Chris has been making cocktail ice at home for a while now, using a cooler to keep the sides from crystallizing too much and allow the top of the ice block to stay clear. I caught him pulling a fresh batch out this evening. He has to trim off the thin bottom edges (saved for … Continue reading Home Cocktail Ice
Category: Cocktails
How drinking helped my social anxiety, but not in the way you might think
I am an unlikely candidate to write a blog about drinking. I’ve only just learned the difference between bourbon and rye, I don’t have an Old Fashioned recipe memorized, and I rarely make myself drinks at home. My late entrance into the cocktail scene wasn’t out of lack of interest, but rather years of social anxiety. … Continue reading How drinking helped my social anxiety, but not in the way you might think
Epic Weekend: Drinking Edition, Part One
The original plan for the weekend was just the Adria talk and tasting at Mia, then we added a tour of 45th Parallel on Sunday because my coupon was close to expiring, then we added a class at 11 Wells because it was free and we wanted to check out all their new stuff, then … Continue reading Epic Weekend: Drinking Edition, Part One
Iron Bartender Finals
Last night, La Belle Vie reigned supreme in the Iron Bartender finals. And given the secret ingredient was a horrifyingly artificial "Green Apple Flavored Drink," that is an impressive feat. I mean, there were some challenging things on that table but even fish sauce has an appealing umami quality. You had Hola Arepa and La Belle … Continue reading Iron Bartender Finals
Let’s Get Physical: Training for the Bar
Let’s Get Physical: Training for the Bar The Growler magazine just wrote an article about the physical exertion it takes to be a bartender. I was a barista for five years and while that had it's physical challenges, the constant scooping, cutting, shaking, and pouring sounds a million times harder. Next time you're enjoying a … Continue reading Let’s Get Physical: Training for the Bar
Spoon & Stable Cocktails
Harvest Festival at Northgate Brewing.
I just high fived Dan Oskey of Tattersall before I knew who he was. And he vaguely knew that my tiny little blog had written about Tattersall. I am COMPLETELY STAR STRUCK.
NEBDA Harvest Festival
Just got home from the Northeast Brewers and Distillers Association Harvest Festival and I pretty much have only good things to say. As someone who attends a lot, and I mean A LOT, of beer/booze fests, this was one of the best executed. Heading in, we were a bit concerned about space as Northgate is … Continue reading NEBDA Harvest Festival
Iron Bartender
Nick Kosevich greets the crowd beforegetting things startedBecause we hadn't already had enough fun wandering around St. Paul, we decided to take the Green Line in the opposite direction to Downtown Minneapolis for the 6th Annual Iron Bartender opening night. This is one of those events I often heard about after the fact, but have … Continue reading Iron Bartender