Subject:

Liquor and Spirits

  • Blogs

    May 25, 2012

    Make It Right: The Jamaican Ten-Speed

    If you've lived around here for more than a few years, you're probably familiar with a little drink called the Jamaican Ten-Speed. Odds are good that your favorite bartender will whip up one for you in the blink of an eye. Then you go on vacation in the Caribbean. A Jamaican Ten-Speed sounds like a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 19, 2012

    Talking Bourbon with Rob Samuels, COO of Maker's Mark

    Rob Samuels comes from a long line of whiskey-makers -- the Samuels clan has been distilling as far back as the 1500s in Scotland and was making whiskey in America before the country was founded. Bill Samuels Sr. (Rob's grandfather) began producing Maker's Mark in 1954, and Rob took over as chief op ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 11, 2012

    Taking It Slow: Some Great Drinks Take Time

    A friend recently handed me the February 2012 issue of Esquire magazine. Sticking out the side was a Post-It with three huge question marks and an arrow pointing inside. The arrow pointed to the cover story, "Agree: Bill Clinton and 78 Other Things We Can All Agree On". Specifically, it pointed to " ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 16, 2012

    Rula Bula's Irish Rose

    ​There' s more than one way to drink like an Irishman on St. Patrick's Day. You could, of course, go wild with the Guinness and food-coloring-spiked beer, but you'd be missing out on the true national drink of Ireland: whiskey. And while Steve Goumas, owner of Rula Bula, recommends tasting whiskey ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 15, 2012

    Irish Whiskey School this Saturday

    Skip the evening crowd and celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the afternoon at Old Town Whiskey, located in Scottsdale's The Saguaro hotel. This Saturday from 2 to 4 pm, learn all about Irish whiskey from the Whiskey Professor, including how to make Old Town Whiskey's signature Irish cocktail -- The Cel ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 6, 2012

    Six Favorite Specialty Cocktails in Phoenix

    ​ Who says Tuesday morning is an inappropriate time to talk cocktails? Not us. Cheers, Phoenix -- here are six of our favorites. And yours? 6. Caramel Appletini from Amsterdam One of the many things Amsterdam, the haven for gay and straight alike in downtown Phoenix, is known for is its too-long- ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 22, 2012

    Sipping Rums: Beyond Bacardi

    After working at Trader Vic's for its entire five-year run at the beautiful Hotel Valley Ho, I developed quite an appreciation for rum. Most people's familiarity with rum is limited to a mere two brands: Bacardi and Captain Morgan. Sometimes people are also familiar with Sailor Jerry. It's a crying ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 26, 2012

    Bill Before Mexican Congress Could Harm Tequila, Mezcal Makers

    ​American drinkers don't often trouble themselves with Mexican affairs, but with the future of agave-based spirits suddenly unsure, perhaps they should. Trouble is brewing in our neighbor to the south, where legislators have proposed a bill that could harm the variety and quality of the agave-bas ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 29, 2011

    Mario Rana's Rio

    Last week we met Mario Rana, part owner and bar manager at Cuoco Pazzo. Today he shares with us the recipe for the Rio, a drink he named after himself. "It's what everyone called me in high school," Rana says. "They couldn't say my name right, so I just told them to drop the MA and call me Rio. I d ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 28, 2011

    Matt Slenske's American Junkie

    Zach Fowle ​Yesterday we met Matt Slenske, bar manager at American Junkie. Today he shares with us the recipe for the bar's signature drink, aptly named the American Junkie. Packed with ingredients, it's like a Long Island Iced Tea gone to the loony bin.

  • Blogs

    September 1, 2011

    Three Favorite Phoenix Rum Cocktails

    The Dark & Stormy cocktail at J&G Steakhouse is the perfect late-summer cooler​Crisp, citrus-y and mixed liberally with ice, a nice tropical tipple is the perfect late-summer cooler. Here are three Valley bars serving up great rum cocktails. 1. The Dark & Stormy at the J&am ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 27, 2011

    Five Places to Find Skinny Margaritas in the Valley -- and a Recipe to Make Your Own

    The Margarita Lite at IslandsCourtesy of Islands Restaurants​It used to be that if we wanted a margarita under 100 calories, we'd just take a shot of tequila, salt first, lime last. But there's a new trend blending behind the bar. From Islands to Blanco Tacos, low-cal margaritas -- most often c ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 23, 2011

    Five Phoenix Bars that should be on the Best Bars in America List

    courtesy of thedailymeal.com​Lets face it: Living in Phoenix means having a love/hate relationship with Phoenix, especially when it's balls hot and there's absolutely nothing to do other than drink cold beer inside our favorite air conditioned drinking establishment. But that's just it. Yeah ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 17, 2011

    Steve Holquist's Mojito

    Zach Fowle ​Yesterday we met Steve Holquist, the tropical fish wrangler-turned-bartender who mixes drinks at central Phoenix's Fuego Bistro. Today he shares with us the recipe for his classic mojito, which won a Best of Phoenix award in 2008. "A basic mojito can be taken so many different d ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 10, 2011

