. . . actually, on second thought, don’t. Stay right here, because there’s something you may not know: pisco is actually a type of brandy! But don’t be too surprised: any distillate of fruit juice is technically a brandy. While Cognac and other after-dinner drinks you may be more familiar with are aged in oak…
Tag: bartending
Nate’s Tiki Syrup Recipes
Nathan Dalton says that “one defining characteristic of a tiki drink is that it’s complicated to make. It’s not true in every case, but if you work a tiki bar, you get used to having to grab seven, eight, or nine bottles to make a single drink.” And the cocktail he created for us, The…
Behind the Last Guinea Pig in Cuzco
We sat down with Nathan Dalton of Piscobar in the Catahoula Hotel in New Orleans to chat about his work, the history of pisco, and his cocktail for the Pisco Fever Box, the Last Guinea Pig in Cuzco! S&S: What’s your specialty? ND: I guess I would have to say pisco is my specialty. I recently opened a bar/café…
Pisco Fever
Hot summer nights call for the spirit of the Incan gods: pisco, one of the purest spirits known to man. The only thing that enters the bottle is the grapes—and nothing else can be added, not even water. The result is the remarkably delicious and shockingly versatile unaged Peruvian brandy that’s sure to be the…
Behind the Tokyo Love Story
We sat down with SeongHa Lee, lead bartender at Las Vegas’s Zuma at The Cosmopolitan, to chat about his work and his cocktail for June’s Sake It To Me Box, the Tokyo Love Story! Photo c/o Krystal Ramirez. S&S: You’ve tended bar all around the world—what’s been your favorite scene so far? SHL: I can say my favorite…
Vodka Cocktails in the Wild
Spring has sprung (mostly), and it shows in the fun photos of your vodka cocktails! Here’s the roundup of images from our community of subscribers toasting the season with their cocktails from April’s box, Vodka, Adventures, and Spring, Oh My! Use #shakerandspoon to be considered for a feature. Cheers! Vodka, Adventures, and Spring, Oh My! via @omichellemybell Shrub-a-Dub-Dubs via @lbeaslie Ralston’s Black Peppered Old…
Sake It To Me!
In recent years, sake has crossed the Pacific and graced our cocktails with its presence here in the US. The shapeshifting fermented rice liquor is quickly becoming popular among bartenders due to its intense umami-ness (the fifth taste), complex flavor profile, and increasing availability and variety, though many people still haven’t discovered sake libations. That’s…
A Cocktail Tribute to Prince
We sat down with Russell Davis on the anniversary of Prince’s untimely passing to get the story behind A Whiter Shade of Purple, Russell’s cocktail tribute to Prince. The recipe appears below! S&S: What was the inspiration behind this cocktail? RD: Well, everybody loves Prince, you know, so that’s just kind of a given. And, quite…
Irish Whiskey Cocktails in the Wild
You guys did a gorgeous job garnishing your Irish whiskey cocktails! We saw a lot of photos of the Tea & Honey in particular, and the sage and bitters were looking great. Glad to see that you enjoyed those tiny little clothespin clips as much as we did! For your viewing pleasure, here’s the roundup of images…
Bubbly Cocktails in the Wild
Looks like you guys had some fun and romantic times with our bubbly cocktails! Chef Pusheen and Mersheen (below) were just too cute. For your viewing pleasure, here’s the roundup of images from our community of subscribers toasting with their drinks from the Afterparty Box. Use #shakerandspoon to be considered for a feature. Cheers! Valentine’s Chinese New Years via @tcsullivan Original Sin via @loridear…
Behind the Under Sage Drinking
We sat down with Russell Davis to get the story behind his cocktail for April’s box, Vodka, Adventures, and Spring, Oh My! S&S: What are some of your specialties? RD: World travel, drinking culture, cocktails, spirits, fire blowing, bartending, bars, bar business, adventure. Any order. S&S: Is there an ingredient or technique you’re currently fascinated with? RD: I’m…
Vodka, Adventures, and Spring, Oh My!
Can you smell spring in the air? We sure can. We’re celebrating the welcome return of milder weather by re-releasing Vodka, Adventures, and Spring, Oh My!, featuring three great cocktails and jam-packed with goodies! In this box, vodka’s a blank canvas that you can paint anything you want on, and we’re so excited to bring…
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