Category Archives: Drinking

In the drinking category we chronicle the beverages, usually alcoholic, that we used to wash down our food. You’ll also meet some characters who specialize in making or promoting fine spirits.

Why can’t we have food like this in the 518?

I recently finished a sojourn in Sedona, AZ, a tourist town at least the equal of Saratoga Springs measured by the ratio of visitors dining out to residents. I was impressed by two places, Rascals and Mesa Grill, that served … Continue reading

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Is Wine Insiders the best wine club?

As we were settling in to the winter wave of COVID in November 2020, we got an email from Wine Insiders: join us for a virtual wine tasting with Martha Stewart plus get 6 wines appropriate for holiday meals for … Continue reading

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The original Bruichladdich is back.

The other day we commented on how we tend to stick with “better” choices in food and drink, using under-$100 Islay Scotch whiskey as an example. What would we do if we had all the money in the world and … Continue reading

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Taste test: Peg Leg Porker Bourbon

What’s the best bourbon to drink with barbecue? Carey Bringle, pitmaster at Peg Leg Porker in Nashville, would probably say it’s his own. To quote from the blurbage I received when asked if I would like to try a complimentary … Continue reading

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A special offer from Half Time Beverage

I first encountered Half Time Beverage through the Extreme Beer Fest in Cyberspace this past winter. I was impressed with the way they packaged the rare (and expensive) beers chosen for tasting. So when I was offered a sample pack … Continue reading

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Boozy Baking with Great Exbaketations

Last night we attended a Yelp event, Boozy Baking with Great Exbaketations. Cheyenne, the master baker, led us through the creation of a rich chocolate cake and then hit it hard with a simple syrup infused with booze of your … Continue reading

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Why Frisco is the official cocktail of Burnt My Fingers

Yes, we like cask strength Islays. Yes, we love a good IPA with an ABV of 7% of higher. But when it comes to a mixed drink, we have officially anointed the Frisco the official cocktail of Burnt My Fingers. … Continue reading

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Recipe: Perfect Egg Cream

While this recipe is likely to produce a perfect egg cream, we can’t predict how many tries it will take you to get there. The good news is that the failed drinks will taste the same as the good ones … Continue reading

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Is Beer (Week) finished?

This week is Beer Week in Saratoga Springs. You can be forgiven for not noticing, because it’s down to two days, Friday and Saturday, February 21 and 22. And Friday is actually devoted to a cider tasting—that’s not beer! (The … Continue reading

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Revisiting Four Roses Bourbon

Like a lot of people who came of drinking age in the second half of the 20th century, I had a poor impression of Four Roses bourbon. It was an inexpensive blend without much benefit other than its ability to … Continue reading

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