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Slightly Pretentious

Great Cocktails. Spectacular Stays. Only Slightly Pretentious.

Latest Post

Mojito Cocktail

Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink

Sean
March 7, 2021

Every once in a while you need a drink that will transport you someplace new. This past week as we’re still deep in the heart of COVID… As I have a six-week old learning how to “use her voice…” And as we’re now buried under a foot of snow (a rarity here in Portland)…. It…

Continue Reading Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink

Home Bar

Blind Test Reveals Best Ginger Beer for a Moscow Mule

Now that Fall is upon us I want to tell you a bit about my go to drink for….last Summer. Ok, so the timing may be a bit…

Continue Reading Blind Test Reveals Best Ginger Beer for a Moscow Mule

Smoke Boards: What's in the Box

Best Cocktail Smoker: Smoke Boards is My New Favorite Drink Smoker

If you’ve spent any time perusing some of the recipes here at Slightly Pretentious, you’ve probably figured out that I like smoky things. Islay Scotch. Mezcal. You name…

Continue Reading Best Cocktail Smoker: Smoke Boards is My New Favorite Drink Smoker

Over 25 of the Best Cocktail Gifts for the Holiday Season

Yep, it’s already that time of year again! The holidays are almost upon us which means shopping season is about to shift into high gear and as usual,…

Continue Reading Over 25 of the Best Cocktail Gifts for the Holiday Season

Cocktail Recipes

Mojito Cocktail

Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink

Every once in a while you need a drink that will transport you someplace new. This past week as we’re still deep in the heart of COVID… As…

Continue Reading Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink

The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail.

The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail: It’s incredible

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the last time I got on an airplane. For the last decade, there have only been 3 months (total!) where I haven’t…

Continue Reading The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail: It’s incredible

Vieux Carré cocktail

Vieux Carré Cocktail: Another New Orleans Classic

As we entered our 9th month of interminable COVID-based lockdown, I was starting to feel a little cabin fever. I had promised Sean a review of the famous…

Continue Reading Vieux Carré Cocktail: Another New Orleans Classic

Lucky Peach: A Strong Rum Cocktail

It’s no secret that I think of Creme de Peche as a bit of a secret weapon ingredient. It’s one of those ingredients you can add to all…

Continue Reading Lucky Peach: A Strong Rum Cocktail

Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.

Ok, I realize I’m about two months too late to be posting this, but when you find this in December of 2021, you’re welcome. Jeffrey Morgenthaler is about…

Continue Reading Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.

French 75 Recipe: The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

So, you’re looking for something fancy. You want a classy cocktail. Perhaps for a special occasion, a holiday like New Years Eve, or simply a way to doll up…

Continue Reading French 75 Recipe: The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

Bar Reviews

The Bowmore "Nomadic Rebel"

Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland

For the last five years, I’ve been a huge fan of Islay scotch. Like, the “I’m not an alcoholic, but if you look at my whiskey shelf at home you’d…

Continue Reading Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland

Nomad Cocktail Book

NoMad Cocktail Book Review: For the Adventurous Home Bartender

For years the NoMad has been one of my favorite destinations. Yes, the entire hotel, a destination, not just a place to rest your head. I’ve been to…

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Tales and Spirits Amsterdam Outside

Tales and Spirits Review: Why It’s the Best Bar in Amsterdam

It had been over ten years since I’d visited Amsterdam – and let’s just say my two trips couldn’t have been more different. My first Amsterdam experience was…

Continue Reading Tales and Spirits Review: Why It’s the Best Bar in Amsterdam

Casper's Ghost cocktail at Deadshot PDX

Deadshot PDX: The Most Unique Cocktails in Portland

Despite traveling all over the world to taste and write about cocktails, up until now I haven’t written much about the cocktail scene in my hometown: Portland, Oregon.…

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Cafe Dante NYC Drinks

Cafe Dante NYC: Is it REALLY the World’s Best Bar?

Cafe Dante in NYC has been around for 104 years. It’s been on my radar for about 4. But after over a century of serving drinks to locals…

Continue Reading Cafe Dante NYC: Is it REALLY the World’s Best Bar?

69 Colbrooke Row London

69 Colbrooke Row Review: A Classic that Lost Its Luster

On our last trip to London I was excited to visit The Bar With No Name, which is located at 69 Colbrooke Row. As one of the longer…

Continue Reading 69 Colbrooke Row Review: A Classic that Lost Its Luster

Most Recent Posts

Mojito Cocktail

Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink

Sean
March 7, 2021

Every once in a while you need a drink that will transport you someplace new. This past week as we’re still deep in the heart of COVID… As I have a six-week old learning how to “use her voice…” And as we’re now buried under a foot of snow (a rarity here in Portland)…. It…

Continue Reading Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink

The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail.

The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail: It’s incredible

Sean
March 2, 2021

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the last time I got on an airplane. For the last decade, there have only been 3 months (total!) where I haven’t been on an airplane. That’s a lot of travel. So to now be 12 months in without flying off on some exotic adventure – or even mundane…

Continue Reading The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail: It’s incredible

Vieux Carré cocktail

Vieux Carré Cocktail: Another New Orleans Classic

Sean
January 27, 2021

As we entered our 9th month of interminable COVID-based lockdown, I was starting to feel a little cabin fever. I had promised Sean a review of the famous local cocktail, the Vieux Carre, and I thought brilliantly to myself, “what better way to make this foray into the glamorous world of New Orleans mixology than…

Continue Reading Vieux Carré Cocktail: Another New Orleans Classic

Lucky Peach: A Strong Rum Cocktail

Sean
January 19, 2021

It’s no secret that I think of Creme de Peche as a bit of a secret weapon ingredient. It’s one of those ingredients you can add to all kinds of drinks that, well, just makes it better. You can make a Peach Old Fashioned. Or a wonderful punch. Or you could add it to a…

Continue Reading Lucky Peach: A Strong Rum Cocktail

Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.

