Jägermeister Manifest has slightly sweet notes of anise and dried fruit, which...

May 18, 2018 – Sam Adams Summer Ale is celebrating its 22nd year so they must be doing something right.  We like this ale.  It is mellow but it still has bright flavor, just not that bitter, sour taste that we’re not too fond of.  The company credits a special...

May 16, 2018 – Royal Wedding Cocktails Fit for a Marriage. The marriage of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry is a real life fairytale come true and Americans are justifiably very excited to watch one of their own marry her Prince Charming at Windsor Castle on Saturday.  Wall to wall...

May 11, 2018 – Enjoy smooth-as-hell spiced rum cocktails and top tier musical talent at military bases across the country this summer when Sailor Jerry partners with BaseFEST and USAA to raise money to support on-base family programs. The first concert starring Dustin Lynch will be at Fort Bliss (Army),...

May 6, 2018 – Cocktails for Mom!  Let’s wow Mom on her special day with a pretty pink cocktail, or one that is creamy white and delicious, or one that involves coffee in a fashionable espresso shade.  We’ve got choices. The Strawberry Mamie Taylor has a wonderful history.  It dates...

May 2, 2018 – Two bottles of The Macallan 1926 recently sold for $600,000 each which makes Patrón en Lalique: Serie 2 and Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old look like absolute bargains. Peter Blake and Valerio Adami (PRNewsfoto/Le Clos) The Macallan 1926 The two bottles are extremely rare....

April  30, 2018 – Next Saturday May 5 two of the biggest celebrations of the spring will happen on the same day:  Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby -  The stars will not align like this again until 2029. Of course we went in search of a cocktail that...

April 20, 2018 – When is Prosecco really Prosecco? That’s the question that has Aussie winemakers and Italian winemakers shouting “Basta!“ at each other. Like so many things in the wine world, the prosecco question is complicated and it has become a major issue between the governments of Australia and...

April 18, 2018 – Matthew McConaughey and Wild Turkey are adding a little Texas to a Kentucky icon with the introduction of “Longbranch Bourbon”. A rare small-batch Kentucky bourbon, inspired by McConaughey’s Texas and Kentucky roots, it is refined with Texas mesquite and oak charcoals – a unique method that deepens the...

April 11, 2018 – We keep seeing stories about the craft beer revolution being over or on life support, but a report published two weeks ago by the Brewers Association shows that small and independent craft brewers are still on a growth trajectory.  In 2017 they represented 13 percent market...

April 6, 2018 – Treasury Wine Estates, owners of iconic brands such as Acacia, Beaulieu Vineyard (BV), Beringer Vineyards and Penfolds is at the forefront of disruptive marketing using a smartphone augmented reality app to reach consumers via the wine bottle label. In the sometimes staid world of wine, where...

April 1, 2018 – Montelobos Mezcal Cocktail celebrates the Mexican gray wolf.  The Mexican gray wolf needs friends as there aren’t many of them roaming around the Southwest of the U.S. and Mexico these days.  So it is appropriate that Montelobos Mezcal has partnered with the @WolfConservationCenter to bring awareness...

March 21, 2018 – Kona Brewing fans, and there are plenty of you, will be delighted to hear that Kanaha Blonde Ale is being distributed nationally.  Previously, if you didn’t live or travel in California and Hawaii, you were out of luck and that’s a real shame as it is...

March 13, 2017 – St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 is when the whole world is Irish and green is le color de Irish.  So, of course, green cocktails are obligatory.  We’ve got two super special recipes: The Sophisticated Shamrock has interesting ingredients and flavors. In addition to the Reyka...

March 12, 2018 – The collaboration between the famous Camus Cognac family and the 7th Baron of Revelstoke has resulted in a new Irish whiskey.  It’s a story filled with history, fascinating anecdotes and decades of expertise as these families come together. Lambay Irish Whiskey debuts in the U.S. market...

Captain Morgan Recipes March 9, 2018  -- The creative crew at Captain Morgan has come up with another doozy of a bottle and flavor to join the Canon Blast released in 2015, the Pumpkin Jack O’Lantern in the Fall of 2016 and last summer’s LocoNut coconut flavored spiced rum in...

February 16, 2018 – Sounds like a contradiction but it all starts this weekend in Arizona.  The Blended Scotch Whisky with the amusing name of Monkey Shoulder and its cement-truck-sized cocktail shaker will cruise into Phoenix for Arizona’s Cocktail Week on February 18.  The Monkey Mixer is a 2,400-gallon mobile...

