GSN Alert: North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023

The list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony on May 4, 2023 at Hacienda Los Picachos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This represents the first time the awards ceremony was staged in Mexico and salutes its presence on the global cocktail scene. The annual ranking features bars from across the North American continent, including the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. New York City’s Double Chicken Please is crowned No.1 as The Best Bar in North America and The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Perrier, with Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy ranking No.2 and claiming the title of The Best Bar in Mexico, followed by New York City’s Katana Kitten at No.3. 

Toronto’s Civil Liberties (No.12) wins the title of The Best Bar in Canada for the second year in a row, while Puerto Rico’s La Factoría, at No.24, retains its title of The Best Bar in the Caribbean. Overall, the USA leads the list with 28 bars, with Mexico fielding 14, Canada boasting seven and the Caribbean celebrating one top bar.  

The full list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 is at the bottom of this press release.  

The brainchild of GN Chan and Faye Chen, Double Chicken Please is a groundbreaking New York City bar with an ingenious cocktail program based on the concept of “hacking design.” Here, cocktails are deconstructed then reassembled in new, playful and creative ways. At Double Chicken Please, drinks are inspired by food and food is inspired by drinks, creating surprising, delightful and unexpected sensory experiences. Their mind-boggling cocktails, like the Key Lime Pie and Cold Pizza, leave their guests delighted and utterly perplexed as to how these unique flavors are so accurately transmogrified into liquid works of art. Last year, the bar burst on the global stage at The World’s 50 Best Bars, coming in at No.6 and earning the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, as well as placing at No.17 on the inaugural list of North America’s 50 Best Bars. 

Mark Sansom, Content Director for 50 Best, says: “We commend Double Chicken Please and its visionary founders, GN Chan and Faye Chen, for reaching the peak of cocktail excellence on the North American continent. Double Chicken Please is truly pushing the boundaries of flavor in cocktails and doing so with staggering creativity and precision, not to mention a wonderful sense of humor, humility and always flawless hospitality. This remarkable achievement did not come overnight. The duo persevered through the very challenging days of the pandemic, never once compromising their original vision for cocktails inspired by food dishes, even though their dream bar’s very viability was at risk. They not only survived but thrived, sending joyful shockwaves through the New York City drinks community that have reverberated across North America and globally. We congratulate GN, Faye and the team at Double Chicken Please for this deserved accolade, as well as all the other fantastic bars on this year’s list.” 

Elisa Gregori, Perrier Global Business Unit Director, says: “Since its presence on the tables of the best bars and hotels in the 1800’s, Perrier has always had deep historic roots with the North American continent. Today, Perrier is proud to be the leading partner of North America’s 50 Best Bars and excited to be able to return for a second edition in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It’s our honor to recognize the hard work, creativity and innovation of the talented bartenders, mixologists and professionals who continue to elevate the international bar scene daily. Having our roots in the French café society, we’re proud to commemorate and shine a spotlight on the exceptional talents behind the awarded North America’s 50 Best Bars. The entire Perrier team is grateful to the bar community for the hard work and dedication that goes into creating unforgettable experiences for all who enter your doors. We raise our glass to you, congratulations!”

USA: The Big Apple Accounts for a Lion’s Share of Top U.S. Bars
A stalwart of the craft cocktail movement, New York City continues to field a lion’s share, 12 of the 28 U.S. drinks listees, including the continent’s highest achievers. They include Double Chicken Please (No.1), Katana Kitten (No.3), Dante (No.6) and Overstory, winner of the Nikka Highest Climber that jumped 27 spots to No.7. These notable watering holes are joined by last year’s No.1 winner, Attaboy, now at No.13, Employees Only (No.14), Mace (No.18), new to the list Martiny’s (No.29) and Maison Premiere (No.39), The Dead Rabbit (No.44), Clover Club (No.46) and new listee Milady’s (No.50). 

Other mixological hotbeds across the U.S. include New Orleans’ Jewel of the South, which bounced up 24 spots from last year to rank No.5 and earn The Best Bar in South USA,with Cure ranking No.36. In the Windy City, Chicago’s Kumiko (No.8) was named The Best Bar in Midwest USA, with new entry Milk Room ensconcedat No.38. 

Los Angeles’ Thunderbolt landsat No.10 and again wins the title of The Best Bar in West USA. Also representing the West are Las Vegas’ Herbs & Rye at No.27, San Francisco’s new listee Pacific Cocktail Haven at No.28, Los Angeles’ Death & Co at No.30, Phoenix’s new-to-the-list Platform 18 at No.48 and San Diego’s new entry, Youngblood, at No.49.

In Washington, D.C., Service Bar (No.33) is joined by Allegory (No.45), a new entry that garnered the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu title. Other U.S. bars on the list include Miami’s Sweet Liberty (No.34), Honolulu’s Bar Leather Apron (No.41), as well as Denver’s Yacht Club (No.42), a new listee that also earned the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award

Mexico: Mexico City Continues Its Leadership, Fielding 8 Bars of Mexico’s 14
Now firmly established as a global cocktail destination, Mexico City accounted for more than half of the best bars in Mexico. Handshake Speakeasy (No.2) retains its position and is again named The Best Bar in Mexico, with Licorería Limantour at No.4. They are joined by Baltra Bar (No.16), list newcomer Rayo (No.17), Hanky Panky (No.20), Café de Nadie (No.25), Kaito del Valle (No.26) and new listee Brujas (No.47). 

That being said, cocktail excellence is rippling through the bar scene across the formidable Latin American nation. Playa del Carmen’s Zapote Bar places No.11, Guadalajara’s El Gallo Altanero comes in at No.21, Oaxaca’s Sabina Sabe secures No.22, Tulum’s Arca finishes at No.23, Oaxaca’s Selva ranks No.31 and Tijuana’s new listee, Aruba Day Drink, arrives at No.40.

Canada: The Most Northerly Nation on the Continent Boasts 7 Bars, Including 3 Newcomers
Toronto’s Civil Liberties (No.12) earns The Best Bar in Canada for the second year in a row. It is followed by list newcomers Bar Pompette (No.15), also in Toronto, Botanist Bar (No.19) in Vancouver, B.C. and Atwater Cocktail Club (No.32) in Montreal. These bars surged ahead of list veterans Cloakroom (No.35) in Montreal, as well as Toronto’s Mother (No.37) and Bar Mordecai (No.43).  

The Caribbean: All Eyes on Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s La Factoría (No.24) is once again crowned The Best Bar in the Caribbean as the sprawling complex of six drinking dens celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Special Awards 
Among the glamorous evening’s highlights, New York City’s Manhatta was presented the Campari One To Watch, an accolade given to a bar outside the main list that the 50 Best team believes has the ability to break into the ranking in future editions.  

Allegory (No.45) in Washington, D.C., earns the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. The pioneering menu allegorically tells the story of Civil Rights Activist Ruby Bridges as seen through the lens of Alice in Wonderland. Any bar on the North American continent was eligible to enter this award, which is graded by a panel of Academy Chairs. The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award was introduced in 2021 and rewards innovation, design, drinks craft and idea communication. 

Julio Cabrera of Miami’s Café La Trova (No.9) receives the laurels as Roku Industry Icon. For this award, all 260 members of the voting Academy are asked to name the person who has done more for the progress of the bar industry than any other individual. The Cuban-born bartending legend is credited with transplanting the island nation’s proud cantinero-style to the U.S., where it has taken root and flourishes at Café La Trova in a high energy, modern guise.

Mexico City’s Rayo earns the London Essence Best New Opening title at No.17, as the bar that enters the list in the highest position of any that have opened during the voting period. Rayo celebrates Mexican and global spirits in cocktails that tell stories. Its name is inspired by the legend of the goddess Mayahuel, who took the form of an agave plant. When struck by a lightning bolt (rayo), it released a liquid that, when fermented, became pulque. 

Denver’s Yacht Club, owned by Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges, nabs the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, which is bestowed on a bar that demonstrates the strongest commitment to sustainability. The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award is independently adjudicated by 50 Best’s audit partner, the Sustainable Restaurant Association. 

Additional special award winners announced in the run-up to the May 4 event included Vancouver’s Botanist Bar, which was feted with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and Christine Wiseman of Bar Lab Hospitality in New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, was celebrated as the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.  

1-50 LIST
 

Position  Bar  Town 
Double Chicken Please  New York City 
Handshake Speakeasy  Mexico City 
Katana Kitten  New York City 
Licorería Limantour  Mexico City 
Jewel of the South  New Orleans 
Dante  New York City 
Overstory  New York City 
Kumiko  Chicago 
Café La Trova  Miami 
10  Thunderbolt  Los Angeles 
11  Zapote Bar  Playa del Carmen 
12  Civil Liberties  Toronto 
13  Attaboy  New York City 
14  Employees Only  New York City 
15  Bar Pompette  Toronto 
16  Baltra Bar  Mexico City 
17  Rayo  Mexico City 
18  Mace  New York City 
19  Botanist Bar  Vancouver 
20  Hanky Panky  Mexico City 
21  El Gallo Altanero  Guadalajara 
22  Sabina Sabe  Oaxaca 
23  Arca  Tulum 
24  La Factoría  San Juan 
25  Café de Nadie  Mexico City 
26  Kaito del Valle  Mexico City 
27  Herbs & Rye  Las Vegas 
28  Pacific Cocktail Haven  San Francisco 
29  Martiny’s  New York City 
30  Death & Co (Los Angeles)  Los Angeles 
31  Selva  Oaxaca 
32  Atwater Cocktail Club  Montreal 
33  Service Bar  Washington, D.C. 
34  Sweet Liberty   Miami 
35  Cloakroom   Montreal 
36  Cure  New Orleans 
37  Mother   Toronto 
38  Milk Room  Chicago 
39  Maison Premiere  New York City 
40  Aruba Day Drink  Tijuana 
41  Bar Leather Apron  Honolulu 
42  Yacht Club  Denver 
43  Bar Mordecai  Toronto 
44  The Dead Rabbit   New York City 
45  Allegory  Washington, D.C. 
46  Clover Club  New York City 
47  Brujas  Mexico City 
48  Platform 18  Phoenix 
49  Youngblood  San Diego 
50  Milady’s  New York City 

GSN Alert: Cocktail, Spirits, Wine & Beer Publications Holiday Gift Guide 2022

GSN presents our yearly round up of upcoming books of interest for the imbiber of all things alcoholic. Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find a few new volumes to add to your wish list!

It taste like maguey: Eleven species of agave through the eyes of a mezcal lover 359 libros; 1st edition (October 2, 2022) This book is a tribute to the maguey. And not only to the culture and society created from it and its transformation into mezcal, but also to its biology, morphology and conservation. This is based on the fact that its author, Juan Valde-rrama Cicery, has cultivated it on different scales, geographies, and methods in Mexico, to the point that he was able to compile a catalog of eleven species of magueyera that he shares with us in this book. Cheers to all those who are passionate and curious about the maguey!

