News

Latest from Alcademics!

  • Why the Shape and Size of Ice in Your Drink Matters

    My latest story for Food & Wine is "Why the Shape and Size of Ice in Your Drink Matters." Check it out here.

  • All of the Olives' Brine Time to Shine

    My latest story for the San Francisco Chronicle is about all the ways bartenders are liquifying olives in their Martinis - in the vermouth, gin, vodka, brine, leaf tinctures, oil-washing everything, and even an “olive turducken.” Here’s a gift link so you can read it.

  • And Put It In a Man Glass!

    Bartenders joke about male customers who ask for their cocktails to be served in a “man glass” - an Old Fashioned rocks glass rather than in a cocktail glass on a stem, fearful that the Martini glass will make them look gay. I am reading the preview of the forthcoming...

  • Talking About Ice on the America's Test Kitchen’s Proof Podcast

    I did an interview with America’s Test Kitchen a long time ago, and it just went up. The first half of the episode is on the history of ice. I come in at around 27 minutes in. The episode is called Why Are Americans So Obsessed with Ice? Start your...

  • How to Stretch a Lime - My Story in the SF Chronicle

    I wrote about oleo citrate and super juice for the San Francisco Chronicle. These are techniques for increasing the yield from citrus fruits by eight times or so, using a touch of citric and malic acid powder in a specific way to bump up the flavor and texture of citrus...

Latest from Punch Magazine!

Latest from Chilled Magazine!

  • Ask a Mezcal Expert: Chef Juan Meza at Rosewood Baha Mar

    Chef Juan Meza, the Chef de Cuisine at Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for Mexican flavors to the resort’s culinary offerings, especially at the signature restaurant, Costa. With a rich background steeped in regional Mexican cuisine and a deep appreciation for agave spirits, Chef Meza seamlessly incorporates [...] The post Ask a Mezcal Expert: Chef Juan Meza at Rosewood Baha Mar appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

  • Heaven Hill Releases 2025 Grain to Glass Bourbon and Launches Family Farms First Initiative

    Heaven Hill Distillery, America’s largest family-owned distillery, has launched the Family Farms First initiative in partnership with Farm Rescue to support family-owned farms. This announcement coincides with the release of the Second Edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a small-batch bourbon that reflects the distillery’s dedication to family, quality, and [...] The post Heaven Hill Releases 2025 Grain to Glass Bourbon and Launches Family Farms First Initiative appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

  • Raspberry Blanche Cooler

    Our Drink of the Week is the Raspberry Blanche Cooler made with Blanche Armagnac—A Timeless Spirit with a Modern Twist Looking for a fresh alternative to vodka, rum, or tequila? Meet Blanche Armagnac. Officially recognized as an A.O.C. (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) since 2005, this pure, unaged grape spirit from Gascony brings elegance and character to [...] The post Raspberry Blanche Cooler appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

  • Chase Lanier: The Rummelier Shaping a New Era for Rum

    Beverage Manager Chase Lanier isn’t just a rum enthusiast; he's a "rummelier," a title that reflects his deep expertise in the world of rum. Photos by Sorry Charlie’s Much like a sommelier guides guests through wine, Lanier offers insights into rum’s diverse regional styles, production techniques, and flavor profiles. At The Bamboo Room in Savannah, [...] The post Chase Lanier: The Rummelier Shaping a New Era for Rum appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

  • Chillin’ With Mike Manning

    Mike Manning is an American actor, producer, and activist who first rose to prominence on MTV’s The Real World: D.C. in 2009. Born on April 12, 1987, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he spent his childhood between Florida and Colorado, where his passion for acting began in high school theater. Following his reality TV debut, Manning [...] The post Chillin’ With Mike Manning appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Latest from Shaken News!

  • Diageo Gets Q3 Boost As Distributors Stock Up Ahead Of Tariffs

    Diageo saw sales grow 5.9% organically to $4.4 billion in the three months through March, representing its fiscal third quarter, boosted by higher shipments as distributors stocked up ahead of expected tariffs on imported brands. In the nine months of … Continue reading → The post Diageo Gets Q3 Boost As Distributors Stock Up Ahead Of Tariffs appeared first on Shanken News Daily.

  • Santa Margherita USA Rebrands As Herita USA

    Santa Margherita USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Italy’s Herita Marzotto Wine Estates, will rebrand to Herita USA on June 1. The Santa Margherita brand has U.S. volume of 750,000 cases, according to Impact Databank. It’s the third-ranked Italian table wine … Continue reading → The post Santa Margherita USA Rebrands As Herita USA appeared first on Shanken News Daily.

  • News Briefs for May 19, 2025

    •Napa Valley’s Sequoia Grove, part of the Kobrand portfolio, is introducing its first single-vineyard wine to hit national distribution. The 2021 Tonella Estate Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon retails at $135 a bottle. It’s composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit … Continue reading → The post News Briefs for May 19, 2025 appeared first on Shanken News Daily.

  • Casamigos, 1800 Debut Fresh Campaigns In Bid To Stoke Momentum

    Two of the larger upscale Tequila brands in the U.S. are rolling out new campaigns as their marketers look to keep momentum going in spirits’ best-performing category. Diageo-owned Casamigos, at just under 2 million cases in the U.S. last year, … Continue reading → The post Casamigos, 1800 Debut Fresh Campaigns In Bid To Stoke Momentum appeared first on Shanken News Daily.

  • Retailers On The Latest Developments In The Agave Category 

    Agave spirits like Tequila and mezcal have benefited from a wave of consumer interest, with diverse demographics training their focus on super-premium offerings. “As you see liquor sales as a whole unfortunately slow down, Tequila is still going very strong,” … Continue reading → The post Retailers On The Latest Developments In The Agave Category  appeared first on Shanken News Daily.