Spirits

August 9, 2024 -- If you don’t have beaucoup bucks under the mattress, don’t bother reading. The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whisky has launched one of its rarest releases, The Balvenie Fifty.  This is the First Edition of what will be a trilogy with the Second and Third Editions being...

July 25, 2024 --  Captain Morgan Sliced Ready-to-Drink has just launched a sweepstakes that offers winners a really fun choice prizes. From now through August 5, fans 25+ can enter the “Sliced is Better'' sweeps for a chance to embark on a truly epic, bucket list-worthy adventure of a lifetime....

June 24, 2024 – The Founders would have been astonished as they sweltered in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall in 1776 crafting the separation from England and the King, to learn that a British gin with a very aristocratic  pedigree would be a celebratory libation for Independence Day 248 years later (recipes...

March 14, 2024 – If it’s St. Patrick’s Day, then our tastes turn to Irish Whiskey and the perennial favorite, Irish Coffee.  But for the adventurous, we found two new ways to mark the occasion created by Roe & Co’s North American Brand Ambassador, Josh Cameron. We’re intrigued by his...

March 7, 2024 -- The Macallan has unveiled Tales of The Macallan Volume II, the second edition in a remarkable series of rare single malt Scotch whiskies which tells the story of The Macallan pioneers and their whisky-making legacy.  The second release pays homage to Alexander Reid, founder of The...

February 2, 2024 --  How about trying something new and different this year!  We’ve found several interesting spirits that might not be familiar: Hollywood-themed whiskies from Filmland Spirits, romantic Italian aperitivos from Italicus & Savoia, and one of our all time favorites Hood River Distillers.   All are not only delicious...

January 15, 2024 – There’s nothing like a hot toddy to warm us up on a cold day and it’s hard to beat a good rum as the base for a true deliciousness.  If you haven’t tried Barceló Rum from the Dominican Republic now is a good time.  We tried...

December 18, 2023 -- Stress no more!  We’ve got a delightful and delicious shortcut for festive cocktails to get you through the season of celebration and parties. No need to search out new recipes or buy ingredients you may never use again.  Simply add a splash of Clear Creek Cranberry...

October 12, 2023 -- The always highly anticipated Flaviar Advent Calendar is now available and this year’s is a winner so grab yours right away – they sell out really quickly every year. The Lost Art of Distillation – The Amber Kingdom features :             Twenty-four superb whiskeys including gold...

September 15, 2023 --  Negroni Week is back and here’s what you need to know. The classic Negroni was invented around 1919 in Florence, Italy.  The recipe is simple – equal parts each of Campari, Red (sweet) Vermouth and London Dry Gin served with an orange twist for garnish.  Over...

August 30, 2023 – Labor Day spells the unofficial end of summer, which for those of us who love the heat and bare feet, is a bit depressing.  But we have a cocktail to make those last “Golden Hours” amazing and it requires no skill at all. The recipe calls...

August 17, 2023 -- Lemonade isn’t just for kids.  Grown-ups enjoy it too and Smirnoff certainly knows how to make any celebration more festive with suggestions for informal gatherings or just a relaxing libation after at the end of a long day.  Smirnoff Blue Raspberry Lemonade offers refreshing tart and...

Augus14, 2023 -  Hood River Distillers, founded right after Prohibition ended in 1934, got its start crafting fruit brandies with the excess apples and pears from local orchards.  It has prospered to become the Northwest’s largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer and marketer of distilled spirits.  In 2021 they released...

August 5, 2023 – Inspired by an orange creamsicle, newly released Sunshine Punch in the sassy orange bottle is there to savor wherever you find your sunshine.  The ready-to-serve cocktail is made from orange, crème, rum and vodka.  Served chilled or over ice, at just 18% ABV it is designed...

July 20, 2023  -- The launch of Cierto Tequila will be one for the marketing books.  More importantly, the tequila itself will become the gold standard by which all other tequilas are measured.  The project was the brainchild of Todd Chaffee, a successful venture capitalist who had never been in...

