A Lush Life Manual

Shanky’s Whip turns the classic Old Fashioned into something warm and a little wicked, with toffee and vanilla notes that make this whiskey liqueur an absolute joy to sip. Here is everything you need to know to make it, mix it, and enjoy it exactly the way you like.

How Do You Drink Shanky’s Whip?

You have options here, and that is half the f...

With a name like the Silver Bullet, you might expect something complicated. Instead, this wonderfully old school cocktail brings together gin, kümmel and fresh lemon juice in a drink that is sharp, herbal and unlike most gin cocktails you are probably making at home.

The Silver Bullet dates back at least to 1930, when it appeared in Harry Craddock’s The Savo...

The American Beauty is a classic brandy cocktail with dry vermouth, orange juice, grenadine and crème de menthe, finished with port. It is fruity, slightly herbal and rather gorgeous to look at, but its history is more complicated than many modern accounts suggest.

A Little History of the American Beauty Cocktail

The earliest American Beauty Cocktail I can do...

A Gibson is what happens when someone gets bored of the olive. Swap it for a briny little pickled onion and suddenly you’ve got a whole different drink on your hands.

Structurally it’s a Martini through and through, gin, dry vermouth, stirred cold. But that onion changes everything about how it drinks. Where an olive rounds a Martini out, the onion sharpens it, ...

If you follow my writing, you know I have a penchant for hotel bars. If you happen to share my passion, then this year don’t miss your chance to experience what’s happening behind the hotel bars in Barcelona from Sept 21 – 27.

Now, thanks to our guest today, Barcelona’s stepping into the spotlight again with more than 30 of its best great hotel bars...