Where to Drink in New Orleans

Sure, Tales of the Cocktail has already come and gone (though some of us are still feeling the effects.) If you're wondering where to drink, though, in the Big Easy, read this piece for The Daily Meal.

It's geared to the professional drinker, but that's you, right? Did we mention there's "handsome juice?"

http://www.thedailymeal.com/where-drink-during-tales-cocktail-1

Wonders of the American Whiskey Trail

Like the bold explorers of olde, I took a perilous trip down the American Whiskey Trail this Spring. All of my days spent playing Oregon Trail could not prepare me for the wonders of whiskey I would unearth along my journey. And I did not die of dysentery, or snake bite!

(A Herculean feat, powered by Jim Beam...)

Read it and drink:

http://www.thedailymeal.com/trekking-american-whiskey-trail

Just Back From: Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans

Thousands of cocktails.
Hundreds of spirits brands.
Dozens of New Orleans venues.
And several dwarfs shooting vodka off of an ice luge in clown costumes. (Um yes, that really happened. We have proof.)

Read all this, and more, in this riveting recap for Fodors.com:
http://www.fodors.com/news/just-back-from-tales-of-the-cocktail-6981.html

Top Spirits Festivals

Some of us are still recovering from Tales of the Cocktail (more on that to come), which took place in New Orleans last week.

But if you're ready for more great shots and stellar sips--not to mention the general shenanigans that come about whenever the cocktail community collides--check out this story in Premier Traveler, rounding up the top spirits festivals in the whole wide world:

http://www.premiertravelerusa.com/Cheers_Festival_Lineup/76/1512.aspx

Would You or Wouldn't You: Boozy Spa Treatments

Ever played that game, Would You Rather?

Here's kind of an upscale version, involving Bourbon, beer and luxurious spa treatments...explored in this fun story for Wine Enthusiast. Yes, hopping in a bathtub filled with Bourbon is trending in the beauty world this summer.

Brewsage, anyone? (Yes. That's a real term.)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/May-2013/Six-Spas-with-Booze-Based-Treatments/

Are Beet Cocktails a Thing?

Stop beeting yourself up. Who would have guessed the humble root vegetable would become the little darling of the cocktail world? Sure, it's color-saturated and sweet, and lends itself well to punny drink names, but beets should probably stick to salad, right?

Not so, say mixologists. Read all about the beet cocktail trend here, and whip up one of your own. It's kind of like juicing, but with booze. What's not to like?

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/The-Beet-Goes-On/

The Year of the Cocktail: Chinese Herbal Tipples

Chinese New Year is February 10. How are you going to celebrate? We're thinking cocktails ('natch). And why not toss some authentic ingredients plucked from your local Chinatown into your tipples?

Mixologists around the country aren't waiting till February 10 to mix up Chinese herb-infused cocktails.
No really...and the results are more than exotic. (One even contains aphrodisiacs!)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/Big-Tipples-In-Little-China/

Timbaland on....Drinking

Extra Extra! Timbaland launches a spirit line! It's a ready-to-drink liqueur, Le Sutra, with a wine base. Naturally, we covered it for Wine Enthusiast Magazine in a brief Q&A session with the superstar hip hop mogul:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2012/Timbaland-Toasts-His-New-Liqueur/

Timbaland and Flo Rida are pictured here with Le Sutra in hand. Good to know P Diddy doesn't have a corner on the market.

Beyond Wine: New Food Pairing Partners

We got some great tips from sommelier Justin Kuruvilla of elements in N.J. about what's next in the restaurant world: Nontraditional pairings dinners. That's right: Because we always suspected Bourbon goes with just about everything.

For tips on how to pair food with spirits, beer and sake, read my article for Wine Enthusiast here.

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/Sommelier-Tip-Embracing-the-Occasional-Wine-Free-Pairing/

Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb!

Sure, flavored spirits have been hot this year. But with sickeningly sweet releases like cotton candy and whipped cream vodkas dominating the market, the trend left something to be desired.

Liquor giants have stepped in—and stepped it up with tart-sweet cherry spirits. Want to read more about the cherry liquor trend? Check out my article for the Daily Meal here, and get your cherry popped.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/cherry-bomb-newest-cherry-spirits