June 29, 2023 – With Independence Day falling on Tuesday this year, we’re looking for a way to have a stylish celebration but keep the preparation and clean up easy.  Ready-to-Drink cocktails are a great solution and we have two suggestions:  Smirnoff Poco Pico ICE and Fishers Island Lemonade. Smirnoff...

June 22, 2023 – What country does the jaguar come from?  We’re talking about the animal, not the automobile.  Did you know it is native to the Americas?  If you guessed Africa, don’t feel bad because that’s the popular misconception.  So what’s the connection between tequila, jaguars and Independence Day? ...

June 13, 2023 – Bourbon should have the title of America’s national drink.  After all, the first rule of making bourbon is that it is made in America.  More rules follow:  It must be at least 51% corn.  The balance can be made up of wheat, rye and barley.  It...

First a word about World Gin Day June 8, 2023 -- The modestly named World Gin Day has been celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year since 2009.  This year it falls on June 10.   The date changes every year but it is always on Saturday, which was...

June 3, 2023 --  Flaviar, America’s #1 luxury spirits membership club, has a spectacular gift for Dad on his big day.  In collaboration with six-time World Barbecue Champion, Tuffy Stone, they’ve come up with a Tasting Box for the Dad that grills and enjoys his whiskey too.  We think this...

May 22, 2023 -- May is Military Appreciation Month, and to continue the month-long observance, Crown Royal Whisky, country music star Mitchell Tenpenny and charity partner CreatiVets teamed up to make May the most generous month yet. While filming for a Chefs & Vets segment, linked HERE, Mitchell presented a...

May 8, 2023 --- When Mom struggles home loaded with a week’s worth of groceries we seriously doubt there’s a bottle of a luxury spirit just for her in the shopping bags.   So why not slip one in as an unexpected surprise with your other plans for the day.  We...

May 1, 2023 – When Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday, as it does this year, it’s a double reason to celebrate since the specter of that 9:00 a.m. meeting the next day isn’t spoiling the fun.   We never need an excuse to dust off the Margarita glasses but...

April 14, 2023 – On May 6 the 149th Kentucky Derby returns to Churchill Downs for what is known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports”.  It is also the 50th anniversary of the amazing Secretariat winning The Kentucky Derby, a historic moment in thoroughbred history.  Woodford Reserve, the Presenting...

Pack your walking shoes!  You and a friend could be headed to Ireland to soak in the beauty of Glendalough, County Wicklow – also known as the “Garden of Ireland.”  Besides touring the sights of Dublin, winners will have a unique three-hour excursion with Glendalough Distillery’s full-time forager, Geraldine Kavanagh...

March 11, 2023 -- St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17 means it’s time for Irish Whiskey and Irish Coffee and, of course, corned beef and cabbage.  But this year we have something even better.  How about a trip to Dublin? Roe & Co Irish Whiskey will be launching the cleverly...

March 8, 2023 --- Spiced rum is a hot category and the latest entry comes from The Kraken.  Capitalizing on their popular Black Spiced Rum launched in 2010, The Kraken Gold Spiced Rum is set to take the cocktail world by storm.  And that’s appropriate since the Kraken is a...

February 9, 2023 – With Cupid’s approval, we’re introducing two fresh ideas for Valentine’s Day celebrations:  Empress 1908 Gin and ready to pour Via Carota Craft Cocktails.  Get ready to fall in love! Empress 1908 Gin Empress 1908 Gin comes to us from the island of Victoria, just a ferry...

December 28, 2022 – After the mess caused by the weather, staying warm, taking it easy and enjoying a good cocktail sounds exactly right.  We don’t have snow but we are being drenched by an atmospheric river, and that Irish Coffee from Keeper’s Heart Whiskey looks awfully good.  Whipped cream...

December 13, 2022 – Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky has brought a new meaning to “smelling like whisky”, which is generally not recommended.  But Monkey Shoulder likes to defy convention.  Their creative Malt Master Brian Kinsman, who obviously has a great sense of humor, created a limited-edition soft scent of the...