Champagne Secrets: the wine guide to learn about champagne, choose the best sparkling wines, be comfortable to taste like a pro, and recognize the grape varieties by Sylvie Schindler Bulles d’Émotion Éditions (October 3, 2022) Secrets de Champagne is the first champagne guide to learn sparkling wines easily and smartly. It will give you the skills to impress your guests, be more confident for tasting, and make you a true wine connoisseur. All the answers are in this champagne bible written by the Parisian specialist Sylvie Schindler. You will become an informed wine lover. You will know how to recognize a good champagne, how to recognize winemaking styles, and how to advise your friends. Identify the appellations, understand the labeling information, recognize the aromas, choose the best vintages, all the tips to serve champagne well… This wine book on champagne is clear, elegant, didactic, and very useful to discover the secrets of champagne.

American Rye: A Guide to the Nation’s Original Spirit by Clay Risen Scott & Nix, Inc. (October 3, 2022) What is going on with rye whiskey? Suddenly both experienced and new whiskey lovers are turning to rye as their primary object of interest. And just as suddenly the market is flooded with new offerings of this “old fashioned” spirit—the growth from just a dozen brands 15 years ago to more than 225 today is unprecedented. Author and spirits expert Clay Risen now offers a road map to the phenomena of rye. A detailed introduction includes a history of rye, how it’s distilled, aged, and earns its distinguishing qualities. Sections include info on how to start collecting rye, read a whiskey label, and how to have a whiskey tasting. Extensive rye whiskey accounts are organized alphabetically by distillery and brand and each of more than 225 expressions include a color photo of the bottle, info on proof, age, average price, tasting notes (nose, palate, finish), and is rated on a four-star scale. The author with a group of expert tasters “blind tasted” each and every one—a first for a spirits book of this scale. The result is a groundbreakingly innovative and invaluable asset for the whiskey lover navigating the world of American rye.

Modern Classic Cocktails: 60+ Stories and Recipes from the New Golden Age in Drinks by Robert Simonson Ten Speed Press (October 4, 2022) One of the greatest dividends of the revival in cocktail culture that began in the 1990s has been the relentless innovation. More new cocktails—and good ones—have been invented in the past thirty years than during any period since the first golden age of cocktails, which lasted from roughly the 1870s until the arrival of Prohibition in 1920 and included the birth of the Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri, and Tom Collins. Just as that first bar-world zenith produced a half-century of classic recipes before Prohibition, the eruption of talent over the past three decades has handily delivered its share of drinks that have found favor with arbiters on both sides of the bar. Among them are the Espresso Martini, White Negroni, Death Flip, Old Cuban, Paper Plane, Siesta, and many more, all included here along with each drink’s recipe origin story. What elevates a modern cocktail into the echelon of a modern classic? A host of reasons, all delineated by Simonson in these pages. But, above all, a modern classic cocktail must be popular. People have to order it, not just during its initial heyday, but for years afterward. Tommy’s Margarita, invented in the 1990s, is still beloved, and the Porn Star Martini is the most popular cocktail in the United Kingdom, twenty years after its creation.

Pour Me Another: 250 Ways to Find Your Favorite Drink by J. M. Hirsch Voracious (October 4, 2022) You know what you like to drink—but what’s next? Expert mixologist and James Beard Award-winning editorial director of Milk Street J.M. Hirsch has the answer in Pour Me Another, where every recipe helps you choose your next drink. No matter your taste or liquor of choice, Pour Me Another guides you to a new world of drinks you’ll love. It’s an essential handbook for cocktail lovers and home mixologists everywhere.

Bohemian Mixology: Alternative Spirits & Modern Cocktails by Mr David Jordan Melia Independently published (October 6, 2022) Bohemian Mixology: Alternative Spirits & Modern Cocktails opens your eyes to the lesser known spirits used in the drinks industry, and shows you a different way of thinking about cocktails. By placing a ban on the use of traditional base spirits, you can allow your creativity to flourish, or at the very least, you can have a lot of fun. Focusing on 6 ‘Bohemian’ spirits, such as Absinthe, Pisco and Poitín, it will walk you through all aspects of making a cocktail from simple sours to advanced infusions. Stunning full page imagery of each drink will facilitate even more creativity, as you get to grips with a new way of thinking in the world of mixology.

The Creation of Flavor; from a Bartender’s Perspective by Whitney Marie Independently published (October 10, 2022) The Creation of Flavor; from a Bartender’s Perspective guides readers in how flavor is created through taste and aroma from how their molecular structure is perceived to how it can be manipulated. The author shares their methodology and understanding of ingredients to create cocktails that are drinkable works of art. Starting by breaking down the most common tastes in cocktails; sweet, sour, bitter, and salty, as well as common sources of each used in drinks. A further understanding of how their unique attributes are explored and how together these tastes can be utilized food the creation of balanced drinks. This will set the foundation of any good cocktail. Next aromas are delved into, from floral and citrusy to peppery and earthy, and the unique chemical makeup that allows aromas to be sensed through smell. Further understanding of aromatic showcases how the minute difference in molecular structure with aromatic compounds as well as different preparation creates different experiences within this category. This allows for the creation of layered and nuanced aromatic experiences. Aromas being one of the most powerful creators of memories and thus strong emotional connotation is the bridge used to traverse from a balanced cocktail to art in a glass. The Creation of Flavor; from a Bartender’s Perspective endeavors to find a more precise process for the development of new drinks through a better understanding of the ingredients that compose drinks. Just as an artist masters both technique and medium so can any enterprising bartender create a truly memorable drink.

Cocktails with a Curator by Xavier F. Salomon (Author), Aimee Ng Giulio Dalvit Luis Serrano (Illustrator), Simon Schama (Foreword) Rizzoli Electa (October 11, 2022) Join the curators of the Frick as they present engaging histories of works of art paired with creatively inspired cocktails—a crash course in art history and a delightful introduction to the treasures of the esteemed New York collection. Based on the critically acclaimed video series of the same name, Cocktails with a Curator is a collection of lively and informative essays. Paintings, sculpture, furniture, and porcelain—from medieval times through the glorious Renaissance to the early twentieth century—are discussed for their exemplary status. The creators are some of the greatest artists and include Rembrandt, Vermeer, Whistler, Manet, Velázquez, and Veronese, and the stories (of both artists and subjects) are tantalizing. Cocktails, with recipes, are thematically paired with the works: a Jaded Countess (absinthe, vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup) with Ingres’s portrait Comtesse d’Haussonville; a classic Pimm’s Cup with Gainsborough’s depiction of English beauty Grace Dalrymple Elliott; and a Bloody Mary (named after the last Catholic regnant queen of England) with Holbein’s painting of Sir Thomas More, who opposed the Reformation of Mary’s father, Henry VIII. The perfect addition to any art connoisseur’s library, this book is an innovative and intoxicating way to enjoy the treasures of a world-renowned art collection.

A Sense of Place: A journey around Scotland’s whisky by Dave Broom Mitchell Beazley (October 11, 2022) A personal journey exploring Scotch whisky through its terroir, including the land, weather, history, craft and culture that feeds and enhances the whisky itself. In this beautifully crafted narrative, award-winning writer Dave Broom examines Scotch whisky from the point of view of its terroir – the land, weather, history, craft and culture that feed and enhance the whisky itself. Travelling around his native Scotland and visiting distilleries from Islay and Harris to Orkney and Speyside, Dave explores the whiskies made there and the elements in their distilling, and locality, which make them what they are. Along the way he tells the story of whisky’s history and considers what whisky is now, and where it is going. With stunning specially commissioned photography by Christina Kernohan, A Sense of Place will enhance and deepen every whisky drinker’s understanding of just what is in their glass, as well as open their eyes to where whisky can go.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Cocktail Book by Peter Wilkins Breakwater Books (October 15, 2022) The definitive guide to cocktails in Newfoundland and Labrador from the co-founder of the popular Newfoundland Distillery, including recipes from the top mixologists and bartenders across the province. Cocktails are allabout pleasure and celebrating the finer moments in life. With recipes compiled and tested by Peter Wilkins, the co-founder of the Newfoundland Distillery, this is the essential guide on how to effortlessly make classic and contemporary cocktails using the best local ingredients available. Peter introduces us to a range of delightful drinks in a variety of tastes and styles to make sure there is a cocktail for everyone.

New Mocktails Bible: All Occasion Guide to an Alcohol-Free, Zero-Proof, No-Regrets, Sober-Curious Lifestyle by Anne Schaeffer Fox Chapel Publishing (October 16, 2022) Never run out of alcohol-free ideas for mixed drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, and more with the refreshing guide to concocting the best mocktails, New Mocktails Bible! Whether you’re pursuing a sober-curious lifestyle or simply striving for more health-conscious libations, this must-have recipe book is perfect for enjoying any social setting or seasonal celebration without it going to your head. These aren’t the old super-sweet drinks made with only sweetened sodas, juices, syrups, and purees that appeal to a child’s palate—the drinks inside these 208 pages are carefully crafted to be delightful and delicious to the most discerning adult, including tea-based beverages, savory delights, and refreshing elixirs! Featuring an insightful introduction on the endless possibilities of nonalcoholic drinks, inside these pages you’ll discover more than 250 drink recipes organized into different categories, from New Signature Mocktails and Traditional Mixed Drinks to Unusual Mixers, After Dinner Drinks, and even Dessert Drinks!

60-Second Cocktails: Amazing Drinks to Make at Home in a Minute by Joel Harrison & Neil Ridley Princeton Architectural Press (October 18, 2022) Mixology in a minute! This cocktail recipe book from award-winning drink experts offers 60 delicious cocktails you can create in 60 seconds or less. Whether you have classic or adventurous taste, this guide to easy cocktail creation is the perfect addition to your home bar. The recipes include original drinks as well as tasty twists on the classics. Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley prove that mixing cocktails at home doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated; it’s fun, simple, and affordable! Featuring 60 cocktails that utilize a variety of spirits—including tequila, gin, rum, whiskey, vodka, and more.

The Whiskey Cookbook: Sensational Tasting Notes and Pairings for Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, and Single Malts by Richard Thomas Cider Mill Press (October 18, 2022) Wine isn’t the only drink that can accompany a good meal. In this cookbook, whiskey takes center stage with signature pairings and top-notch recipes. From rye with smoked salmon to bourbon with apple pie, experiment with diverse flavor profiles that pair with and improve the taste of these spirits. With hundreds of different expressions to choose from, a good bottle of whiskey is an ingenious way to bring your meals to the next level. Balance out delectable dishes or give them a perfect punch, ??and bring depth and complexity to each meal with this spirited collection. This is a new way to think, drink, and appreciate the world of whiskey. Raise your glass, it’s time to eat with The Whiskey Cookbook.

