Each passing year always seems more eventful than the last, but that’s especially true for 2021.
In a tumultuous 12 months of ups and downs, we found solace where we always do—diving deeper into the ever evolving world of cocktails, spirits, wine and nightlife. We learned the untold story of the Negroni’s secret past, chronicled the life and times of the dare shot and learned how to tailor the gintónica, or Spanish G&T, to one’s own preferences. And, not immune to Espresso Martini mania, we considered all the ways to turn the modern classic extra modern. As the year comes to a close, here’s a look back at a handful of stories that made the biggest impression on our readers.
1
How the Death Flip Became a Modern Classic
The brash combination of Chartreuse, Jägermeister, tequila and a whole egg is the only flip to enter the contemporary cocktail canon.
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How the Tommy's Margarita Became a Modern Classic
Julio Bermejo’s revision of the classic, now served from Indonesia to Ireland, has become the industry’s Margarita of record.
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All the Ways to Paloma
The tequila-grapefruit highball is infinitely permutable and always a good call.
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Make the Spanish G&T Your Own
The distinctive gintónica has embedded itself stateside as a voluminous, highly customizable show drink.
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Turn Your Bourbon Tiki
The canon of tropical classics has reserved a few spots for gin, brandy, vodka and more. Here are six drinks that showcase the non-rum side of tiki.
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The Negroni Has a Secret
Before it became a global symbol of sophistication, it was a lowbrow Tuscan club drink served tall.
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Make Your Espresso Martini Extra Modern
The fanatically popular modern classic has spawned enough riffs to give the Negroni a run for its money. Here are six of our favorites.
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How the Breakfast Martini Became a Modern Classic
Salvatore Calabrese’s ingenious jam-infused sour reintroduced preserves to the bartender’s arsenal.
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Bring Back the Chauncey
Frank Caiafa makes a case for the hard-hitting, equal-parts combo of whiskey, gin, brandy and sweet vermouth.
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A Shot and a Dare
The life and times of the Cement Mixer, New Jersey Turnpike and other canonical rite-of-passage dare shots.
Read More →ICYMI
Eulogy for the Tiny Clothespin
The short, wondrous career of the diminutive cocktail accessory has come to an end.
Read More →Who Orders a Vesper, Anyway?
James Bond’s fabricated Martini of choice is either “a damn fine drink” or “the Kenneth Cole of cocktails.” You decide.
Read More →So Everything is "Crushable" Now?
How a vaguely violent word co-opted from bro culture became a catchall for carefree drinking.
Read More →The Dive Bar Would Rather Save Us
We assumed it was up to us to rescue a dying breed of bar. Turns out, it might be the other way around.
Read More →Cocktail Culture Has a Nostalgia Problem
Fetishizing one brief period of history narrows the lens on an entire movement. What happens when we look beyond the gospel of Jerry Thomas?
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