    Wei of Chocolate: Flourless Chocolate Cake

    courtesy Wei of Chocolatechocolate cake ingredient prep​ Lisa Reinhardt is the CEO and chocolatier behind Wei of Chocolate, a unique Phoenix chocolate business combining the health benefits of dark chocolate with homeopathic floral essence infusions. In our Sweet Talk with Lisa she revealed her ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 13, 2011

    Michael DeMaria's Cinnamon Scented Duck

      Courtesy of Chef Michael DeMaria​Yesterday, we talked to Chef Michael DeMaria of Heirloom and M Catering. Today, he shows us how to prepare a delicious duck entree and accompanying side dishes from Heirloom's farm-to-table, seasonal menu. It will take a little practice to get the dis ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 22, 2010

    Jason Jereb's Applesauce

    Zach Fowle Applesauce! ​Yesterday we met Jason Jereb, the man behind the bar and in front of the daiquiri machines at Mill Ave.'s Fat Tuesday. Today he shares with us the recipe for Applesauce, which is every bit as simple and tasty as it sounds and goes great with pork chops. Just don't fe ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 19, 2010

    10 Horrific Halloween Shots

    ​ Enough with the candy already, give us our booze! We went on the prowl for as many liquor- filled fun shots we could find to truly captured the heart and soul of the Halloween season. These 10 shots were the winners. Most of them are tasty, but watch out --- a couple might end up on our next vom ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 9, 2010

    Bill DeGroot at Quiessence

    Bill DeGroot ​Bill DeGroot is an oddity for us here at Behind the Bar, for he no longer works behind the bar at all. A veteran of the cocktail scene for more than 15 years, DeGroot paid his dues at establishments throughout the valley, including Star-Spangled Tavern, Canal, E ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 3, 2010

    Dave Thorfinnson's Thor's Hammer

    Kelly Green​Yesterday we met Dave Thorfinnson of Tap's Cuisine and Bar, the man with a nickname fit for a Viking and a golf-induced sunburn on his cheeks (typical to the Litchfield Park region). Today he shares his recipe for Thor's Hammer, a potent mix of rum, peach schnapps, and a last in ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 13, 2010

    Singer Roger Clyne's New Mexican Moonshine Coming to Arizona

    ​ Will this new brew go down as smoothly as Clyne's lyrics? ​Ah... celebrities and their alcohols. We're not talking about Mel Gilson's booze-fueled tirades, Lindsay Lohan's rehab revolving door or The Hoff's pathetic drunken burger binge in front of his kid. Following ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 7, 2010

    Blooze Bar Benefits Scheduled

    ​An electrical fire gutted the Blooze Bar burned last week, leaving the NoPho venue out of commission for some time.As we told you yesterday, some of the joint's regulars are pitching in to raise funds for the folks left jobless by the inferno. First, Whiskey Six is hosting a benefit Thursday at M ... More >>

  • News

    May 6, 2010

    Happy Hours: Your Guide to Valley Spots Worthy of Your Drink Money

    ​An electrical fire gutted the Blooze Bar burned last week, leaving the NoPho venue out of commission for some time.As we told you yesterday, some of the joint's regulars are pitching in to raise funds for the folks left jobless by the inferno. First, Whiskey Six is hosting a benefit Thursday at M ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 9, 2010

    Top 5 Cocktails That Will Make You Fat

    This subway sign from the NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygeine is about sugary soft drinks, but you get the point.​Just because the bartender doesn't hand you a nutritional information packet with your cocktail doesn't mean those calories don't count. For some, a night of binge-drinking ca ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 8, 2010

    Behind the Bar: Josh Warner at Wildfish Seafood Grille

    ​Josh Warner knows how to throw a party. The 30-year-old bartender at Wildfish Seafood Grille at the Scottsdale Waterfront might have a taste for light and simple cocktails, but he's not light on entertaining skills. After learning about what brought him to bartending, it's no wonder Warne ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 11, 2010

    Valentine's Cocktails from Sassi

    Coppa Venere (left), Cara Mia (right)​Whether you're hosting a singles' party this Valentine's Day or looking for a tasty cocktail to get you in the mood, these drinks from Sassi look pretty and are simple to make. They'll also be served at the upscale Italian restaurant this V-Day. Start sa ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 10, 2010

    Hey Ladies: Quit Drinking the [Hot Pink] Kool-Aid

    X-Rated Fusion Liqueur: Like a Candace Bushnell novel in a bottle...​Maybe it's the women's studies classes talking, but in our opinion there's nothing quite as offensive as products marketed specifically and shamelessly toward the "fairer sex" (particularly when they target women assumed to ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 7, 2010

    Pocket Shot: The Latest in Sneaky Drinking

    www.pocketshot.netCollect 'em all!​Lets be honest: we've all done the 'ol "vodka in the water bottle" or "beer in the cargo pocket" routine from time to time (because the real crime is charging $10 for a watered down cocktail, or (gasp!) not allowing alcohol on the premises at all, right?). ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 12, 2009

