My list of recommended reading for aspiring bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts is long– so here’s the short version. These are THE three books you should read and have on hand for quick reference if you want to really up your game as a bartender or home bartender.
Read MoreIn this post I’ll take you through the lenses I personally use for food and drink photography, and provide recommendations on similar lenses for various camera systems.
Read MoreIf you have any interest in photographing cocktails, you’ve likely seen an image like this.
It’s that split second when a bartender finishes a drink with a light mist of aromatic citrus oil from a thick swath of orange or lemon zest. It’s always an impressive and dramatic photo… but not the easiest to capture.
Read MoreIt sounds a bit dramatic, but stocking your home bar is very personal. It really depends on the drinks you enjoy making. When I was starting out, I ended up buying several fairly expensive bottles because a book or a bartender told me I needed to have them. Several of those bottles are still kicking around in the back of my liquor cabinet collecting dust. However, if you just really want to have a “well-rounded” home bar, where you can make a long list of diverse cocktails, here are my suggestions on home bar essentials!
Read MoreIf you find yourself in Dublin, Ireland, hopefully you have a little longer than 48 hours to eat, drink and see all the sights. In case you don’t though, here’s a short guide to maximize your time. If you’re anything like us, you tend to plan your trips around cool bars, cocktail experiences, distilleries and searching for quality booze. Dublin has no shortage of any of these, so don’t waste your time trying to get over jet-lag; there’s simply too much to taste and experience.
Read MoreThe Margarita is without a doubt my favorite cocktail and I don’t think I’m alone in that. However, like so many other great classic recipes, the Margarita went through the dark ages of mixology in the 80’s and 90’s and barely made it out alive. However, making a quality margarita is not hard, and only requires a few simple ingredients. When done right, it’s a truly incredible drink.
Read MoreIt’s a simple process and recipe, but it really is the little details that make or break a quality Old Fashioned. Because there are so few ingredients, it’s even more important to be attentive to the details; like the type of sugar, the proof of the spirit or expressing the orange oil over the top. Poor quality ingredients will obviously make for a sub-par cocktail, but even too much (or too little) of the right ingredients can diminish the overall experience. Making cocktails is all about adding different elements together to create unique and balanced flavors, and a well-made Old Fashioned is likely the best example of the craft.
Read MoreRum is hands-down the most diverse spirit in the world– and I’d fight anyone who says otherwise. A big part of why it’s so incredibly diverse is because there aren’t many rules around how to make it. Basically each country (and in some cases, different regions within the same country) will have their own methods and traditions for producing rum.
Read More
