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In celebrating "World Whiskey Day", here are my top whiskies from around the world in no particular order. This is not an exhaustive list by any means - there are just too many good ones, but I tried to span the globe to feature whiskey from many different regions and countries. Whether you are a bourbon, scotch, single malt, Irish, Canadian, rye, or white rye fan, there is a little something for everybody here. There are many states in the U.S. producing some great whiskies that are pretty well unknown. In some cases, I listed tasting notes for most of the whiskies.

In celebrating “World Cocktail Week” from May 6-13, this third episode of cocktails from around the globe focuses on Spanish and Mediterranean cocktails leading up to “World Cocktail Day” on the 13^th. This week was selected for the prestigious holiday because it marks the first time the word ‘cocktail’ was published back in 1806. The definition appeared in “The Balance and Columbian Repository” and read, “Cocktail is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters." I can drink to that!

Spain and the Mediterranean.

Sorry there are no photos accompanying the recipes below. I was short on time getting this post together and out to you...Listed are mocktails (first two) and cocktails for mom, especially over brunch...Enjoy! Happy Mother's Day!!!

(Cover Photo courtesy of "World Cocktail Day" online)

In celebrating “World Cocktail Week” from May 6-13, I will be offering up cocktails from around the globe focusing on a different region of the world or country's signature drinks culminating in “World Cocktail Day” on the 13^th.  It will be a long and arduous week of research, writing, editing, and blogging, but I’m up to the challenge with a little help from Three Olives Double Espresso Vodka.  This week was selected for the prestigious holiday because it marks the first time the word ‘cocktail’ was published back in 1806.

Tequila has come a long way from the days when every college kid did a shot of Cuervo. It has become one of the favorite spirits used by top mixologists around the country and even high-end bars. The selection of brands and premium brands has tripled in the last decade. But there are still so many misconceptions about this mysterious liquor.  So with the arrival of Cinco de Mayo, I decided to de-bunk some myths and set the record straight with facts and not-so-facts of this agave-based spirit. Salud!

There’s a worm in the bottle.

(Cover photo - courtesy of liquor.com)

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd and to honor what it stands for I am offering up truly "green", farm-fresh, organic ingredients and cocktails for spring. As an added bonus, I list the best fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, and florals to be used in cocktails, infused spirits, syrups, purees, and juices for the season, best way to prepare them, and what base spirits pair best with them.

(Cover photo courtesy of Ping Pong Dim Bar - revamp.com)

If you ever walked in to an American bar and asked for an Asian cocktail you would probably get a blank stare from the bartender. It’s a pretty vague request, but so is asking for an “American” cocktail. If you say that you would like a cocktail that uses Asian ingredients or flavors, such as ginger, jasmine, or lychee, you may experience the same result.

Woody Creek Distillers (WCD) makes ultra-premium American spirits grown, distilled and bottled in the Aspen Valley, Colorado. WCD is the only craft distillery in the United States to have control over every element of vodka production from farm to bottle. Our vodkas are made with only three ingredients: our own alpine potatoes, mountain spring water and yeast, to produce WDC’s ultra-premium American vodka.

I recently did a country western-themed cocktail party at a private residence, which included an unofficial bourbon tasting for newbies and more experienced bourbon drinkers and signature bourbon cocktail called “The Wrangler” (recipe below). It was a fun time. This post is dedicated to my good friend and client, Alan Weinstein. The offerings were spread out across the spectrum of bourbon choices, i.e. small batch, single barrel, straight, reserve, high wheat, high rye, and traditional mash.