December, 2024

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Day Trip: Anu Apte, Rob Roy as Miracle Pop-Up

Imbibe Magazine

Anu Apte has the holiday rush down to a science. The owner of Seattle’s Rob Roy and co-owner of Navy Strength and Vinnie’s has transformed one or more of those bars into a holiday pop-up every year since 2014. It’s all part of a network of tinseled bar takeovers called Miracle and Sippin’ Santa. Now in their 10th year, these installations bring seasonal cocktails and festive decor to nearly 250 bars worldwide.

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Bartenders, Get to Know Pronghorn’s Ten To One Rum

Chilled Magazine

Pronghorn, co-founded by Erin J. Hall, Dia Simms, and Dan Sanborn, is a stand-alone business dedicated to creating a template for how to effectively diversify any industry for any underrepresented group, starting with the spirits industry and the Black community. Pronghorn aims to revolutionize the beverage alcohol industry by fostering diversity and supporting Black entrepreneurs through capital investment, business incubation, and career development.

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We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Bar Tool?

VinePair

As anyone who has tried to jury rig a cocktail using only whats available in their hotel room knows, its very hard to mix up a decent drink without the proper tools. When setting up your home bar , certain tools like a good cocktail shaker and Hawthorne strainer are obvious pickups. Other bespoke bar utensils, like the bar spoon , might not seem quite as important but have utilities that are revealed after extended practice and use.

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Are Cocktail Bars Leaving Craft Spirits Behind?

PUNCH

Craft spirits producers and distillers once relied on cocktail bars to promote their products. Now, that relationship is changing.

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Food & Beverage Industry Report 2024

Driven by a diverse and exciting ecosystem of passionate, ambitious, and often young entrepreneurs, the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector is a highly competitive environment full of immense challenges and exciting opportunities. Expert Market’s 2024 industry report, sponsored by Toast, is informed by a survey of 522 U.S. food and beverage professionals, from restaurant owners to food service managers, providing insights into the real-time challenges and opportunities within the industry.

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Mixologists Share Predictions For Tequila Category

Cheers

The tequila craze may be cooling somewhat, but on-premise experts expect demand for the agave spirit to continue at bars and restaurants. The popular styles and brands of tequila may shift, as many predict a continued rise in mezcal and other related spirits. Brands from lesser-known craft producers and additive-free tequilas will gain ground in 2025, although supply issues and the threat of tariffs on products from Mexico could create problems for on- and off-premise operators.

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India Bartender Week to be held in Feb

Spiritz

The India Bartender Week (IBW) is scheduled to take place in Gurugram from February 20-27, 2025. Inspired by the recently launched New York Bartender Week, IBW has been brought to life by industry luminaries Vikram Achanta, Minakshi Singh, and Yangdup Lama and is poised to be a transformative movement for the country’s bar industry, blending creativity, tradition, and modern innovation.

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We Ask Stevan Miller of Esmè about Spirits-Free Drinking

Chilled Magazine

Whether you’re committed to a year-round alcohol-free lifestyle or kicking off 2025 with Dry January, Esm, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago, offers a range of culinary-inspired non-alcoholic cocktails. Stevan Miller, the Bar Lead at Esm, leverages the Michelin-starred kitchen as an extension of the bar to craft a diverse selection of spirit-free drinks tailored to the ever-evolving tasting menu, available both as part of the menu and individually.

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We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Whiskey Cocktail? (2024)

VinePair

Some of the worlds most iconic cocktails employ whiskey as their base liquor. This dark spirit can lend itself to interesting and complex concoctions, as well as unadorned pleasures such as an Old Fashioned , a charming classic that can help you channel your inner 1950s ad executive. Or a Manhattan , a drink supposedly dating back to the 1870s that is as timeless and spirituous as the vibrant borough it shares a name with.

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Our Most Popular Stories of 2024

PUNCH

The most popular Punch stories of 2024, from the new vocabulary of cocktails to the search for the best Old-Fashioned recipe and more.

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How to Make Batched Cocktails at Home

Casual Mixologist

Unless youre an industry insider, you may not be familiar with the term batched cocktails. Its a trick used in busy bars to cut down on the time it takes to serve classic cocktails or some of their more complex drinks. Bartenders mix the cocktail in volume before service begins and store it in a single bottle. It then allows them to pour right into the glass, serving up sophisticated drinks in the blink of an eye.

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Top 5 Ways to Optimize Your Loyalty Strategy

Speaker: Lauren Barash, Vice President, Brand Marketing

In an ever-evolving industry, building and retaining loyal customers is critical to the success of any restaurant business. Join Lauren Barash, VP of Brand Marketing at Full Course, as she delves into the world of restaurant loyalty programs, and reveals the top five essential strategies to optimize your approach! This webinar will explore: Loyalty trends and what you should be focusing on 📊 Actionable insights and ideas to help you develop the most powerful and effective loyalty program

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Yaffa Media acquires Spanton Media Group, including Sydney Bar Week & Australian Bartender magazine

Australian Bartender

L-R: Dave Spanton, Lucy Yaffa, Tracy Yaffa & Amy Spanton Yaffa Media, one of Australia’s largest independent media companies whose portfolio includes AdNews, Food & Drink Business and Ragtrader, has acquired Spanton Media Group and all its assets, including industry-leading title Australian Bartender magazine and the Sydney Bar Week events. Yaffa Media is celebrating 100 years of independent operation in 2025, and this acquisition represents positive growth for the next century.

