They date back to the 19th century in Germany and they're not new in America. Manhattan's Bohemian National Hall alone dates back to 1895. Nevertheless, beer gardens have enjoyed renewed fanfare in the states recently.... Read More

It’s that time of the year again, when you celebrate a holiday for no other good reason except to get your drink on! We’re talking about Cinco de Mayo, and in Southern California good margaritas are everywhere. It’s the great ones that might take some serious bar-hunting to find.... Read More

 The Tom Collins is a classic example of a purist cocktail that fell from grace after grocery stores began stocking their shelves several decades ago with the mass produced, heartburn-inducing sour mix. It’s been written about since 1876—Jerry Thomas, widely considered the father of mixology wrote The Bar-Tender’s Guide in 1862. The original recipe was made with gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water. Remember to mix the gin, lemon juice and sugar (or simple syrup) first, before adding soda water... Read More

Embrace the Scotch side of life and don’t fear the Scotch-based cocktails. If you do fear them, Auchentoshan Scotch and the Rob Roy are here to help you overcome the fear.... Read More

The “Mad Men” craze sparked the return of a number of retro trends. Bartenders are finally pouring proper cocktails and women’s sheaths and pencil skirts are returning to store shelves. But no homage to the good old days is complete without the speakeasy and New York City has one of the country’s chicest versions.... Read More

"A holiday like Valentine’s is all about things soft and luscious, and that is what Six Grapes is all about. It’s the perfect embodiment of Valentine’s Day."... Read More

For all the boys and girls howling at the moon, when it comes to Valentine’s, Cruzan Rum, whose libations bring with them all the flavors of the Caribbean, is stepping forward to add a little fuel to the flame.... Read More

The last time I ordered a Daiquiri at a bar, my friends gave me a gentle ribbing. This is a common reaction as the word Daiquiri conjures up images of super-sweet frozen cocktails decorated with girlish umbrellas. ... Read More

 Speakeasies. They are, by definition, a little anachronistic. Although Prohibition ended long ago, drinking in secretive elegance will never really go out of style. Today’s speakeasy-style bars use the secretiveness that was necessary for their Prohibition-era predecessors to give imbibers a feeling of exclusivity, and they often add vintage-inspired uniforms and accoutrements to give one a feeling of old-fashioned formality. These bars also happen to be at the center of a national resurgence of interest in serious, creative cocktails, and the quality of the drinks served at these clandestine establishments can make one feel like the holder of an important secret... Read More

 Everyone in Europe seems to have an opinion when it comes to beer. On a recent Saturday night, I found myself at a pub in Rotterdam. The conversation at my table drifted from Oscar picks to Dutch politics before hitting a lull. To offset the momentary silence, I mentioned Belgian brews. Egor, a Dutch-Irishman sitting across from me, piped up: "Do you know about Trappist beers?" I shook my head and he was taken aback. How could I have spent an entire month in Europe without hearing about "the finest beers in the world"?!!! Trappist Brewing: A Quick History   And so began a crash-course on Trappist beers. They've been brewed by monks across Europe for centuries and were originally intended to supplement the nutritional needs of surrounding communities... Read More

The champagne cocktail is a classic libation to ring in the new year. It also works wonderfully at holiday parties with its festive hue. AJ Rathbun, GoodLife Report's resident mixologist and author of Champagne Cocktails: 50 Cork-Popping Concoctions and Scintillating Sparklers has provided us with some interesting ways to jazz up your champagne toast.... Read More

Complex aromas of warm mint, red and black currants, baker’s chocolate, and a touch of licorice morph into flavors of currants, sage, savory cocoa, black tea, and porcini powder. Fantastic right now, especially after a stint in the decanter, but it promises to be even more expressive between 2020 and 2027... Read More