December 5, 2022 – No need to stress over gift giving.  There’s something for everyone in the realm of wine and spirits.  Whether it’s a bottle of a well-known brand that they enjoy frequently or something new and different, it will be an appreciated gift.  Here are our suggestions: OCEAN...

October 10 , 2022 ---  The introduction of a new gin is exciting news to gin lovers everywhere.  And when it comes from Kenya’s first craft distillery, that’s really something we all want to know about.  But it gets better.  All the botanicals are from the continent of Africa as...

September 28, 2022 – As we transition from summer fun to tailgate parties, watching the game with friends, early fall barbecues and other fall and winter socializing, we need a great cocktail that has its own vibe.  Black Infusions Dirty Shirley is just the thing. You can mix it yourself...

July 21, 2022 –Patrón Tequila, the world's number one super-premium tequila, and Lalique, the crown jewel ofFrance’s crystal industry, have unveiled their third remarkable collaboration: PATRÓN en LALIQUE: Serie 3. The stunningly beautiful bottle, created by Marc Larminaux, Lalique’s Artistic and Creative Director, is an artistic interpretation of the agave...

July 1, 2022 --- There’s plenty to celebrate on July 4, Independence Day but July 10 and 11?  Well, it turns out July 10 is National Piña Colada Day and July 11 is National Mojito Day.  Then there’s the rest of July when we find ourselves craving something light, refreshing,...

June 29, 2022 – Attention lovers and collectors of The Macallan Scotch whisky! The Macallan has unveiled The Macallan M Collection, a range of limited release single malt whiskies celebrating the brand’s acclaimed Six Pillars. The whiskies come in beautifully crafted decanters created in collaboration with renowned creative director, Fabien...

June 15, 2022 --- Buying Dad a bottle of something special is a simple solution to the gift dilemma, but why not make it extra special by creating a cocktail to enjoy together as you indulge in recollections of the past.  We’ve selected suggestions from Grand Marnier, Rémy Martin, George...

May 26, 2022 – Hard to believe, but Memorial Day Weekend is upon us.  That summer vibe we all look forward starts this weekend, and what better way to celebrate it than with an easy, breezy cocktail.  Tullahoma Tea 1.5 oz Dickel Bourbon0.5 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice0.5 oz Texas...

May 20, 2022 -- Italians know how to relax as the sun goes down and we get ready for dinner with friends or family.  They sip an aperitivo which comes from the Latin word aperire “to open” meaning, in this case, to open the appetite for the meal to come. ...

May 4. 2022 – Making Mother’s Day special each year is something we all strive to do.  Gifts, flowers, lunch are all wonderful but making a special cocktail is probably not something Mom does on a daily basis – if ever!  So here’s your chance to add some unexpected glamour...

May 04, 2022 --- As we watch the systematic destruction of Ukraine by the Russian dictator, it is hard to imagine businesses reopening but this is what is happening in parts of Ukraine where the Russian army is still at bay, and President Zelenskyy is encouraging reopening where safe. One...

March 10, 2022 --- At last we can get back to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with friends, parades and parties. How great is that!   And what could be more appropriate than raising a glass of Irish whiskey to toast our return to tradition.  If you’ve never tried Irish whiskey, then...

February 10, 2022 --- Here’s a great gift suggestion for the person on your gift list that enjoys making, creating, even just drinking, cocktails.  It is “Barkeep:  The Art of Mixology, Bar & Cocktails” by Danilo Bozovic.  His first book published in 2016, “Barkeep:  The Guide to Becoming a Professional...

February 11, 2022 – Pink.  Red.  Roses.  Chocolate.  It’s Valentine’s Day and we have cocktails that pay homage to the day but also delight year ‘round. Could there be anything more romantic than a pink gin made from the roses in an Irish garden distilled with botanicals from the mountains...

