Step into any modern craft cocktail bar, and you’ll notice something fascinating. We’re still speaking the language of the speakeasy. That 1920s slang your great-grandparents used? It’s alive and well in today’s best bars. As someone who’s spent years studying cocktail culture and Prohibition history, I’ve found that understanding this vocabulary does more than just … Read more
The night was cold on Lake Michigan in February 1925 when Bill McCoy’s fishing boat slipped past the coast guard cutters, its hull stuffed with $2 million worth of Canadian whiskey. He wouldn’t cut the ropes and scatter the evidence like the amateurs do. McCoy ran his operation like a business, and for fifteen years, … Read more
The Paper Plane cocktail has become one of my go-to drinks when I want to impress guests without overcomplicating things. This modern classic combines bourbon, Italian bitters, and citrus in perfect harmony. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make a Paper Plane cocktail at home, from selecting the right ingredients to … Read more
Published: May 13, 2026 | 12 min read | Cocktails & Drinks A properly made espresso martini features a thick, velvety crema layer that makes all the difference. Let me be honest with you: most home-made espresso martinis taste like someone dissolved a instant coffee packet in cheap vodka and called it a day. They … Read more
Few rivalries in cocktail history capture the imagination quite like the one between Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber. Both men claimed to have invented the Mai Tai, and their heated dispute shaped tiki culture for decades. I have spent years researching this story, interviewing tiki historians, and tasting both versions of the drink, and … Read more
If you’ve been exploring whiskey shelves lately, you’ve likely noticed the phrase “Bottled in Bond” appearing on more bottles. It sounds official and prestigious, but what does bottled in bond actually mean for the average whiskey drinker? Simply put, bottled-in-bond whiskey represents one of the most reliable quality guarantees in the American spirits industry—a government-backed … Read more
On January 17, 1920, America changed forever. At one minute past midnight, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution went into effect, making the entire United States officially “dry.” What happened over the next 13 years would reshape American politics, spawn organized crime as we know it, and ultimately prove that you cannot legislate morality through … Read more
I have walked through more rickhouses than I can count, dipped my own bottle of Maker’s Mark in that iconic red wax, and learned why Buffalo Trace keeps winning awards despite offering free tours. After trips to Kentucky spanning every season, I can tell you that visiting the best Kentucky bourbon distilleries to visit is … Read more
There is something undeniably elegant about a properly made Brandy Alexander. This classic cocktail brings together the warmth of cognac, the rich decadence of chocolate liqueur, and the silky smoothness of heavy cream into one perfectly balanced drink that has graced dinner tables and speakeasy menus for over a century. Whether you are looking to … Read more
The mezcal margarita gets all the attention, but this smoky agave spirit has so much more to offer. I spent months exploring mezcal cocktails at bars across Denver and testing recipes in my home bar. What I discovered changed how I think about mixing drinks. Mezcal brings something tequila cannot: complexity. That signature smoke comes … Read more