RON SILBERSTEIN

Few phrases in cocktail culture are as famous as “shaken, not stirred.” James Bond made this order iconic, but the truth is more nuanced than his preference suggests. As someone who has spent years behind a home bar, I have learned that choosing between shaking and stirring is one of the most important decisions you … Read more

There’s nothing worse than mixing up a batch of margaritas only to take that first sip and cringe. The hangover-inducing burn, the fake sweetness, the rough finish that no amount of lime can mask. I learned this lesson the hard way at my own taco Tuesday parties years ago. After countless gatherings, hundreds of batches … Read more

The Old Fashioned is the cocktail that refuses to fade away. First mixed in the 1870s at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, this simple combination of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water has outlived every trend that tried to dethrone it. If you’re here, you’re probably wondering what the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned … Read more

Few cocktails evoke the spirit of summer quite like a mojito. That perfect balance of fresh mint, zesty lime, and crisp rum creates a drink that refreshes and invigorates. If you have been wondering about the Best Rum for Mojitos, you are not alone. Choosing the right rum can transform this classic Cuban cocktail from … Read more

A cocktail garnish does more than make your drink look pretty in a photo. It engages your senses before the first sip even touches your lips. The aroma from an expressed citrus peel, the visual appeal of a mint sprig, the delicate flavor hint from an edible flower: these elements transform a simple mixed drink … Read more

If you have ever ordered a cocktail at a nice bar and wondered why their ice looks like a diamond while yours comes out cloudy and white, you are not alone. Making clear ice at home has become one of those techniques that separates okay drinks from exceptional ones. I spent three months testing every … Read more