February 4, 2022 – Smirnoff Vodka will have no problem being served chilled when it reaches a remote gold mining camp in Alaska 100 miles north of Anchorage.  And the 15-plus miners in the camp will have a very unexpected and fantastic Super Bowl party courtesy of Smirnoff. When the...

January 19, 2022 --  A Burns Night Super isn’t quite as front of mind as say Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day but it is gaining in popularity.  It’s all about celebrating the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was born January 25, 1759...

December 29, 2021 – Kahlúa, the famous coffee liqueur, wants to get couples to switch off their devices and put some fun and playfulness back in their lives.  All they have to do is go 30-nights without the internet.  Easy, huh?  But for the effort, they’ll get $25,000.  Hey, I’ll...

December 19, 2021 – It’s the time of year when we all make a bit more effort to produce food and drinks that are special.  It’s also the time of year when we should be able to experience the joy of the season that comes from gathering with family and...

December 18, 2021 – When it comes to partying, Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky doesn’t monkey around (couldn’t resist it!).  Fun and food are what it’s all about.  Take their spin on making 12 Old Fashioneds in one fell swoop created by Brand Ambassador Anna Mains.  It’s genius and a great...

December 8, 2021 – Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has completed Year One of its Five Year Plan to plant one million trees over five years in partnership with American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States. Since the partnership's inception in 2020, 427,825 seedlings have been planted,...

November 22, 2021 – It’s time to make the gift list again so here are a few ideas to help in the process.  The world of wine and spirits is a great place to shop as there are options at all price points and a huge variety of choices.  There...

November 12, 2021 --- Starward Australian Whisky is now the Official Whisky Partner of the globally renowned Michelin Guide.  Starward will work with the leading authority in the culinary arts to roll out a 12-month U.S. partnership that complements Starward’s simple brand ethos of being a delicious and versatile whisky,...

October 27, 2021 – What happens when the Jacques Pépin Foundation, Jacques Torres Chocolate and Woodford Reserve come together?  You get a box of a dozen yummy chocolates just in time for the Holiday Season. Chef Jacques Torres created a deliciously smooth and silky ganache using the flavorful pairing of...

October 20, 2021 -- National First Responders Day is October 28.  To celebrate our first responders, Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey has released two limited-run, whiskey-infused doughnuts in collaboration with Dough Doughnuts - The Proper Irish Coffee Cream-Filled and The Proper Irish Coffee Glazed.  A portion of the proceeds of...

September 1, 2021 -- It’s unofficial but whether we like it or not, Labor Day is summer’s send off.  Even if it stays blazing hot, our thoughts turn to fall so let’s drink to the summer of 2021 which was waaay better than last year.  Choose rum, tequila or vodka...

August 16, 2021 – Today is National Rum Day, and we’ve got some recipes for you, mostly simple but with a few interesting twists. For example both Butterfly Oasis and Trader Vic’s Classic Mai Tai call for Orgeat, a syrup made from almonds which is a great addition to any...

August 8, 2021 -- In Ireland in the 19th and 20th centuries, Bonders were responsible for blending and bottling whiskey. These individuals ranged from publicans and merchants to independent bottlers, who sourced new make spirits from distilleries which they aged in their own casks, before blending and bottling for local...

July 5, 2021 --  Remember the opening line of the Cheers theme?  “Sometimes You Want to go Where Everybody Knows Your Name”.  That sums up the enticement of the dive bar.  But, like so many small, independent businesses, the dive bar world has suffered thanks to the pandemic.  However, help...

June 30, 2021 -- The Fourth of July falls on Sunday this year which is great for anyone organizing a celebration.   The following recipes are festive, easy to make and definitely have the appropriate color scheme.  What’s more, they will carry you through every summer occasion. Smirnoff Red, White &...

June 16, 2021 --  Time is running out, friend, but here are some suggestions to save the day and ensure you are not cut out of the will, at least this year.  These are for the Dads who like to make cocktails, think about making cocktails one of these days...

