Free Image by Peter Holmes from Pixabay

16 of the Best Distillery Tours in Illinois

Don’t presume that all the best brews and spirits only come from Kentucky and Tennessee distilleries. Yes, many of the world’s biggest and award-winning brands hail from the Bluegrass State and surrounding regions. But there are other parts of the country with unique and entertaining distillery tour experiences, too.  There are more than 2,200 spirit […]

Free Image by dabelynn from Pixabay

How to Become a Liquor Connoisseur

So, you fancy yourself a spirits and liquor aficionado of sorts. You know your brands and can appreciate a smooth taste and iconic aromas. And even some of your friends call you the “connoisseur” of your group.  But there’s more to being a liquor connoisseur than just knowing your stuff and appreciating a bold flavor. […]

Free Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Enjoying Yourself without the Hangover: 18 Tips

With so many delightful spirits and cocktail varieties out there, you’d want to sample them all. But then, reality sets in, and so does the buzz kill of the thought of a hangover. From headaches to being couch-ridden all day with Netflix, hangovers can ruin your whole post-celebrating day.  But there are ways you can […]

Image by Rüdiger from Pixabay

12 Reasons to Not Try Your Hand at Making Moonshine

When you hear the word moonshine, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Do you imagine shadowed figures huddled around a home distillery in the backwoods? Or maybe you instantly picture gangsters and speakeasies during the Prohibition era?  Whatever the case, even today, moonshine still carries a mixed reputation. Despite a colorful history and […]

Free Image by bridgesward from Pixabay

Cocktail Favorites of Today’s Millennials

Depending on your age and generation, some cocktails and spirits are just more popular than others. And a lot goes into how and why certain drink trends take off like they sometimes do. But if you talk to the veteran bartenders, mixology specialists, and distillery enthusiasts, they’ll tell you exactly what’s catching everyone’s attention these […]

Free Image by Randy Jost from Pixabay

Aperitifs & Digestifs: How Cocktails Fit with Dinner

Let’s get French, shall we? When it comes to cocktails, there’s an occasion that calls for almost every drink. Celebrations, toasts, memorials, relaxing, first dates, and partying all call for something special. But cocktails are also enjoyable at mealtime. Two of the most important meal time bookends are aperitifs and digestifs.  Here’s where we get […]