    Behind the Bar: Ted Grossman at Shady's

    Adriane GoetzTed Grossman unwinds with a drink after his shift at Shady's.​Whether it's booze, music, film or food, Ted Grossman admits he's a bit of a snob. In this case, however, knowing that he'd think your favorite films are garbage and that you couldn't even smell his favorite drink wit ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 31, 2009

    Recipe: Mai Tai from Trader Vic's

    Lauren GilgerThe Mai Tai at Trader Vic's.​When J.K. Grence is working behind the bar at Trader Vic's at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, he imagines himself to be playing Penn to the other bartender's Teller. "I'm standing there talking constantly," he laughs, "while he's just standing the ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 28, 2009

    Beach Bites: The King of Vodka

    Nothing says summer like vodka. OK, that's not true. Nothing says depressing, oppressive Russian winters like vodka. But, in any case, nothing says summer like a soap opera-like novel focused on an alcoholic drink. That's just what you'll find in Phoenix-born-and-raised author Linda Himelste ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 1, 2009

    Behind the Bar: Mike Bunker, The Mission

    Lauren GilgerMike Bunker, adding the rum to his Strawberry-Coconut Mojito at The Mission in Old Town.When a girl came up to Mike Bunker, asking the question he most dreads when he's behind the bar, he gave her a drink he called "A Punch in the Head." Funny, from a bartender who minored in Religiou ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 26, 2009

    Behind the Bar: The Red Wax & Sand at Sol y Sombra

    Lauren Gilger A Red Wax & Sand on the bar at Sol y Sombra. "It's not just about vodka and Red Bull" any more, according to Dave Johnson, sommelier at Sol y Sombra. The emergent cocktail culture that's dominating the bar scene today, he says, goes back beyond Prohibition, to the Gilded an ... More >>

  • Calendar

    April 30, 2009

    Spiked! Thursday: Saffron Theme

    Lauren Gilger A Red Wax & Sand on the bar at Sol y Sombra. "It's not just about vodka and Red Bull" any more, according to Dave Johnson, sommelier at Sol y Sombra. The emergent cocktail culture that's dominating the bar scene today, he says, goes back beyond Prohibition, to the Gilded an ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 16, 2009

    Monday Night Martha: Strawberry Basil Martinis

    Not long ago, we had some scrumptious strawberry basil martinis at Caffe Boa in Tempe. That got us thinking that it would be pretty easy to make the classy cocktails at home. Strawberries must be in season somewhere because 99 cent palettes can be found at every grocery store. This recipe is easy, ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 17, 2009

    Get Your Whisky On

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/brunoderegge/Seems like there are wine tastings going on all the time, from your neighborhood grocery store to the ritziest restaurants in the Valley. But how often do you get a chance to sample the harder stuff? And no, I'm not talking about whatever you're carry ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 7, 2009

    Bourbon Steak Launches Weekly Bourbon & Blues Event

    Free live music, discounted bourbon, and a special lounge menu are three good reasons to start hitting up Bourbon Steak on Thursday nights, beginning on January 15. From 7 to 9 p.m. in the restaurant lounge, there will be performances from local blues bands (The Blue Zone will kick off the series) ... More >>

  • News

    June 26, 2008

    Agwa brews

    Free live music, discounted bourbon, and a special lounge menu are three good reasons to start hitting up Bourbon Steak on Thursday nights, beginning on January 15. From 7 to 9 p.m. in the restaurant lounge, there will be performances from local blues bands (The Blue Zone will kick off the series) ... More >>

  • News

    June 26, 2008

    Agwa, a new liqueur made from coca leaves, is giving Valley barflies a boost

    Free live music, discounted bourbon, and a special lounge menu are three good reasons to start hitting up Bourbon Steak on Thursday nights, beginning on January 15. From 7 to 9 p.m. in the restaurant lounge, there will be performances from local blues bands (The Blue Zone will kick off the series) ... More >>

  • Culture

    June 3, 2004

    Bottoms Up

    Definitely try this at home

  • Music

    May 20, 2004

    Club Directory

    Definitely try this at home

  • Best of Phoenix

    September 18, 2003

    BEST TEQUILA SELECTION

    Via Delosantos

  • Calendar

    March 27, 2003

    Power Plant

    Agave fest makes margarita magic

  • Dining

    October 24, 2002

    Fire Wall

    New code extinguishes flaming food

  • Best of Phoenix

    September 20, 2001

    Best Tequila Selection

    Coyote Grill

  • Dining

    December 21, 2000

    Stupor Market

    Tequila gets trendy, and pricey

  • Best of Phoenix

    September 21, 2000

    Best Margarita

    Old Town Tortilla Factory
    6910 East Main, Scottsdale
    480-945-4567

  • Best of Phoenix

    September 21, 2000

    Best Place for Old-Fashioned Tableside Preparation

    Le Sans Souci
    7030 East Bella Vista, Cave Creek
    480-488-2856

  • Music

    August 20, 1998

    Whiskey River

    R.L. Burnside's passion for alcohol is matched only by his command of rawboned Delta blues

  • More >>
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