The Little Book of Aperitifs: 50 Classic Cocktails and Delightful Drinks by Kate Hawkings Quadrille Publishing (October 18, 2022) The Little Book of Aperitifs offers 50 recipes for everything from the perfect Gin and Tonic, classic Martini, effervescent Bellini, refreshing Spritz, to the beloved Negroni – all made with panache and minimal ingredients, and illustrated with gorgeous color photos. A well-made drink before dinner is the height of sophistication and the perfect way to start an evening with friends. Whether you’re a gin lover or a Campari queen, these little glassfuls of nectar will get your taste buds geared up for a night to remember. There’s also a chapter of non-alcoholic aperitifs to whet your whistle. With fascinating facts about your favorite tipples, as well as easy step-by-step instructions, it’s time to relax, get comfortable and enjoy The Little Book of Aperitifs.

Bar Menu: 100+ Drinking Food Recipes for Cocktail Hours at Home by André Darlington Running Press Adult (October 18, 2022) Bring the world’s best drinking food home and into your kitchen with this stylish recipe book featuring more than 100 drool-worthy, easy-to-prepare dishes. Award-winning food-and-drink writer André Darlington serves up creative bites and reimagined classics from around the globe—everything from quick nosh to wowing party-pleasers—to make Bar Menu the ultimate guide to boozy eating and entertaining at home. Whether you are a cocktailer looking for food pairings, or an armchair traveler eager to recreate iconic bar bites from the comfort of your own kitchen, this is your bible for hosting memorable cocktail hours. Companion drink ideas for every dish, 30+ cocktail recipes, quick history lessons, plus tricks and tips on everything from curating menus to batching drinks for a crowd of family and friends make this a cocktail hour cookbook unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ’Em from the Award-Winning Bar by Neal Bodenheimer (Author), Emily Timberlake (Author), Denny Culbert (Photographer) Harry N. Abrams (October 25, 2022) New Orleans is known for its spirit(s)-driven festivities. Neal Bodenheimer and coauthor Emily Timberlake tell the city’s story through 100 cocktails, each chosen to represent New Orleans’ past, present, and future. A love letter to New Orleans and the cast of characters that have had a hand in making the city so singular, Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em features interviews with local figures such as Ian Neville, musician and New Orleans funk royalty, plus a few tips on how to survive your first Mardi Gras. Along the way, the reader is taken on a journey that highlights the rich history and complexity of the city and the drinks it inspired, as well as the techniques and practices that Cure has perfected in their mission to build forward rather than just looking back. Of course, this includes the classics every self-respecting drinker should know, especially if you’re a New Orleanian: the Sazerac, Julep, Vieux Carré, Ramos Gin Fizz, Cocktail à la Louisiane, and French 75. Famous local chefs have contributed easy recipes for snacks with local flavor, perfect for pairing with these libations. Cure: New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em​ is a beautiful keepsake for anyone who has fallen under New Orleans’s spell and a must-have souvenir for the millions of people who visit the city each year.

The Cocktail Edit: Everything You Need to Know About How to Make All the Drinks that Matter by Alice Lascelles Quadrille Publishing (October 25, 2022) Cocktails should be simple. Acclaimed drinks writer Alice Lascelles knows everything there is to know about making delicious drinks at home with minimal equipment and fuss. The Cocktail Edit is built around a ‘capsule collection’ of 12 classic cocktails – each of these is followed by six twists, plus tips and inspiration for creating many more. The book also offers essential advice on getting your home bar set up – and shows how easy it is to make amazing cocktails with just a few basic tools, ingredients and techniques. It’s a guide brimming with trade secrets on everything from choosing the best-value spirits to making cocktails for a party; written in a conversational style, and illustrated with beautiful photography, The Cocktail Edit is practical, opinionated and fun.

American Whiskey (Second Edition): Over 300 Whiskeys and 110 Distillers Tell the Story of the Nation’s Spirit by Richard Thomas (Author), Robin Robinson (Foreword) Cider Mill Press; 2nd edition (October 25, 2022) Internationally recognized whiskey expert Richard Thomas brings you this expanded and updated edition of American Whiskey. This book not only delivers a thorough history of this national spirit, but provides a snapshot of the industry today. With an emphasis on new expressions of whiskey and rising stars in the game, this expanded edition brings more exposure to the whiskey world than ever. Thomas highlights the major players and whiskey hubs across the U.S., from industry giants to smaller craft distilleries that bring quality to your glass. Chapters are dedicated by region, covering the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West. With a special focus on the recent emergence of the third whiskey state, Texas, this is an opportunity to dive deeper into the industry today.

A Bartender’s Guide to the World: Cocktails and Stories from 75 Places by Lauren Mote & James O. Fraioli Appetite by Random House (October 25, 2022) For over 20 years, Lauren Mote has tended bars and traveled the world, often as one of the only women in a male-dominated industry. She’s developed cocktail recipes, sought out new ingredients, and gathered stories along the way. Now, in her first book, Lauren is inviting readers and home bartenders to pack their suitcases and come with her on an international cocktail adventure. Few bartenders can match Lauren’s encyclopedic knowledge of spirits, liqueurs, and tinctures, not to mention her originality for blending them into a perfectly-balanced drink. Once you’ve gotten a handle on the basics of bartending, and gathered your cocktail shaker along with a few other pieces of equipment, you’ll be raising your glass in no time. The recipes are organized by their star ingredients, such as agave, gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, and more. Every drink is given its own designation of standard, mid, low, or zero proof, and you’ll find a whole chapter on nonalcoholic cocktails, because Lauren feels strongly that all drinks should be prepared with care, whether they include alcohol or not. Once you’ve narrowed down the base that you’re in the mood for, let Lauren’s magnetic storytelling and gift of the gab continue to guide you. In each chapter, you’ll find a collection of Mise en Place Recipes to help you build up your bar’s basic ingredients and make Lauren’s techniques your own. With beautiful storytelling and photography, and cocktail recipes you won’t find elsewhere, A Bartender’s Guide to the World is as much a pleasure to read as it is to imbibe from.

Vogue Cocktails: Classic drinks from the golden age of cocktails by Henry McNulty (Author), Robin Muir (Foreword) Conran (October 25, 2022) A super-chic collection of 150 classic cocktail recipes created by one-time Vogue drinks expert and man about town, Henry McNulty. From the archives of British Vogue, the classic cocktail book, for a new generation of discerning drinkers. Vogue Cocktails is an exquisite collection of recipes compiled by former British Vogue drinks aficionado and man-about-town, Henry McNulty. Taking inspiration from the cocktail culture of the 1930s, Vogue Cocktails contains 150 delectable recipes organized by base spirit – Champagne, Gin, Vodka, Whisky, Rum and Brandies & Other Spirits – to ensure a drink for every palate. The book also contains essential information on stocking your bar and mixing drinks, with wonderful, jazz-age-inspired illustrations by Graham Palfrey-Rogers throughout.

John Wayne: The Official Cocktail Book by André Darlington Insight Editions (November 1, 2022) Based on the iconic and beloved actor John Wayne, this collection of satisfying drinks takes cocktail enthusiasts on a trip through some of John Wayne’s most memorable characters, films and extraordinary life. This unique book includes seventy recipes for delicious, handcrafted cocktails and a selection of tasteful bar bites to pair with the beverages. With drinks inspired by characters such as Rooster Cogburn, Big Jake McCandles, and Davy Crockett, John Wayne: The Official Cocktail Book includes step-by-step instructions, tips on how to craft the perfect cocktail, and beautiful full-color photography. This book is an essential addition to every fan’s bar cart or bookshelf.

Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch: The World’s Best-selling Book on Malt Whisky by Michael Jackson DK (November 1, 2022) Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, the landmark best-selling malt whiskey companion by the late Michael Jackson, doyen of whiskey writers, has been comprehensively updated by a team of experts. Featuring over 500 new bottlings, reviewed and scored, plus hundreds of revised entries, Michael Jackson’s Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch includes background information on the distilleries, tasting notes on over 1,000 bottlings, and practical advice on buying malts and interpreting whiskey labels.

Midcentury Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from America’s Atomic Age by Cecelia Tichi NYU Press (November 1, 2022) America at midcentury was a nation on the move, taking to wings and wheels along the new interstate highways and in passenger jets that soared to thirty thousand feet. Anxieties rippled, but this new Atomic Age promised cheap power and future wonders, while the hallmark of the era was the pleasure of an evening imbibing cocktails in mixed company, a middle-class idea of sophisticated leisure. This new age, stretching from the post–World War II baby boom years through the presidency of General Dwight Eisenhower into the increasingly volatile mid-1960s, promised affordable homes for those who had never dreamed of owning property and an array of gleaming appliances to fill them. For many, this was America at its best―innovation, style, and the freedom to enjoy oneself―and the spirit of this time is reflected in the whimsical cocktails that rose to prominence: tiki drinks, Moscow mules, Sea Breezes, Pina Coladas, Pink Squirrels, and Sloe Gin Fizzes. Of course, not everyone was invited to the party. Though the drinks were getting sweeter, the racial divide was getting more bitter―Black Americans in search of a drink, entertainment, or a hotel room had to depend on the Green Book for advice on places where they would be welcome and safe. And the Cold War and Space Race proceeded ominously throughout this period, as technological advances alternately thrilled and terrified. The third installment in Cecelia Tichi’s tour of the cocktails enjoyed in various historical eras, Midcentury Cocktails brings a time of limitless possibilities to life though the cocktails created, named, and consumed.

The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails (Second Edition): Over 400 Classic Drink Recipes With Great Writing from The New York Times by Steve Reddicliffe (Author), Christopher Buckley (Foreword) Cider Mill Press; 2nd edition (November 8, 2022) This updated edition contains more than 400 classic and contemporary craft cocktail recipes, paired with exceptional writing and the authoritative voice of The New York Times. Cocktail hour is one of America’s most popular pastimes and a favorite way to entertain. What better place to find the secrets of craft cocktails than The New York Times? Steve Reddicliffe, the “Quiet Drink” columnist for The Times, brings his signature voice and expertise to this collection of delicious recipes from bartenders from around the world, with a special emphasis on New York City. Discover more than 400 recipes and the wit and wisdom of decades of this venerable paper’s best cocktail coverage. Reddicliffe has carefully curated this essential collection, with memorable writing from famed New York Times journalists like Craig Claiborne, Toby Cecchini, Eric Asimov, Rosie Schaap, Robert Simonson, Melissa Clark, William L. Hamilton, Jonathan Miles, Amanda Hesser, William Grimes, and many more.

