We sat down with Caley Shoemaker, head distiller at Hangar 1 Vodka (one of the recommended pairings for our Pleased as Punch Box), to chat about her journey, flavored vodka’s reputation vs. reality, and Hangar 1’s distillation process. S&S: How did your journey lead to becoming head distiller at Hangar 1? CS: I got my…
Category: Interviews
Behind the Mediterranean Sunset
We sat down with Robert Sickler to chat about his work, his travels, some very unique cocktail recipes, and his drink for December’s Pleased as Punch Box, the Mediterranean Sunset! S&S: Your Mediterranean Sunset punch draws from geography and a sense of environment for inspiration. Is that a common way for you to conceive of…
Behind the Tipo Chichero
We sat down with Andres Chopite-Parra to chat about his work, Venezuela, rum, and his drink for November’s Rums of Origin Box, the Tipo Chichero! S&S: How important is rum to Venezuelan history and culture? ACP: It’s imbedded in our culture. It’s part of who we are. I’ve always said there are three things that Venezuela didn’t…
Refuerza La Vida
This coming month we Celebrate Mezcal, but the world wouldn’t know of this delightful and delicious spirit were it not for the people of central and southwestern Mexico. In 2017 an earthquake hit the region, causing much devastation in the Mexican states of Puebla and Morelos and extending into the greater Mexico City area and…
Behind the Señor Rojo
We sat down with Sam Jimenez to chat about his work, Mexico, mezcal, and his drink for September’s Celebrate Mezcal Box, the Señor Rojo! S&S: In what ways does the Señor Rojo represent the flavors of Oaxaca? SJ: Señor Rojo is a cocktail that assimilates boldness, spices, citrus, smokiness, and flavor. To me that’s part of…
Behind the Banana Banjo
We sat down with Jen Akin of Rumba in Seattle to chat about her work, Seattle’s cocktail scene, cachaça, and her drink for August’s Eu Amo Cachaça Box, the Banana Banjo! S&S: What’s it like to work at Rumba? How did your journey lead there? JA: Rumba is the best bar to work at. I’ve been drawn to…
Behind A Worn Path
We sat down with Steva Casey of The Atomic Lounge in Birmingham to chat about her work, Birmingham’s cocktail scene, traveling, and her drink for July’s Summer Scotch Box, A Worn Path! S&S: What’s it like to work at The Atomic Lounge? How did your journey lead there? SC: I’ve worked there now for over a year….
Behind the Dirty Little Secret
We sat down with Seth Weinberg of the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach to chat about his work, Miami’s cocktail scene, hunting vintage liquor, and his drink for June’s Red Vodka Box, the Dirty Little Secret! S&S: What’s it like to work at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach? How did your journey lead there? SW: The Fontainebleau is an…
Behind the Massive Carnage
We sat down with Christine Wiseman of LA’s Broken Shaker to chat about her work, bourbon, LA’s cocktail scene, and her drink for May’s Broken Bourbon Box, the Massive Carnage! S&S: What’s it like to work at LA’s Broken Shaker? How did your journey lead there? CW: It is the best job that I have ever had!…
Behind the Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
We sat down with Dan Watson of Cleveland’s Porco Lounge and Tiki Room to chat about his work, his inspirations, the wide world of rum, and his drink for April’s Rum Wild Box, the Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow! S&S: What’s it like to work at Porco Lounge? DW: I get to spend my days alongside my dysfunctional Porco family in the…
Behind the Black Gold
We sat down with Watson Barry of Oakland’s Le Cheval to chat about his work, his inspirations, and his drink for December’s Applejack of My Eye Box, the Black Gold! S&S: What’s it like to work at Le Cheval? WB: Oakland is really tight-knit, and Le Cheval has been a member of that community for over thirty…
Behind the Vino Labbra
We sat down with Carla Rivera to chat about her work, low-ABV cocktails, and her drink for November’s That’s Amaro! Box, the Vino Labbra! S&S: Is there an ingredient or technique you’re currently fascinated with? CR: I like to cook, so I spend any spare time making syrups, shrubs, reductions, jams, and more. I like the idea…
