Amaro: Poorly-Defined, Industry-Preferred, and Always Bittersweet

I’ve mentioned amaro in (I think) at least half of the posts on this blog in some form or fashion (and even more on Instagram). Usually, that’s been Campari and (more recently) Cynar. But, it’s a massive, ill-defined category that I want to have a much better understanding of despite starting to try more in … Read more

Cynar – All It’s Choked Up To Be

I’m watching the Masters, so a dad joke in the title felt seasonal. Get it? Cynar, artichokes, choke, chalk… Anyways, as I mentioned, Spring is all about growing things, but not much is actually ready to eat yet. Artichokes are an exception; these thistles are best in April, and right around now you’ll see them … Read more

Winter Flask Cocktail #2 – Bourbon Street Sipper

A lot of my friends are in NOLA for Mardi Gras or Rio for Carnival, and we had paczki at work this week, so it felt right that while I’m in the sunny PNW I should make some drinks that would fit with those celebrations. Those happen to work great as flask cocktails, so one … Read more

Bittersweet Feelings – Original Valentines Day Cocktail

After messing around with the Cosmo last week, I was looking for a good riff on that drink. Essentially, this means incorporating citrus and cranberry. It helps that cranberry will almost certainly make the drink pink, which felt right for Valentines Day.  This is an original cocktail that, while certainly informed by reading a whole … Read more

Mixing a Drink – The Negroni

How I came to love the negroni and learn how cocktails work. A discussion on the ingredients of this classic Italian drink and why it’s so delicious.