high-proof preacher

Tis the season for gift guides! In case you didn’t get all your shopping done by Black Friday weekend, here’s a list of 10 gift ideas that would give any boozy nerd a smile come Christmas morn.

“Like most (but not all) of the cocktails on the menu at Deadshot, the Diplomatic Prince is inspired by a classic,” Robinson explains. “Some of our cocktails are a bit more obvious as to which classic was the inspiration, but for this one it was inspired by the Negroni. It’s not quite as bitter as a classic Negroni but does have all of the original components

“Going to the library” probably isn’t what most people think of when describing plans for an exciting evening out. However, what if all the shelves were filled with different styles of whiskey and various spirits from all around the world? That may sound too good to be true, but in Portland, Oregon such a place does exist.

What people ask for the most is just one, simple post about what bottles they should get for "starting out." I'm afraid it's not very simple but here you go! Here you can find a fairly stripped down version of what I recommend for a budget home bar.

Some of the best cocktails are relatively simple, but you'll need a little more than just spirits to make properly balanced drinks.

Let's go over some of the basic building blocks for crafting good drinks at home...

Since I started a cocktail blog and Instagram account, I figured I'd get some insight from someone who's actually in that industry. Turns out the guy isn't just "in the industry," he's a world-renowned bartender, consultant and creative force behind many incredible bars and brands. He's a big deal, but you'd never know it just talking to him.

There are some really helpful resources out there for the home cocktail enthusiast and professional bartender alike– and hopefully this site is one of them! However, it just so happens that some of my favorites are in printed form. Maybe it's been a while since you bought a non-kindle-edition piece of reading material. I assure you that these publications are well worth it, especially if you want to up your home bar game!

Thankfully you don't need a lot of expensive tools to start making drinks at home. Here's all you need...

Like most people, I'm not made of money and being an at-home mixologist can be an expensive hobby. The good news is, I've found that you don't actually need to drop a bunch of Benjamins in order to start making really good drinks at home.

Recently the good people of Croft Port, which turns out to be the oldest producer of port wines still active today, reached out & asked if I’d like to try some of their tawny port & even give it a go in a cocktail recipe. I wasn’t completely confident in my ability to mix with it but I decided to go for it anyway.

Any Baijiu fans out there? This Chinese spirit is really funky stuff. Even though it’s the best-selling liquor in the world, it’s not very well known in other parts of the globe.

For this concept I really wanted to make a stirred and boozy sipper that showcases Bacardi Añejo Cuatro, which is a delicious blend of tropical aged rum. This rum has hints of vanilla, clove and toasted cedar and would be a decent replacement for bourbon in a lot of the usual whiskey cocktails.

I’m always a sucker for a good Sazerac variation. Then if Laphroaig is also involved... I can’t not make the thing! Pulled this one out of the ol’ Death & Company book; which is every home bartender’s bible.

Something strange happens to us as soon as the weather gets cooler and the leaves change. We want pumpkin pie spices and fall flavors in everything! Sadly, most of the pumpkin-themed drinks at your local coffee counter and cocktail bar don’t contain much or any real pumpkin. So I set out to make a simple cocktail that encapsulates these essential fall flavors without using anything artificial.

Take a seat at Paadee’s bar right when you walk in and chances are you’ll meet bar manager Jon Lewis. I recommend asking him for one of his most popular original creations; the Modern Luk Thep. Lewis has made this tasty mezcal-based cocktail at various Portland food and beverage events and the drink has even gained some popularity via social media.

“Like most (but not all) of the cocktails on the menu at Deadshot, the Diplomatic Prince is inspired by a classic,” Robinson explains. “Some of our cocktails are a bit more obvious as to which classic was the inspiration, but for this one it was inspired by the Negroni. It’s not quite as bitter as a classic Negroni but does have all of the original components

There are a lot of different flavors zipping around in this energetic cocktail. Originally created by Julia Momose of Chicago, the Electron combines earthy carrot juice and pink peppercorns with cinnamon and bright, fresh citrus. All these vibrant flavors intertwine with smokey mezcal and make for a dynamic sipping experience.

Some have yet to discover this fact, but mezcal and coffee make an incredible pair. The “Canijillo” cocktail is a simple one, yet certainly not lacking in depth or flavor.

Everyone loves a good tiki cocktail… even Vikings.

Admittedly, Viking Tiki isn’t a thing just yet. But, for fans of the traditional Nordic spirit aquavit, it certainly seems like a reasonable development.