Review: Blank Slate Rich Simple Syrups
This quartet of mixers comes from Blank Slate Kitchen, which whips up nothing but “rich simple syrup” in its Brooklyn kitchen. The four products on offer range in color from golden brown to molasses black, each crafted from palm sugar and (save for the base model) all flavored in some simple but powerful way. Each…
Drinks and Dishes for the 2017 Oscars
The 89th Academy Awards are upon us (tomorrow night). Wolfgang Puck is heading up the menu at the Governor’s Ball, so we’re including some of his recipes for the dishes being served that you can adapt for your own Oscar party. Of course, this is Drinkhacker, so we’re also giving you five cocktails to round…
A Visit to “Traditionally Irreverent” Laughing Monk Brewery
Laughing Monk Brewery, in San Francisco, California, celebrates its first anniversary this year on St. Patrick’s Day. Brewers Jeff Moakler and Andrew Casteel are both avid beer aficionados, having traveled in Belgium and starting out through home brewing. Jeff has several medals under his belt and worked as a Head Brewer for BJ’s Brewhouse. Their…
Tasting Report: Bordeaux and Sauternes, 2014 Vintage
2014 Bordeaux is arriving now, and as is customary, winemakers from all of Bordeaux’s many sub-regions brought their new releases to the U.S. for press and trade to taste and consider. All told, 2014 is shaping up as a relatively fresher, more fruit-forward year, though naturally some bombed-out, tannic exceptions exist. If any single region…
Book Review: Distilled Knowledge: The Science Behind Drinking’s Greatest Myths, Legends, And Unanswered Questions
From the scientist that studies rats with hangovers to the bar patron who wonders why anyone would want a raw egg in their drink, there have always been those who question the how’s and why’s of what we imbibe. Over the years, large amounts of research has been compiled to explain why fermented and distilled beverages…
Review: Candolini Grappa Bianca
This pure, clear grappa — a distillate of the leftovers from wine production — is made from a blend of the pomace of several grapes: sangiovese, trebbiano, cabernet, aglianico, and falanghina. As grappas go, Candolini Bianca — made by Fratelli Branca and a top seller in its homeland of Italy — is as light on…
Review: Kahlua Liqueur
In the last 10 years we’ve reviewed nine special edition releases of Kahlua, but never the original “rum and coffee liqueur” from Mexico. That changes today, with this very belated look at one of the staples of classic mixology. The inky black liqueur offers a nose of well-sweetened coffee, but also offers notes of raw…
Pappy Van Winkle Gets Older, Releases 25 Year Old Expression
Almost three years ago to the day, we were reporting on a Van Winkle 28 year old blend lurking in the cellars of Sazerac. Sadly, this expression was never to see a full release, leaving us no choice but to remain content with thousands of articles about the 23 and 20 year old varieties and…
