Today on the Booze Nerd, I want to talk about another spirit that, like Absinthe, has an aura of mystery and myth surrounding it: mezcal. The first I heard about this “Mexican moonshine” was whispered promises of potency and the mystical visions that eating the worm at the bottom of the bottle would bring. Even […]
Happy Holidays! ’Tis the season for frightful weather, and nothing warms the soul after a slog through the snow to buy those last minute gifts like a hot, spicy drink. For some, the perfect antidote is a cup of coffee, or tea, or even hot chocolate. But this is a Booze Nerd post, so you […]
Hello again! This is your friendly Booze Nerd, back from a short hiatus. I hope you all have been drinking well. I know I have. So here we are in the late fall, rushing towards winter and (in the northern hemisphere at least) colder days and especially nights. As far as I’m concerned, those crisp […]
Y’arr! Ahoy me hearties, and this be another installment of the Booze Nerd. This month we sample the finest cup in all of the seven seas! Okay, I’ll stop. But you might have guessed already that this month’s post is all about the favorite drink of pirates everywhere–rum. A Rotten Sweet Tooth The history of […]
When the heat of summer weighs heavily upon me, there’s one sure-fire cure. Others may reach for their margaritas and tropical tiki drinks, but the Booze Nerd finds no better solace than in a crisp, refreshing classic: the Gin & Tonic. This cocktail has been a mainstay against the tropical heat ever since the days […]
They say there are only two certainties in this life: death and taxes. If you live in the United States, most of you have probably already completed your income taxes for this year. The forms are in the mail (or e-filed) and with any luck, you’re waiting on your refund. Or maybe you owe Uncle […]
Welcome to another installment of Booze Nerd, dear drinkers. This time, I’d like to talk about the quintessential cocktail — the Martini. Really, no other cocktail has captured the imagination quite like this deceptively simple drink. It’s lent its name to a bazillion pseudo-tinis, most of which have little in common with the original drink […]
Now that you’ve decided to try your hand making cocktails at home, the next question is: how do you begin? The first thing is to figure out what drink you want to make. I suggest starting with one or two favorites. Keep it simple. Martinis, whiskey old-fashioneds, whiskey sours, Manhattans, even margaritas. All of these […]
Cocktails are cool! After decades languishing under stuffy, grandfatherly reputations or forgotten aside from counterfeit sweet-tinis of all kinds, the classic cocktail has made a major comeback. A new breed of bartender—the mixologist—artfully crafts old standards with the finest ingredients, with freshly squeezed juices, custom infusions and new concoctions designed to delight the palate. My […]
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