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Modern Coffee Cocktails

Imbibe Magazine

The Espresso Martini , Spanish Coffee , and Irish Coffee paved the way for coffee’s prolific use in cocktails. And while these classics are still as popular as ever, modern coffee cocktails have evolved to incorporate everything from drip coffee to infusions, syrups, and cold-brew concentrate. Here are creative recipes to explore. Brewed Coffee Apapacho Café Apapacho, which translates to “a warm hug,” combines hot coffee with bourbon and vermouth rosso and is topped with freshly whipped cr

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We Ask Beverage Director Patrick Blair About Running a Wine Bar

Chilled Magazine

Patrick Blair is the Beverage Director at both City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill and Barrio. Photos by Sally Shorr/The Buzz Agency Prior to these current roles, he was an Operations Manager for a top five craft brewery in the state of Michigan. Beverage sales, marketing, and knowledge have always been a career passion of his. Blairs degree in Hospitality business is symbolic of his passion for helping others, especially in the restaurant industry.

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We Asked 12 Bartenders: Is It Ever OK to Ask for a Shaken Martini?

VinePair

In the immortal words of James Bond, “Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred.” It’s a drink order that appears in multiple 007 flicks. Not only does it sound cool, but it’s made the specific request feel like a thing of class and sophistication in popular parlance. However, what those movie clips don’t show is the bartender’s eye roll when preparing the drink.

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It’s Time for a Yesterday, Today, Amaro

PUNCH

The amaro-spiked Manhattan cocktail riff, Yesterday, Today and Amaro, combines whiskey, Cynar, Averna and Bndictine. Here's the recipe.

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Create an Unforgettable Atmosphere for Your Bar With These 6 Tips

Advanced Mixology

Bars are social hangout spots, so cultivating a fun atmosphere is integral to their success. If people enjoy the vibes of your bar, theyre more likely to return and patronize your business. How can you foster an unforgettable ambience? Here are 6 tips for your establishment. 1. Lean Into a Theme What sets your bar apart from the competition? Select a theme that appeals to people in your community.

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BevX 2024: Hyatt Hotels is Shaking and Stirring It Up

Cheers

Alongside its cozy suites and accommodating amenities, Hyatt Hotels has enhanced the food and beverage experience with a new training program and upgraded offerings. These efforts have earned Hyatt a 2024 BevX Award for Best Multi-Concept Hospitality Beverage Program. The Shaken and Stirred Program in particular aims to elevate the Hyatt experience by offering an inclusive, sustainable and quality-driven beverage selection that resonates with our values and meets diverse guest expectations, says

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An Imbiber’s Guide to Cocktail Kits

Imbibe Magazine

Take the stress out of shopping for your favorite imbibers or planning your next party cocktails with one simple step: Order a cocktail kit. At-home bartenders are increasingly showing interest in taking their knowledge and skills beyond classic cocktails. Cocktail kits and subscription services meet that need, providing unique but approachable recipes as well as the ingredients and support.

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We Ask Beverage Direct Patrick Blair About Running a Wine Bar

Chilled Magazine

Patrick Blair is the Beverage Director at both City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill and Barrio. Photos by Sally Shorr/The Buzz Agency Prior to these current roles, he was an Operations Manager for a top five craft brewery in the state of Michigan. Beverage sales, marketing, and knowledge have always been a career passion of his. Blairs degree in Hospitality business is symbolic of his passion for helping others, especially in the restaurant industry.

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Stop Asking Your Bartender for Skinny Margaritas

VinePair

The Margarita is undeniably one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S. With an easily modified recipe, the drink has a near-endless number of variations that offer unique flavor profiles , introduce a different spirit , or even bring beer into the equation. But if theres one version of the classic that continues to enrapture the American drinking public, its the Skinny Margarita.

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Our Favorite Cocktails of 2024

PUNCH

The best cocktail recipes of 2024, according to Punch staff, from a Martini to Margarita Soda to a blood orange gin sour and more.

