Drinkers' Diaries

The holiday season is a great time to dig up fantastic winter cocktail recipes. Here is one of our favorites, straight from our own test kitchen.

There’s a chill in the air, the holidays are upon us, and it seems your feet will never be warm again… What to do?  Break out your cool winter coats (oh, the glorious smell of leather the first time of the season!), hats, scarves and gloves, and of course, drink something warm.  ‘Tis the season for holiday cheer – and by that I mean those wonderful, fragrant, body & soul warming holiday drinks. Hot alcoholic drinks go back centuries, from simple Hot Buttered Rums and Toddies to my personal favorite, Mulled Wine.What is “mulled”, you ask, and why do I..  - Read More

It’s time for summer drinking, and there are myriad options to choose from: margaritas, gin & tonics, rum punches, sangrias... But let’s talk about what I consider to be the quintessential - if oft maligned - summer cocktail, the Spritzer.  You might be thinking, “Spritzers - that’s what my grandma drinks”, or something even more derogatory. But really, Spritzers are a perfectly acceptable cocktail, and here’s why… The Spritzer (from the German word spritzen, meaning to squirt or spray) is a simple wine cocktail, combining wine (usually white) and club soda or some other fizzy drink - for example, fizzy..  - Read More

You’ve decided to set up a bar in your home, but where do you start? With all of the liquor options available, it can be tough to figure out what to buy for a home bar when you’re just getting started. First, consider the space you're working with. Will your bar be limited to a corner or small nook that isn’t being used? Or maybe you’re converting a coat closet that you don’t need? Or could it be a larger area, like that formal “dining room” where you never actually eat? Your bar’s location and design is up to you..  - Read More

We ran an article a few months ago about the basic types of glasses you should keep in your bar, but lately I’ve been getting questions about how to judge glass quality, and what to look for when buying glassware. Here are a few tips that I’ve picked up during my professional and home bartending years: Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get decent glassware for your bar. There are many affordable brands and styles out there. Go with transparent glass for the most versatility. Tinted glass might look cool on its own, but depending on the..  - Read More

Cocktailing at home? Don't skip the garnish! It may seem like an unnecessary step, but it adds two important elements to your cocktail experience: more flavor, and a more pleasing appearance. And it's easy - Keeping just 5 garnish ingredients on hand will cover almost all of your home bartending needs.