Presented by Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor One of my favorite bourbon cocktails of all time This Friday (June 14) is National Bourbon Day—a perfect occasion to spotlight one of the best bourbon cocktails I’ve come across in the past year or so. Prospector No. 2 is a full-bodied, bourbon-forward cocktail with contributions … Continue reading Cocktail of the Week (National Bourbon Day Edition): Prospector No. 2
Spirited Opinions
The right way to order a Martini
Help the bartender help you This article says, "First lesson: There isn't one." I disagree. Admittedly I’m bandying words, but I mean it; the article is saying "there are lots of Martini recipes, and none are wrong." I'm saying that you, as a consumer, need to hold up your end of the conversation when you … Continue reading The right way to order a Martini
How’s the annual season of regret, repentance, and sacrifice going for you?
I have a bone to pick with Dry January, but I’ll bet it’s not the one you think I have. First: Who should read this post, and who shouldn'tIf you’re a recovering alcoholic, this post is not for you. Nor is this post for you if you have medical reasons for not drinking alcohol, nor … Continue reading How’s the annual season of regret, repentance, and sacrifice going for you?
Neat? Cocktails are neat, too, and whiskey is not a test of manhood.
Yesterday afternoon, while pouring whiskeys at a retail tasting (not the whiskey in this photo—it doesn’t matter which whiskey it was), and while one gentleman was chewing his sample pensively with eyes toward the heavens (halfway decent technique, actually), I pointed out that I had brought sample cocktails I made to show how well the … Continue reading Neat? Cocktails are neat, too, and whiskey is not a test of manhood.
A word to anyone prowling for “allocated” bourbons
In which we address the burning question, “Do you prefer that allocated bourbon because you’re **supposed** to or because you actually enjoy it?” Warning: Actual tasting experience ahead. Related spoiler alert: Tasting bourbons “blind” may change your mind about what you love. As a marketing guy, I believe there is only a faint, fuzzy boundary … Continue reading A word to anyone prowling for “allocated” bourbons
Why your grenadine sucks and how to fix it
Top line: Make it, don’t buy it. But stick with me for the ‘why’ and more about the ‘make it’ part. For almost all the years I’ve been making cocktails at home, I’ve had an aversion to recipes using grenadine syrup because the stuff available in stores is—cover the children’s ears—really, really shitty. It comes … Continue reading Why your grenadine sucks and how to fix it
Her Majesty’s Favorite: Was she Team Dubonnet or Team Martini?
Royal funerals are certainly more sober events than royal weddings, but just as rare, so I hope everyone will forgive this descendant of English yeoman farmers for being fascinated by the moment. In fact, Nancy and I plan to watch the entire proceeding on Monday, September 19—provided we succeed in recording it all. (We’re interested, … Continue reading Her Majesty’s Favorite: Was she Team Dubonnet or Team Martini?
Happy National Bourbon Day!
Today, June 14, is best known across the United States as Flag Day, but it is also (not making this up) National Bourbon Day (do you know where your bourbon is?)—a day to celebrate that most American of spirits. Well, it’s not really the *most* American of spirits. It may be only the second or … Continue reading Happy National Bourbon Day!
Gluten-free liquor: The science and regulations
“Can you tell me if this is gluten-free?” This question comes up regularly at spirits tastings and seminars I conduct and from customers at Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, where I work part-time. Usually it’s about a vodka or whiskey; interestingly, the question seldom arises about gin or other spirits, although it very well could, as … Continue reading Gluten-free liquor: The science and regulations
My Relationship With Wine
(Or, “Why I don’t post more about it.”) When I came up with “Libation Lounge” for the name of this blog, I carefully chose a handle robust enough to encompass all forms of adult beverages—including spirits, cocktails, and … wine. Every time I add a post to the Libation Lounge, though, I’m acutely aware that … Continue reading My Relationship With Wine
The Libation Lounge 