Review: Ambhar Tequila, Complete Lineup

A name like Ambhar makes me think more of my local tandoori shack than a line of tequilas, but such is life… and such is the booze business. The company behind Ambhar says the name refers to an ancient goddess of the same moniker, but all I can find online when googling “Ambhar” are searches…

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Review: Fulton’s Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cream Liqueur

How do you know that fall has arrived? Easy: Pumpkin-flavored liqueurs arrive on the shelves. Fulton’s, produced by Kentucky’s Heaven Hill, is a limited-edition liqueur available only from September to November. Now available nationally, this cream liqueur tells its tale simply by looking at its name. The color is that of chocolate milk, and the…

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Review: Baileys Mudslide

Few cocktails in the panopticon of chain restaurant beverages imbue the spirit — the very heart — of panty peeler so thoroughly as the Mudslide. A chocolate, creamy, boozy frozen concoction, this is dessert — and usually drunkenness — in a glass. Now Baileys brings the Mudslide to ready-made status, or as near as is…

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Review: 2009 Bex Riesling Mosel

An easy Riesling, with fresh honey, green grape, and hints of melon. While it’s a touch sweet, it is still light enough to be meal-friendly, though it could use more acidity to help smooth out the finish. For the price, this is an amazing wine, and something certainly worth picking up in a pinch when…

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Review: Reyka Vodka

Iceland: More than just crazy volcanoes. Vodka, too! Reyka is a 2005-originated brand from this island nation — in Reykjavik, of course. It’s unclear from what base grain the vodka is distilled, but it is done so in small batches in a Carter Head still and filtered through lava rocks before bottling at 80 proof.…

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Review: Hpnotiq Harmonie Liqueur

You can put “A refreshing blend of premium French vodka, infused natural fruits, flowers, and a touch of Cognac” on the label, but Hpno is always gonna be Hpno. An icon of the hip-hop crowd, the electric blue Hpnotiq is an icon of da club. It was only a matter of time before it spawned…

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Recipe: La Mela Cocktail

While I am not sure I have the patience to wait for the cider/syrup mix to set — just to use a “dash” of it — this recipe, courtesy of Maker’s Mark, sounds quite delightful. La Mela Recipe by Eben Freeman, Master Mixologist ¼ part St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram ¾ part Amaretto 1 part Maker’s…

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Review: Square One Basil Vodka

This is one of those ideas that sounded really good when I read about it… and then the sample bottles arrived and they just sat there. Basil flavored vodka? Really? What the heck is that all about? Square One makes a surprisingly good cucumber vodka, but cukes have a long tradition in cocktailing, dating back…

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