I just wrote a long story about the US vodka trade for a UK magazine. It's the first time I've ever really done an all hard-numbers story (about booze, that is). It was kinda fun. Anyway, I mentioned it to Greg Boehm of Mud Puddle Books and he sent me... Read more →
The new Lady Gaga video has some unusual Campari product placement, in that they seem to be enjoying it in an underground station while Lady Gaga, with her usual aversion to wearing pants, waves a light-up Gandalf-style staff around. Campari, the choice of subway disco wizards since 1860. Read more →
For a year or so I've been tracking how airlines and travel destinations use the image of cocktails to convey luxury relaxation. When I saw this ad, I was thinking of it as another one in the category. Then I realized they're sticking a drink umbrella into a Martini. What??? Read more →
Check out this website. It's a teaser for an international cocktail contest of some sort that they should be more clear about. But the teaser itself is pretty amazing. Read more →
Eric Asimov of the New York Times writes: The style at The Times was to use the spelling whiskey [even when it was scotch whisky], and that’s what I did. Given the vehemence of the reaction, though, I promised to ask the editors in charge of Times style to revisit... Read more →
There's a new study released by Sarah Bowen of North Carolina State University in Raleigh and Ana Valenzuela Zapata of Mexico that says the tequila industry is ruining small farms. I've seen several stories in the media reporting on this and I think many of them are missing a large... Read more →
In the Wall Street Journal this weekend, Eric Felten has a story on Captain Morgan and other spiced rums. He lists a recipe for an imitation spiced rum from our own Martin Cate of Forbidden Island, plus a drink recipe in which to mix it. Coincidentally, on Friday I was... Read more →
In the latest of these creative pairing contests at San Francisco's Fifth Floor restaurant, the house Master Sommelier Emily Wines with compete to pair wine with each course of a five-course meal against two other sommeliers. Emily Wines will pair Old World wines. Consultant Master Sommelier Brian Cronin will pair... Read more →