In Tennessee May 22, 2021 – The historic George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey released the latest vintage of their highly acclaimed Bottled in Bond whisky series, Spring 2007, which will be available as a limited-time offering. This bottling is the first offering of the series from a spring distilling season, and...

May 27, 2021 – The Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of the summer season so a new cocktail recipe is a good way to celebrate.  We’ve selected four that are “doable” – they taste good, look good, but are not too complicated.  You almost certainly have one or...

May 3, 2021 – Still pondering what to give Mom next Sunday?  Need a hostess gift in a hurry for that fabulous weekend at the cottage on the shore?  Forgot a bestie’s birthday?  No worries.  Nickel Dime Cocktail Syrups of Oakland, California has just launched a line of cocktail syrups...

April 23, 2021 --- On Earth Day I was reminded of the numerous stories we’ve posted about distilleries, wineries and breweries, large and small, taking steps to improve our planet.  One such company is Flor de Caña, a premium rum producer in Nicaragua, the world’s first spirit to be Carbon...

April 10, 2021 --- The summer of 2020 was a bummer, but Smirnoff Red, White & Berry has big plans to make 2021 the BEST. SUMMER. EVER.   They’re giving away 2,021 prizes from now until August 15.  How great is that!  The vodka company is teaming up with actor, comedian,...

April 4, 2021 -- It’s spring.  Things are getting better.  Let’s celebrate! Our friends at Bacardi have a few ideas to lend a touch of glamour to brunch or cocktails and they couldn’t be simpler.  In fact, these are recipes to have on hand for any occasion all summer long. The...

March 25, 2021 – If you love whiskey and have 15 grand lying around, a Minneapolis distillery has a great opportunity for you.  The O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company, which officially opens to the public this summer, has launched the Keeper’s Heart Cask Society.  You can join this members-only society and enjoy...

March 09, 2021  -- Woodford Reserve’s 2021 Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle is now available in liquor stores across the country.  This is the 22nd such bottle which is beloved by racing fans, bourbon drinkers and collectors.  The label features the artwork of Louisville resident Richard Sullivan, a former professional baseball...

March 1, 2021 – Ready for some fun?  This Friday, March 5, Coming 2 America movie premieres on Amazon Prime Video.  Appropriately, Crown Royal, with its very real royallegacy (it was created in 1939 as a gift for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the first reigning monarchs to visit...

February 10, 2021 --  As the song says, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love…”  but if you can’t find love, try liking someone..  Valentine’s Day is all about romance but liking one another is a really good place to start and can really make a difference in...

January 31, 2021 -- Super Bowl Sunday might be a bit tamer and less raucous this year but that’s a good reason to make a special cocktail and a party mix to go with it. Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey has the recipe for both:  Long Snap Shandy and Whiskey...

January 29, 2021 – Getting away from it all has a new urgency after months of lockdowns and isolation.  A ski trip to Park City Utah sounds enticing especially with the added bonus of après skiing at High West Distillery’s charming Nelson Cottage. Here guests can enjoy the unique experience...

December 31, 2020 – NIPYATA! the adult party people who created the alcohol filled piñata, have come up with the solution to buying a socially distanced drink for a friend or family and we think it is sooooo cool.  It’s a drinkable greeting card that contains a 50 ml. bottle...

December 13 -- Time is running out but we have some gift ideas for anyone on your list who enjoys whisk(e)y or a great cocktail.  Thinking creatively will help your thoughtful giver reputation and bring joy to the lucky recipient.  The list we’ve compiled features limited editions and new releases...

November 27, 2020 --  There’s a plethora of fabulous wines and amazing spirits that make wonderful and thoughtful gifts but we were searching for something really fresh, exciting and different.  Our two finds – one for cocktail enthusiasts and the other for wine lovers with an inclination for history and...

November 20, 2020 – There’s something fun about opening a box with all the fixin’s in it and that’s what you get when you order Bacardi’s Spiced Up Cider Kit from Cocktail Courier.  But that’s not all.  Each order will receive a 12-ounce bottle of Bacardi Spiced Hot Honey. The...

