Corissa Croft’s Grape Nerd

​Yesterday we met Corissa Croft from Robbie Fox’s, a Pittsburgh native who loves the Steelers, sunshine and customers who don’t let their Car Bombs curdle. Today she grants us the recipe for the Grape Nerd, a drink that’s a little sweet, a little sour, and tastes just like its candy…

Corissa Croft at Robbie Fox’s Public House

​A football fan who enjoys a good microbrew, Corissa Croft may just be the perfect woman. And though still a newbie at Tempe’s Robbie Fox’s Public House (604 S. Mill Ave., 480-642-6442) she’s also not a shabby bartender. The Pittsburgh native can serve drinks, talk sports and do it all with…

The Vig Uptown: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: The Vig Uptown 6015 N. 16th Street602-633-1187www.thevig.usThe Hours: Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 3 till 6 p.m. if you can’t make happy hour they also have great specials on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.The Deal: Half price appetizers, $5 small pitchers of all draft beer and $3…

Phil Podvorec’s Summer Splash

​Yesterday we talked with Phil Podvorec from Casey Moore’s, who knows his customers by name and is a big fan of Motley Crue. Today Podvorec shares a recipe he crafted for a fellow employee who was looking for something fruity and light for summer: the Summer Splash.(recipe after the jump)…

Phil Podvorec at Casey Moore’s

​Phil Podvorec is a familiar face at Casey Moore’s Oyster House (850 S. Ash Ave., 480-968-9935), and he should be. The 35-year-old has worked at the Tempe staple for the better part of a decade, serving up drinks and good conversation to day and nighttime imbibers alike. Phil says his…

Samantha Dickerson’s Rough Draft

Yesterday we met Samantha Dickerson, who tends bar at Cowboy Ciao and Kazimirez World Wine Bar in Scottsdale. Her’s her award-winning recipe for the Rough Draft cocktail. Yesterday, Dickerson explained her view of cocktail craft, differentiating bar tending and mixology. Her choice of words echoed the phrasing of a quality chef:…

Samantha Dickerson: Kazimierz World Wine Bar & Cowboy Ciao

Carol Blonder Samantha Dickerson ​Samantha Dickerson works the front of the house at Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz, but we found her behind the bar at Kazimierz. Both popular downtown Scottsdale haunts feature well-reputed wine lists, as well as classic and craft cocktails. We heard Samantha had recently entered her first bar competition so we went…

Julie Hillebrand’s Thangan

Yesterday, we learned of Julie Hillebrand’s love of fresh herbs and penchant for lighting things on fire. Today, she shares the recipe for one of her newest cocktail creations, the Thangan — a citrusy, spicy drink made using curry and homemade bitters, of course…

Julie Hillebrand at J&G Steakhouse

Since helping open the Phoenician’s J&G Steakhouse over a year ago, Julie Hillebrand has been hard at work changing the way people think about cocktails. A trained chef, she’s an advocate of fresh ingredients and unique flavors who uses her culinary skills to concoct improv cocktails that combine flavors of…

Hula’s Modern Tiki: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Hula’s Modern Tiki 4700 N Central Ave, Phoenix 602.265. TIKI  http://www.hulasmoderntiki.com/ The Hours: Tiki Time Happy Hour Mon – Fri 4-6 pm and All Day Drink Specials Sat & Sun, 10:30 am-7pm Open Everyday: 11 am -10 pm Friday & Saturday (Drinks ’til 2am) Late Night Menu served…

Behind the Bar: The Moscow Mule at Merc Bar

Tommy McCormack of Merc Bar says when it was created in the 1940s, gin was the most popular spirit, but the Moscow Mule gave vodka some leg and a boost in popularity. The combination of vodka, ginger beer and cucumber creates a refreshing taste with a bite. And how many other…

Brew Review: Samuel Adams’ Summer Ale

On the list of things that can’t be ignored, a box full of beer is fairly high. So you’ll understand my position when I tell you that this is the precise situation I currently find myself in. Sitting in and about my office are no fewer than twenty bottles of…

Behind the Bar: Tommy McCormack at Merc Bar

Tommy McCormack makes you feel like a regular even if it’s your first time at Merc Bar. He makes sure his guests have a good time, whether there are four people at the bar or 400.  McCormack, 34, has a passion for bartending, and he’s seen it as both a…

Brew Review: Samuel Adams’ Blackberry Witbier

​ On the list of things that can’t be ignored, a box full of beer is fairly high. So you’ll understand my position when I tell you that this is the precise situation I currently find myself in. Sitting in and about my office are no fewer than twenty bottles…

Brew Review: Samuel Adams Latitude 48

On the list of things that can’t be ignored, a box full of beer is fairly high. So you’ll understand my position when I tell you that this is the precise situation I currently find myself in. Sitting in and about my office are no fewer than twenty bottles of…