Drinks Wire

The House of Mondavi – Literary Monday

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The House of Mondavi chronicles the rise and fall of the famed Mondavi family of Napa.  It’s the real life version of Falcon Crest, the 1980’s prime-time soap opera set in wine country and allegedly based on the Mondavi family.  Boy, is it a juicy and fascinating read.  The book details the Mondavi family’s involvement in the wine industry and it’s intertwinement of the Mondavis and the rebuilding of Napa Valley and it’s eventual explosive … Read more

Red Carpet Cocktails For the Oscars

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The Academy Awards will celebrate its 84th year tonight during the annual Oscars ceremony which is set to honor some of today’s biggest and brightest stars. Whether you’re rooting for your favorite, for the funniest or for the underdog, this is a night where glitz and glamour take the front seat and we’ve got some drinks to help you join right in. 

Silver Screen Punch — if you’ve got a party planned, this is the … Read more

Social Kitchen & Brewery

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San Francisco has a lot to offer in terms of food and drink with almost every street in the city’s 49-square miles filled with restaurants and bars. The best part? Some of those bars are breweries, too!

I decided to take a trip to the less-known Social Kitchen & Brewery and I am definitely glad I did. Social Kitchen is a semi-recent addition to the Inner Sunset district. Not even two-years old, it brings some … Read more

Spring Training Brew Crew: Cactus League

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Welcome to week two of our Spring Training Brew Crew, baseball fans! Last week we took you through the popular craft breweries of Florida’s Grapefruit League and now it’s time to hop a jet and head west to the Cactus League! I’ve been in search of Arizona’s tastiest craft beers to savor while you’re watching your favorite teams prepare for this upcoming season. From Tempe to Surprise, from Avondale to Mesa, get your frosty mug … Read more

DeKuyper Distillery Talks To DOTW

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This week we sat down with Marc de Kuyper, an 11th generation distiller in the DeKuyper Distillery.  de Kuyper spoke to us about his company’s launch of Mandarine Napoleon XO, a limited-edition of their Mandarine Napoleon line made with rare, aged cognac. We covered a number of topics including my love of lychee and DeKuyper’s Kwai Feh liqueur that is currently unavailable in the United States.

Drink of the Week (DOTW):  How does it … Read more

Absolut Miami Review

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We recently received a bottle of Absolut Miami, which is the 6th edition in the Absolut City Series.  I absolutely loved the bottle upon seeing it.  From the Art Deco building on the back to the palm tree, flamingo and rising sun on the front, the bottle sums up Miami.  The Absolut Miami screams cool and fun.

Not only did I really like the bottle upon seeing it, I really liked the aroma of the … Read more

Zignum Reposado Mezcal Review

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This is a different type of mezcal that what you might be used to.  Usually, mezcal has a smoky flavor that is imparted when the pina, which is the heart of the agave plants, are roasted in pit ovens dug into the ground.  This process has been used to make mezcal for over two hundred years, and it is this roasting that gives mezcal the smoky aroma and taste you associate with it.  However, the … Read more

2010 Campo Viejo Rioja – Wine Wednesday

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Last week’s pick of the week came from Portugal.  This week’s pick comes from it’s neighbor, Spain.  As we have written about in the past, Spain offers incredible value for its quality of wine and a number of prior picks have come from Spain.  There seems to be no stopping Spain and Italy for Wine Wednesday picks.

This week’s pick is the 2010 Campo Viejo Rioja.  This wine is a little unusual as it’s a … Read more

Hiram Walker “Original Cinn” Cinnamon Schnapps – Review

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Unlike last year, this year’s winter is fairly mild.  But, burr… it’s still cold out there in certain parts of the United States.  The Hiram Walker “Original Cinn” Cinnamon Schnapps will help keep you warm this winter.  With its clean cinnamon taste and 90 proof alcohol, this schnapps is destined to keep you warm all day and night!

The Hiram Walker Cinnamon Schnapps lacks the syrupy, artificial tastes that you may associate with schnapps.  Hiram … Read more

Get Your Mardi Gras Started Right!

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If you’re religious, then Mardi Gras is simply a celebratory time before fasting for Lent but for many others, Mardi Gras is their chance to really go wild! The festive holiday is celebrated in countries all over the world from Brazil to Belgium to Italy and, of course, right here in the United States. To aid you in all the Fat Tuesday fun you’ll be getting into, we’ve included some of our favorite cocktails perfect … Read more