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Dani Whiteheart: How passion and community drive success at Bar Bellamy

Australian Bartender

Photography by Harrison Moss. 164 Rathdowne Street, Carlton. 3053 hello@barbellamy.com Bar Bellamy lives up to its name, which means good friend. This warm neighbourhood spot offers a welcoming atmosphere where the bistro and cocktail menus shift with the seasons, ensuring theres always something new to discover. Whether guests are stopping in for a pre-dinner aperitif, catching up with friends over a seasonal meal, or making Bellamy their final stop for the night, the bar invites everyone to pu

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TTB Establishes Official American Single Malt Category

Cheers

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has ratified a ruling that will officially create a recognized category for American single malt whiskey (ASM). This follows many years of lobbying for producers of the style, a movement that has gained much momentum since the late 2010s. Late last week, the TTB issued unpublished rules scheduled to be published on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

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Erick Castro and the Quest to Preserve the Neighborhood Bar

Imbibe Magazine

in the San Diego drinks scene , Erick Castro has long been known for his lavish-leaning cocktail programs at bars that could fairly be described as opulent. The apothecary-inspired Polite Provisions was a pioneer of the city’s craft cocktail scene when it opened more than a decade ago. And Raised by Wolves brought new levels of high-concept mixology and extravagant design into the national spotlight.

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Chilled 100 Bartenders Create India-Inspired Cocktails using Smoke Lab Saffron Vodka

Chilled Magazine

Smoke Lab Vodka partners with the Chilled 100 Bartenders to create exceptional cocktails using its latest expression, Smoke Lab Saffron Vodka, along with its flagship Smoke Lab Vodka. My inspiration came from what I felt was the need to combine the Saffron Vodka with Turmeric and honey. Then, the green tea float came to mind and the combinations came together better than imagined.

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We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Best Whiskey for Hot Toddies?

VinePair

For those of us residing in the Northern Hemisphere, winter weather is already here but the coldest temperatures are still to come. On one of those frigid February days that have you swearing youre finally going to move to Southern California, theres one cocktail perfectly built to warm you up: the Hot Toddy. Beyond its warming properties, this combination of hot water or tea, lemon, honey or sugar, and whiskey has a long history of use as a cure for the all-too-common winter cold.

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A Paper Plane for Every Mood

PUNCH

6 easy Paper Plane cocktail recipes to try, including a mezcal version, a tropical twist and other riffs on the bourbon drink.

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Dubai to reinstate liquor tax from next month

Spiritz

Dubai will reintroduce the 30 percent liquor sales tax starting January 1, 2025. In January 2023, Dubai had suspended the tax and eliminated the fee for personal liquor licence in order to enhance the city's appeal to expatriates, tourists, and international businesses amidst competition from neighbouring Gulf cities. However, the recent reinstatement signals a shift back to generating municipal revenue through alcohol sales, a crucial part of Dubai’s fiscal strategy.

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BevX 2024: The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar Make Tiki Cocktail Magic

Cheers

The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar in the Fairmont San Francisco hotel, which first opened its doors in 1945, has long been a Tiki institution and immersive experience. Tables surround a large central lagoon, once the hotels indoor swimming pool, while tropical rain, thunder and lightning storms occasionally blow through and a band plays from a floating boat.

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Drink of the Week: Giboin Pineau des Charentes Vieille Réserve

Imbibe Magazine

I’ll admit I’m not well-versed in Pineau des Charentes , the aperitif wine that mixes fresh or lightly fermented grape juice with unaged Cognac. So when this bottle of Vieille Rserve from Giboin Vignoble, a seven-generation Cognac and Pineau des Charentes producer in France, landed on my doorstep, I got my chance to get more familiar with this lovely aperitif.

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Celebrate National Apple Pie Day with an Ole Smoky Cocktail

Chilled Magazine

Happy National Apple Pie Day! Ole Smoky’s Apple Pie Moonshine offers a delightful blend of flavors that evokes the comforting taste of warm apple pie on a chilly evening, going down as smoothly as the real thing. This holiday season, why not savor this delicious moonshine in a cozy Hot Toddy recipe? Moonshine Hot Toddy Ingredients 2 oz. Ole Smoky® Apple Pie (70) Moonshine 3 oz.

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What Is Zebra Striping? A Catchy New Way to Drink In Moderation

VinePair

Nothing alters communication like a coined term. The creation of a word or phrase inspired by an item or practice can slip into our lexicon quite seamlessly, and the best ones become quick descriptors that everyone understands. Tell someone to Google something, and theyll instantly know what to do. Zebra striping the coined term for alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks within a session falls under this distinction.

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Saffron Turns Any Freezer Martini Into a Festive Treat

PUNCH

This easy saffron Martini recipe is a festive freezer cocktail for a crowd, making it ideal for holiday entertaining.

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The Best Place to Buy Rare and Hard-to-Find Wines

Advanced Mixology

Wine is an excellent base for cocktails. This fermented intoxicant is synonymous with celebration in many cultures, so it naturally makes mixed drinks more festive. However, if you want to up the ante, use high-end wines to make your seasonal beverages extra special. Marketview Liquor should be your first stop for some of the most sought-after rare wines on the market at affordable prices.

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A Central Threeway from Blade Deegan and the bar team from Brisbane’s brand new bar, Central

Australian Bartender

340 Queen Street, Brisbane centralbne.com.au @centralbne Southside and Rick Shores have teamed up to open Central, a subterranean dumpling restaurant in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD. Named after the frenetic Central district in Hong Kong, Central sits right in the heart of Brisbane, slotted beneath the storied Piccadilly Arcade building on Queen Street.

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