February 14, 2018 – National Margarita Day is February 22, which falls on a Thursday this year.  Bummer!  Having to get up Friday morning puts a damper on things but you can still relax with a delicious, organic, hassle-free Margarita at home in a matter of minutes.  The secret is...

February 15, 2018 – In an effort to staunch the defection of young drinkers from beer to wine and spirits, Miller-Coors is introducing Two Hats, a light fruity beer costing just $5 for a six-pack.  The launch flavors are lime and pineapple with an ABV of 4.2 percent. Beer has...

February 9, 2018 – Rock star Jon Bon Jovi wants to be a part of your summer sipping.  His new rosé from France will be rolling out across the country this month.  Called “Diving Into Hampton Water”, a mouthful of a name, the label features a woman in a gold...

February 8, 2018 – If bubbly is on your list as the way to make this Valentine’s Day special, then go with one that’s red and very delicious.  We’re referring to Rosa Regale an Italian sparkling wine from one of Banfi Vintner’s estates in the southern Piedmont region.   Made from...

February 1, 2018 – Super Bowl 2018 is nearly here and you’re probably planning your run to the box store or supermarket to load up on all the traditional edibles so treasured by game watchers.  But if you’re still wondering about libations, we have some great suggestions below including a...

January 30, 2018 – Whether your team wins or loses, you can still feel good at the end of the game by serving a punch from Trail’s End Straight Bourbon Whiskey because you will be helping the reforestation program of the nearly 48,000 acres that were destroyed in Oregon’s Eagle...

January 26, 2018 – Budweiser has suffered a lot of indignities in the last few years.  First it was cannibalized by its offspring Bud Light, which took the top spot as America’s favorite beer.  In 2011, it lost its second place status to Coors Light. The latest put down comes...

January  19, 2018 – Drinks International, an influential British publication, surveys the best bars in the world every year to find out who is drinking what.  Some trends are surprising. The Number One spirit favored by patrons of these elite establishments is Gin.  While the Gin is definitely growing in...

January 18, 2018 – Call it Hog Heaven.  Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and Harley-Davidson are teaming up again, this time with a first-of-its-kind design competition open to the public.  Dubbed the “My Works Speaks for Itself” contest, details on how to enter can be found at www.SailorJerry.com/MyWorkSpeaksForItself. The model selected...

January 14, 2018 – Paying homage to Chinese New Year which starts February 16, The Macallan is issuing a limited edition gift box featuring the Year of the Dog. The handsome box contains two bottles of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  For collectors,...

January 8, 2018 – Joining the Fortune 500 companies that have announced $1,000 bonuses, Jordan Winery in Sonoma County is sharing the bounty of the new tax cut bill with its 85 eligible employees.  And its owner, John Jordan is challenging fellow business owners to do the same.  Bravo! Created...

January 5, 2018 – It’s always a celebratory moment when we hear a Champagne cork pop but exactly why it happens is probably something most of us have not spent a lot of time thinking about.  Leave it to physicist Helen Czerski, a specialist in the physics of bubbles, to...

December 22, 2017 – When that ball drops at midnight you and your guests will want something special to raise a toast to 2018.  But before that happens, there’s still Christmas to celebrate, followed by days filled with holiday spirit as we wrap up the final week of the year. ...

December 18, 2017 – We can’t guarantee it, but this just might be the way to save on calories!  Skip the pies and indulge yourself with a delicious cocktail. The following recipes are easy to make and any one of them will be a perfect alternative to offer guests at...

December 18, 2017 – Gift Alert!  Wine Squirrel, the wine preserver that really works is now available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XB9YVFL   Check out our review http://www.wineandspirits.com/2017/11/23/wine-squirrel-perfect-wine-preserver-perfect-gift/...

December 13, 2017 – Calling Zinfandel lovers across America!  Once again, January is Zinfandel celebration time in San Francisco.  Imagine finding tickets to this extravaganza under the tree!  Anything is possible so start planning.  January 18-20, 2018 are the dates to circle on the calendar. Zinfandel is very familiar now,...

December 8, 2017 – Flavored vodkas often sound like we’re crashing a kid’s birthday party.  We’re grown ups, right, and bubblegum and lollypop flavors just don’t fit the image of an urban sophisticate.  Well, we’d like to think we’re sophisticated.  But there is a vodka that anyone with taste buds...