November 6, 2020 -- Just a year ago we told you about the Australian whisky brand, Starward that had made its debut in the U.S. with Nova Single Malt in May of 2019 followed by Two-Fold Double Grain in October.  This year both expressions each took home a Gold Medal...

October 21, 2020 – Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is teaming up with American Forests, the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization, founded in 1875, to plant one million trees over the next five years.  The partnership will reforest eastern landscapes dominated by white oaks, a key species for wildlife, water conservation and...

October 15, 2020 -- Halloween 2020 is sure to be different because everything else is. The dilemma is how to celebrate safely.  For adults, no need to go virtual or ruin your one chance of the year to play dress up.  Smirnoff Vodka has come to the rescue with the...

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 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 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 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 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...

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...

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...

February 28, 2020 – Feeling “star crossed” or grouchy, blame it on the weather or maybe, just maybe, you need to find the cocktail that goes with your astrological sign. To ensure that everyone is properly aligned, the party animals at Smirnoff have created a chart showing which of their...

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 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...

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…, 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 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 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 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...

May 6, 2019 – Puffins are delightful, slightly comical little birds that need help to continue to be delightful and comical.  Their numbers have declined due to over hunting and climate change.  Iceland, home of Reyka Vodka that rightfully claims to be one of the purest in the world is...

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 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 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 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 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...

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 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 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 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, 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,...

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 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 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...

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 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...

  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 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 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 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 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 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 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 28, 2018 – Glitz and glamour reign supreme at the Academy Awards and so should your Oscar party.  From the spicy “Ancho in the Limelight” to the simple but sophisticated “Black Tie Martini”, cocktails have a way of adding a red carpet touch to any celebration.  Remember, great cocktails...

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 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  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,...

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 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 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 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,...

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 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...

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 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 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 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...

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 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 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 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 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,...

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...

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 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,...

December 22, 2016 – Some traditions never die.  For many of us, saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new just wouldn’t be the same without a cocktail of America’s finest whiskey.  We weren’t too surprised to find out via Google that the Old Fashioned remains one of our...

December 16, 2016 – It’s time to start thinking about welcoming 2017 in style in just two weeks and we’ve rounded up some really special cocktails to make your celebration one to remember. We’re starting out with a cocktail that will set the tone for the year to come –...

By Rich Warren November 15, 2016 — She still calls herself “The Bad Girl of Bourbon,” but maybe she’s not so naughty anymore. Joy Perrine of Louisville, Kentucky, created this moniker for herself many years ago at a time before today’s cocktail craze got started and when such unconventional flavor...

November 4, 2016 – It’s hard to resist the lure and romance of Moonshine, even the legal kind with all the taxes paid.  A company to watch is Sugarlands Distilling based in Gaitlinburg, Tennessee that offers a plethora of flavored moonshine, cream liqueurs and coming soon, small batch Tennessee Whiskey....

October 28, 2016 — The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a lively and joyful celebration in Mexico, where it originated, and other parts of Latin America on November 1 and 2. It combines the Catholic Church’s celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day...

September 29, 2016  — For vodka drinkers, every day is National Vodka Day based on the figures supplied by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.  While sales have slowed, vodka remains the Number One selling spirit in the U.S. worth $5.8 billion in sales in 2015.  It creates...

September 22, 2016 – Coffee drinkers deserve a reward on National Coffee Day next Thursday, September 29 and there are any number of spirits that pair beautifully with coffee making that cup of Joe deliciously different.  You could just splash a bit of Frangelico or just about any liqueur in...

September 9, 2016 – The motto is never let a hot event on TV go to waste, or something like that.  Spirits makers and marketers have fertile brains and we have to admire them for turning couch potato pastimes into events. Take the U.S. Open, now in full swing.  Swigging...

August 25, 2016 – You’ve got beer on your list.  You’ve got wine.  But you’d really like something special to get things rolling.  Here’s a choice of six simple but delicious, and pretty, cocktails that don’t require a PhD in mixology or an enormous outlay on a haul of expensive...

