"The light music of whiskey falling into a glass - an agreeable interlude." --James Joyce
- In the Washington Post, Jason Wilson examines the explosion in the market for orange curacao liqueurs.
- More from Jason Wilson: in the Philadelphia Daily News: a guide to bar-hopping in Atlantic City.
- In the New York Times, Robert Simonson writes about one of the popular new trends: high-proof spirits. (These are spirits that contain a higher alcohol content than the typical 40%.)
- Also in the Times, Eric Asimov contemplates the new rules of summer drinking: red wine and bourbon before Labor Day?
- Also in the Times, Rosie Schaap updates that perfect warm-weather libation: the wine spritzer.
- In the San Francisco Chronicle, Gary Regan discusses alternatives to the traditional brunch cocktails (aka, the various Bloodys: Mary, Bull, etc.). His suggestion: a Celery Cooler with tequila.
- In Esquire Magazine, David Wonderich names Milwaukee the Bar City of the Year.
- More from David Wondrich, also in Esquire: Wondrich talks shots, offering a primer on the classic shooters.
- In The Atlantic, Wayne Curtis talks about the identity crisis in Cognac.
- On the Reuters wire, Kara Newman shares the latest edition of the Spirited Traveler: a journey to Sweden in search of the elusive Swedish Punsch.
- In the Boston Globe, Joel Brown investigates the return of Ipswitch rum.
- On The Cocktail Spirit, Robert Hess shows you how to make a Red Snapper (video).
- In CLASS Magazine, Simon Difford and Ian Cameron round up five Creme de Menthe liqueurs. Top marks go to Giffard Menthe Pastille.
- Also in CLASS, Camper English takes a trip through America's whiskey distilleries.
- Liquor.com is also talking high-proof spirits, courtesy of bartender Dushan Zaric.
- Liquor.com also offers up some suggestions for new coffee cocktails, courtesy of St. John Frizell (owner of Fort Defiance bar in Brooklyn).
- CBS Sunday Morning takes a look at rum's spirited history . (Article plus video.)
- On Serious Eats, Michael Dietsch presents a guide to vodka. (Vodka is much-derided among many in the cocktail community, but I still consider myself a fan.)
- Also on Serious Eats, Alice Gao takes a trip to the Dominican Republic to see how Brugal Rum is made.
- A bit late, but still useful: on the Huffington Post, Tony Sachs shares his suggestions for the best bourbons for Derby Day. (They're good suggestions for any time, though.)
- On Creative Loafing, Brad Kaplan discusses the current state of Southern cocktail culture.
- Do you really want a cocktail made with stinging nettles? Well, if you do, these guys will show you how to make one.
- Is Spodee the worst name ever for a beverage? Steven Grasse, the brains behind Hendrick's Gin and Sailor Jerry Rum, doesn't think so. It's a blend of fortified wine and high-proof white whiskey (aka moonshine).
- Weekly Pint rounds up this summer's seven best beer festivals.
That's it for now. If you have any suggestions for next week's round-up, please let me know.
I like the idea of the wine spritzers for summer.
Posted by: Deborah Graff | 05/24/2012 at 06:41 PM