December 5, 2017 – The guy with a man cave has plenty of socks and he doesn’t want a tie.  What he does want is Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum with two collectible oil can mugs featuring Sailor Jerry’s pin up girl.  The gift pack, which is a reasonable $14.99 MSRP,...

December 3, 2017 -- Peppermint flavored candy canes are an indispensable   Smirnoff Peppermint Twist Fact Sheet   part of Holiday Season trimmings and our friends at Smirnoff Vodka have done a wonderful job wrapping their Peppermint Twist – peppermint flavored vodka – in scratch and sniff candy cane stripes.  It looks like fun...

November 28, 2017 – In the summer of 1905, Jean Lanfray, a farm worker in the French-speaking Swiss canton of Vaud, started the day with “copious amounts of wine and brandy”. Later he had more wine and brandy for lunch rounding off with a couple of crème de menthes and...

November 24, 2017 – At last we’ve found the solution to saving leftover wine perfectly.  Over the years we’ve tried various gizmos, some that sort of worked, others that didn’t.  Then we saw Wine Squirrel on Kickstarter and chipped in a few bucks because it sounded really interesting and made...

November 20, 2017 – America’s craft brewers just never take a break, or so it seems with their seasonal releases that keep on coming.  The winter months get their own special brews and below is a list of recent releases.         Stone Brewing of Escondido, CA: is...

November 17, 2017 – Thoroughly modern man has something in common with Neolithic man who lived in the Near East around 6,000 B.C.  Pottery shards found in Georgia bear the residue of Eurasian grapes, the grapes that we use today to make our favorite wines.  Known as vitis vinifera, there...

November 14, 2017 – Hosting Thanksgiving is an enormous amount of effort and it seems to create more stress around what liquid to serve than any other holiday.  So why not embrace the challenge by serving drinks that offer a new twist on popular brands such as Smirnoff and Cinzano...

November 9, 2017 – In a clever, sassy move the Brewers Association, a trade group for small and independent brewers, has set a goal to raise $213 billion, repeat Billion with a B, to buy AB-InBev, the Belgian parent of Anheuser-Busch and the biggest beer company in the world.  You...

  November 2, 2017 – The Macallan has just released a unique single malt called Classic Cut.  Limited to just 90,000 bottles globally, this is a one time, never to be repeated, collectible expression of The Macallan. Matured exclusively in hand-picked oak casks seasoned with Oloroso sherry from Jerez, Spain,...

November 1, 2017 – Wine in a can has finally caught on and it is a trend that has gone mainstream. Backpack Wines hit the market a year ago with Snappy White and Cheeky Rosé.  Rowdy Red is the newest addition just in time for fall and winter tailgate parties...

October 16, 2017 – Major breweries, think Budweiser, Coors et al, have been bedeviled by sluggish sales for a while but now, even craft beer is slowing down. Craft beer sales are actually up but the accelerated growth the category was enjoying is definitely declining.  The numbers prove it.  In...

October 9, 2017 - October 2017 marks the fifth year of international celebration of the noble grape, merlot.  Why?  What does “noble” mean?  Lots of questions. Merlot is one of the five “noble” grapes of Bordeaux, its royal cousins being Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  The “noble”...

October 52, 2017 – The first ever wine in a chromed glass wine bottle has hit the market with the appropriate name of “Chrome Dreams”.  This extraordinary project comes from Tank Garage Winery in Calistoga. An ode to the golden era of American automobiles, Chrome Dreams features a mirrored surface...

October 3, 2017 – It’s vodka’s turn to have its day, Wednesday, October 4 to be precise.  Vodka is one third of all spirits volume amounting to $6 billion – that’s billion with a B – in sales and just shy of 70 million cases in 2016.  Someone out there...

September 26, 2017 – Morning Joe slips happily into Evening Joe when coffee enters the equation.  Coffee and spirits are made for each other but the trick to a great cocktail is getting the proportions right. We’ve three new recipes below, one is bourbon based, one features gin and the...

September 19, 2017 – September is Bourbon Heritage month so we looked around for something special and we found Trail’s End.  It was like finding the prize in a treasure hunt. This bourbon pays homage to the heritage of the Old West and the end of the trail for the...

