At the end of each year, amidst a sea of annual recap editorials, restaurant industry insiders and members of the media come together to forecast the trends they envision taking hold in the year ahead. The continued expansion of food courts, fast-casual spots, oat milk, plant-based proteins, and phone-free dining were just some of their…
Tag: monthly subscription
Rye Not Canada?
All signs are pointing north this February, and our expedition into Canadian territory requires just two things: a bottle of the country’s rye whisky, and a thirst for creative, inspired cocktails. Oh, and don’t forget your heaviest coat and scarf, too! Rye has been an essential component of Canada’s whisky-making tradition since the mid-1800s, when…
Brandy, She’s So Fine
What do renowned French writer Victor Hugo and New York hip-hop luminary Nas have in common? A way with words, for sure—but this unlikely pair is also united by their outspoken admiration for this month’s highlighted spirit. There has been a spot reserved in the public imagination for what the Dutch called brandewijn, or “burnt…
Pleased as Punch
The holiday season is fast approaching, and we’re so brimming with excitement that we’ve concocted a trio of tasty delights that cannot be contained within a single shaker or serving. Get your ice molds in order and dig out that ornate bowl and ladle for your next party, because there’s a VIP guest that should…
Rums of Origin
Properly made and balanced cocktails delight the senses and play a pivotal role wherever people come together in celebration and joy. And in many cases, what lies within the confines of a drinking glass can also open one’s eyes to the transportive elements at play. The base spirit and ingredients chosen unlock a portal into…
Book Box: The First Gineration
The sun has set on summer and we’ve immediately hit the books—the cocktail books, that is. Over the years there have been many great published works that combine enlightening facts and histories with brilliant photos and recipes. The earliest known compendium of techniques and drinks was mixology founding father Jerry Thomas’s Bartender’s Guide in the…
Celebrate Mezcal
There’s not a celebration in the world that has the look, feel, and flavors of Mexican Independence Day—a loud and proud party full of colorful decor, irresistible food, romantic mariachi music, and delicious drinks. Since its day of triumph on September 16, 1810, Mexico has adapted international influences from its past while developing a rich…
Eu Amo Cachaça
From beachside mountain ranges to bustling cityscapes and all the way to the north into the Amazon basin, Brazil contains incredible environmental diversity. But wherever you decide to roam, one factor will remain constant: your close proximity to a sip of refreshing and complex cachaça! Nearly all awareness of the spirit, until recently, came from…
Summer Scotch
As the real heat of summer quickly approaches and we tell you about our next box—which, let’s face it, probably isn’t what you expected—we can imagine you scratching your head and wondering: Scotch in the summer, really? Well, we say: Heck, yeah! Add some seasonal fruits, like peaches and strawberries, and suddenly this spirit becomes…
Red Vodka
For your next date night, an international adventure awaits—and it’s heavy with intrigue and ambiguous motives. But rather than clocking a thousand miles and infiltrating hostile environments in disguise to reach your objective, we suggest simply drawing the shades, dressing to the nines, and carrying out an exhaustive investigation of our Red Vodka Box right…
Broken Bourbon
With a decidedly less spicy profile than rye or other cereal grain–based whiskeys, bourbon is punchy enough to stand on its own yet blends harmoniously into lighter drinks like sours or juleps. The spirit’s corn content (mandated to be at least 51%, but could be as high as 100%) produces a level of easily-detectable sweetness….
Rum Wild
Rum—and its relatives of yore distilled from byproducts of the sugar cane plant—had a centuries-long history on the open seas aboard Navy vessels and pirate ships before striking land in the Caribbean for mass-production in the 1600s. There have been changes and a lot of geographic expansion along the way, but the adventurous, sea-centric soul…
Shaker & Spoon Blog 