As with many things in life, if you want to get a glimpse into what makes for a truly unique cocktail, you're better off asking someone who makes cocktails for a living. They've put their 10,000 hours in to get good at their craft, and all you have to do to reap the benefits is hear them out. In the interest of discovering what kinds of drinks are on the cutting edge, we reached out to Jordan Hughes, cocktail and spirits author and content creator behind @highproofpreacher…
Read MoreIf you’ve got an Instagram or TikTok account and an interest in cocktails, you’ve likely heard of Jordan Hughes—if not by his given name, then because of the Parmesan espresso martini that he ushered into viral fame in 2023. But well before that briefly inescapable becheesed drink, Hughes was already well known online as the photographer, videographer, and recipe developer behind High-Proof Preacher, the award-winning Instagram account he started in 2017. Hughes brings the enthusiasm and energy…
Read MoreA good cocktail becomes unforgettable when you infuse it with a little smoke. If you're new to crafting smoke-infused cocktails at home, it's important to know the best spirits to experiment with. To help answer this question, Tasting Table spoke with Jordan Hughes, author of "Twist: Your Guide to Creating Inspired Craft Cocktails" and content creator behind @highproofpreacher.
Read MoreCocktails are about big flavors and bold ingredients, and nothing embodies that ethos better than smoke. When done well, a hint of smokiness can take a drink from mid-tier to top-shelf. Since smoke is a gas rather than a liquid, imparting the flavor into your drink…
Read MoreThis syrup does not require any heat– as most involve heating various ingredients on the stove to properly integrate those ingredients and dissolve the sugar. However this no-cook syrup relies on the acid already present in the pineapple to break down the sugar over several hours,
Read More“We’ve gone to great lengths this year to help you find the best whiskeys of 2021. We’ve ranked them by type (bourbon, scotch, rye), en masse, and even shamed ourselves for the bottles we missed (bourbon, scotch). Now, we’ve taken our search further afield — reaching out to the wider world of whisk(e)y writers, influencers, photographers, and even historians…”
Read MoreWant a holiday cocktail secret weapon? This might be it. Personal suggestion: try this syrup in a spirit-forward cocktail, like an Old Fashioned or Sazerac. Then again, this Winter Margarita was pretty tasty too.
Read MoreMy 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 MoreThe Margarita is a classic, well-loved blend of tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur. Of course, you’ll find all sorts of different riffs and variations at bars and restaurants all over the world, but like most classic cocktails, it’s difficult to beat the original.
Read MoreI’m really just genuinely thankful to everyone for voting for me & to the editors at Saveur. Awards are funny things, but I’ve been doing this cocktail-photo-thing for a few years now & it feels fugging amazing to be recognized for doing it really well, especially by a well-known publication.
Read MoreI’ve never actually met Chad in person, but for some reason he feels like an old friend. We connected via Instagram pretty early on, and he’s been a constant source of inspiration for me both in creating cocktails and photography. He’s always down to explain his process and never seems bothered when I message him about a recipe or ask for exact details on an infusion he posted about…
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 MoreIf you have an Instagram account and have any interest in the cocktail and bar world, you’ve seen Jason Yu. He’s been inspiring bar professionals and enthusiasts everywhere via social media, appearing on various influential cocktail feeds and sharing his amazing work through his own account: @jasonfyu. The guy is an incredibility talented and creative bartender, but he’s not one to talk about his own successes. Even in this interview he mentions a huge list of friends and industry peers as his personal inspirations.
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 MoreThe city of Portland, Oregon, has a growing and thriving craft distilling scene. Despite being a recent addition to this flourishing community, Freeland Spirits is a brand that’s already making waves in the industry.
Read MoreYou’re never too far from a good cocktail in Portland, OR. It’s a relatively small city compared to West Coast neighbors Seattle or San Francisco, but the amount of bar industry talent is staggering. Travelers should know that, if you want to hit all the hotspots in the Rose City, you’re going to need to stay longer than a weekend.
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 MoreConsisting of just whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and often (not always) egg white, a classic Whiskey Sour is always a crowd pleaser. It’s simple, delicious and easy enough to make a good one at home. However, if you’re feeling a little creative, it’s also an easy drink to upgrade.
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 MoreI came of age during rise of the "coffeehouse culture" and espresso counters of the 1990s. Starting at age 17, I found my way into barista jobs where I learned about drink quality and coffee preparation techniques. When I turned 21 the microbrew movement was a part of Portland culture, and I fell in love with learning about beer…
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