This is the first installment of Drinks With, a new Alcademics category where I talk about what I talked about when having drinks with persons in the cocktails and spirits industry. Frequently I meet with brand ambassadors, bartenders, distillers, and other folks. I may learn a single bit of information... Read more →
I learned stuff in Jason Wilson's Washington Post story on grappa. You should too. Read it here. Read more →
Recently in the news, a 16 year old kid apparently died of excessive alcohol consumption at a party. (The autopsy is not complete, could have been other things in his system.) First the police locked up the party host who threw the event while his parents were away. Now they're... Read more →
Recently my book club chose the book Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky . Naturally I read it with an eye toward any reference to booze. Items of interest: The Celts invented the barrel. I'd always heard that it was the Romans, but the Romans conquered the Gauls, who... Read more →
Starting last summer, bartenders all over the country were playing with smoke in cocktails. Currently, many are playing with the smoky flavors of Islay whisky and mescal in drinks. The savory cocktail trends has been going on for a couple years. And now a few distillers are putting spicy and... Read more →
My favorite cocktails to make at home have a few things in common: - Not many ingredients. If I want a fancy complicated drink, I'll go to a bar and be served by a professional. - Easy-to-remember proportions so I don't have to look up the recipe. When I'm pulling... Read more →
On August 7th, 2009, you are attending my talk called Cocktails Get in the Mix, as part of the SF Chefs.Food.Wine extravaganza happening in Union Square on San Francisco. The talk is at 10:30 AM. It's me and Duggan McDonnell from Cantina and Thad Vogler from Bar Agricole. Cocktails Get... Read more →
Psst. People on Beretta's email list are now getting a drink recipe from the bar sent to them each month. This month is was the Jeepster, about which I have written. Read more →