When I make drinks for people, I am frequently asked how or why I created the drink.  To me the answer seemed obvious: grab some bottles, pour, mix, taste.  Upon reflection, however, I realized that I do always have some sort of target.  The inspiration for that target can take many forms. 
A drink target could involve an [...]

Cranberry-infused Gin with Tonic (plus some squirrel candles)
EE and I are uber-excited to be hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year!  Because we live far from our families, and because I’m working on Friday, we are staying in Manhattan.  This will be our first chance to see the parade, and our first major holiday together without the presence of [...]

Thought I should get this one up before Halloween, because I named it after a magical device in Harry Potter: the Pensieve.
Now I’m not saying Harry Potter is limited to Halloween, but this drink also has a ghoulish yellowy hue that I associate with Voldemort (I’m not providing a link; if you don’t know, go read the [...]

I was only able to participate in Saturday’s Manhattan Cocktail Classic events, but am very glad to hear that MCC will be making a full-week run in spring 2010.
EE and I attended the Employees Only “Tales From Behind the Bar” seminar.  It was spectacular.  Jason and Dushan told the entire EO tale, which they punctuated [...]

Introducing Random Drink.
Conceptually, I began Tessin Rinpoche as nothing more than a repository for drink recipes that I concoct.  Such a repository is necessary because I don’t believe in making “drinks every bartender should know” nearly as much as I belive in creating a drink to fit the moment.  In the original spirit then, expect [...]

I’ve gotten requests to help others start their home Mixology Stations, and that is just what this post will attempt to do.  Luckily I’ve been asked to opine on this topic previously and another time the in-laws asked what was needed for a fun Christmas.  The answer was about the same…
Rude interruption from the readership rabble: “Tess, [...]