September 19, 2017 – Let’s applaud the lonely entrepreneur taking recycling to the extreme.  Making flour out of wine pomace surely qualifies and that’s the mission of Finger Lakes Wine Flour of Hector, N.Y. Armed with an environmental science degree from SUNY ESF, Hilary Niver-Johnson founded Sustainable Viticulture Systems in...

September 9, 2017 – The handsome fellow who stands with his left foot defiantly on a barrel has a new look, just in time for Fall.  His redesigned bottle features updated embossing and a new cap and label with plenty of gold, - very appropriate for a pirate.   After a...

September 9, 2017 – If not wearing white after Labor Day is lore (and semi-law) where you live, where does that leave drinking rosé?  After all rosé is summer’s sip and never more so than for the summer of 2017. According to Wine Market Council, Nielsen data show that sales...

September 1, 2017 – Saying adios to summer calls for a cocktail.  The kids are back in school – whoo hoo!  Moms can celebrate.   Or maybe the thought of Old Man Winter around the corner demands something special as summer slips away.  We searched for fun ways to make Labor...

August 17, 2017 – A recent report published in JAMA Psychiatry claimed a huge increase in alcohol consumption to the point where more than one out of every eight Americans are considered alcoholics.  They say alcoholism has risen 49 percent in just 11 years.  JAMA stands for Journal of the...

August 4, 2017 – Shipping your favorite wine to friends, family or business associates in another country is now a possibility thanks to the guys in the big brown trucks.  United Parcel Service (UPS) has just announced that wineries can now ship to consumers living in 24 of the top...

July 26, 2017 – IPA stalwarts will be delighted to know that Thursday, July 27 is National IPA Day.  For those who don’t know or love IPAs, a brief history is in order as its creation shows that there’s always a way to overcome adversity and serve the Empire as...

July 21, 2017 – Calorie counting is banned this Sunday, July 23 as we observe  National Vanilla Ice Cream Day.  And, of course, the celebration of America’s most popular ice cream flavor calls for a boozy twist. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream month and...

July 20, 2017 – Wine drinkers in the U.S. like their wine bottle to sport a cork according to a recent poll of 1,549 wine consumers by the Portuguese Cork Association and the California-based Cork Quality Council. Unsurprisingly, nearly all respondents viewed cork as an indicator of wine quality and...

July 14, 2017 – Ready to invoke Caribbean breezes and sparkling waves as we slowly simmer in summer heat?  Bacardi Banana is the answer with its aromas of fruit and candy banana, caramel and vanilla.  The aftertaste is burnt sugar and butterscotch. It can be served splashed over ice or...

June 29, 2017 – The Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year but we’re still going to party like we’re 241 years old, because we are.  If it’s hot and sticky, just think of how it was in 1776 in Philadelphia in a room without air conditioning and...

June 23, 2017 – There’s a crisis in America!  No, not that crisis de jour.  We’re talking about a real crisis of people not using all their vacation time.  Last year more than half of workers surveyed by Samuel Adams and Project:  Time Off admitted to leaving vacation time on...

June 18, 2017 – Would the world be a better place if everyone observed World Martini Day on Monday?  We can all do our patriotic duty to honor this great American invention and turn it into Mellow Monday, one martini at a time (remember you have to work on Tuesday.)...

  June 14, 2017 – Father’s Day is the one day for Dad to be king.  The other 364, he’s just a hard working princeling trying to keep order in his small domain.  Show him you know he’s the king of his castle with a very cute and amusing photo...

  June 14, 2017 – June is Marilyn Monroe’s birthday month.  She was born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles as Norma Jeane Mortensen.  The name Marilyn Monroe was created by 20th Century Fox. Norma Jeane is a delicious Merlot just released by Marilyn Wines.  The grapes are from Paso...

June 8, 2017 – June 10 is National Gin Day and fortunately it falls on a Saturday this year.  There are dozens of excellent gins available, both imported and domestic and at all price points.  But since it is summer and long, cool drinks are in demand, we thought we’d...

June 2, 2017 – Next week could be called Guilt-free Negroni Week because for every Negroni ordered at participating bars or restaurants. donations are made to worthwhile causes around the world.  Negroni Week launched in 2013 as a celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and as an effort...

June 2, 2017 – Summer drinks just got easier and a whole lot classier with the introduction of Moët & Chandon’s Mini Moët six-pack.  Each little bottle of classic Imperial Brut contains 6.3 ounces (187 ml), which is slightly more than the usual serve of Champagne.   OK, it’s a six-pack...

