Category Archives: How To

My Take on Niche Fragrances in the Globe & Mail

Posted on January 9, 2013 by cocktailsandcologne

Back in October, I was contacted by a writer for Toronto’s Globe & Mail who asked if I’d comment for a story he was writing about men’s fragrances. We had a short flurry of emails and I answered some basic … Continue reading →

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The Infamous Bone Luge

Posted on November 21, 2012 by cocktailsandcologne

It was one of those cocktail microtrends that seemed somehow dated and irritating within days after I first learned about it — even while it sounded kind of alluring. The bone luge phenomenon, in which you pour yourself a shot … Continue reading →

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How to choose a cocktail muddler

Posted on July 15, 2012 by cocktailsandcologne

It’s easy: whatever you do, don’t get a varnished wood muddler. A surprising number of the muddlers I see in stores and online are made like this. I even see them in bars. I made this mistake a few years … Continue reading →

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The Magic of Smoked Agave Syrup

Posted on March 17, 2011 by cocktailsandcologne

My obsession with the aroma and flavor of smoke has led me to some great scotches and mezcals, a smoked beer from Germany, an array of mostly disappointing bottles of liquid smoke flavoring, and a variety of smoky colognes. I … Continue reading →

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On Building a Home Liquor Cabinet: Substitutions and Missing Ingredients

Posted on February 4, 2011 by cocktailsandcologne

Plenty of people have written about the home bar staples, which typically include whiskey (sometimes rye and maybe scotch), gin, vodka (although a cocktail enthusiast may find relatively few recipes that need it), rum, and tequila. Add to that some … Continue reading →

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How To: Chandler Burr on Wearing Cologne

Posted on September 21, 2010 by cocktailsandcologne

GQ‘s scent critic Chandler Burr (who also writes for the New York Times) had ten bits of cologne-wearing advice in the September issue. Here they are, in truncated form, with my commentary in italics. 1. Do not–no matter what anyone … Continue reading →

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