New Year, new you, new . . . gin? It very well could be, considering the explosion of new and local options available to fans of the spirit. This wasn’t always the case. For seemingly forever, those seeking diversity in the category would’ve had to choose between the London dry, slightly sweeter Plymouth, and even…
Tag: drinking
Spiced Rum Celebration
The holiday season has a way of sneaking up, doesn’t it? One minute we’re dusting off the grill and asking Is It Summer Yet? and the next—wham!—the jubilant jingling of the bells enters the chat to signal the start of something special . . . and hectic. It could be shopping marathons that leave your…
Ryes and Fall
Lovers of our last rye box might’ve picked up a tidbit or two about the spirit’s mid-Atlantic Appalachian origins in states like Pennsylvania and Maryland. Inch up a little farther on the map into Canada, though, and you’ll land in a place where rye whisky is just as cherished and rich in tradition. Canada arrived…
Mezcalloween II: Agave’s Revenge
For those brave enough to have peeked through their fingers, there’ve been some helpful pointers offered throughout the many decades of horror films and their sequels: Cover your mirrors, don’t read the ancient scroll, and if furniture is moving on its own, then it’s time to pack up and go! Technically, returning to the scene…
Puttin’ on the Spritz 2: Italian Affair
A day in Italy can be easily filled with a range of activities to suit any mood: a trek on two wheels through the labyrinthian streets of Rome, a scenic ride along the rural landscapes of Tuscany, or a sun-soaked laze out on the coast. Factor in the endless museums, fresh markets, and fashion boutiques,…
Sun’s Out, Rums Out
Many a conversation has kicked off with this clichéd but effective icebreaker: What would you bring with you to a deserted island? A hammock, boogie board, or good book would certainly fit the bill—but if the category is island drinks, then there’s a slam-dunk case to be made for perhaps the truest spirit of the…
Bring on the Bourbon
Our bridge to summer (aka the month of May) is within sight, and the time has finally come to throw open the windows, shout “Bring it on!” into the temperate wind, and allow a legendary spirit to shine. As veteran Shaker & Spoon sleuths out there may already know, previous bourbon boxes have produced some…
Kick Back with Cognac
The many gastronomic wonders of France are glorified the world over, and the wines—well, who hasn’t waxed romantic about at least one at some point in their life? Whether you’re a scholar of food or drink, or simply an admirer, it’s always tempting to enjoy national treasures the same ways the natives do. When it…
Añejo, Let’s Go!
We heart tequila! And did you know that this agave spirit from the great land of Mexico gets bolder than blanco and even richer than reposado? Añejo is the name and “gracing cocktails that are friendly to all seasons with an amber look and a more robust take on the tequila taste” is its game….
Fruits of Fall
When it came time for America to stake a claim on a spirit of its own—coincidentally during the decades surrounding its own founding—Northeastern pioneers and even presidents needed only to look up at the trees. An abundance of apples combined with a revolutionary thirst led to the first applejack, named for its process of “jacking,”…
Negroni 2
Born in Florence from a request for a stiffened-up Americano, the classic Negroni’s recipe is, beautifully, not one you have to jot down. Stir up equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, garnish with a twist, and you’ll be satisfied (like so many others of late). But it’s gotten so popular throughout this modern cocktail…
Scotchtember
A revered blend of history, tradition, and malted barley, Scotch most definitely has a distinct presence on the tartan-patterned timeline of its Scotland home. And as the local saying goes, “today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky,” so it’s also hard to overstate just how crucial the water is and always has been to the production process….
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