Beer A Tasting Course: A Flavor-Focused Approach to the World of Beer by Mark Dredge DK (November 8, 2022) Beer is now brewed in a dizzying variety of styles, available to enjoy like never before. Let’s drink to this diversity with a new appreciation of just how complex and mind-expanding beer can be. Crack open this book and enjoy a series of guided tastings of more than 50 different beer styles—from smoked black lager to sour-fermented wild ales, triple green-hopped IPAs and cask-matured barley wines. With each tasting, you will learn to identify how aroma, taste, texture, and finish all combine to create the distinctive flavor profile of the particular beer style. You will discover which unique ingredients and aspects of the brewing process combine to produce each style, while quick reviews of the best examples from around the world will lead you to explore further. To help establish your beer palate, the course starts with a solid grounding in the range of flavors found in beer and the art of detecting them—opening your nose, mind, and throat to the complete sensory experience of flavor and pouring the perfect glass! Travel through time and across the globe to grasp the ongoing story of beer, its heritage, and its innovation. Also learn how to pair beer with food and to cook with beer. In the end, you always return to what really matters: that miraculous glass of cold, liquid joy.

Holy Waters: Searching for the sacred in a glass by Tom Morton Watkins Publishing (November 8, 2022) Tom Morton has travelled the world in search of the finest drams the planet has to offer. His journeys reveal the links between faith and alcohol, between spirits and the spiritual. From Christianity’s Holy Communion to the temple libations of Japan, through the rum concoctions of Haitian Voodoo to the monastic producers of every liquid from beer to “tonic” wine. And of course Tom’s beloved whisky, brewed in many corners of the world. Holy Waters is Tom’s journey to the spiritual heart of whisky, sake, rum, Champagne, beer, mead and a variety of wines. With great insight, humour and for the most part sobriety, he traces the links between brewing, winemaking, distilling and worship, from ancient pagan rites to the most modern Trappist technology. He revels in the lore and mysteries of craft production, the elemental, magical love stories, the passionate relationships between human and landscape, grain and pure water, grape and fire. And he does so on a motorcycle which, to his astonishment, runs very well on cask-strength Islay single malt. This book is a celebration of cultures and artisan craft, a book for food and drink, travel and history lovers.

The Curious Bartender: In Pursuit of Liquid Perfection: Recipes for the finest cocktails by Tristan Stephenson Ryland Peters & Small (November 8, 2022) Tristan Stephenson is back to shake up the cocktail world once more, perfecting classic cocktails and offering his signature reinventions using his world-renowned mixology skills. The Curious Bartender’s New Testament is the sixth book by bestselling author and legendary bartender Tristan Stephenson. You’ll find 64 of the finest cocktails: 32 perfected classics and 32 game-changing reinventions of classics. Tristan makes you discover tastebuds and talents you never knew you had. You will find recipes for everything from a White Russian or a Tom Collins to an Umami Bomb or a Giraffe. He’ll show you the tools of the trade, the techniques he swears by and how to experiment to create your own cocktail sensations at home. Tristan’s done all the hard work for you – all you have to do is leaf through the pages of his book.

All Belgian Whiskies by Patrick Ludwich & Karel Puype Stichting Kunstboak (November 11, 2022) Belgium has all the assets to become a true whisky country. The knowledge required to make whisky is readily available, thanks in part to our centuries-old culture of beer and jenever. A number of Belgian jenever distilleries and breweries have been experimenting with whisky for quite some time, but the concept of ‘Belgian whisky’ only really took off in the recent past. Every year new initiatives arise and time after time the announced releases are sold out in no time. Belgian whisky is appreciated, has become a sought-after collector’s item and regularly wins gold and silver at international competitions. For the first time, an overview of Belgian whiskies and whisky houses is published in book form. An indispensable reference work for collectors and whisky lovers alike. Text in English, Dutch and French.

Intoxication: An Ethnography of Effervescent Revelry by Sébastien Tutenges Rutgers University Press (November 11, 2022) For two decades, Sébastien Tutenges has conducted research in bars, nightclubs, festivals, drug dens, nightlife resorts, and underground dance parties in a quest to answer a fundamental question: Why do people across cultures gather regularly to intoxicate themselves? Vivid and at times deeply personal, this book offers new insights into a wide variety of intoxicating experiences, from the intimate feeling of connection among concertgoers to the adrenaline-fueled rush of a fight, to the thrill of jumping off a balcony into a swimming pool. Tutenges shows what it means and feels to move beyond the ordinary into altered states in which the transgressive, spectacular, and unexpected take place. He argues that the primary aim of group intoxication is the religious experience that Émile Durkheim calls collective effervescence, the essence of which is a sense of connecting with other people and being part of a larger whole. This experience is empowering and emboldening and may lead to crime and deviance, but it is at the same time vital to our humanity because it strengthens social bonds and solidarity.

LoveSexy Cocktail Guide by André Akinyele BookBaby (November 12, 2021) Shake Up Your Sexy with 138 alluring recipes and illustrations celebrating songs by Prince! “LoveSexy Cocktail Guide” is a curated collection of 138 Prince song inspired cocktail recipes and illustrations. This is a must-have book for fans of an incredible man who revolutionized the music industry. This one-of-a-kind book is an A-to-Z guide of Prince song inspired cocktail recipes for making classic, contemporary, and fun drinks to celebrate Prince. These pages contain classic cocktails inspired from the song catalog of Prince―an astonishing artist, entertainer, musician, and songwriter in pop culture. Make a cocktail playlist from the curated Prince songs included, and decode the mysteries behind each song alongside tasty, inspired recipes.

Seattle Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Emerald City by Neil Ratliff Cider Mill Press (November 15, 2022) Discover the unique Seattle vibe with delicious recipes from some of the city’s top mixologists and bartenders. Explore the best places to drink in the city with chapters divided by neighborhood and remake your favorite local beverages at home. Enjoy recipes from Emerald city bars that take full advantage of local flair and flavor, with stunning photographs that capture the heart of this colorful port city. Find tips and techniques of the trade in interviews with prominent bartenders. From dive bars to craft cocktail bars, Seattle has it all, and you can bring it home with you. Whether you save these recipes for a rainy day or enjoy them in the sunshine, these cocktails will make you feel like you’re at the top of the Space Needle.

Cocktail Time!: The Ultimate Guide to Grown-Up Fun by Paul Feig William Morrow Cookbooks (November 15, 2022) Famed TV and film writer, director, and producer Paul Feig is obsessed with cocktails and cocktail culture. It’s about having great conversations with friends. It’s about putting on your best clothes and throwing a smart gathering or heading to your favorite bar and having an interesting chat with the bartender. And it’s about staying home, mixing a drink and sipping it in a beautiful glass as you watch a great old movie by yourself. Cocktail Time! is a love letter to the aesthetics and culture around cocktails. It’s guaranteed to make you want to up your party-giving game—or at least your home bar situation. And it’s an immensely charming and readable window into one man’s friendly obsession.

Imbibing for Introverts: A Guide to Social Drinking for the Anti-Social by Jeff Cioletti (Author), Elena Makansi (Illustrator) Skyhorse (November 15, 2022) Long before the term “social distancing” entered the lexicon, introverts were thriving. But let’s clear one thing up right away: Being introverts doesn’t mean we’re all a bunch of hermits. Introverts like going out as much as the next person—as long as it’s a manageable, crowd-less situation with comfortable places to sit! The emptier the bar, the better. The less likely to be bothered by—GASP—other people, even more ideal. As a professional drinks writer and editor who travels solo a great deal for a living, the author has learned a thing or two about drinking alone. For instance, seclusion is key. Look for a bar that offers numerous opportunities to sequester yourself. Avoid the communal tables, sit as close to the end of the bar as possible (a corner two-top in a darkened room is best-case-scenario), and don’t skimp on the beverage: Order something with complexity that makes you quietly contemplate what’s in your glass, how it got there, and how your surroundings are accentuating the drinking experience. Tiki bars are among the most conducive to that vibe, as everything from the ingredients, to the décor, to the music is designed for just soaking it all in without distraction, but never discount the daytime dive bar either. Imbibing for Introverts combines the social survival tactics taught in guides like The Introvert’s Way with the appreciation for thoughtful drinking found in travelogues like Around the World in 80 Cocktails. From Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas, to New York’s Dead Rabbit cocktail bar, to San Francisco’s Chinatown dive bar Li Po, Imbibing for Introverts helps solo drinkers confidently pull up a seat at every genre and subgenre of drinking establishment. The book begins in readers’ most comfortable setting—their own homes—before taking them out on the town, to bars across the country and, finally, overseas. There are more than a dozen chapters divided by bar type, along with an introduction (“Introvert’s Manifesto”) and epilogue (“Quarantine Confessions”). Each chapter features drink recommendations and cocktail recipes that relate to the particular setting, so if desired, you could also partake without the annoyance and sometimes anxiety-ridden task of leaving the house.

The Anchor Brewing Story: America’s First Craft Brewery & San Francisco’s Original Anchor Steam Beer by David Burkhart (Author), Fritz Maytag (Foreword) Ten Speed Press (November 15, 2022) San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Co. is one of America’s oldest breweries, with an extraordinary heritage rooted in the California Gold Rush. Undaunted and resilient, it has survived earthquakes, fires, insolvency, and Prohibition. In 1965, when mass-produced, mass-marketed beer completely dominated the American brewing landscape, Fritz Maytag rescued the nation’s smallest brewery and its unique Anchor Steam Beer from the brink of bankruptcy. Focusing on tradition, quality, and flavor, Maytag transformed Anchor Brewing, igniting a revolution that paved the way for today’s craft beer movement. Anchor brewery historian David Burkhart tells the story of America’s first craft brewery in this compellingly definitive insider’s guide. With three hundred images—most shown for the first time—and original homebrew recipes for four of Anchor’s iconic brews (Anchor Steam, Anchor California Lager, Anchor Porter, and Liberty Ale), The Anchor Brewing Story is a book for beer drinkers, homebrewers, pro brewers, entrepreneurs, San Francisco–philes, and anyone who loves a good comeback tale.

Colorado Cocktail Cookbook Vol 2 by Chad Chisholm Liferich Publishing (November 15, 2022) Who’s ready for a second round? Colorado Cocktail Cookbook Vol 2 packs a punch with 54 recipes from the state of Colorado. Mixing at home or enjoying at your favorite haunt, this book is a guide to creative cocktails throughout the state. Elevating the mixologist experience in the Mile High State, this is a perfect compendium to Volume 1!

Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails by Molly Kimball (Author), Melanie Warner Spencer (Author), & Ethan Skaggs Pelican Publishing (November 21, 2022) The clink of ice, the fragrance of fresh herbs, and the ritual of pouring artisanal spirits into a shaker or glass are all integral to the timeless experience of crafting a sophisticated cocktail. When we aren’t drinking, whatever the reason may be, we still want to enjoy elegant, thoughtful beverages. This philosophy is at the heart of Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails. Inspired by the talented bar staff of dozens of Eat Fit restaurant partners, these zero proof recipes surpass sugary mocktails and basic soda spritzers, proving that it’s truly possible to create remarkable, elevated drinks that are alcohol free with little or no added sugars. Featuring more than 50 recipes, as well as guides to barware, bitters, glassware, and everything else you need to craft a fully sensorial cocktail, this book is an essential–and beautiful–resource for every home mixologist’s library.

