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 […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]