The Spirit World

Getting better and better is Mutineer magazine; I’ve just received the latest issue and even for one on tother side of the Atlantic it still makes for superb reading.
Being the vainglorious sort I headed straight for the ‘10 Wine Blogs You Must Read’. Bloody ‘ell people for all the plugging I give your magazine you […]

Cocktail books come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of themes and one of my favorite new finds has a very specific subject. Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be is a fun book that takes a look at the non-alcoholic drink in a completely new light, making the mocktail fun and exciting.
In this new […]

St. John Frizell–bartender and Charles Baker expert–has an article in this quarter’s Edible Manhattan about the genealogy of New York’s classic cocktail revival bartenders, from Dale Degroff through Audrey Saunders and her many mentees, including PDT’s Jim Meehan and Frizell himself.
It’s a really interesting article (including a tidbit about Jean-Georges-pastry chef-turned-bar back Johnny Iuzzini) and […]

The other night, I was at a dinner party where there were several of the city’s best bartenders were in attendance. Conversations where going on full steam amongst the various tables, when suddenly I hear my name from the far end of the table.
“If you could have only one cocktail book, what would it be!”, […]

I won’t take it personally but neither this humble drink blog, nor my own lovingly created Spittoon make it into MM’s ‘Blogs You Should Be Reading’ section; Fermentation, Pinot Blogger and Appellation Beer do though. This disappointment aside a joy to find that the second issue of Mutineer Magazine is now available!
“It is the mission […]

Bartending guides are like cookbooks, no two are the same and for enthusiasts the collection just seems to grow and grow and you can’t get enough of your favorites. If you’re anything like me, a good bartending book is priceless and - cocktail geek that I am - I’ll read every one of them […]

One of my friends and mentors, Bridget Albert, has written a cocktail book.  I know, I know, yes it’s another cocktail book.  But this one is worth exploring.
I attended the book signing party last week at the Drawing Room here in Chicago, and it was a great party full of fantastic cocktails and fun conversations. […]

Available now is Mutineer Magazine, a new beverage magazine out of Los Angeles. Now me not being in LA might beg the question how I can review a limited distribution magazine; ’cause friendly readers they sent me a copy! 
Issue 1 is $2.99.  The rather trendy editor writes that “We are building a distribution list as […]

An Organic and Biodynamic Wine Cellar Created by Scott Pactor of West Chelsea’s Appellation Wine & Spirits
Bright, Modern, and white, it’s exterior wall of glass, Appellation Wine & Spirits – in eco chic, delightfully designed West Chelsea, is the first Biodynamic Wine Boutique in New York City.
Opened in September 2005, Appellation has established itself as […]

The “he” in question is Sam Calagione, a craft brewer and founder of Dogfish Brewery, which sells more than a million six-packs annually of its “off-centered ales for off-centered people.” The “she” is Marnie Old, an oft-quoted sommelier and director of wine studies at French Culinary Institute in New York City. Their book, the illustrated […]