Of all the various spirit categories that make up the dynamic culture of drink around the world, gin has arguably the most storied past. Its English heritage tells the story of British aristocracy, class warfare, technological innovation, the maritime industry, and more. Let’s go back to the very beginning, shall we?
There’s a lot more a lot of us should know about gin in general. Which means there’s definitely plenty we should know about a gin like Bombay Sapphire. The great grandchild of the 1761 gin distillery founded by Thomas Dakin in Warrington, England, Bombay burst onto the scene in the late ‘80s.
London’s toughest door admits fewer than 40 people a night. The bar itself is hiding in plain sight in one of the city’s most thronged tourist hubs. Welcome to the Yeoman Warders Club, also known as The Keys. The members-only establishment is situated in the Tower of London, the historic fortress and No. 1 paid tourist attraction […]
For bartenders, choosing a favorite bottle of booze is like picking a favorite child: It’s not easy and someone is going to get their feelings hurt. We asked 10 drinks professionals to tell us the one bottle they always have around. Then, to make things even more challenging, we requested they keep prices down and […]
If you find the concept of barrel-aged gin a little perplexing, you’re not alone. Just what is one supposed to do with this amber-colored spirit that has all the botanical flavors of gin, plus whiskey-like notes of wood and vanilla? Treat it like bourbon? Use it in place of traditional gin? Sip it neat? For one, […]
For those of us with a passion for spirits who like to kick it old school, cocktail books are vital. The best include ”Meehan’s Bartender Manual,” by PDT’s legendary Jim Meehan, and Mr. Harry Craddock’s ”The Savoy Cocktail Book.” Somewhere in the middle of a very extensive collection lies ”Esquire’s Handbook for Hosts.” This long-forgotten […]
Lucas Bols, a distiller based in Amsterdam, has more than four centuries of botanical booze-making under its belt. A family-owned distilling company founded in 1575, Bols (for short) is best-known for its eponymous genever and colorful line of liqueurs, which look neon-tactically artificial but, according to the company, are au natural — or should we […]
Gin & Tonic season is almost here (we swear), with promise of fizzy, fruity, botanically boozy days ahead. One of the most iconic drinks in bar history, G&Ts are perfect for summer, and with time outside comes inspiration to do things a little more fun. It’s affordable, it’s portable, and it can be whatever you […]
Irish whiskey has been on a tear over the past few years, with sales value increasing by 22 percent in the U.S. and 18.5 percent in all markets over the first half of 2017. But gin is the fastest-growing spirits category in Ireland. There are now 30 Irish brands available, and global exports tripled in […]
