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Spanish Gin & Tonic

A gin and tonic is many people’s first cocktail they’ve ever had. Then you have gin for the first time and grasp for air because of how dry it is. It’s ok… we’ve all been there on way or another. The Spanish twist on this drink lies directly with the herbs that are garnished on this simple cocktail.

What you’ll need:

2 oz Dry Gin

3 oz Tonic Water

Juniper Berries

Lemmon Wheel 

Thyme. Read more

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Paloma Picante

This drink isn’t just good. It’s like GOOD good. The drink is at the peak of it’s popularity during grapefruit season and hits the best during a hot summer day. If it’s winter wherever you are, please don’t let that hold you back from creating this amazing cocktail.

What you’ll need:

2 oz Tequila (we like this one the most)

1 oz Habenero Nectar

3 oz Grapefruit Soda

4 cubes of ruby red grapefruit. Read more

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Nightcap

The Nightcap is anything but what you want to drink before going to bed. Serving as a great pick me up, the Nightcap’s mix of gold rum, cold brew, syrup, and bitters takes your taste buds for the ride. Although called Nightcap, we recommend taking this drink much earlier in the day.

What you’ll need:

2 oz Gold Rum

2 oz of Cold Brew Coffee 

½ oz Maple Syrup

½ oz zest of 1 orange

1 dash of Angostura bitters

1 dash San Pellegrino tonic water. Read more

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Banana Surfer

Normally, if you’re like most people who don’t think cognac making an appearance in their tropical themed drink — think again. The Banana Surfer highlights an amazing relationship between not only cognac and bitters, but a splash of spiced rum.

What you’ll need:

1 ½ oz Hennessy V.S.O.P. Cognac

½ oz spiced rum

½ oz Banana cordial

½ oz Cinnamon Honey Syrup

½ coconut cream

1 dash Chocolate mole bitters. Read more

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Mojito

Just like with many rum drinks, Havana Cuba is the birthplace of the Mojito. The Mojito was originally popularized as a form of battling scurvy seen in long voyages from Europe to the New Americas, due to its use of lime. The lime, by itself, would have been a means to getting rid of the scurvy, but hey, might as well have some fun right?

What you’ll need:

Rum (we like this one the most)

Fresh Lime Juice

Simple Syrup

Club Soda

3 mint leaves. Read more

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Vieux Carré

The origination of the Vieux Carré can be traced back to the Carousel Bar in New Orleans. Side Note: why does everything good come out of New Orleans? Like have you even heard NOLA jazz? Back to topic. The Vieux Carré is a stronger drink, containing rye whiskey and cognac, and is sure to get your money’s worth.

What you’ll need:

The Vieux Carré is a more complex drink to make but the result of is amazing. 

¾ oz Rye whiskey

¾ oz Cognac

¾ oz Sweet Vermouth

¼ oz Benedictine

2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

2 dashes Angostura bitters. Read more

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Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a lightweight and healthy way to get your buzz, as well as very easy to make. Essentially a spiked sparkling lemonade, the Tom Collins is a sure way to appease to whosever’s palate. Also, since this drink is topped off with club soda, you’ll have a much better chance of not feeling like **** in the morning.

What you’ll need:

2 oz London Dry Gin

1 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 ½ oz  spoons simple syrup

½ Club Soda. Read more

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Margherita Pitcher

One of the earliest stories is of the margarita being invented in 1938 by Carlos "Danny" Herrera at his restaurant Rancho La Gloria, halfway between Tijuana and Rosarito, Baja California. The drink was reportedly created for customer and former Ziegfeld dancer Marjorie King, who was allergic to many spirits, but not to tequila. Make a room full of people happy with this Margharita Pitcher recipe. You’ll need a 52oz pitcher and a full bottle of your favorite tequila. Oh yea… we mean business.

 

What you’ll need:

10 oz Fresh lime juice

14 oz Cointreau

3 1/2 oz Agave syrup or simple syrup

22 oz Tequila

Garnish: Lime wheel. Read more

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The Bebbo

The Bebbo is a funny-named London dry gin drink that’s very tangy thanks partly to the presence of blood orange juice. The honey syrup’s sweetness gives this cocktail a great sweet & sour kick that isn’t really delivered in many other cocktails. Perfect for enjoying alone or with some friends.

