Recent Posts

The Cocktail Historian Who Shaped the Future: A Conversation with David Wondrich (Interview)

The Cocktail Historian Who Shaped the Future: A Conversation with David Wondrich (Interview)

This article is the extended version of an interview I conducted with David Wondrich. I judged a cocktail competition with him in Tulsa, Oklahoma and called him the week prior to the event to discuss his backstory, the cocktail revolution, and his approach to judging…

MIX 2018 Ticket Giveaway

MIX 2018 Ticket Giveaway

Philbrook’s annual MIX cocktail competition is this weekend, and I’ve teamed up with them to give away two tickets to the event! I’ll be judging the event alongside renown cocktail writer and historian, David Wondrich (check out my Q&A with him here), and the executive…

The Old Plantation – A Pineapple Rum Old Fashioned

The Old Plantation – A Pineapple Rum Old Fashioned

As most cocktail enthusiasts know, the old fashioned is not simply limited to whiskey. This rum old fashioned uses a split base of Plantation Pineapple Rum along with their O.F.T.D. Overproof (69% ABV) Rum.

Bartender Pet Peeves – An Inside Look at Valid Gripes

Bartender Pet Peeves – An Inside Look at Valid Gripes

Slurping sounds. Reversed toilet paper rolls. Double parking. To have a pet peeve is to hold an opinion on acceptable behavior. While many peeves are commonly agreed upon, others may remain invisible to those outside a niche segment of the population. When that niche is one that many people interact with weekly, it’s worth investigating. Bartenders serve us at our best and our worst, so understanding their peeves is a small way to return the favor.

Underberg – The Unusual German Bitters and 7 Cocktails to Use It In

Underberg – The Unusual German Bitters and 7 Cocktails to Use It In

Obscurity of a cocktail ingredient does not guarantee that said ingredient is good. Perhaps there is a reason a certain spirit is unknown, as opposed to it being a mysterious elixir. However, when that obscure ingredient has been around for over 150 years, it’s more than…

Two Somms, 10 Cans (Blind Tasting)

Two Somms, 10 Cans (Blind Tasting)

It’s easy to conjure the mental image of the pretentious wine snob feverishly swirling the glass, then taking a sip with an outstretched pinky.Most of us don’t fall into that category, but we might snub our noses at the concept of canned wine. It’s as…

New Vantage, Same Vintage – Passion for Wine Motivates Vintage 1740’s Relocation

Over the past 13 years, Vintage 1740 created a name for itself as an intimate wine bar and established a strong local following. Its Victorian-esque aesthetic features ornate couches, floral patterns, and a plethora of wall art. Many regulars formed personal connections with the space, which is why it might come as a surprise that the business is relocating.