August 19, 2016 – We all need this!  Whether you are capable of mixing of a decent drink or your repertoire is limited to “something and tonic”, your life will be made easier and far more enjoyable by Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide. The famous “Little Red Book of America’s...

August 12, 2016  – Nothing beats sitting outside on a warm summer night sipping on something slightly sweet and maybe fruity.  And nothing beats rum as the best base for summertime drinks that are simple but full of flavor. The perception of rum tends to be the tropics and beach...

August 5, 2016 – A web site called TogetherWeek.com, that puts together vacation packages to places where they can guarantee lots of partying and fun, sent us a super illustrated guide to drinks in 20 locations you might just want to put in your bucket list of “must visit” sooner...

July 26, 2016 – July 27 is National Scotch Day not to be confused with World Whisky Day, which is celebrated each year on the third Saturday in May, or International Whisk(e)y Day that is held on March 27 each year. July 27 falls on a Wednesday this year which...

July 22, 2016 – We’ve had International Negroni Week back in June.  That was a good one as it raised money for charity.  This past week it was National Daiquiri Day, a delightful classic cocktail to celebrate every day.  Now we move on to National Tequila Day on Sunday, July...

July 15, 2016 – Mark you calendar!  Next Tuesday, July 19 is the day to take a Daiquiri Time Out. It’s a simple cocktail with a long history and celebratory trappings.  Hemingway was most famously associated with the cocktail but did you know that President Kennedy was also a big...

June 16, 2016 — You’d have to be crazy to pay $35,000 for a single bottle of Scotch whisky, right?  Not really.  Apart from being wealthy, you would also be a smart investor. The Macallan, one of Scotland’s premier distilleries, will be offering just 450 numbered decanters of a 65-year-old...

June 6, 2016 – It’s official.  June 6 thru 12 is Negroni Week worldwide. Before we get into the who, why and where details, let’s answer the question “What is a Negroni?”  It’s a drink with three ingredients Campari/Gin/Vermouth.  Of course creative mixologists always riff on a classic so there...

May 27, 2016 – The amiable Martin Cate is one of those people who make lemonade when life hands out lemons.  In his case, the lemonade involved drinks with little umbrellas. About 25 years ago, when Martin was a student in the Washington D.C. area, he had his first Tiki...

April 29, 2016 – Eight finalists competed in San Francisco on Sunday, April 24 for the coveted title of winner of the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition.  Gn Chan from Angel’s Share in New York City was named the winner at the end of a tension-filled evening, during which the...

May 20, 2016 – Saturday, May 21 is World Whisky Day.  Since it is only the fourth year of World Whisky Day, you can be forgiven for never having heard of it.  Or you might ask, “Isn’t every day whisky day?”  You’d be right about that, too. There’s a web...

February 26, 2016 – Imagine being the winner of a huge, national competition to find the best original cocktail recipe in the United States.  That’s what happened to Gn Chan of Angel’s Share in New York this past Monday at the Regional Finals of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG)...

September 12, 2016 — At the request of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Rick Wilson, senior vice president for external affairs, with Bacardi, appeared as a witness at a Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Congressional hearing on February 11 on “Resolving Issues with Confiscated Property in...

February 5, 2016 – The fight for rights to the trademark for Havana Club rum has heated up with Bacardi filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Treasury seeking information as to why and how the trademark for the United States has suddenly been...

February 4, 2016 — Absinthe – literally the stuff of legends. Lots of spirits have days that PR people have named after them – but few have the right to own a day in the way that absinthe owns March 5 – the anniversary of the day that the 95-year...

December 22, 2015 – We had to share this one! Ungava Gin, one of our favorites which we reviewed July 22, 2014 http://www.wineandspirits.com/?s=ungava+gin is a super premium gin imported from Quebec, Canada. The rare tundra botanicals that are used to create Ungava gin are handpicked by the Inuit tribe in...

