Vienna: Schnaps, Markets and Smoky Bars

Schnaps You can’t go to Vienna, or anywhere in Austria for that matter, without seeing people enjoying Schnaps*. Schnaps is a strong spirit, usually from fruit such as apricot, pear, cherries or plum. In Austria, Schnaps is defined as distilled fruit brandy, similar to French calvados (made from apples). Most of them are around 35–42% […]

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#RUMPORN

Move over #ginlovers – rum is taking over as the drink of choice. Drinking spirits neat, straight up or on the rocks has seemingly become a popular choice amongst young adults, which has helped the rum market to flourish. The story Ron means rum in Spanish, and Ron is also a shortened from Ronald, and […]

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Getting Lost in Spain’s Sherry Triangle

Spanish sherry bodega

Travelling to Spain this summer and wondering what to drink when you are there? Forget sangria and give Sherry a go! There are several varieties of Sherry so it will give you something to explore each time you’re there. Visit the wine cellars or enjoy a glass of dry Sherry in one of the beautiful plazas. Sherry has an image of […]

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What is Sherry?

Sherry is Spanish fortified wine made only from white grapes, and to be able to be called Sherry the grapes and the production should take place in the Sherry triangle in the Andalucía region of southern Spain. Climate It is the weather, or to be more precise, the combination of the sun, the wind and […]

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Skip the Tourist Traps – Smarter Drinking in Havana

El Floridita Tourist hell. I had previously visited El Floridita cocktail bar to see what all the fuss was about. They serve you frozen cocktails for a staggering CUC 6 (in Cuban prices that is a lot for a drink). Like La Bodeguita del Medio (Mojito bar), El Floridita is also known as Hemingway’s favourite […]

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The Making of Rum

Most varieties of rum are produced in the Caribbean due to their perfect climate for the growth of sugar cane, although there are some great rums produced elsewhere, such as in India, the Philippines and in Central America. Cuban rums are unique due to the wide variety of sugar canes produced on the island. Rum […]

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Cuban Rums and Classic Rum Cocktails

The name rum is considered to be linked to the Latin word for sugar, saccharum, and it is produced in almost all countries that grow sugar cane. Ron is Spanish for rum. Cuba is the greatest sugar-producing country in the Caribbean so it should come as no surprise that despite its relative isolation, it is […]

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Not So Lame Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Most people still seem to love all the fuss about Valentine’s Day: heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, flowers and teddy bears delivered to your work (happened to me once, I was petrified), followed by a romantic dinner in an Italian restaurant seated very cosily next to other couples in flickering candlelight… But there are still a […]

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Honey, I love Tequila – New Cocktails to Try!

I have recently been handed a challenge by Proof Drinks to come up with some tasty recipes using four different products: Cazcabel Honey, Cazcabel Coffee, Cazcabel Blanco and Sloane’s Gin. I have previously raved about the Cazcabel Honey, but now I am even more excited as there are so many (easy) ways to make delicious […]

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