A Rum Fit for El Presidente: Cruzan Single Barrel Estate

From an Imbibe cover story to the recent openings of La Descarga and Caña in L.A., Smuggler’s Cove in S.F., and New York’s forthcoming Carteles and Painkiller, rum is a spirit on many a cocktail enthusiast’s mind these days. The booze fairy is feeling the rum fever as well and recently sent me a bottle…

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Blame it on Rio: Leblon and the Caipirinha

In the next several years, the eyes of the world will be on Brazil, the host country of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The booze fairy wanted me to get a head start on getting to know Brazil and thoughtfully sent a review package of Leblon Cachaça. Cachaça (pronounced “ka-SHA-sa”)…

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Rising Stars Shine at the 2010 StarChefs Revue

Last week, the best and brightest young stars in the Southern California culinary world gathered to showcase their talents at the 2010 StarChefs Rising Stars Revue. The tasting gala and awards ceremony, held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, featured food from up-and-coming culinary talent from the top restaurants in Los…

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All the Booze That’s Fit to Print – February 2010

~ An occasional roundup of L.A. cocktail culture in various media. Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday, LA Times Magazine featured recipes for four classic tiki cocktails, “reimagined for a new generation.” Love the retro-style artwork, too. On February 11, an LA Times Food article included a profile of Modern Spirits (TRU Vodka, found…

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All the Booze That’s Fit to Print – Fall 2009

An occasional roundup of L.A. cocktail culture in various media. LA Times Magazine The monthly Los Angeles Times insert continues its excellent series of articles on the L.A. cocktail scene. Mezcal was the focus in the November issue, which featured an in-depth look at Ron Cooper, the man behind Del Maguey. There are also several…

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