Sean
January 11, 2021

Ok, I realize I’m about two months too late to be posting this, but when you find this in December of 2021, you’re welcome. Jeffrey Morgenthaler is about as close as it gets to a legend in the drinks industry. So much so, he became the topic of a running joke amidst our Top 100…

Continue Reading Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.

French 75 Recipe: The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

Sean
December 13, 2020

So, you’re looking for something fancy. You want a classy cocktail. Perhaps for a special occasion, a holiday like New Years Eve, or simply a way to doll up your champagne or sparking wine? Regardless of which of those describes you, I’ve got the answer: the French 75 cocktail. The History of the French 75 Last…

Continue Reading French 75 Recipe: The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

Great Cocktails: 20+ Ridiculously Good Drinks to Make at Home

Sean
December 6, 2020

The entire reason this website exists is to shine a light on the great cocktails of the world. This could be classic cocktails that have stood the test of time. Modern drinks made my some of the best bartenders in the world. Or simply libations I’ve come up with on my own that I feel…

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Aviation Gin dirty martini

How to Make a Dirty Martini: For the Olive Lovers

Sean
December 3, 2020

The martini may quite simply be the most personal cocktail you can make. I mean, take another classic cocktail like the negroni. Sure there are some slight variations, but generally speaking most negronis are going to taste the same and have pretty close to the same ingredients and ratios. The martini however, is all over the map.…

Continue Reading How to Make a Dirty Martini: For the Olive Lovers

Shangri-La Villingili Maldives: May it Rest in Peace

Sean
November 29, 2020

Here at Slightly Pretentious, we’ve largely just glossed over the whole Coronavirus pandemic thing. Most of us are spending a lot more time at home making cocktails, so I’ve chosen to focus on highlighting those for the time being – while hoping that in 2021 travel will be acceptable again, and I’ll be able to…

Continue Reading Shangri-La Villingili Maldives: May it Rest in Peace

Blackjack Redux: A Delicious Coffee Cocktail

Sean
November 27, 2020

So there’s some history to this cocktail. First off, for the last couple years I’ve become a sucker anytime I see a cocktail on a menu with coffee and banana. This usually means they’re using the phenomenal Banane du Brasil, and either cold brew, a concentrate or some other kind of coffee liqueur. If coffee…

Continue Reading Blackjack Redux: A Delicious Coffee Cocktail

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ABOUT SLIGHTLY PRETENTIOUS

At Slightly Pretentious we're on a quest to visit the top 100 bars in the world, and here we share stories from those travels while also helping you create killer cocktails at home.

Let's face it, if you're into bougie cocktails? There's at least a small part of you that is slightly pretentious. This is a safe space to embrace it :)

FREE GUIDE: How to Build the Ultimate Home Bar

Want to make world class cocktails at home? Here's everything you need to know to create the ultimate home bar - at any budget.

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Home Bar Resources

Blind Test Reveals Best Ginger Beer for a Moscow Mule

November 11, 2020 By Steve 2 Comments

Smoke Boards: What's in the Box

Best Cocktail Smoker: Smoke Boards is My New Favorite Drink Smoker

November 10, 2020 By Sean 2 Comments

Over 25 of the Best Cocktail Gifts for the Holiday Season

October 5, 2020 By Sean 3 Comments

Best Bars in the World

Dead Rabbit NYC

The Dead Rabbit: Is It NYC’s Best Cocktail Bar? It Might Be.

February 17, 2019 By Sean

NoMad Bar NYC

NoMad Bar NYC: A Must Visit Bar in New York City

March 1, 2019 By Sean

Cocktail at Nottingham Forest in Milan

Nottingham Forest: A Sensory Cocktail Experience in Milan

March 5, 2019 By Sean

Cocktail Recipes

The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail.

The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail: It’s incredible

March 2, 2021 By Sean

Vieux Carré cocktail

Vieux Carré Cocktail: Another New Orleans Classic

January 27, 2021 By Sean

Lucky Peach: A Strong Rum Cocktail

January 19, 2021 By Sean

Latest Reviews

  • NoMad Cocktail Book Review: For the Adventurous Home Bartender
    9.3
  • Regarding Cocktails: A Cocktail Book Where Simplicity Shines
    9.1
  • Mixology Masterclass Review: Is Mr. Lyan’s Cocktail Course Worth It?
    9.3

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About Slightly Pretentious

We love cocktails. We love travel. We love quests. Slightly Pretentious combines all of this.

Here you’ll find stories about the best bars in the world, great cocktail recipes you can make at home, and a lot more.

Let’s face it, fancy cocktails are at least a little bit pretentious. So this is your chance to embrace your slightly pretentious side.

Recent

  • Mojito Cocktail Recipe: A Refreshing Rum Drink
  • The Gardener Cocktail from Matsuhisa Vail: It’s incredible
  • Vieux Carré Cocktail: Another New Orleans Classic
  • Lucky Peach: A Strong Rum Cocktail
  • Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.

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