I lucked into Cadenhead’s. Staring at their board of scotch whiskies, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Instead of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, it was Rachel and the Whisky Shop. I was in awe and yet overwhelmed. I was paralyzed by the choices and requested help. In my second stroke of luck that day, Mark Davidson, the Manager of Cadenhead’s, assisted me. Mark was one of the most informative scotch experts I have met. He spent almost an hour with me explaining the different styles and distilleries and I felt like we barely scratched the surface (as that is just what we did). Seriously, I could have talked to him all day and it left me with an overwhelming desire to return to Scotland, if only to spend more time with Mark. Check out Mark’s Scotch site at www.jollytopertastings.co.uk. …Read More

This week’s drink of the week was invented at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in 1957 by it’s famed bartender, Harry Yee. Mr. Yee was also responsible for another tropical favorite, the Blue Hawaii. While Mr. Yee may have invented the Tropical Itch, and they are mighty fine over at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (this isn’t our first visit), they have perfected down the beach at the Halekulani. Sensing the onslaught of the cocktail craze, the Halekulani brought in the incomparable Dale DeGroff to perfect the Hawaiian classics and invent cocktails that will soon join the list of Hawaiian classics. …Read More

Our friends at Copa Spirits recently sent us a bottle of Arehucas Ron Miel Rum, a honey rum from the Canary Islands that they recently introduced to the United States. Arehucas is the oldest and largest rum distiller in Europe with its founding back in the 1880′s. But, the history of honey rum or Ron Miel, as its known, goes back even further in the Canary Islands. For over 300 years, the inhabitants of the Canary Islands have enjoyed honey rum. Finally, Ron Miel has come to America. …Read More

This sophisticated Valentine’s Day cocktail was created by the Professor, David Wondrich. …Read More

It’s been awhile since we reviewed a Rum so we thought we would review one that we really enjoy – the Flor de Cana Centenario Gold 18 Year Old Rum. But, truly, what isn’t to like about a well made 18 year old rum? The Flor de Cana Centenario hails from Nicaragua (although from what I could find, they source the sugar cane for their Rum all over Central America) and is the star of Flor de Cana’s very impressive portfolio of Rums. …Read More

Try out this delicious recipe for National Hot Buttered Rum Day! Cheers! …Read More

January is National Hot Tea Month and there’s no better way to celebrate than to jump right in and start enjoying some piping hot cocktails. …Read More

You’ll need: mixing glass, Boston shaker, Hawthorn strainer, rocks glass, micro plane.

Ingredients:
1 oz Sailor Jerry rum
.5 oz Tuaca
1 oz heavy cream
Splash simple syrup
1 whole egg
Cinnamon and nutmeg for garnish

Directions:
Place all ingredients into the mixing glass. Add ice. Shake hard (about 20 sec). Place Hawthorn strainer over shaker and strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with shaved cinnamon and nutmeg.

Courtesy Ames Hotel, Boston.

Gather around the Christmas tree with a mug of something warm and boozy! The Tom & Jerry is a classic hot cocktail that’s just right for the holidays.

You can leave out the booze for the kids and those who don’t drink alcohol, and it will still taste fantastic. This recipe isn’t difficult, but it does take a little extra attention. The flavor is much nicer than you’d get from a Tom & Jerry flavoring … Read more