What you’ll need:

1 1/2 ounces London dry gin

1 ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)

3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/4 ounce fresh blood orange juice

Garnish: lemon or lime twist. Read more

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The Ultimate Guide to Red Wines

A universally beloved beverage with a long history, red wine is available in dozens of different varieties. Winemakers can produce them either from a single type of grape, known as a varietal, or as a specialty mix of grape blends. This versatility is key to the beauty of the beverage and what leads to its wondrously unique and complex range of colors, flavors, and finishes. There are so many different varieties, in fact, even connoisseurs spend years understanding what the “best” types of red wine are — and why.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine lover looking to brush up on red wine facts or a novice just starting to explore all that red wine has to offer, we’ve got your guide to the different types of red wine. Read more

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Champagne Cocktail

One of the oldest cocktails, dating back to at least the mid-1800s, the Champagne Cocktail consists of a sugar cube douched in aromatic bitters dropped into the base of a glass, over which is poured a small measure of cognac before the glass is topped up with champagne. This is probably the most elegant cocktail in our arsenal.

What you’ll need:

1/2 ounce Cognac

5 ounces Dry Champagne

1 Angostura Bitters-soaked sugar cube

Garnish: lemon twist. Read more

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The Painkiller

Dubbed the Painkiller, this drink does just that but not through the numbing effects of alcohol but through it’s delicious taste. The Painkiller resembles the Pina Colada in taste; however, it packs a much stronger punch due to it having rum in one serving. The presence of more rum also creates a smoother texture to the drink than its more sweet counterpart.

What you’ll need:

2 ½ oz Rum

1 oz Cream of coconut

1 oz orange juice

2 ½ oz pineapple juice. Read more

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Differences between White Wines

Picking the perfect bottle to tantalize your taste buds on a summer’s eve can be tricky. If you haven’t already got a go-to grape or region, then deciding where to start can be baffling.

Should you reach for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Pinot Grigio? And, furthermore, which country produces the best – and best-value – white wine? Should you choose an Italian, French or antipodean bottle?

Stick with finder and we’ll guide you through the essential flavors, most popular countries of origin, and the distinct characteristics offered by some of the US’s favorite white wines.

Chardonnay

Even if you don’t know the first thing about white wine, chances are you’ve heard of Chardonnay. It’s one of the most popular white wines in the UK. This wine originated in Burgundy, France, but is now created all over the world.

The first thing you’ll notice when you take that initial sip of Chardonnay is its complexity. One bottle can differ quite dramatically in flavor to the next. Chardonnay is an easy crowd-pleaser and is available either ‘oaked’ or ‘unoaked’, depending on your flavor preference.

Oaked Chardonnay varieties offer subtleties of vanilla, crème brûlée and even toast, while unoaked bottles are fruitier and generally medium-high in acidity, and will present a dash of zing that’s sure to excite your palate. Read more

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Suffering Bastard

This drink was originally made to cure hangovers. Usually, the person with the hangover was known as “the Suffering Bastard” and just like that this drink’s name embodied the person it was made to help.

What you’ll need:

1 oz Bourbon

1 oz Dry Gin

2 dashes Angostura bitters

2 dashes Ginger Ale

½ oz Fresh lime juice. Read more

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Irish Coffee

The Irish Coffee was created in the winter of 1943 by Joe Sheridan, chef at Foynes Port near Limerick, Ireland. Foynes was an airbase for transatlantic flights at the time that often carried political or Hollywood figures. Due to its popularity, it is of no surprise that this drink spread so quickly around the world.

What you’ll need:

1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey

1 oz of Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur 

Brewed coffee, hot

Garnish: whipped cream. Read more

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Black Demure

A demure is usually a woman who is shy or modest. Well this demure is a bourbon drinking, ass-kickin lady who’s going to make you love her. We prefer this lady as an appetizer to your meal or as your companion & date during cocktail hour. Have her back by midnight.

What you’ll need:

2 oz Bourbon

¼ Cointreau

¼ Crème de Mure

¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

¼ oz Simple Syrup. Read more

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Mai tai drink

The Mai Tai is a perfect drink for a hot summer day on the beach (or even a cold day at home). The mix of rum and sugar dances with satisfaction on the tongue while the fresh lime juice gives it the tang that you’ll be craving.

What you’ll need:

2 oz Premium Rum

½ Orange curacao

¾ Fresh Lime Juice

¼ Rock Candy Syrup

¼ Orgeat. Read more