May 26, 2017 – As if Jillionaire doesn’t have enough fun already, the internationally acclaimed DJ and music producer is now Bacardi’s ‘Minister of Rum’. And it gets better. He and his Major Lazer colleagues took a trip to the Bacardi distillery in Puerto Rico, where they worked alongside Maestro...

May 22, 2017 – The old movie image of the crusty middle-aged bartender slamming down drinks with a sage nod of agreement to his customer’s tale of woe has given way to a new breed of multi talented men and women deserving a great deal of respect and big tips....

    May 21, 2017 – Break out the punch bowl, barbecue and seersucker.  We can help you with the first two but the seersucker is up to you. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day a punch bowl can save a whole lot of work for the stressed out host. ...

May 18, 2017 – For the sixth year Bacardi is holding its annual international competition to find the next legacy cocktail using its famous rum. Aptly named the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, winners from 37 countries will gather in Berlin on May 23 for the grand Shake Off, or...

May 16, 2017 – Rosé has been roaring and is set to reach new records this summer but nipping at its heels is blue wine, acclaimed the next big thing by several popular publications in the U.S. The blue wine causing such excitement in the U.S. is Blumond made of...

May 4. 2017 – There’s a round up going on in Canada to find bottles of Bombay Sapphire Gin that are 77 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) instead of 40 percent as marked on the label. Before anyone gets hysterical, let’s just establish that the product won’t kill you unless...

May 4, 2017 – Mother’s Day and your significant other’s birthday are two days that call for extra effort.  Next weekend, Sunday, May 14 is the date to keep in mind for anyone having a hard time keeping track of the calendar.  If you are old enough to drink cocktails...

April 28, 2017 – Starting next Friday, May 5 there are two major excuses to party.  What could be better than a Mexican fiesta to put the workweek behind us?  Cinco de Mayo celebrates a small Mexican army taking on a French army three times the size and beating them...

April 24, 2017 – According to recently released research in California, when it comes to recreational drugs, marijuana is quite popular as a substitute for alcohol among millennials.  Last November, California voted to legalize marijuana meaning that adults over the age of 21 can now use, possess and share cannabis,...

April 13, 2017 -- A biophysicist at Brandeis University has finally figured out a way to stop wine bottles from dripping.  Daniel Perlman is an inventor of considerable renown with over 100 patents to his name.  He is also a wine-lover who was tired of red wine dripping down the...

April 13, 2017 – When thinking about New York’s Hudson Valley, rye whiskey isn’t the first thing to come to mind but that may change with the recently announced results of the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.  The Chairman’s Trophy, the most prestigious award, went to Hudson Manhattan Rye from craft...

April 13, 2017 -- In a new book, “How to Drink Like a Billionaire”, author and wine expert Mark Oldman divulges a secret of sommeliers and explains why the cheapest wine on the list is the best. The sommelier or the restaurant’s wine buyer knows that most people feel embarrassed...

April 6, 2017 -- The health benefits of red wine continue to make news.  The latest finding suggests that resveratrol, the antioxidant found in grape skins, may slow the ageing process. The study conducted at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, shows resveratrol preserves muscle fibers...

April 5, 2017 – Dreams of cool, breezy summer evenings on your mind?  That’s what we’re all looking forward to as the days get longer and warmer, but you can get in the mood right now with Captain Morgan LocoNut. We love this new blend of Caribbean rum, coconut liqueur,...

April 5, 2017 – If you loved Captain Morgan Cannon Blast last fall, get ready for Captain Morgan LocoNut – an explosively delicious coconut shot for summer. Using the same round bottle that cleverly resembled a pumpkin, LocoNut sports a coconut wrap that releases a sweet coconut aroma when you...

March 27, 2017 – If your net worth is more than $30 million you qualify for a rarified group of approximately 211,000 people in the world who account for 19 percent of luxury market spending according to research firm Wealth-X.  In a recent article by Matthew Dalton in The Wall...

March 27, 2017 – It’s known as the Zion Curtain by the citizens of Utah who drink in public places like bars and restaurants.  A rule dating back to 2009 prohibiting bars and restaurants from mixing or pouring drinks in view of their patrons has been rescinded.  It has been...

March 17, 2017 – It’s the day to drink green.  Today everyone is Irish and green abounds, even for cocktails. Potatoes are a part of traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare so using potato-based vodka is one way to get yours.  Blue Ice Vodka is made from Idaho Russet potatoes, is...

