Several years ago, when I was first developing my appreciation for swanky bars masquerading as modern-day speakeasies, I went to one in Manhattan’s East Village. I wanted to order something for myself that I hadn’t had before, and that I thought would be difficult to acquire or otherwise make on my own. I didn’t know…
Tag: drinks
Austin Without Limits
The public television music program Austin City Limits (the only TV show to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts) helped the city of Austin earn the title of “Live Music Capital of the World” and then spawned an annual festival that happens each October—a very busy time for Austin and its bartenders. We…
Behind the Ma Sour
We sat down with Caer Ferguson of Austin’s The Roosevelt Room and The Eleanor to chat about her work, Austin’s craft cocktail scene, and her drink for October’s Austin Without Limits Box, the Ma Sour! S&S: What’s your specialty? CF: If I had to choose a spirit that I specialize in, it would be tequila or agave-based…
Behind the ’Chata
We sat down with Frank Kurt Maldonado of NYC’s Employees Only, to chat about his work and his cocktail for September’s Rum Away With Me Box, the ’Chata! S&S: Is there an ingredient or technique you’re currently fascinated with? FKM: I’m always exploring and playing with new ingredients, I try to use ingredients that no other bartender…
Rum Away With Me
When mixed with the right delicious ingredients—provided in September’s Rum Away With Me Box, of course—rum sure makes for one hell of a cocktail. Frank Kurk Maldonado created this delightful concoction to bring some of his home country’s flavors to you. With the zing of lime juice, some velvety Small Hands Foods orgeat (or-what, you…
Use Your ImaGINation
What makes gin, gin? The one real requisite is the distilling of a neutral grain alcohol with juniper, and that’s actually pretty much it. What distinguishes the various gins from one another, on the other hand, is a far more interesting question! With so many distinct flavors, no two gins are truly alike (luckily we…
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…
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…
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