Behind the Bar: Gin: 50 Gin Cocktails from Bars Around the World by Alia Akkam Hardie Grant (November 22, 2022) In Behind the Bar: Gin, Alia Akkam gives a guided tour around bars around the world and their gin cocktails. From the Enzoni Cobbler at the Gin Palace in Melbourne to a Southern riff on the Gin & Tonic at The Gin Joint in Charleston, there is a simple recipe for anyone wanting to whip up a cocktail at home in no time. Along with recipes, Behind the Bar: Gin explores stories surrounding the bars and their cocktails, as well as interesting gin-based nuggets of inspiration – from sloe gins, the Negroni Sbagliato, to guides on tonics and punches, there is a lot to discover! With its beautiful illustrations and accessible style of writing, this will appeal to the armchair traveler as much as the keen home bartender.

On Champagne: A tapestry of tales to celebrate the greatest sparkling wine of all by Susan Keevil (Editor), Tom Stevenson (Introduction) Academie Du Vin Library Ltd (November 23, 2022) Champagne is never a simple glass of fizz… As soon as the cork flies, the first sip reveals a wine of fascinating complexity. For even the most modest non-vintage cuvée, a bevy of blending decisions, multi layers of history and the incalculable climate of this northern corner of France all come into play. In On Champagne the thoughts, opinions and conclusions of the world’s finest champagne writers gather to reveal this wine’s action-packed trajectory from the myth of its accidental discovery – not in France, we find, but in the cider cellars of England – to the development of a high-tech champagne fit for space travel. It’s a journey that starts and ends with capturing that sparkle in a bottle and along the way beguiles us with the nuances of its chalky terrain, the determination of rebels from Ambonnay to Avize, and the mystery of a champagne cellar under the sea. We meet the pioneers who created the great champagnes of the past and the personalities who are ‘greening’ this landscape, nurturing it through climate change to shape the exquisite champagnes of the future.

Raising the Bar: A Bottle-by-Bottle Guide to Mixing Masterful Cocktails at Home by Brett Adams & Jacob Grier Chronicle Books (November 29, 2022) Instead of drawing on esoteric bottles of liquor, complicated syrups, and obscure sodas, this book takes readers through the home bar bottle by bottle, ensuring that every ingredient is versatile enough to be used to the last drop. Building on a very basic cocktail pantry, each chapter thoughtfully introduces a new bottle and explains how it opens new possibilities for cocktails. Each chapter builds on the one before, so readers never encounter recipes calling for unfamiliar spirits or ingredients. RAISING THE BAR allows readers to set their own pace and maximize the usefulness of the spirits they bring home. This book will be a go-to reference for the home bartender that is practical enough for the day-to-day and special enough for a party. With handsome graphics and a smart focus on what’s already in stock, it’s what home mixologists can turn to when they want creative and delightful drinks without a bar cart full of single-use bottles.

The Five-Bottle Bar: A Simple Guide to Stylish Cocktails by Jessica Schacht Touchwood Editions (November 29, 2022) From the co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company, a collection of cocktail recipes that relies on just five bottles to build your bartending style with ease and confidence. Think of it as the capsule closet for cocktails. Five bottles around which your inner bartender can emerge with skill, savvy and a little flare for the dramatic when it’s called for. Playwright, columnist, and co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company, Jessica Schacht knows we all contain multitudes and believes with a little curation and mastery of the basics, we can succeed at elevating the everyday and cultivating a good cocktail hour. The bottles: gin, whiskey, sweet and dry vermouth, and Campari (plus bonus recipes for bubbly). The setting: living room, backyard, window seat, and the wild beyond. The mixologist? Oh, that’s you. In this beautifully photographed collection, Jessica Schacht, co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company, presents her take on classics (like the G & T, the Old Fashioned, the Martini, and the Negroni), collections (sours, punches, and such), and contemporaries (a few inventive new drinks to pique your creativity). There’s a chapter of zero-proofs in part inspired by the abundance of new alcohol-free spirits on the market now, and another dedicated to keeping your vacation drinks game classy, from the airplane to the B&B to the beach. In addition to the recipes The Five-Bottle Bar supplies a solid foundation in bartending basics (tools, techniques, thoughts on glassware and garnishes), the condensed history of spirits, and tips for setting up your minimalist bar cart.

Drink Like a Local London: A Field Guide to London’s Best Bars by Felipe Schrieberg Cider Mill Press (November 29, 2022) Explore the most popular hotspots, tube stops, and drinks that London has to offer. From classy rooftop bars to eccentric, hidden watering holes, take a tour through London’s diverse cocktail scene with this guide. Discover the unique character of each location and the signature recipes from these venues. You will feel like you’re really there long before you order your first drink. Inside you’ll find 50 bar profiles and bartender highlights, beautifully illustrated pages that showcase the heart of each location, and background on the bustling history of the London bar scene. Never be without a drink with recipes from timeless locations and profiles on some of the best bartenders you’ve never heard of. Bring London’s charm to your home bar anywhere in the world. You’ll find yourself right at home with Drink Like a Local London.

150 Bars You Need to Visit Before You Die by Jurgen Lijcops Lannoo Publishers (November 30, 2022) Since 150 Bars You Need to Visit Before You Die came out in 2018, more than 17,000 copies have been sold. Time for an updated version, with no less than 50 new bars. Discover which bars you must visit worldwide for their delicious cocktails, unique interiors or authentic atmosphere. Sommelier and spirits connoisseur Jurgen Lijcops once again takes you on a trip/bar crawl around the world and also gives you the best cocktail recipes en cours de route.

Decanter: The World’s Wine Legends: Over 100 of the World’s legendary bottles of wine by Stephen Brook Sona Books (December 1, 2022) For many years the world’s most successful wine magazine published on their last page a monthly Wine Legend. These were and, in some cases, still are the most sought after wines around the world from specific vineyards and vintages. Names that can bring a shiver to the back of a wine lover’s neck and be spoken about in hushed tones. Chateau Palmer ’61, Ridge, Monto Bello 1970, Biondi-Santi, Tenuto il Greppo 1975 to name but a few. This book brings these wines together for the first time, over 100 absolutely legendary wines. With an introduction by Stephen Brook who pulled together the information and the photographs, this is a beautiful gift for anyone who enjoys wine.

Cheers!: Cocktails & Toasts to Celebrate Every Day of the Year – A Cocktail Book by Philip Greene Union Square & Co. (December 6, 2022) Philip Greene, winner of the 13th Annual Spirited Award for Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits, pairs each day of the year with a cocktail recipe that represents it, along with a toast in celebration! For every day of the year, Cheers! offers delicious cocktail recipes along with a backstory connecting the recipe to a particular day and a toast to raise in celebration. Greene draws on a range of interesting and (usually) fun events, some significant and some trivial, from the pages of history, literature, sports, entertainment, and more. Many of the toasts are classics culled from cocktail and bartending books dating to the nineteenth century, the works of Shakespeare, and other timeless sources. While the book undoubtedly acknowledges the usual noteworthy dates from around the world (New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, etc.), it also features a new twist on standard observances, offering a fresh story, angle, and drink.

Twist: Your Guide to Creating Inspired Craft Cocktails by Jordan Hughes Page Street Publishing (December 13, 2022) Learn how to make a great, well-balanced and properly executed cocktail with this stunning resource and recipe book from award-winning spirits writer Jordan Hughes. In over 75 killer recipes, you’ll master classics like the Martini and Old Fashioned, discover what makes these builds so timeless and how to use their tried-and-true specs to create your own riffs, twists and deliciously modern craft cocktails. Shake up a perfect Margarita then experiment with the spicy carrot and mezcal Power-Up Technique. Read into the “bastardized” evolution of a classic Daiquiri, then go crazy with a Guava Daiquiri, served over crushed ice with a hint of absinthe. Enjoy the bubbly French 75 and new Pisco and passion fruit Peruvian 75, or the spirit-forward Manhattan and its unique spin the Nocturnal Burn, made with cacao tequila and chili liqueur. There’s something for every palate in these pages! And with tons of information on stocking your home bar, making your own syrups and practicing proper technique, you’ll unlock a whole new world of mixology and hone your bartending skills.

GSN On the Road: Rose Tavern & Red Newt Cellars Wine Pairing Dinner

GSN was recently invited to attend the first of a new series of pairing dinners in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The night’s wines were provided by Red Newt Cellars, located in nearby Hector, NY, while the dinner was held inside the Lake House on Canandaigua in the Rose Tavern. Our evening began with a seating arrangement that allowed guests to view the chefs working the kitchen, while enjoying conversation with other diners at our table. I started with a glass of Louis de Sacy brut, while my partner enjoyed the house cocktail “St Tropez Snowbird”. 

After a brief introduction from the hosts, we started the dinner with a crispy oyster appetizer paired with a 2018 Pinot Gris. The oyster was a perfect starter, light but with some depth of flavor, just like the wine pairing. 

The next course was a rich mafaldine pasta and duck ragu paired with a 2015 Lahoma Riesling as well as a 2015 Tango Oaks Riesling. The difference between the Rieslings was quite surprising, and I found myself enjoying the Tango Oaks more with the second course. While the Lahoma Riesling was sweet and crisp, it overpowered the richness of the ragu. The Tango Oaks Riesling was mellow and light enough to blend well with the foie gras and black truffle in the dish. 

The third course included a Pennsylvania lamb with vegetables, paired with a 2013 Merlot. The lead winemaker for Red Newt, Kelby Russell, mentioned that they are not well known for their reds amongst the Finger Lakes region. However, the glass was delightful and had notes of peppercorn and plum which paired nicely with the roasted lamb and seasonal vegetables.

The final dish was a chocolate intemperance cake with hazelnut praline and a caramel made from a reduction of the paired wine, a 2017 Late Harvest Riesling. This wine had quite a bit of citrus which was a nice contrast to the rich chocolate of the dessert. The caramel reduction had quite a bit of intensity which brightened both the cake and the wine itself. 

Overall the event was a wonderful way to spend an evening. I enjoyed discussing the wines with the hosts and getting to know our neighbours at the table. I would recommend an evening like this to anyone who wants to dabble in trying wines and enjoying quality food and conversation. 

