Got a question? Email advice@vinepair.com If a bartender gives me something for free do I leave a tip for it? If you’ve been given a free drink by a bartender it’s most likely a buyback or part of a happy hour promotion. Either way, even though you didn’t pay for that drink, tipping is the right […]
Got a question? Email advice@vinepair.com Should I tip at a wedding? As a former cater-waiter and bartender myself, I would have loved to receive wedding tips. But at the risk of being screamed at by my brethren, this is not something you need to do. At most weddings a tip of at least 15 to 20 […]
Got a question? Email advice@vinepair.com. Why do some bartenders light citrus peels on fire, and which side are you supposed to light? You might think a bartender is simply flaming citrus to show off, but that’s only part of the reason it’s done. Flamed citrus adds wow factor, yes, but it also helps accentuate the flavor […]
Got a question? Email us at: advice@vinepair.com A friend recently told me he came up with an ingenious hack to ensure his drink is strong. He asks for it without ice and swears the bartender gives him more liquor to compensate. Is he right? Nope. This is an old ”trick” most bartenders are all too […]
These days it is incredibly rare to find a quality Cabernet Sauvignon from California for under 20 bucks, let alone under $15. Thanks to the success of Napa, California has become the land of high-quality, expensive Cabernet. Most great bottles of Napa Cab cost an average of $50, and anything under $20 is usually not […]
Send questions to: advice@vinepair.com Why do we only call whiskeys ”drams”? As with many words used to describe drinks and things connected to them, they often come from the region that originally made a drink famous. While whiskey is made all over the world, the most famous place in the world of whisky — note […]
If you’re a drinker of Guinness — and let’s be honest, who isn’t? — it’s likely you’ve already considered a trip to Dublin. You’re in luck, because Dublin is cooler than ever. The Irish capital has grown from a small city into a bustling metropolis filled with great bars, hotels, and restaurants. And it’s only […]
Got a question? Email advice@vinepair.com What’s the difference between cheap beer and malt liquor? In reality, not much. Both are made the same way: You create a mash, let it ferment, bottle it, let it carbonate, and then you have your product. The real difference lies in what’s used to create each, and the amount […]
Are there any easy substitutions for vermouth if I don’t have it at home? I wanted to make a Martini the other night and realized I was out. Unfortunately, there are not really any “easy” substitutions for sweet or dry vermouth, as the other spirits that will work are less common in home bars.
