Gin and vodka are two very distinct spirits. Most obviously, one is associated with pine and herbal flavors, while the other is often positioned as an odorless, tasteless entity. Yet the two are frequent substitutes for each other in cocktails such as the Martini or Vodka/Gin and Tonic. It’s easy to think of gin as essentially a flavored vodka, but […]
It was another sleepy Friday night in Edmonton in the middle-class suburb of Dovercourt, Canada. During a routine traffic stop, police noticed a 24-year-old man behaving erratically, waving around — my goodness — a submachine gun. Eventually, he started pointing it at the EPS officers on the scene. Fearing for their lives and the safety of others, the […]
Creating a cocktail that represents a person or character is an art. An imperfect art, but an art nonetheless. It’s a blend of understanding people and characters, and a confident knowledge of what makes a cocktail sing. Tommy Warren, the head bartender at Manhattan’s Bedford and Co. and the man behind the bar’s Writer’s Collection, […]
Every year around June 21, Iceland natives and tourists gather for the three longest days of the year. The sun sets just after midnight and rises just before 3 a.m., but even when it’s “night time” it’s never really dark. Which, naturally, means festivals, endless partying, drinking, and rolling naked in the early morning dew […]
Gazpacho isn’t one of those “craving” sorts of dishes. It’s rare to hear a friend bemoan, “Oh man, I could really use some gazpacho right now.” And yet gazpacho is an ideal summer party food. It involves no cooking, you can make a big batch in minutes, and yes, you can spike it.
Part of the recent cocktail revolution has been artisanal-influenced spirits. Whether these are from small batch distilleries or concocted in minute batches at a specific bar, a good infusion can create balance and depth in even the most basic cocktails. Here’s some good news for aspiring home bartenders: Infusing spirits is one of the easiest […]
Which came first, the mule or the mug? Turns out, that iconic mug might have been the impetus behind one of America’s favorite cocktails. The Moscow Mule was famously born of an overabundance of supplies and a need to push product. John G. Martin, head of Heublein & Brothers, had recently purchased Smirnoff distillery and found himself with a surplus of […]
Whether your three-day weekend means a beach trip, grilling out in your backyard, or building the perfect picnic, you’re going to want drinks. VinePair’s got all you beer lovers covered on what to drink, but what if you want something a little more? Well, pre-batch cocktails are your answer. They’re delicious, relatively easy to make, and […]
When it comes to sipping spirits, vodka might not be your first choice. But when it comes to creating cocktails, vodka is actually a bartender’s dream. Quality vodka should be colorless, odorless, and essentially tasteless, making it a perfect boozy addition to a number of different mixers. Everyone should know how to make a good vodka cocktail or […]