For more information about Rose Tavern click here

For more information about Red Newt Cellars click here

Cocktails:

  • Louis de Sacy Brut: A+
  • St Tropez Snowbird: B

Food:

  • Crispy Oyster – Lovely cornbread coated oyster with a well-balanced caviar and poached egg yolk. A perfect starter: A
  • Mafaldine Pasta – Very well balanced, perhaps a touch too much black truffle, pairs well with the Lahoma but not the Tango. Perfect portion : A
  • Pennsylvania Lamb – Large portion, carrots were superb, potatoes were delightful : A-
  • Chocolate Intemperance Cake – Praline was delightful, chocolate was nice, caramel was a reduction of the Riesling : A-

Wine pairings:

  • 2018 Pinot Gris : A- (pear)
  • 2015 Lahoma Riesling : B (sweet)
  • 2015 Tango Oaks Riesling : A (light) 
  • 2013 Glacier Ridge Merlot : B+ (peppercorn)
  • 2017 Late Harvest Riesling : B+ (citrus)

Review written by Autumn Ellen Rose for Good Spirits News

GSN Alert: Discover Flagstaff Virtual Beer Month This February

Northern Arizona has always been THE place for hiking, biking, skiing, and sightseeing in breathtaking beauty. But the real adventure begins in the heart of the city. Flagstaff’s local breweries have something to please everyone’s craft beer palate, from distinctive IPAs and light-hearted Sessions to limited-edition brews and Kölsch-style ales.

So grab a passport and start exploring the wild creativity that has turned Flagstaff into Arizona’s Craft Brew City. Best of all, your journey ends with the treasure of a lasting trail memory: A special-edition commemorative nonic-style pint glass. Cheers!

FIND OUT MORE HERE

GSN Recommends: Custom Bar DIY – Designing the Perfect Home Bar

If you enjoy the occasional adult beverage, you’ve probably visited a few bars in your lifetime. Thanks to the “new normal” that focuses on staying safe at home, it’s a perfect time to consider designing your very own custom bar that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

Setting up a bar in your home can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. With a few simple steps, you can easily design a custom-built bar so you can mix, sip, and mingle to your heart’s content. From the build to making sure you have the most important drink essentials, read on for some tips that will inspire you to design a new custom home bar, DIY-style.

Start with the space you have

Before you start working on your home bar design, you’ll need to designate a space for it in your home. Whether your house is large or small, it’s easy to start setting up a home bar that’s both fun and functional. Make sure that your bar space is comfortable and that there’s ample room for storage, mixing drinks, and serving. Determine what your bar budget is in advance. This will make it much easier for you to decide where the bar will be as well as its total size.

Larger homes with an extra spare bedroom, a room over the garage, or a basement offers you endless possibilities. However, if you happen to live in an apartment or condo, you can still enjoy a home bar in a corner of your living room or a section of the eat-in kitchen. Do a quick walkthrough of your home to get a few ideas for the location of the bar. Once you start the process of designing and building your bar, you’ll have a blast coming up with fun ideas and designs — no matter how large or small it is.

Designing and building your bar

There really are no rules in terms of creativity and style when it comes to building a DIY bar. While there are certainly a few must-haves, you’re free to design and build a custom bar any way you see fit. If you’re in doubt or need a bit of help with the build, don’t hesitate to call in a DIY-ing friend or family member, or hire an expert.

No matter how you do it, this project will give you a real sense of pride every time you concoct your signature cocktail. You can purchase a pre-built bar cabinet at your local or online furniture store, but for those who want to truly DIY, here are a few important details you’ll need to consider.

Bar dimensions

Bar height. Your bar should be 42 inches high with an overhang of at least 8 inches.

Bar width. The average bar top is between 16 and 20 inches wide, but you can always make yours wider if you have the room or narrower if you don’t.

Barstool height. Standard barstools are typically 30-inches tall, but it’s best to look for stools after you build the bar to ensure a proper fit.

Materials

Wood. Use high quality lumber and plywood for the frame and top of your bar. Connect the frame using standard wood screws.

Bar top. Here’s where you can get super creative. You have endless choices for the finished top of your bar, including wood, stone, tile, and stainless steel. You can also:

  • Build a shallow frame, fill it with anything imaginable — pennies, poker chips, poppies — and encase it in clear resin.
  • Pour a concrete top. You can embed it with broken glass, dye or etch it, or polish it to a high shine — or all of the above.
  • Construct a top from reclaimed barn wood, an old bowling alley floor, or a vintage Formica countertop.

Bar molding. Depending on the construction and style, molding can make a bar look finished and attractive. Your best bet is pre-cut molding, which you can stain or paint.

Bar front. Like the bar top, the front of the bar can be just about anything — try galvanized steel for a modern, industrial look; tin ceiling tiles for a vintage vibe; fabric for a warm, cozy feel; or DIY-stained glass made with plexiglass panels and stained-glass paints and lit from behind.

Tools

Before you start building, make sure you have all the tools and fasteners you’ll need. That list may include the following:

  • Miter saw, table saw, circular saw, and/or jigsaw.
  • Drill and wood or metal screws.
  • Nail gun and nails.
  • Hammer and finishing nails.
  • Level, tape measure, pencil, and T-square or carpenter square.
  • Hand sander and sanding paper.
  • Adhesive and caulk gun.

Don’t forget the must-have safety gear!

  • Gloves for hauling wood and heavy things.
  • Protective eyewear for using power tools.
  • Ear plugs for using loud saws.
  • A first-aid kit, just in case.

Bar essentials

Now that your custom home bar is complete, it’s time to stock it with the essentials to make it functional.

Bar furniture. Purchase some padded bar stools for you and your guests — the ones with a back are the most comfortable. Stools with a footrest are even better. Swivel bar stools make it easy for people to rotate and enjoy great conversations. If you need extra storage, a separate bar cabinet is another great addition to your bar area. And if your bar area is large, populate it with loungey furniture.

The right lighting. You don’t want your bar area lit by overhead fluorescent lights, no sir. Give your bar area a moodier vibe with lamps, pendant lights, or even color-changing LED string lights.

Music. Set the right mood, and keep the party going with music. Whether you prefer an old-school record player or want to pair your phone to your wireless speaker, get it all set up before your first shindig. 

Glassware. Stock your bar with a variety of glassware, such as beer steins and pint glasses for your favorite brews, low-ball and highball glasses for spirits, and shot glasses for shooters. If you can trust yourself and your guests with stemmed drinkware, hang your wine and champagne glasses upside down from the bar if you can. If you doubt, they’d still be upright by the end of the night, opt for stemless, egg-shaped glasses for the wine and bubbly.

Mixology Tools. To properly make cocktails, you’ll need a few essential mixing tools. Stock your bar with a mixing glass, shaker, jigger, and a Hawthorne strainer. A hand juicer is great for cocktails that include fresh citrus, while a nice vegetable peeler is great for garnishes. Don’t forget the bottle opener and wine bottle opener. Throw in an ice bucket if you want to avoid trips from the bar to the fridge and back.

Spirits: Keep things fresh and exciting by stocking your bar with a variety of spirits, including a good bottle of rum, vodka, tequila, brandy, Scotch, gin, and bourbon and your favorite mixers. If you’re on a budget, start with a couple of your favorite liquors, and grow your bar from the basics as time goes on.

Storage

Make sure that your home bar has the proper storage to hold and protect your tools, bottles, and drinkware. Store your spirits in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. Too much light can affect the flavor of your drinks and cause them to taste watered down.

Store your mixing tools in a drawer behind the bar or in a big pitcher or vase on top of the bar. Store your glassware on shelves behind or under the bar, and keep your beverage napkins, stirrers, and straws in a caddy on top of the bar.

Take your home bar to another level with an under-bar fridge, ice maker, wine cooler, sink, or beer tap setup.

Entertainment in your new bar space

Mingling and sipping drinks is always fun, but adding a few classic forms of entertainment will make your bar more exciting, a place where everyone can gather, celebrate, and enjoy. Here are tips for entertainment you can include at your bar so that it’s always a great time, whether you’re reveling in a corner of the living room or have the entire basement for your play space.

  • Classic games like dominos, chess, checkers, and playing cards are always welcome at a bar.
  • Board games make for great bonding times and loads of fun with friends.
  • A karaoke machine makes you the star of the show. Make it even more fun with some colorful flashing lights, a disco ball, and a wireless sound system.
  • Add a dartboard, foosball table, or pool table to your bar area for hours of fun.
  • A jukebox is a fun and unique addition to any bar area.
  • A flat-screen TV behind the bar is icing on the cake if you’re a big sports fan or enjoy watching movies while sipping a cocktail at the bar.

The devil is in the details

Dress up your bar with some accessories, like an oversized mirror, a fun painted mural, or a beautiful tile backsplash. Hang a few framed movie posters, sports memorabilia, or rock ‘n’ roll poster art to make your bar unique to you. Put a large chalkboard on the wall where your friends and family can have fun doodling and getting creative as they sip and mingle. When it comes to the small (but mighty) details, the sky’s the limit, so remember to have fun and make sure that your custom home bar is a place where people will have hours of fun together — and always remember the good times they had.

Whether it’s a huge custom bar in your sprawling basement or a charming small corner of your den, creating a bar at home is an extremely rewarding experience. Look online for inspiration, and plan your bar out thoroughly before you begin building. With a little creativity, you can add some unique finishing touches that will make your home bar burst with personality. Throw in some entertainment, and you’ll be content to spend time at the bar without ever having to leave the house.

Originally Posted in Porch.com

GSN Review: Cincinnati’s Rebel Mettle Brewery

Last week, GSN received a surprise box of Crowlers from Rebel Mettle, one of the newer breweries which just opened in September, 2020. Already off to a great start, they have a family-friendly brewpub featuring a rotating selection of craft beers, live music and trivia nights. But, of course, it all comes down to the beer. How does it stack up in the virtual sea of brews available these days?

Here’s what we received:

STUBENTIGER (SESSION LAGER) 4.2% ABV • 16 IBU This was a perfect beer to pair with traditional German fare like pretzels, spaetzle, or a meat & cheese plate. Light, semi-malty and low in bitterness. We especially enjoyed the low ABV, which made drinking the entire 32oz an easy feat. We’d recommend starting with this brew and then moving on to…

METTLE MAYHEM (INDIA PALE LAGER) 5.0% ABV • 40 IBU A few years ago, lagers were kind of viewed as the joke of the beer world, but now they are recognized for their clean taste, smooth body and mild hops. So, it is only natural that brewers are beginning to experiment with hybrids. Enter, the IPL. We weren’t really sure what to expect with this one, but it knocked it out of the park. Really great and a borderline session beer that has just enough resin to let you know that they threw in some hops. This is a great one to pair with spicy warming foods like chili, Thai or Korean.

VOLUME (JUNIPER SCHWARZBIER) 8.5% ABV • 48 IBU With a supercharged ABV we were expecting the kind of beer that you’d be served in an 8oz tulip stem glass. However, this goes down easy and has a coffee/cocoa profile that is reminiscent of an after dinner dessert in a glass. This goes great with a creme brulee or ice cream at the end of a meal. Really a stellar brew.