March 10, 2017 – It’s Friday evening and after a ferocious week, you crawl home feeling like you’re at death’s door and thinking of resuscitation.   In this case, reaching Death’s Door is a good thing because it’s the name of one of the most acclaimed domestic gins that will revive...

    March 2, 2017 – Banned for 100 years, March 5 marks the 10th Anniversary of the repeal of the Absinthe ban in the US.  Chemist and Master Distiller Ted Breaux was a leading force in disproving the myths which had plagued the storied spirit and helped convince the...

February 27, 2017 – Anyone who is slightly serious about wine is sure to have all kinds of totes and bags for getting the essential bottle or wine gift to its final destination – Enjoyment!  But we’ve moved well beyond schlepping a bottle that is really hard to disguise if...

February 27, 2017 – The word is out that Amazon has applied for a liquor license for the super secret grocery store being built in the Ballard area of Seattle.  The drive through 9,700 square-foot grocery store lets customers place orders online for pick up in a 15 minute to...

February 27, 2017 – It’s never simple when it comes to alcoholic beverages. As we reported on February 17, Diageo, which owns Guinness, plans to convert the old Calvert distillery in Relay, (Baltimore County) Maryland, into a bre wery with a U.S. version of its famous Open Gate visitor center...

August 24, 2016 – Every year it comes too soon – the “official” end of summer and all the great activities (or not) that make the season so enjoyable.  We wanted to give it send off that would be one for the record book.  The record book in our case...

October 28, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment October 28, 2016 –- Beer is a wonderful addition to many dishes and we’ve used it often so we were intrigued when we heard that Samuel Adams had teamed up with the guys from Carnal, a Brooklyn-based union of Kentucky slow cooking...

November 16, 2016 – ‘Tis the season for entertaining so we’ve gathered 24 recipes that will see you through the next two months.  Whether you are looking for something to serve to a crowd on Thanksgiving or you just want to have a recipe that is easy to make and...

February 9, 2017 – In keeping with the whole pink and red theme, we’ve come up with a selection of winning drinks for February 14 and better yet, most of them include bubbles. Sparkling pink or red wine is becoming more and more popular and there are plenty of choices....

We need jobs in America and the beer industry is doing its bit.  An economic study commissioned by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association shows that the beer industry is responsible for two million jobs and contributes $246.6 billion – with a “b” – to the economy. ...

The dark ale from Ireland has a blonde sister brew.  Guinness Blonde American Lager is now available nationwide.  Made in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Guinness Blonde American Lager uses American hops and Guinness’ world famous 125-year-old Guinness yeast. As lagers continue to gain favor among beer drinkers in the U.S., Guinness Master...

February 17, 2017 – The University of California Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology is one of the most highly regarded institutions in its field in the world.  As a part of the winemaking curriculum, the students make wine but until recently, the wine, some made from grapes grown in...

February 17, 2017 – Autumn this year will mark the 200th anniversary of Guinness first being imported in the United States and to celebrate the occasion, Diageo, owners of Guinness, have announced they will be building a new micro-brewery and visitor center at the existing plant in Relay, Maryland.  ...

February 17, 2017 – Wine shops in the Washington area are selling out of Trump wine reports Judy Kurtz writing in The Hill.  The winery, located in Charlottesville, Va., is owned by Eric Trump Wine Manufacturing LLC.  The Trump name is featured prominently on the label. Ms Kurtz interviewed several...

February 10, 2017 – The word is out that Lady Gaga’s latest project is to build a wine empire.  The wine will be named “Grigio Girls” which was a bonus track on the album Joanne.  The brand will include winecoolers, wine cocktails and punches according to TMZ, and her company...

February 10, 2017 — Rebel Juiced IPA, which was introduced at the end of last year on draft is now available in cans and bottles. A West Coast IPA infused with mango, Rebel Juiced is a medium-bodied beer with a slightly veiled golden color that brings a big tropical aroma of...

February 9, 2017 – Stories about puppies and little girls are always heartwarming, this one especially so. Honig Vineyard and Winery in the Napa Valley’s Rutherford has a new employee with four legs and a wagging tail.  Honey, a golden lab, is being trained for two important tasks.  She will...

February 9, 2017 – There’s nothing sissy about toasting the love of your life with pink bubbles.  One could even say it is the smart thing to do, if you know what I mean. We’ve color coordinated seven different recipes so whichever one you choose, you’ll be on message.  And...

