Drinks Wire

Brugal Soirée

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As you may have seen from other posts on the site this week, it was a Brugal week as Brugal stormed San Francisco to launch Brugal 1888. Brugal 1888 is a new rum from the folks at Brugal that offers a Rum done in a Scotch style. I know it sounds a little weird but it truly does work.

Brugal 1888 was the invention of Don Gustavo Brugal, a fifth-generation master distiller within the Brugal … Read more

The Importance of Good Water

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At DOTW, we stress the importance of good water and ice. It’s key to a good life and great cocktails! In the United States, it’s something that we generally don’t have to think about. I have to admit that I grew up drinking water from a fresh aquifer in the midwest and now live in San Francisco, which is renowned for its water quality. But that amazing San Francisco water has come at a price: … Read more

Brugal 1888 Rum Review

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This week has been the week of Brugal rum for us—an intensive tasting and then a soirée. We can’t say that we minded as it gave us a couple of opportunities to try this outstanding new entrant into the rum market.

Brugal 1888 is the newest offering from Brugal Rums, a distillery out of the Dominican Republic, that was interestingly enough founded in 1888. Brugal 1888 isn’t your ordinary rum; as Brugal proclaims, this is … Read more

Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon Review

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Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon comes from our friends at the Firefly distillery. They import Buffalo Trace Bourbon from Kentucky and infuse with their proprietary sweet tea recipe. Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon is the ultimate Southern treat, the marrying of Bourbon and sweet tea.

The Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon is almost the same color as the vodka but with darker brown hues to the highlights through the amber liquid. On the nose, the Sweet Tea Bourbon … Read more

4 Bars to Get You off the Strip in Las Vegas

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When looking for a good drink in Las Vegas, most people never stray from the big name casinos on the Strip. While there may be a few gems in the dozens of bars packed on that one street, it usually comes with a hefty price tag. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are a few bars off of the Strip that have earned a reputation for high quality cocktails, experienced staff, and a personal … Read more

Monte Antico Toscana – Wine Wednesday

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This week’s pick for Wine Wednesday comes from beautiful Toscana (Tuscany) in Italy. Just thinking of Tuscany conjures images of sun-drenched fields of grapes bursting with ripeness, amazing salumi and cheese and amazing times. If you can’t tell, one of my favorite vacations was in Tuscany and I immensely enjoyed my all too short time spent at Tuscan wineries.

Italy is one of my value countries for wine but usually Tuscany doesn’t top the list … Read more

What’s the difference between a cream liqueur and a crème liqueur?

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Sometimes it seems to take a special dictionary to navigate the cocktail world. For instance, while it is true that crème is the French word for cream, a crème liqueur and a cream liqueur are not the same.

Cream liqueurs, such as Baileys or Carolans Irish cream, contain dairy cream. Crème liqueurs, such as crème de menthe and crème de cacao, have more sugar than other liqueurs and therefore a thicker consistency. They do not, … Read more

Watermelon Cocktails for Labor Day

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Happy Labor Day! If you’re blessed with beautiful weather like we are (or even if you’re not), here are some tasty watermelon cocktails that are perfect for the long weekend.

    Watermelon Mojito
    Watermelon Cucumber Refresher
    Watermelon Agua Fresca Margarita
    Watermelon Granita
    Watermelon and Cucumber Gin & Tonic

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Maple Bacon Bloody Mary

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I love Bloody Marys! Since it’s tomato season, now is the perfect time to make this cocktail with fresh tomatoes. It’s easier than you think.

This variation includes bacon and maple syrup, but it’s not just for brunch! Bacon makes such a tasty garnish and the maple syrup perks up the natural sweetness of the fresh tomatoes.

As far as garnishes go, the Bloody Mary is the most fun. Why stop with bacon? Add the … Read more

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Review

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September is National Bourbon Month and we are celebrating with tons of reviews, cocktails and history lessons!

The name started in 1940 when a distillery executive took a sample on a wild turkey hunting trip and it stuck. The next year, his buddies asked for some of that wild turkey whisky and a brand was born (the distillery had existed prior to Prohibition and started upon again as soon as Prohibition ended). Wild Turkey’s other … Read more