Overall, these are all great and distinctly different beers, especially for this time of year when German style lagers fit right in with the transition between late summer and late autumn. We wish them luck with their new venture, and if you’re in the area, stop in and tell owner Mike Brown we said hello! Prosit!

For more information go to: Rebel Mettle Brewery

GSN Alert: How to Make a Toki Highball

Highball Part One: HOW TO MAKE AT  HOME.

In the 1950s, Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory, helped cement highballs as an authentic way to enjoy whisky cocktails in Japan. The Japanese praised this simple, stylish cocktail as a refreshing way to drink whisky. Since then, Suntory has played an important role in reestablishing the highball as a popular cocktail for a new generation of whisky drinkers and today, if we were able to move out and about, you could walk into 100+ bars across the country that feature the Suntory Toki Highball Machine. Whether from the machine or made by hand, the recipe is simple:

  • Fill a tall glass to the brim with ice cubes and add 1 PART SUNTORY TOKI WHISKY
  • Stir to cool the glass and the whisky
  • Add 3 PARTS CHILLED SUPER-PREMIUM SODA WATER down the side of the glass to not burst the bubbles
  • Add citrus garnish and enjoy

To note – a ‘highball’ is defined as a spirit + carbonated beverage, so think of whisky & soda, gin & tonic or vodka & soda — featuring our Suntory Haku Japanese Vodka.

Highball Part Two: HOW TO CELEBRATE AT HOME. #SuntoryTimeAtHome

The House of Suntory is promoting a special moment of the day to ‘take a moment, take a sip, relax and enjoy.’ On Thursdays and Fridays, starting at 5pm ET, we’re asking you (and everyone!) to post a picture or video on your Instagram Story featuring a Toki Whisky or Haku Vodka Highball with #SuntoryTimeAtHome. Your post which will then be shared on the Suntory Instagram channel later that night. Our venerable Japanese colleagues have also participated – check out Shinji Fukuyo’s first toast HERE for Toki and Kazuyuki Torii’s first toast HERE for Haku.

Every Thursday starting at 5pm ET = #SuntoryTimeAtHome TOKI Highball Happy Hour

  • Pour yourself a Toki Highball or neat
  • Take a picture or video of you toasting to virtual happy hours and staying home
  • Post to your IG Story and tag @SuntoryWhisky AND use #SuntoryTimeAtHome
  • The brand IG channel will repost your image/video to help encourage and spark others to do the same

Every Friday starting at 5pm ET = #SuntoryTimeAtHome HAKU Highball Happy Hour

  • Pour yourself a Haku Japanese Vodka Highball, other Haku cocktail or neat
  • Take a picture or video of you toasting to virtual happy hours and staying home
  • Post to your IG Story and tag @SuntoryHakuVodka AND use #SuntoryTimeAtHome
  • The brand IG channel will repost your image/video to help encourage and spark others to do the same

Hopefully we can get a swell of posts and encourage our fans to join in. Consider it a little morale boosting and fun way to (distantly) connect all across the globe!

Highball Part Three: HOW TO GET AT HOME.

Many acclaimed bars and restaurants across the country have shifted gears and are now offering Toki and Haku Highball Kits for takeout and/or delivery. Please inquire if you’re interested in learning more about these establishments and their offerings. The cities we currently have account lists and ‘how to buy’ info for include: New York City, Seattle and San Francisco.

 

NEW YORK CITY

Patent Pending (49 W. 27th Street, Nomad)

  • Menu highlights: Strange Magic featuring Haku Japanese Vodka, strawberry, madeira, grapefruit, lemon, prosecco and seltzer for $17.
  • How to order: Order for takeout and delivery via Instagram DM or by calling 424-216-6945. Delivery also available via the Cocktaily app or website. 

Bohemian (57 Great Jones Street, Noho)

  • Menu highlights: Noho Sling featuring Roku Japanese Gin, plum aragoshi sake, pomegranate syrup, shiso leaf, grapefruit and yuzu juice; Jimi’s View with lavender-infused Haku Japanese Vodka. All cocktails $13.
  • How to order: Order for delivery and take out via DoorDash, UberEats and Caviar.

Gupshup (115 E. 18th Street, Gramercy Park)

  • Menu highlights: Tiger Highball featuring Suntory Whisky Toki and a cardamom fizz for $13.
  • How to order: Order for takeout and delivery via their website, GrubHub, Caviar and UberEats.

Little Branch (22 7th Avenue, West Village)

  • Menu highlights: Sea Way featuring El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, orange bitters, cherry herring, float of Islay; Juan Collins with El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, simple syrup, lemon juice, salt and Topo Chico grapefruit; Snaquiri with El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and muddle jalapeno. All cocktails priced at $18 each.
  • How to order: Order cocktails and pretzels to-go via the side window on Saturdays from 3-9pm.

Clover Club / Leyenda (210 Smith Street, Brooklyn)

  • Menu highlights: Leyenda Margarita featuring El Tesoro Blanco, Cointreau and lime for $25 (two 8oz servings) or $80 (eight 8oz servings); Sonambula featuring jalapeno-infused El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, chamomile lemon mole and peychaud bitters for $25 (two 8oz servings) or $80 (eight 8oz servings; Palo Negro featuring El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Palo Cortado Sherry, Blackstrap Rum and Grand Marnier for $25 (two 8oz servings) or $80 (eight 8oz servings)
  • How to order: Order online HERE. Orders are ready for pickup Tuesdays from 3-5pm and Fridays from 3-6pm at Clover Club. All orders placed Friday-Monday will be available for Tuesday pick up. All orders placed Tuesday-Thursday will be available for Friday pick up. Orders must be placed the day before – no same day orders.

The Hidden Pearl / Wanpaku (621 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint)

  • Menu highlights: Suntory Whisky Toki Highball bottled straight from their Toki Highball Machine for $9
  • How to order: Order for takeout and delivery via GrubHub, Postmates, UberEats and Caviar.

Donna Taqueria (27 Broadway, Brooklyn)

  • Menu highlights: Japanese Daisy featuring Suntory Whisky Toki, Mizu Lemongrass Shochu, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, lime, orange blossom and seltzer for $30 (serves two).
  • How to order: Order for takeout and delivery via GrubHub and UberEats.

 

LOS ANGELES / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:

Republique (624 S. La Brea, LA)

  • Menu highlights: Oaxan Old Fashioned featuring El Tesoro Reposado “Republique” Single Barrel Tequila, mezcal, agave, mole bitters and a grapefruit peel
  • How to order: Pre-order through Tock

Petty Cash (7360 Beverly Blvd, LA)

  • Menu highlights: Oaxan Old Fashioned featuring El Tesoro Reposado “Petty Cash” Single Barrel Tequila, mezcal, agave, mole bitters and a grapefruit peel; full 750ml bottle of El Tesoro “Petty Cash” Single Barrel Tequila
  • How to order: Pre-order through Tock

Bar Toscano Brentwood (11633 San Vincente Blvd, Brentwood)

  • Menu highlights: Nacho Libre featuring El Tesoro Blanco, lime juice, prickly pear puree, Combier, agave nector, peychaud’s bitters. All cocktails made to order served in16oz air-tight sealed mason jar and can be batch ordered for 4, 6 or more (25%!).
  • How to order: Call 310-826-0028 for take out and curbside pickup; email lisa@toscanabrentwood.com to pre-order before 4pm; or delivery via Postmates 

Additionally, the following restaurants and bars are offering full 750ml El Tesoro bottles to go and via delivery:

Elephante (1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica)

  • What’s to buy: El Tesoro Blanco ($48), Reposado ($55) and Anejo ($65)
  • How to order: Order takeout online HERE or via the Toast Takeout App. Delivery available via Caviar.

Massilia Santa Monica (1445 4th Street, Santa Monica)

  • What’s to buy: El Tesoro Reposado ($60)
  • How to order: Order online HERE for curbside pickup.  Delivery/pick up also available via UberEats.

Zinque DTLA (939 S. Broadway, DTLA)

  • What’s to buy: El Tesoro Reposado ($60)
  • How to order: Order online HERE for curbside pickup.  Delivery/pick up also available via UberEats. 

 

SAN FRANCISCO/ NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: 

Pacific Cocktail Haven (580 Sutter Street, Union Square)

  • Menu highlights: El Tesoro “PCH” Single Barrel Cocktail Kit (full 750ml bottle of El Tesoro Reposado “PCH” Single Barrel Tequila, limes and choice of mixers) for $58.
  • How to order: Call (415) 398-0195 to order cocktails for take-out.   

Recovery Room (4528 Mission Street, Mission Terrace)

  • Menu highlights: The Guadalajara (El Tesoro Blanco, Lillet Blanc, mango pulp, fresh lime juice, Habanero tincture) for $10 each or three cocktails for $27.
  • How to order: Call (415) 523-6988 to order cocktails for take-out. 

Mina Family Kitchen (operating out of PABU, 101 California Street, FiDi)

  • Menu highlights: Japanese Whisky Flight (2oz pours of Suntory Whisky Toki, Hibiki Japanese Harmony and Yamazaki 12 Year Old) for $25; Toki Highball, bottled straight from their Suntory Toki Highball Machine for $12 (serves three); Joban (Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Cynar Artichoke Liqueur, amaretto dry vermouth) for $12 (serves 2); Negroni (Roku Gin, Punt e Mes Vermouth, Campari) for $12 (serves 2); Sake-tini (Haku Japanese Vodka, Junmai Daiginjo Sake, yuzu, Asian pear) for $12 (serves 2).
  • How to order: Call (415) 722-2138 (Note: All phone orders for pickup will receive 10% discount). Or email at orders@minafamilykitchen.com 

Ozumo (161 Steuart Street, Embarcadero)

  • Menu highlights: Toki Highball, bottled straight from their Suntory Whisky Toki Highball Machine; Roku Japanese Gimlet with Ozumo zen tea, lemon, shiso and a touch of jalapeno oil; and the Giddy Geisha, their signature lychee and passionfruit martini made with Haku Japanese Vodka. All bottled cocktails are $24 and serve two.
  • How to order: Cocktail orders can be placed by calling or texting (415) 882-1333. 

Saap Avenue (4395 Piedmont Ave #2, Oakland)

  • Menu highlights: Suntory Toki Whisky, Haku Japanese Vodka, Roku Japanese Gin Highballs – buy any three cocktails, get any one highball for free!
  • How to order: Call (510) 361-6498 to order cocktails for take-out with purchase of food.

