Pastis
(n.) An anise-flavored liqueur developed by Pernod as a replacement for absinthe, which was banned in France in 1919 for its supposed hallucinogenic properties. The formula for pastis borrows many…
- story: Talia Baiocchi
Ouzo
(n.) Ouzo is the Greek entry in a loose family of anise-flavored spirits from the Mediterranean, including raki (Turkey), arak (Lebanon) and sambuca (Italy). The best examples of the category…
- story: Talia Baiocchi
Nightcap
(n.) An alcoholic beverage consumed before going to sleep, a nightcap is different in theory than a digestif, as it is not necessarily associated with the end of a meal,…
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Neat
(adj.) A drink order requesting that a spirit be served un-chilled without ice or water, most frequently associated with spirits in the whiskey family.
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Moonshine
(n.) A spirit produced illegally in the United States, true moonshine can be distilled from any fruits, grains or sugars—the key is the illegality of the production, with the name…
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Mezcal
(n.) A Mexican spirit distilled from the agave plant with a distinctive smoky character (technically, tequila is a type of mezcal). In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors began distilling mezcal…
- story: Talia Baiocchi
Irish Whiskey
(n.) Similar in many ways to its Scottish brethren, Irish whiskey generally skews lighter in flavor. Legally, Irish whiskey must be made in Ireland, distilled from a yeast-fermented mash of…
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Grappa
(n.) An Italian brandy distilled from grape pomace, the skins and seeds leftover from the winemaking process. Grappa is most commonly served as a digestivo, though it also makes an…
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Gin
(n.) Gin’s legal definition requires it to be a neutral grain spirit flavored with juniper berries and proprietary blends of botanicals and then bottled at over 80 proof. Common botanical additions include…
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Cachaça
(n.) Invented in the 16th century soon after Portuguese colonialists introduced sugarcane to Brazil, cachaça is a spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. Few regulations about the production exist. The…
- story: Talia Baiocchi
