Beer Alcohol Cocktails cocktail recipe Beer Festivals Restaurant Review

Musician groups releasing whiskey brands is nothing new but since we're fans of Metalica I figured what the heck, let's check it out. BLACKENED Whiskey is said to be "sonically enhanced"  Let's take a look.

When I was a young man and just starting to enter the world of spirits, the only game in town was Cuervo Gold and tequila was something forbidden, cheap, and dangerous. Today... thankfully... we have access to a wide selection of fine mezcals and the American thirst for agave has risen to the point where it's not enough to simply drink tequila. Just like how whiskey has Scotch, Bourbon, Rye etc., agave spirits come in many different expressions too. One of the most exciting is raicilla but most people don't fully understand how it differs from tequila, bacanora, mezcal.

Australian whisky has been developed for over two decades by stellar distillers who specialize in the mature spirit. However, it still has a long way to go before it can compete with Irish and Scottish whisky, and many are still wondering whether it’s worth it to make the switch.

Gray Whale Gin is one of my favorite West Coast gins right now. Not only does it have a great story, a brand that I can support, and taste great... but frankly speaking it also just looks fantastic on the bar. This gin, distilled six times from a gluten-free corn base, captures the essence of the gray whale's 12,000-mile migratory voyage in each drop, with botanicals sourced from the whale's path spanning from the tip of Baja to the Arctic ocean, it is also an inspiration to travel to some of my favorite places. 

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.

If you think that Tequila, Rum, and Cacasa are the only spirits from South America then you need to bring a chair up to the bar and try some Pisco. This is a colorless to amber spirit made from grapes and can be compared to a grape brandy. 

This spirit has been distilled in the winemaknig regions of Peru for hundreds of years and is now making its way to the United States!

We love tequila and whether you are sipping, shooting, or enjoying it in a cocktail it's always a spirit to enjoy with friends.  While there are plenty of bars where you can celebrate we wanted to create a list of some of our favorite recipes provided by friends at our favorite Tequila brands including: CRUZ, el Jimador, Partida, Herradura, and others.

Happy National Tequila Day!

Not sure about your plans, but we're celebrating with some delicious margaritas and tequila cocktail recipes that we've rounded up from around the world. Which is your favorite?

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! 

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...

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!

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. 

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.

Every man should know how to throw a solid party. No gathering is complete without some adult beverages to get the good times rolling, but if you want to take things a step beyond generic beers and wines it might be time to try the world of crafting cocktails. While there's nothing wrong with sipping a fine tequila neat, cocktails can bring out interesting flavors that are simply not doable otherwise. If you think about it, it's the difference between enjoying the taste of sugar - and enjoying the sight, smell, taste, and overall excitement of looking at a delicious fresh baked scone.

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.

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.

Theatre Box just opened up in downtown San Diego and frankly you'd have to be living under a rock to not know about it. Between celebrities posting ridiculous dessert pictures on Instagram and other buzz it honestly wasn't my sort of place I thought. After all, usually these places just have "instagram food" that looks pretty but doesn't really taste that great. However, when I was invited to check it out I accepted since I was curious. Honestly I wasn't expecting much. I figured that at very least though that it would be a good opportunity to finally see Aquaman and grab some dinner. My bias against celebrity endorsement almost caused me to miss out on one of the coolest new concepts in San Diego. 

For some, staying at an all-inclusive resort is about rest and relaxation in some exotic location far from home. For me, one thing I love about traveling is discovering new and exciting cocktails - or familiar ones in new locations. That's why I love staying at all inclusive resorts like Villa Del Palmar in Loreto Mexico. Even though my stay was covered by the resort, having access to an open bar means you can try new things without the fear of wasting money. You've already paid for it... so let's enjoy it!

The classic Caipirinha is considered the national cocktail of Brazil and I can see why. It's cool, crisp and refreshing with that laid back tropical feel but still refined enough to be enjoyed at the fanciest of occasions. I don't see it served that often outside of Brazilian restaurants though, which is a shame since it is so tasty. I suppose that's just one more reason I love going to Fogo de Chao...

One of my favorite parts about traveling is experiencing new foods. There's an unspoken sense of truth and honesty that comes only by experiencing what a different culture loves to eat and drink. That's true when you travel overseas... but it's also true even while traveling through this country as I did a few weeks ago during a road trip through North Dakota.