The Open Bar Experience Podcast

Nathan Reffell comes by to talk a bit about what vodka is but more importantly what it has been like to do BAR 5 certification, transitioning from bartender to Brand Ambassadors and what it was like to be Only Ever Takka brand ambassador (tongue & cheek).

He’s view on being a good Brand Ambassador is to know the category and advocate for it and allow people to appreciate his product, Grey Goose.

World Class by Diageo will have labs for contestants as well as for anyone who would like to attend.

SpeeRack Houston was a super fun event that had a packed house that was there for a fun and exiting event! The ladies of SpeedRack delivered! Congratulations to Sarah Troxel from Houston who got a very decisive win and an amazing performance!

SpeedRack continues its tour through the United States in Denver, Seatle, Boston, D.C. and culminating in Chicago at the Chicago Style cocktail conference in May 2019.

This past weekend’s brunch at Lucille’s has me thinking about going back this weekend! This is a spot that has an important Texas story with some killer french toast!

Matt is someone that I have gotten to know over the last couple of years. He is always fun to talk to because of his knowledge and enthusiasm for it. Today we talked of his interest in travel, whiskey and how he stumbled into the world of beer.

His involvement in the whiskey list at the Conservatory in downtown Houston has produced a well curated list.

Key whiskey terms:

Mash bill, grain recipe for whiskey

Entry proof, proof at which whiskey goes into the barrel

Rickhouse, storage space for whiskey barrels to age

Cleveland Whiskey

Whiskey Neat Podcast

Boulevard Brewing

SACC is in full effect this week (Jan 14-20, 2019) When at a bartender conference remember to remember the stories.

Lately I have been working in the daytime more than I usually do. That has brought on a need to work outside of the home in order to not be too distracted. Some of them have been Coral Sword, Boomtown Coffee, Cavo Coffee, and Toute Suite

Johnny Schuler is one of pisco’s most ardent advocates is the Master Distiller to La Caravedo Pisco (formerly Porton Pisco).

Pisco has a rich history in Latin America and the Pisco Sour is a cocktail known the world over.

2oz pisco

1oz lime juice

1oz simple syrup

1 egg white

3 drops of aromatic bitters

Shake all ingredients in shaker tins

Strain into coupe or martini glass

Shout out and a big thanks to Lucas, Javi and Levi for letting me pick up shifts and have a good time at High & Dry which is a fun bar with a great team!

On January 28th Speedrack will be in Houston and it will benefit a great cause. Take a look at their website on hyperlink.

Photo by Pedro Lastra

New year means all sort of changes that will usher a phase of growth….except for my favorite cocktail. New year or not the Adonis is still my favorite tiple.

Instead of just talking about the origin of the cocktail lets talk about what the two ingredients that make it up are all about. After all vermouth and sherry, both have a level of complexity that they stand on their own with a wide range of usefulness and deliciousnes.

How do you make a whiskey sour the right way?

Will you be going to SACC?

Have you had rhum agricole?

Let’s talk about how we bullshit our way into New Years Resolutions we truly don’t intend to keep. Set goals that you can achieve by reaching for the things you want anyway but haven’t committed to.

The Martinez is one of those overlooked delicious cocktails. Remember, sweet is relative… Here’s my recipe:

2 oz Tanqueray Ten.75 oz Dolin Rouge.25 oz marisquino liqueur2 dashes Regan’s Orange bitters

Photo by Jayson Hinrichsen 

“Way too much coffee. But if it weren’t for the coffee, I’d have no identifiable personality whatsoever.” ~David Letterman

TIME magazines Special Issue on Coffee means that its growth has hit scale. It covers the culture, business, and evolution of today’s coffee craze. I mean, people can’t wait for the pumpkin spice latte to make its comeback with the fall season. Others very quickly will turn away a cup of brew that is less than on par with the many places serving single origin java.

Houston is one of those cities with more than a few excellent coffee shops and coffee roasters. Since 2014 XELA Coffee Roasters has been using unique roasting methods and using transparency as a way to circumvent the sometimes cliquish tendencies of a few first movers. It is always good to see entrepreneurs who have the audacity to create a great product and change peoples minds.

Meet Benji and Kaitland, the duo behind the trio that is XELA coffee!

XELA

TIME MAGAZINE