Sons of Liberty Alehouse (150 W. Juana Ave, San Leandro, CA)

  • Menu highlights: Blood Orange Margarita (El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Solerno Blood Orange Liqeur, fresh blood orange juice, agave, fresh lime juice); Jungle Booby (El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Aperol, pineapple, fresh lime and grapefruit juice, orgeat, absinthe); Carter Beats the Devil (El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, Vida Mezcal, fresh lime juice, agave, Thai chili tincture); SOLA Paloma (El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, Giffard Pampleousse Liquor, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, squirt). All cocktails are $10 for individual portions; $20 for growlers.
  • How to order: Call (510) 352-7652 to order cocktails for take-out with purchase of food.

Otaez (1619 Webster Street, Alameda, CA)

  • Menu highlights: Don Felipe Margarita (El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Otaez signature margarita mix, fresh lime juice) for $10 single-serve cocktail or $40 pitcher.
  • How to order: Call (510) 521-9090 to order cocktails for take-out with purchase of food.

East Bay Spice Co. (2134 Oxford Street, Berkeley, CA)

  • Menu highlights: Spicy Mango Margarita (El Tesoro Blanco, Lillet Blanc, mango pulp, fresh lime juice, Habanero tincture) for $10 each or three cocktails for $27.
  • How to order: Pre-order cocktails by emailing adam@eastbayspicecompany.com or by sending an Instagram message with date and time of pickup. Pick up is available from 5-8pm.

 

SEATTLE:

Tamari Bar (500 Pine Street) & Rondo Japanese Kitchen (224 Broadway)

  • Menu highlights: Both of these sisters restaurants are offering their Toki Classic Highball Kit, bottled straight from their Suntory Toki Highball Machine, including a premium Japanese ice cube
  • How to order: Order take out online from Tamari Bar HERE and Rondo Japanese Kitchen HERE. Both restaurants are also available for delivery via Caviar and UberEats. 

Taku (706 E. Pine Street)

  • Menu highlights: Suntory Toki Whisky, Roku Japanese Gin and Haku Japanese Vodka Highball Kits (include a full 750ml bottle and case of premium soda water); full bottles of rare Japanese whiskies including Hibiki 21 Year Old, Hibiki 12 Year Old and Yamazaki 12 Year Old.
  • How to order: Order online HERE or call ahead (206) 829-9418 for take out. Delivery available via Caviar.

GSN Alert: 2020 James Beard Award Beverage Nominees

The James Beard Awards are given in many categories, including chefs and restaurants, books, journalism, and broadcast media, plus restaurant design, leadership, humanitarian work, and lifetime achievement

Beverage with Recipes
Last Call: Bartenders on Their Final Drink and the Wisdom and Rituals of Closing Time
Brad Thomas Parsons
(Ten Speed Press)

The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World’s Greatest Drink, with Recipes
Robert Simonson
(Ten Speed Press)

The NoMad Cocktail Book
Leo Robitschek
(Ten Speed Press)

Beverage without Recipes
The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks: Sake, Shochu, Japanese Whisky, Beer, Wine, Cocktails and Other Beverages
Stephen Lyman and Chris Bunting
(Tuttle Publishing)

Red & White: An Unquenchable Thirst for Wine
Oz Clarke
(Little, Brown Book Group)

World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition
Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson
(Mitchell Beazley)

Wine, Spirits, and Other Beverages
“How Climate Change Impacts Wine”
Eric Asimov
The New York Times

“May I Help You With That Wine List?”
Ray Isle
Food & Wine

“Seltzer Is Over. Mineral Water Is Forever.”
Jordan Michelman
PUNCH

Outstanding Bar Program
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits, and/or beer.

Anvil Bar & Refuge
Houston

Expatriate
Portland, OR

Kimball House
Decatur, GA

Lost Lake
Chicago

Trick Dog
San Francisco

Outstanding Wine Program
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence in wine service through a carefully considered wine list and a well-informed approach to helping customers choose and drink wine.

Bacchanal
New Orleans

Canard
Portland, OR

COTE
NYC

Miller Union
Atlanta

Night + Market Sahm
Venice, CA

Spiaggia
Chicago

Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer
A beer, wine, or spirits producer who demonstrates consistency and exceptional skill in his or her craft.

Scott Blackwell and Ann Marshall
High Wire Distilling Co.
Charleston, SC

Cathy Corison
Corison Winery
St. Helena, CA

Drew Kulsveen
Willett Distillery
Bardstown, KY

Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold
Leopold Bros.
Denver

Lance Winters
St. George Spirits
Alameda, CA

 

GSN’s One For the Road: 3rd Wave Brewing Co., Delmar, DE

The idea of 3rd Wave Brewing Company began in 2010, when long time friends Lori Clough and Suellen Vickers began taking classes at Xtreme Brewing located in Laurel, DE and home brewing on Suellen’s back porch. When Evolution Craft Brewing Company decided to change locations and sell their existing brewery in Delmar, DE, Suellen and Lori took the leap and jumped at the chance to buy the brewery and make their dream a reality. 3rd Wave Brewing Co. was officially founded, September 2012 in the small town of Delmar, DE. Finally, co-owners, Lori and Suellen were able to turn their back yard home brews into professionally crafted ales.

Today you can find two of their original home brew creations done in the brewery’s 10 barrel brewhouse, 1st Wave IPA and the Big Reef Porter. They chose the name 3rd Wave Brewing Company in honor of their mutual love of the beach and surfing. Waves come in sets of 3 and the 3rd wave is always the best.

Three and half years ago, they brought on current head brewer Matt Ellison from Syracuse, NY (Hi, Matt!) who began his brewing journey when he was only 10 years old! He’s older now. 🙂

3rd Wave shares their love of the beach and beer by naming their beers with surfing terms and some Hawaiian words. Their tasting room is decorated with surfing memorabilia and has a chill, beach-like vibe and they bring in rotating food trucks on the weekends.

For more information go to: 3rd Wave Brewing Co

GSN’s One For the Road: Evolution Craft Brewing Co., Salisbury, MD

Evolution’s story starts as a tale of two brothers, Tom with a passion for craft beer, and John with a passion for food.

Awarded “Best Craft Brewery”, “Best Bar”, & “Best Atmosphere” by locals, Evolution’s tasting room bar offers all eVo mainline beers and seasonal selections. They also also feature small batch brews (ones that never make it to market) which are released exclusively at the Pub Bar and Tasting Room only. Come enjoy your favorite brew at the bar and let us recommend the perfect pairing from our menu selection.

Offering the freshest fare possible, Evolution’s The Public House uses local farmers, local water, and many other locally sourced products. Their belief is keep it simple, keep it pure. Along with great selection of rotating beers, you will find a variety of menu items ranging from grass fed burgers, all natural steaks to locally caught seafood. Buying from local markets year round, all of their menu items are made from scratch daily. Incorporating seasonal eVo beers in many dishes is another unique touch you will find.

For more information go to: Evolution Craft Brewing

GSN’s One For the Road: Tall Tales Brewing Co., Parsonsburg, MD

Tall Tales Brewing Company is located in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. As an artisan brewery, they are consistently releasing new and rotational beers in addition to year-round offerings. All of their beer is brewed and canned on site along Maryland’s Rt. 50, the Ocean Gateway. The brewery is situated on 22 acres and is known for its lush landscape, outdoor bar, and seating areas.

A large part of their commitment to quality is to provide delicious beer in an ecologically responsible manner. To this end, the brewery strives to use sustainable practices throughout all of their operations. But, there’s more than just beer! All of their food is prepared using whole ingredients and fired with wood in our Italian ovens.

For more information go to: Tall Tales Brew

GSN’s One For the Road: Burley Oak Brewing Co. Berlin, MD

The inspiration for the Burley Oak Brewing Company name was derived from the location of their town, their traditional brewing methods and the history of their brewhouse. The town of Berlin had its start around the 1790s as part of the Burley Plantation, a 300-acre (1.2 km2) land grant dating back to 1677. It just so happens, that Burley Ok’s building was originally a Cooperage – making oak barrels to fill with local produce and seafood to ship off to Baltimore in the early 1900’s. And they are bringing barrels back to the building, aiding in the aging of their hand-crafted ales.

In 2011 Brooks Clayville contacted Bryan Brushmiller about his love for farming and trying to grow new crops, including Maryland indigenous plants and brewing grains. As a Soil Scientist Brooks knew all too well what these small grains need to grow on the Eastern Shore. After a good bit of research Brooks decided on a grain and the duo started planting. The first trial failed and they tried again and again. In late 2013 they finally found what all the necessary components were to grow and harvest a barley that was able to be malted. This research, trial and error, and overall learning curve adaptation lead to Burley Oak’s grain to glass series called, Home Grown Ales. The first beer in this series is Loakal, Pale Ale.

Burley Oak quickly became one of the most popular and sought after breweries on the East Coast. While their IPAs have consistently garnered plenty of praise and adoration over the years, Burley Oak’s J.R.E.A.M. beers (blended sour ales that feature an loads of fruits and other wild flavors) drive people to wait in line for hours every weekend at Burley Oak’s can release just to get their hands on a few four packs. Once you try one, you’ll instantly understand why craft beer fans around the world will go to any length to get ahold of these tasty treats.

For more information go to: Burley Oak

GSN’s One For the Road: Backshore Brewing, Ocean City, MD

Backshore Brewing is the first Nano Brewery of it’s kind, located on the boardwalk in Ocean City Maryland. Opened in 2012 and home to a six tap draft line, one of which is Nitro. Head Brewer Mathew Shockley and Manager/Assistant Brewer Nathan Todd craft two-barrel batches of beer from a wide variety of styles ranging from simple and light, pale or hoppy, to complex and dark.

The draft list is always changing weekly, and variety is the key word in what they do, it’s “the spice of life.” Never will you find multiple taps showing the same style of beer. They believe that there is more to brewing than what’s “hip” or “happening right now” and have made it their goal to make every style of beer there is possible. Step outside your comfort zone and join them on a trip as they showcase the most amazing food group, beer!

For more information got to: Back Shore Brew

GSN’s One For the Road: Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery, Flagstaff AZ

In mid-2017 the Grand Canyon Brewing Company moved 0.5 miles down the street from its longtime home behind Cruisers Route 66 Cafe, after 10 great years… it is time to grow. Originally the Winchester Steakhouse, and now destined to be the new home of Grand Canyon Brewery, housing not only their brewpub, but also a brand-new production facility, company offices, vacation rental (located less than 100ft from the brewery), new cold storage warehouse, and finally a new separate building for barrel aging and wild fermentation.

Their 250 gallon pot still took her maiden voyage in October of 2017. Grand Canyon currently produces vodka, prickly pear vodka,  rum,  gin,  orange blossom vodka  & un-aged corn whiskey. As well, they are currently aging over 100 barrels of bourbon whiskey, single malt whiskey and other craft spirits for future release.

For more information go to: Grand Canyon Brewery

#GrandCanyonBrewery #DiscoverFlagstaff #ChooseAZBrews #AZBeerWeek #CraftBeerFLG #AZBeerWeek2020