February 1, 2017 – You’ve been to Costco and loaded up on all the great stuff that is your tradition for Super Bowl Sunday and now you’re thinking about what to serve to friends who prefer something besides beer. Just about anything poured over rocks will get you by and,...

February 1, 2017 – We’re just days away from Super Bowl 51 and deciding what to eat and drink is a big part of the annual tradition, whether your party is two people or 20.  Beer is the featured beverage, both in the ad lineup and around the TV screen,...

January 27, 2017 – Wondering why wineries never advertise during the Super Bowl?  It’s because Anheuser-Busch has tied up exclusive rights excluding participation by any other alcohol brand since 1989.  It’s also darned expensive.  But where there’s a will there’s a way. Yellow Tail, Australia’s number one selling wine in...

January 27, 2017 – Sacramento, CA is hosting the USA’s biggest wine industry trade show and conference for about 1,000 attendees.  The good news for everyone is that the wine sales continue to grow.  In 2016, wine shipments increased by 2.8 percent while revenue from domestic wine sales jumped 4...

January 27, 2017 – A New Zealand vodka, 42BELOW, is saving the planet one cocktail garnish at a time.  Rather than chucking the uneaten fruit garnishes adorning a glorious  cocktail into the garbage, they collect them from bars in New Zealand and Australia and turn them into soap. 42BELOW, claiming...

January 28, 2016 – If your significant other prefers cocktails to bubbly, or if you just want to show off your prowess with a cocktail shaker, here is a selection of nine cocktails for your Valentine’s Day celebration. They are not difficult to make, look and taste amazing and won’t...

January 20, 2017 – When 200 guests join the newly inaugurated President Trump and Vice President Pence for lunch after the swearing-in ceremony, they will enjoy three California wines paired with each course. The first course of Maine lobster and Gulf shrimp with saffron sauce and a peanut crumble will...

January 20, 2017 – We discovered the coolest idea for dressing up cocktails – or any beverage – for Valentine’s Day.  It’s called the ChocolateSideCar.  It’s a disk of Belgian chocolate, either milk or dark, with a little notch that makes it possible to hang on the rim of a...

January 20, 2017 – Looking for a different idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year but still bow to the chocolate tradition?  We turned to David Cid, Global Brand Master, Rum & Cane Spirits for Bacardi’s Facundo Rum Collection for a sophisticated solution. As with chocolate and red wine pairings,...

January 13, 2017 – The Tesseron family, owners of Château Pontet-Canet in Bordeaux, purchased Robert Williams vineyard estate on Mount Veeder in the Napa Valley.  A particular vineyard on the estate was called Pym-Rae, a combination of the middle names of his first two children. The Tesserons announced they will...

January 13, 2017 – The sun has set on Starbucks “Evenings” concept.  Introduced in 2014 in Seattle, Starbucks sought to increase evening business by offering wine and beer along with small plates of comfort foods like flatbread pizza and truffle mac and cheese. Since 70 percent of Starbucks customers drink...

January 6, 2017 – A company in the Netherlands claims their technology can produce a shirt that is stain resistant, including red wine.  It is also odor free, 2-way stretch, eco-friendly, machine washable, wrinkle resistant, fast-drying and breathable.  And you can be an investor via Kickstarter. The creators say the...

January 6, 2017 – If Santa left coal in your stocking, don’t worry.  As the saying goes, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”.  In the case of coal in your stocking, you can be totally fashion forward and make black cocktails. Way back in 2015, black cocktails were trending...

December 30, 2016 – Thank the polar vortex and generally miserable conditions for an excellent ice wine harvest.  Wines & Vines, an industry publication, reports that growers in British Columbia, Michigan and Ontario reported excellent conditions for an early 2016 ice wine harvest.  The season kicked off on December 6...

December 30, 2016 – Readers of a certain age will recall Don Ho’s famous song “Tiny Bubbles” – Tiny bubbles in the wine/ Make me feel happy/ Make me feel fine.  Turns out bigger bubbles would have made him feel even better. The U.K. Guardian reports that researchers in France’s...

December 30, 2016 – Hopefully any deleterious effects of New Year’s Eve partying will have dissipated by Sunday evening in time to watch “60 Minutes” take on the complicated question of who owns the rights to Havana Club Rum. It is an intriguing story that started in 1959 when the...