December 18, 2015 – Move over vodka.  Our mixologist friends assure us that whiskey is the next big thing cutting into vodka’s popularity.  Whiskey falls into the category known in the trade as “brown spirits” and more and more brown spirits are being used creatively in cocktails.  Savvy marketers have...

Premium vodka truly handcrafted by a micro-distiller December 2, 2015 – As the days get shorter, darker and colder, the Hawaiian Islands become even more magical in our reveries.  The thought of pineapple vodka lures us to imagine swaying palms, island music, warm breezes – all the images of Hawaii...

September 4, 2015 – When you put “mainstream” next to “moonshine”, the renegade spirit loses some of its cachet.  However, since most of us can’t access a local moonshiner but would like to experience white whiskey, mainstream is the way to go.  It is also safer.  No risk of ingesting...

Courtesy Beverage Dynamics www.beveragedynamics.com BY JACK ROBERTIELLO   While much talk lately in the spirit business has been about the surge of whiskey sales in the U.S., the other brown spirit — brandy and Cognac — has managed to rebound quite nicely from the economic turmoil of a few years ago and even build...

December 29, 2014 – Louisville’s 4th Street Live entertainment district will have a new attraction in 2015 with the planned opening of a 4,300 square foot visitor center by Jim Beam. The Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse will include a working pot still, a bottling line where guests can fill their...

November 7, 2014 – If you’ve no idea what the Old Tom designation means, don’t feel bad.  You weren’t around in 18th Century London at the height of its popularity and it has only very recently been rediscovered by a handful of distillers.  Mixologists are excited as it makes its...

November 1, 2014 – Vodka, long the best-selling spirit, is about to be replaced by whiskey, possibly by the end of this year, as the biggest selling spirit in the U.S.  The increase in sales of whiskey, especially the made-in-America variety, has been confirmed by the industry trade group DISCUS...

Tito’s Handmade Vodka of Austin, Texas, is an American success story.  An entrepreneur who started with a 16-gallon pot still in 1997 built his brand to 850,000 cases by 2013 with estimated revenue of $85 million. The man behind Tito’s is Bert Butler Beveridge II, whose nickname is “Bertito” or...

Three million barrels of bourbon or 20 million cases and one man has overseen every drop.  Jimmy Russell “the Master Distiller’s Master Distiller” recently celebrated 60 years at Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg, KY making him the longest tenured master distiller in the industry. Jimmy, as he is known to everyone,...

Let’s face it, beverage alcohol whether it’s wine, spirits or beer, is a complicated subject and we often have more questions than answers. If you live in the New York City area, respected educator Harriet Lembeck has a great Spirits program starting Wednesday October 1 through October 22.  Each session...

For Gin lovers and romantics, especially those who delight in botanicals, Ungava Canadian Premium Gin is an exciting find. Originating in the northern-most tip of Québec, a remote windswept place of great beauty and solitude, Ungava derives its unique bouquet and complex flavor from six rare botanicals – Nordic Juniper,...

Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton was a famous third generation moonshiner in the mountains of east Tennessee.  He had a reputation for making “the best damn likker” out there.  He was also a character writ large.  Stories about him abound on the Internet. We recently tasted his recipe, now in the capable...

Like most people, we think of rum as delightful ingredient in drinks with colorful names like Missionary’s Downfall, served with little umbrellas or in a coconut shell.  At least that’s how we got started a few decades back at Trader Vic’s in the basement of the New York Plaza Hotel....

By Joel Butler, MW Founded just eight years ago by brothers Michael & Mark Klebeck, Sun Liquor evolved from their Capitol Hill coffee shop, Top Pot.  They decided to have a bar, and contacted a local bar manager and part-time brewer, Erik Chapman, to set it up.  His only (almost)...

A belt of bourbon pretty much describes some whiskeys that can be a bit harsh and hot.  Not this one.  William Wolf’s Pecan Bourbon is incredibly smooth, with just enough pecan distillate blended in to make it interesting.  It is slightly sweet but not cloying and it finishes with a...