Q1 Roundup
Some things I've been drinking, making, and otherwise enjoying to start 2025
There has been a particular lack of drinking around here lately, which really makes regularly writing a cocktail newsletter a bit tough. There are many reasons for this, and I’m sure I’ll get into them eventually in these pages.
But, for now, I think this is a wonderful excuse to try a format I’ve been thinking about for quite some time. In these “Roundup” editions, I’ll share some quick blurbs (that aren’t yet full posts, and may never be) on what I’m drinking and making at the home bar, and I’ll also share some links and thoughts on goings on around the drinks world and elsewhere.
So, without any more preamble, let’s get into it!
What I’m Drinking
Not sure I really need a “house Scotch” since Mary hates it and it’s not generally at the top of my brown spirits list, but a local distributor turned me on to Lochlea and it’s really fantastic. A bit more than I usually spend, but I think it’s worth it. Not super peaty, not crazy dark, but very well-balanced and very obviously Scotch. Haven’t tried it in any cocktails yet, but I should…
The Pathfinder is just unbelievable. We discovered it several years ago on the beverage tasting at Altura, and it’s been a staple ever since. The only reason it’s not officially in the home bar is I’ve been waiting until I find the killer cocktail for it, and I think I’m sneaking up on that… But really, it’s so good on its own or with soda that there’s little reason to get fancier than that.
What I’m Making
The aforementioned “killer cocktail” with Pathfinder generally involves fresh citrus, a bit of sugar, and some different bittering agents. Certainly more to come on this, but playing around in that general area can’t go wrong.
The WithCo mixers are widely available and consistently excellent. They deliver a complexity that takes a ton of effort to match with “scratch” prep at the bar, and having a bottle in the fridge is a wonderful weeknight shortcut. 2 ounces of this stuff and a good tonic is a fantastic sipper.
It’s peak “& Tonic” season in Phoenix, and even though it’s not why it’s in the bar I must say that a 50/50 G&T with Gin Mare and standard Fever Tree and a lemon slice almost always hits the spot.
Good Reads From Drinks World
BTP on a classic from an old neighborhood haunt is fun - gotta go if you’re in Seattle (even if this particular concoction is no more)!
The Wizard of Oz owned Angostura for a while - truly incredible drink nerd trivia from the master Robert Simonson
Jason Wilson’s recent exploration of “wine as resistance” is the kind of stuff I wish I had the time / brain / chops for
Good Stuff That Isn’t Drinks (or Politics…I’m sending this before tariff announcements very intentionally…)
On the subject of the kind of stuff I wish I had the time / brain / chops to write, this from Blackbird Spyplane on consumerism and focusing more on putting money towards true creation is really great
I’ve gotten hopelessly into watches in the past year and a half or so (on the subject of consumerism…) so I very much enjoyed a full 5 hours on Rolex from the Acquired guys. Even if you don’t have any interest in watches, the Crown is one of the most interesting companies out there and this is a fantastic overview.
Djo is coming to Phoenix but I couldn’t figure out the presale, which is sad. But every single from the new album has been excellent and I’m excited to listen to the whole thing when it drops Thursday!
