It’s no secret that I love mezcal. If I see it in a drink on a menu, I have to order whatever the cocktail is. There is such a wide range of flavor profiles in mezcal. Not unlike whiskey, you’ll find mezcal that is light and others that are super smokey. I recently received a sample of Mezcal Amarás Espadin and got straight to work on some mezcal artesanal cocktails. The mezcal is smooth and is handcrafted using the finest 8-year old agave Espadin. It is perfect for sipping or mixing. I enjoyed doing both with these delicious mezcal cocktails for spring! What is Mezcal Artesanal? There’s a lo ..read more

With nearly 6 million people living among 280 square miles, it’s no surprise that Singapore has plenty of great bars to choose from. Home to three of the Top 50 Bars in the World (2023), the cocktail community is tight-knit and friendly. We learned of many great places to try through conversations with bartenders. In one case, a bar owner walked us to the next bar on our list because he didn’t want us to get lost. Over six days in September 2019, we visited many neighborhoods and sampled delicious drinks. Here’s my list of the amazing cocktail bars in Singapore you need to visit. This post was ..read more

I used to hate spicy drinks. You know the ones that are so hot it numbs your tastebuds and makes you thirsty? Then I discovered more balanced cocktails with some heat that highlighted all the flavors in the cocktail without making me sweat. I was hooked from then on. When I was creating a post about spicy gin cocktails, I found a spirit that really helped kick up the heat. I had made Ancho Reyes cocktails before, but the pairing with gin was delicious and unexpected. I researched some recipes and created some amazing flavor combinations. Here are a few of my favorite Ancho Reyes cocktail recip ..read more

I moved away from the Portland area about 22 years ago – yikes! I return once or twice a year to visit friends and family. It’s been enjoyable to keep up with the local food and drink scene every time I return. Growing up, it was mostly breweries and lobster shacks and now it’s a true foodie destination. When friends travel to Maine they ask for my recommendations. I keep this list updated frequently. My most recent trip to Portland, Maine was in June 2023. Also, if you landed on this post looking for Portland, OR, I have a guide on that as well. Please enjoy my picks for the best bars in Port ..read more

When it comes to tasting spirits, the glass matters. While you may not think there’s a huge difference, try getting the full flavor from a plastic shot glass. In order to nose a spirit, which just involves inhaling gently, a copita glass can make it easier. Plus, they make great gifts and are beautiful on your bar shelves as well. When I first started tasting spirits, I thought copita glasses were just for mezcal. After some research, I’ve learned some things about copita glasses that I thought you might also enjoy. Let’s get started! What is a copita glass? The word copita means “little glass ..read more

I’ve always been a sucker for watermelon. I like the artificial flavor but fresh watermelon is best. It takes a little work to juice a watermelon but it’s so worth it. Summer isn’t official in my book until I am sipping on some watermelon cocktails. The juice is complementary with so many spirits. It can be hard to choose. Here are six easy watermelon cocktails featuring tequila, mezcal, rum, vodka, and gin. And a quick tutorial on how to juice a watermelon. How to juice a watermelon For the recipes I am going to share, you need to have some watermelon juice. You can buy it if you want ..read more

A lot has been written about mezcal. One of my top books from two years ago covers the spirit in depth. However, if you’re not deeply obsessed with spirit trivia, like I am, you might be wondering what mezcal is. I feel like I am still asked whether I’ve had mezcal when ordering a cocktail in a bar. The assumption is that most people aren’t accustomed to the smokey flavor and might not enjoy their drink. This used to be me before American bartenders found the sweet spot of balance and flavor in their drinks. Now, whenever I order a mezcal cocktail at a craft cocktail bar, or make one at home ..read more

The first time I tried tepache cocktails, my palate expanded a bit. Cocktail vinegars (or shrubs) were big for a year or two, but they can be a little harsh for some people. Tepache has a much less aggressive flavor that still adds a kick to drinks. With a slightly carbonated quality, due to the fermentation process, it provides a hint of fizz that I love. Summer is the perfect time for pineapple flavors, like this grilled syrup, or tepache. Let’s explore some delicious ways to use tepache in cocktails but first let’s learn a little about this fun ingredient. What is tepache? Tepache is a fer ..read more

While I haven’t been traveling much, I have been experimenting with a lot of recipes with global ingredients. I’ve been working my way through some new recipes. From time to time, I am also making up some variations of my own. There’s one cocktail in particular that I have been enjoying a lot. It it contains all five tastes—salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami. Plus, two additional flavors that aren’t official tastes—spicy and smoky. If you’ve been working on your at-home cocktail making skills, the Fire Margarita is a great one to try. It pays homage to my postponed trip to Oaxaca and i ..read more

When it comes to summer drinks, I want something that’s refreshing but also surprising. As a home bartender with probably too many bottles in my collection, my tastebuds are admittedly spoiled. I find myself making up new cocktails nearly every night. However, every once in a while I come across something that is so good, I make it again. The first time I made this gin mezcal cocktail, I had it two nights in a row. This hardly ever happens, so I needed to share it with you. Best of all, this draws upon my list of bar essentials, meaning you probably have these ingredients on hand. If you’re ne ..read more