Latest Post
Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Unfolding a Modern Classic
In 2008, the most complicated cocktail I knew how to make was chocolate milk. But who could blame me? I was only eight. Just miles away from me in Chicago, however, a new cocktail bar named The Violet Hour opened its doors and premiered a much more complex drink: the Paper Plane. The cocktail became…
Continue Reading Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Unfolding a Modern Classic
Cocktail Recipes
Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Unfolding a Modern Classic
In 2008, the most complicated cocktail I knew how to make was chocolate milk. But who could blame me? I was only eight. Just miles away from me…
Continue Reading Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Unfolding a Modern Classic
Naked and Famous Cocktail: A Wonderful Last Word Riff from Death and Co
If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, then you’re probably already familiar with the Naked and Famous cocktail. This classic drink was invented in 2011 at the renowned cocktail bar…
Continue Reading Naked and Famous Cocktail: A Wonderful Last Word Riff from Death and Co
Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.
Jeffrey Morgenthaler is about as close as it gets to a legend in the drinks industry. I take that back, it’s not close. Morgenthaler is a legend in the drinks…
Continue Reading Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.
How to Make a Rum Negroni: The Artsy Bird is a Funky Rum Cocktail
I like spirit forward drinks. And when I’m at home and just looking for a fun night cap on a Thursday night, I don’t want to spend hours…
Continue Reading How to Make a Rum Negroni: The Artsy Bird is a Funky Rum Cocktail
Bees Knees Cocktail: A Fantastic Introduction to Gin Cocktails
A lot of times I make drinks for people who say they don’t like a particular spirit. But there are always gateway drinks you can make, that more…
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Great Cocktails: 25+ Ridiculously Good Drinks to Make at Home
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…
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Home Bar
Best Cocktail Books in 2023: 16 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
This post was updated in July 2023 to add Steve the Bartender’s Cocktail Guide. Amongst my friends, it’s safe to say I’ve developed a bit of a reputation…
Continue Reading Best Cocktail Books in 2023: 16 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
5 of the Best Home Ice Makers to Buy in 2023
If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, you know that the right ice can make all the difference in the flavor and overall enjoyment of your drink. But if you’re…
Continue Reading 5 of the Best Home Ice Makers to Buy in 2023
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
Bar Reviews
Bar Benfiddich Review Tokyo: The Best Bar in Tokyo (or the World?)
There are very few bars in the world that compare with Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo. Everything about the experience is world class, unique and memorable. You don’t leave Ben Fiddich without an interesting story to tell. Check out the review to see what I mean.
Continue Reading Bar Benfiddich Review Tokyo: The Best Bar in Tokyo (or the World?)
Double Chicken Please: Is it Really Top 10 In the World?
In 2014 I set out on a quest to go to the top 100 bars in the world. By the middle of 2019, I’d been to 59/100. Not…
Continue Reading Double Chicken Please: Is it Really Top 10 In the World?
Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland
Updated December 2022 to make sure all accommodations, distilleries, and restaurants were still open and accurate. For the last decade, I’ve been a huge fan of Islay scotch. Like,…
Continue Reading Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland
Most Recent Posts
Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Unfolding a Modern Classic
In 2008, the most complicated cocktail I knew how to make was chocolate milk. But who could blame me? I was only eight. Just miles away from me in Chicago, however, a new cocktail bar named The Violet Hour opened its doors and premiered a much more complex drink: the Paper Plane. The cocktail became…
Continue Reading Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Unfolding a Modern Classic
Bar Benfiddich Review Tokyo: The Best Bar in Tokyo (or the World?)
There are very few bars in the world that compare with Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo. Everything about the experience is world class, unique and memorable. You don’t leave Ben Fiddich without an interesting story to tell. Check out the review to see what I mean.
Continue Reading Bar Benfiddich Review Tokyo: The Best Bar in Tokyo (or the World?)
Best Cocktail Books in 2023: 16 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
This post was updated in July 2023 to add Steve the Bartender’s Cocktail Guide. 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 evolved beyond the early…
Continue Reading Best Cocktail Books in 2023: 16 Must-Have Books for the Home Bartender
Naked and Famous Cocktail: A Wonderful Last Word Riff from Death and Co
If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, then you’re probably already familiar with the Naked and Famous cocktail. This classic drink was invented in 2011 at the renowned cocktail bar Death and Co in New York City, and has since become a staple on cocktail menus around the world. By the way, if you haven’t read any…
Continue Reading Naked and Famous Cocktail: A Wonderful Last Word Riff from Death and Co
Double Chicken Please: Is it Really Top 10 In the World?
In 2014 I set out on a quest to go to the top 100 bars in the world. By the middle of 2019, I’d been to 59/100. Not bad. Then COVID hit. Then my wife got pregnant. Now our daughter is almost two, and I haven’t been to a new top 100 bar since, well,…
Continue Reading Double Chicken Please: Is it Really Top 10 In the World?
Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.
Jeffrey Morgenthaler is about as close as it gets to a legend in the drinks industry. I take that back, it’s not close. Morgenthaler is a legend in the drinks industry. So much so, he became the topic of a running joke amidst our Top 100 bar travels. Literally 50% of the time when we sit at…
Continue Reading Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.
5 of the Best Home Ice Makers to Buy in 2023
If you’re a cocktail enthusiast, you know that the right ice can make all the difference in the flavor and overall enjoyment of your drink. But if you’re still using regular old ice trays to make your ice cubes, you’re missing out. Investing in a dedicated ice maker specifically designed for cocktails can take your…
Continue Reading 5 of the Best Home Ice Makers to Buy in 2023
Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland
Updated December 2022 to make sure all accommodations, distilleries, and restaurants were still open and accurate. For the last decade, 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 think I was” kind of fan. And ever since I first…
Continue Reading Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland
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 it, if it’s smoky, I’m all about it (funny considering I don’t smoke). So a few years ago when it became en vogue to actually smoke your…
Continue Reading Best Cocktail Smoker: Smoke Boards is My New Favorite Drink Smoker
How to Make a Rum Negroni: The Artsy Bird is a Funky Rum Cocktail
I like spirit forward drinks. And when I’m at home and just looking for a fun night cap on a Thursday night, I don’t want to spend hours trying to craft something crazy. Three ingredients, four max. Easy. That’s just one of the many reasons why I love the negroni. It’s got a fantastic bitter,…
Continue Reading How to Make a Rum Negroni: The Artsy Bird is a Funky Rum Cocktail