cocktail recipe

We were recently sent a sample bottle of Dos Hombres new Espadin Mezcal. Mezcal is a less abrasive form of tequila for those not in the know. For people like myself, who aren’t straight tequila fans, it’s a more palatable option with less sugar in the taste and more smoothness to the pull. 

While folks are finally starting to recognize tequila as a premium spirit with a complex and diverse collection of properties, there's another Mexican spirit following quickly on its heels. A few years ago mezcal was simply tequila's rougher tougher, renegade brother but as someone who loves agave spirits, it is wonderful to see new products reaching the market that focuses on the positive aspects of Mexican culture and heritage instead of merely throwing a revolver, donkey, or a sombrero on the bottle and shipping it out to bars. One of the products that recently impressed me in this new wave of premium mezcal was Vamonos Riendo Mezcal.

Sparkling wine as a category continues to impress me with far more than the standard "party Champagne" on offer today. For generations bubbly wine has been celebrated in various formats but we are truly in the midst of a renaissance with a wide variety of creations available as well as a  resurgence in sparkling wine cocktails as well. Mumm Napa sent over some bottles for us as well as these recipes to share. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did !

 When it comes to Vodka, for many brands marketing is even more important than the actual quality but Crystal Head has been delivering quality and innovation for almost as as this site has been around. In fact, they were one of the first brands to send us a sample to try more than 10 years ago. Today I continue to applaud their innovation as they push what vodka can be by introducing one of the first commercially available agave vodkas, Crystal head Onyx.

Ok guys, I've shared some easy recipes here in the past and there's something to be said for a cocktail recipe that can be shared in 3-4 lines. However, sometimes it's good to try something a little more advanced and that's what I have to share with you today from our friends at Basil Hayden's, part of the Beam Small Batch Collection.

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! 

Summer is right around the corner, and with the change in the season comes the need for a new, refreshing cocktail. The Sawgrass Splash, the signature cocktail of THE PLAYERS Championship (March 11-16, 2025), takes summertime refreshment to the next level. Perfect for golf fans and cocktail enthusiasts alike, this vodka-based cocktail is made with GREY GOOSE® L’Orange and a tasty blend of simple syrup, lemonade, orange and lime juice. Whether you’re celebrating the 19th hole or tanning by the pool, THE PLAYERS Championship’s Sawgrass Splash is a go-to summer cocktail. It’s even better in person.

Happy 4th of July guys! If you haven't already stocked up the bar for the weekend, then now is the time to do it and the great folks at Brown Forman have sent over some tips and recipes to make sure that no one goes thirsty!

These are probably the easiest cocktail recipes you could possibly imagine, so just make sure you have the right supplies and you'll be the Independence Day Hero...

Right now is a great time to be a fan of cocktails and spirits. It seems like virtually every day I hear about something new that piques my interest but only a handful have I had a chance to actually sit down and create cocktails for. Recently I was invited to test out TUACA, a fantastic vanilla citrus liqueur that is said to trace its roots all the way back to Lorenzo de Medici and later became popular in the United States after servicemen brought it home from Italy during WII. In the classic pattern we've seen with cocktails in general, TUACA is starting to become popular again with a whole new generation. 

Irish Whiskey has experienced somewhat of a renaissance in recent years and while it is undeniably linked to St Patrick's Day celebrations across America, the reality is that Irish whiskey distillers are working hard to innovate and change the perception of their craft as simply a seasonal libation. We are particularly impressed with the aging process delivered by Glendalough Double Barrel since it takes a classic Irish whiskey but then let's it age in American oak Bourbon barrels and finish in Spanish oak Oloroso Sherry barrels for that ultimate sense of refinement that defines this unique expression of Ireland's treasured spirit.

 National Rum Day is coming up and so we've put together a roundup of recipes paired with hotels and resorts around the world. These picks range from daiquiri's in Key West to Rum Punch in Belize and so we're looking forward to being transported to these amazing locals virtually right now while we wait for the pandemic to recede again.

In a world of TikTok trends and over-the-top cocktail creations, sometimes all we need is a drink that’s simple, satisfying, and easy to make. Fall weekends are for unwinding, not for playing mixologist with a cart full of ingredients you’ve never heard of. That’s where mezcal comes in. Smoky, complex, and incredibly versatile, mezcal makes it possible to create delicious cocktails with minimal fuss—perfect for when you just want to kick back and relax. So, let’s raise a glass to mezcal and explore why it’s the ultimate mixer for this season.

I'm in love with the seasonal Mike's flavor - Glacier Berry, but I also love the classic Lemonade. It's a tough time to be a fan I guess, but regardless of how your taste buds guide you, one thing is for certain. Mike's are great to share with friends this holiday season. To help celebrate, I created a special cocktail to settle my dilemma and make something extra special for the holiday party I had this weekend [modify based on posting date].

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.

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!

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.

I recently heard a saying that great storytellers never finish the tale because they fear they will lose their value if all the secrets are shared. That same thing seems true for good holiday recipes passed down from mother to daughter and father to son. In my wife and I's case, though - neither of us has a Puerto Rican family to rely on and I swear the person who was responsible for getting us hooked on her coquito deliberately omitted an ingredient or a key process. Over the years, Heather has continued to research and experiment in a quest to create if not the PERFECT Puerto Rican Coquito... at least one that is uniquely ours and a holiday tradition that we both enjoy making, drinking, and sharing with others.

Whether celebrating St. Patrick's Day or simply enjoying a nice creamy cocktail, Irish Cream Liqueur has always been a favorite of mine. To be honest, I'm a fan of cream spirits in general but while there are big names on the market, few folks manage to bring forth a small batch experience the same way you can find with traditionally distilled spirits. That's why I was excited to come across Five Farms and their collection of family-owned farms in Ireland.

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.