Drinks

It's time to cook down and enjoy one of summer's most delicious treats, but like everything in life - we can make it even better! So, with that in mind, here's a roundup of some of my favorite Watermelon Cocktail recipes. These are perfect for cooling off this summer, cheers!

As much as I enjoy a great cocktail or sipping a fine spirit, it's the people, culture, and history behind the product that I enjoy even more. I think that's generally why I haven't been as big of a vodka fan as I am passionate about Whiskey and Tequila. That changed recently though when I was invited by Khortytsa Vodka to tour Ukraine with them and learn more about the people and culture behind their vodka.

Eastern Europeans drink a lot of vodka - that's no secret. However, if you've ever been to a party or had a long dinner with someone from Russia, Poland, or Ukraine then you've probably also noticed that they are generally able to hold their alcohol better than their American counterparts. While some of that comes from years of practice and a generally high level of consumption, there's another secret too. Salo! Salo is a salted pork fat that is sometimes referred to as the Ukrainian national dish and was served at nearly every meal that I had while touring the country.

As you probably know by now, one of my absolutely favorite restaurants is Fogo de Chao. There is little out there that's better than the experience of enjoying great cocktails while enjoying an endless parade of meat served by friendly gauchos - well, except doing it in Brazil itself I suppose! Each season the folks at Fogo also update their harvest table with seasonal selections but they've now updated their bar menu too. They are so excited about their new offerings that they invited me back again to try some of their new cocktails and small plates before the full dinner that I already knew would be awesome.

Spring Training tailgating is different that football tailgates in the fall. Here, it's more relaxed, more casual and frankly more about hanging out and bonding as guys than it is a showcase of extravagant cooking and over-the-top decorations. Spring Training tailgate parties are special because for most of those in attendance, it's a pilgrimage. It's a time when friends travel across the country to hang out, share stories, and have an amazing experience that will live on as memories for years to come. We just came back from Cactus League Spring Training in Phoenix and here are our tips to make the most of your spring training tailgating experience.

We've teamed up with our friends at Bacardi to offer you guys a chance to attend the 2017 Holiday Bowl in San Diego (transportation is not included) so you can take the OAKHEART Challenge... Read on for more details!

I'm a huge fan of cocktails, but as much as I love pushing the envelope with fancy bitters and exotic alcohol - nothing beats the pure simplicity of a classic Manhattan or an Old Fashioned. Last month I spent some time in Vegas Las Vegas (where I sampled many many Old Fashioned derivatives). I realized that there was really no reason why you had to stick with tradition. Old Fashioned Or Manhattan might be the name... but really, there's no reason why you can't swap bourbon for rye or even cachaca!

There's nothing quite like a true football tailgate party. As the smell of grilled meat and chip dip mixes with beer, sweat and other smells that might be wafting through the parking lot, chances are you've wondered if it might be better done at home next time. Typically though, "home gates" end up being too fancy, too much trouble, and mean tons of cleanup - but no more! Here's our party plan to ensure that your next football party is a huge success while bringing the authenticity and character that you love about hanging out in the parking lot before the game.

Smirnoff Vodka celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Moscow Mule with a lavish 1940s-inspired event in Hollywood just miles from where the cocktail was invented on the Sunset Strip.

There are two things that are essential for a travel stop to have aside from gas at a good price - clean bathrooms and good coffee. I've known Pilot Flying J usually has good bathrooms and gas, but as a non-coffee drinker, I've wondered how their coffee really was. So, when I was driving through Michigan last month with my father-in-law I asked him about their coffee and he said that's where he loves to stop.

In honor of Mexican Independence Day, I'm sharing a tasty little recipe from Zinum Mezcal for their Basil Margarita!

Happy Scotch Day everybody! Even though Scotch is better known as a sipping spirit, it's exciting to see more and more mixologists breaking with convention and creating new experiences for our pallets like this Tartan Collins by Jordan Felix of Portland, Oregon featuring Laphroaig Select.

Have you ever looked at packaging on your favorite pop and thought, "I could do better!"? Well for those of you who love to drink Dr Pepper you have hundreds of new choices to pull from as they have launched a campaign featuring a dizzying array of new label designs for a limited time only on their 20 oz bottles. Plus, now you can create your own label and share your designs with other Pepper fans online!

Thanks to Smirnoff I had an amazing opportunity earlier this month. I got to go to the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas, where I was exposed to a lot of new things and perhaps most importantly discovering a new side to the brand as well as people I had previously dismissed as "those silly club kids".

Whether you are looking to impress your neighbors or to turn up your BBQ skills, no summertime soiree should be without cocktails. What’s is perfect about adding cocktails to the scene is you don’t need to be a mixologist in order to add some fun, excitement, and flavor to your drinks. All you need is a little guidance, creativity, liquor, and BBQ and you’ll be well on your way to hosting the perfect BBQ party.

This summer, it's time to learn how to party like a man - and that means being able to wake up the next morning and go to work, mow the lawn, or relax with the kids. To do that right, it means that you might need to change your drinking patterns but you can still have fun. Years ago I used to be able to drink beers and margaritas with little to no consequences. Unfortunately, my body just isn't as forgiving these days, so here are a few tips that those of you like me can employ to help make this year a bit more fun and enjoyable!

As someone who hails from one of the top beer areas in the US, it's easy to forget that beer has a heritage that spans for hundreds of years. Despite the popularity of some of my "West Coast" favorites, it's refreshing to step back in time and try something that's been being brewed for hundreds of years like I did recently with Gulden Draak out of Belgium. 

A camping trip can be an amazing experience mentally as well as physically. When done properly, it can be an exercise in enjoying the beauty of nature, the company of the people who are with you and a chance to bond as men.  Done poorly and it can be a complete nightmare filled with cranky people and a general feeling of "when is this going to be over". Here are some tips to make sure your next outdoor adventure is a blast and not a bust.

With summer almost here, it's time to think about how you're going to cool off during the hot summer months. Personally I love ice cream and pistachio is one of my all time favorite flavors so I was super excited when Dunkin' Donuts asked me to share with you news about their new Pistachio flavored Iced Coffee.