Latest Post
Shangri-La London Review: Every Bit as Good as You’d Expect
My first experience at a Shangri-La hotel was, well, a little over the top. We went to the Shangri-La Villingili for our honeymoon in the Maldives. It was hands down the bougiest (is that a word?) week of my life, and I felt much cooler than I really am while staying at the resort. I first…
Continue Reading Shangri-La London Review: Every Bit as Good as You’d Expect
Cocktail Recipes
Oaxacan Old Fashioned: The Ultimate Tequila Cocktail?
I still remember the very first Oaxacan Old Fashioned I ever had. It was at Teardrop Cocktail Lounge in Portland, Oregon. When I travel to bars, people often…
Continue Reading Oaxacan Old Fashioned: The Ultimate Tequila Cocktail?
Bananerac Cocktail Recipe: This Banana Sazerac is Incredible
If you’ve read my list of best cocktail books, then you know what a fan I am of the Cocktail Codex book from the Death & Co team. …
Continue Reading Bananerac Cocktail Recipe: This Banana Sazerac is Incredible
Georgia Monk Cocktail: A Complex Green Chartreuse Cocktail
Every once in awhile you create a cocktail that catches you by surprise. That was the case with this green chartreuse cocktail, the Georgia Monk. I wanted to…
Continue Reading Georgia Monk Cocktail: A Complex Green Chartreuse Cocktail
7 of the Best Whiskey Cocktails To Make At Home
Over here at Slightly Pretentious, we love a good Whiskey. Bourbon. Scotch. Rye. We’re pretty much on board for whatever variety you can name. But you know what…
Continue Reading 7 of the Best Whiskey Cocktails To Make At Home
A Slightly Pretentious Mai Tai Recipe
I still remember the first “Mai Tai” I ever had. It was 2006 and I was staying at the Embassy Suites in Maui with my friend Ryan and…
We Tested 5 Singapore Sling Recipes: This One Was by *FAR* the Best
I have a long history with the Singapore Sling. Years ago, I posted on my bucket list that I wanted to visit the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, and…
Continue Reading We Tested 5 Singapore Sling Recipes: This One Was by *FAR* the Best
Home Bar
Best Cocktail Books in 2022: 14 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
This post was updated in January 2022 to add “Welcome Home” to our list of best cocktail books. Amongst my friends, it’s safe to say I’ve developed a…
Continue Reading Best Cocktail Books in 2022: 14 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
How to Make Simple Syrup with Demerara Sugar
When it comes to keeping a well-stocked home bar, it doesn’t get much more basic than simple syrup. Along with bitters, simple syrup is one of the most…
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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…
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Hotel Reviews
Shangri-La London Review: Every Bit as Good as You’d Expect
My first experience at a Shangri-La hotel was, well, a little over the top. We went to the Shangri-La Villingili for our honeymoon in the Maldives. It was…
Continue Reading Shangri-La London Review: Every Bit as Good as You’d Expect
Hotel Viking Review: A Newport, Rhode Island Gem
My long-time editor and colleague Liz Froment recently visited the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island. I knew this place was a perfect fit for Slightly Pretentious from…
Continue Reading Hotel Viking Review: A Newport, Rhode Island Gem
Banyan Tree Shanghai Review: The Best View in the City?
For my first visit to Shanghai, I knew I wanted to stay someplace special. We were going to be there for 4 nights, so figured we’d stay at…
Continue Reading Banyan Tree Shanghai Review: The Best View in the City?
Bar Reviews
15 Best Hotel Bars in the World (These Places are Insane)
There’s a good chance when you hear the words “hotel bar” you have visions of a business traveler in middle-America, drinking a Coors Light in a bar completely…
Continue Reading 15 Best Hotel Bars in the World (These Places are Insane)
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…
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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…
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Most Recent Posts
Shangri-La London Review: Every Bit as Good as You’d Expect
My first experience at a Shangri-La hotel was, well, a little over the top. We went to the Shangri-La Villingili for our honeymoon in the Maldives. It was hands down the bougiest (is that a word?) week of my life, and I felt much cooler than I really am while staying at the resort. I first…
Continue Reading Shangri-La London Review: Every Bit as Good as You’d Expect
Hotel Viking Review: A Newport, Rhode Island Gem
My long-time editor and colleague Liz Froment recently visited the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island. I knew this place was a perfect fit for Slightly Pretentious from the moment she said she was going. A beautiful hotel that also has placed a focus on its cocktail education program? Sign us up! Liz spent two…
Continue Reading Hotel Viking Review: A Newport, Rhode Island Gem
Best Cocktail Books in 2022: 14 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
This post was updated in January 2022 to add “Welcome Home” to our list of best cocktail books. Amongst my friends, it’s safe to say I’ve developed a bit of a reputation as the “cocktail guy.” What can I say, I appreciate a good drink! But over the last few years, my cocktail tastes have…
Continue Reading Best Cocktail Books in 2022: 14 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
Oaxacan Old Fashioned: The Ultimate Tequila Cocktail?
I still remember the very first Oaxacan Old Fashioned I ever had. It was at Teardrop Cocktail Lounge in Portland, Oregon. When I travel to bars, people often ask me if I have a “go-to” order. I tell them, I usually like to order from the menu, as when it comes to the best cocktail…
Continue Reading Oaxacan Old Fashioned: The Ultimate Tequila Cocktail?
Bananerac Cocktail Recipe: This Banana Sazerac is Incredible
If you’ve read my list of best cocktail books, then you know what a fan I am of the Cocktail Codex book from the Death & Co team. The reason it’s so great is because it does three things very well: It teaches you the essentials of creating a great cocktail. One read through the…
Continue Reading Bananerac Cocktail Recipe: This Banana Sazerac is Incredible
Georgia Monk Cocktail: A Complex Green Chartreuse Cocktail
Every once in awhile you create a cocktail that catches you by surprise. That was the case with this green chartreuse cocktail, the Georgia Monk. I wanted to make something new, so I literally sat looking at my bar and tried to choose a few ingredients that I thought might work, despite being, well, an…
Continue Reading Georgia Monk Cocktail: A Complex Green Chartreuse Cocktail
7 of the Best Whiskey Cocktails To Make At Home
Over here at Slightly Pretentious, we love a good Whiskey. Bourbon. Scotch. Rye. We’re pretty much on board for whatever variety you can name. But you know what we love even more? Creating cocktails that include Whiskey. Now, before some of you inevitably email me and say “it’s whisky, not whiskey” I’m going to nip this in…
Continue Reading 7 of the Best Whiskey Cocktails To Make At Home
Banyan Tree Shanghai Review: The Best View in the City?
For my first visit to Shanghai, I knew I wanted to stay someplace special. We were going to be there for 4 nights, so figured we’d stay at 2 different places to have a couple unique experiences while in the City. For our first two nights we opted for the Banyan Tree Shanghai, or the…
Continue Reading Banyan Tree Shanghai Review: The Best View in the City?
15 Best Hotel Bars in the World (These Places are Insane)
There’s a good chance when you hear the words “hotel bar” you have visions of a business traveler in middle-America, drinking a Coors Light in a bar completely devoid of ambiance. Let’s be real: most hotel bars suck. But, if you’re willing to go out of your way to find them, there are a handful…
Continue Reading 15 Best Hotel Bars in the World (These Places are Insane)
A Slightly Pretentious Mai Tai Recipe
I still remember the first “Mai Tai” I ever had. It was 2006 and I was staying at the Embassy Suites in Maui with my friend Ryan and his family. I’d turned 21 about 3 months before the trip, so the fact they had free happy hour from 4-6 was, well, exciting. I remember thinking…