Beer Alcohol Cocktails cocktail recipe Beer Festivals Restaurant Review

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. 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.

With the Kentucky Derby almost upon us, it's time to break out our julep cups, crush some ice and mix up some awesome cocktails so we forget how silly those women look wearing their derby hats!

Mezcal cocktails are great all year long but due to the spirit's origin in the hot Mexican sun, it probably serves best on warm summer days. As we emerge from a cold and wet spring, it's time to start preparing for those summer cocktails!

That's right .. I'm not sure what more needs to be said except that the mezcal has a unique essence that is more than just a gimmick, as I thought initially. Pechuga de Conejo by Bosscal Mezcals is a pretty interesting expression that does precisely what a great spirit should do - evokes a conversation.

Most people outside of San Diego know Cutwater Spirits as simply canned cocktails but unlike many other canned cocktail companies, their passion for premium spirits and creativity is manifested also by the awesome craft cocktails that they offer at their Tasting Room & Kitchen here in San Diego. We are happy to support any new concoction that they come up with but this one is special since it will also be supporting The Center SD, one of the nation's top LGBT community centers.

There are times when celebrities just slap their name on a bottle or buy a distillery and there are others when it is obvious that the celebrity is actually a partner with the distillery to create something new and unique. That's the case with Matthew McConaughey and Wild Turkey Bourbon. 

A drink that is famously paired with brunch (or hangovers), the Bloody Mary has been a staple of our culture for many decades. The Bloody Mary has even earned itself a national day of recognition on January 1st of every year. While the core ingredients of the drink are vodka and tomato juice, there's an endless number of variations that can take the flavor profile to new and interesting places. Here are five unusual variations of the classic Bloody Mary we know and love so well. 

The 14th-Annual San Diego Beer Week, presented by the San Diego Brewers Guild, begins on Friday, November 4th and we're excited to support the annual celebration saluting the Capital of Craft!

Dig out those flip flops and the sunscreen - summer is coming!

As the weather starts to heat up, step up your day drinking with an icy treat made with Amarula Cream, a South African treat made using the fruit of the indigenous marula tree. A decadent tipple, Amarula Cream is light brown in color, creamy on the palate and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks and in an array of drinks - including boozy shakes! 

The changing seasons are always something I look forward to, autumn especially so. We'll bring loved ones together, celebrating the survival of another fun filled summer, and prepare the incredible feast that will become Thanksgiving dinner.

San Diego has tons of craft beer bars and great wine is in no shortage either but the craft spirits industry is also growing rapidly here as well. One of the shining stars there is El Agave Artesanal tequila and so I was thrilled that the folks at El Agave Restaurant invited us back to try some additional menu items as well as a tequila tasting led by one of their experts.

When it comes to fruity tropical drinks, the classic Mai Tai is among the most iconic. It's the Pacific Islands version of the classic Caribbean Daiquiri... or is it? Ironically this classic drink actually originated in California during the tiki bar craze and while two men lay claim to having created it - I DON'T CARE - because the ones found at Don The Beachcomber are the best I've had. It's a more complex recipe and the time and effort is worth it. Here's the recipe so you can make it at home.

It's Halloween time again and while once we prepared to go out and trick or treat collecting candy and other treats... as well as inflicting treats on those who dared to hand out carrots and apple slices, today we're adults. That means it's time to take our treats to the next level and enjoy some spooky Halloween cocktails. Here's our roundup of some of our favorite cocktails for your Halloween party this year!

As the summer ends and the weather for many of you begins to cool down as we prepare for winter, I prefer to think of all those Caribbean islands that I can't wait to visit again soon. That's why I was so excited to share these two recipes by CÎROC and Mixologist Brandon Sutton inspired by the recently canceled West Indian Day Parade.

For a tiny island, Key West has a lot of stories - some are tales of greatness... others are tales of what might have been. In the case of Pan Am, it is a little bit of both. First In Flight Restaurant & Brewery celebrates this early aviation heritage on the site where Pan Am was born with craft beer and food.

The first thing you might be thinking here is, "gin from Mexico?" I'll give you a moment to work through that moment of confusion you might be struggling with right now but then it's time to dive in to what may be the most exciting gin that I've tasted in years. Like most of you, I enjoy spirits that have soul, heritage, and the ability to immediately connect you with a favorite place and culture. With the two unique gins from Las Californias, that is exactly what you'll experience and that makes me happy.

Are you looking for something beyond your classic mimosa to enjoy during Sunday brunch? Italian Prosecco producer Gancia sends over this delicious-sounding idea for a holiday morning spritz to enjoy this season!

Mezcal has always been a sort of "outlaw" spirit in terms of how most Americans perceive it. Frankly, I think that lends itself well to those folks who may have been attracted to whiskey for the same reason. To many distillers today though try to pretend that mezcal needs to be chic and luxurious and that often causes the mystique to be lost. On the other hand, there's Ilegal Mezcal, where you have a beautiful bottle and a fabulously unique back story, but it is still firmly planted in the authentic Oaxacan roots that make mezcal special.

Rum sometimes has a bad rap since there are a lot of inferior products out there, but thankfully there are some fantastic rums out there too. It all comes down to craftsmanship and market demands. Luckily, over the past few years we've started to see high quality products such as Don Q Gran Añejo make it to store shelves and bars around the United States. People from Puerto Rico probably laugh at this being a new trend since they've known the greatness of rum since Destilería Serrallés started producing the spirit on the island in 1865.