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Do you remember Plato’s work, Symposium? Yep, that took place at a drinks party. Philosopher David Hume said that drinking was an antidote to philosophical depression, and Kierkegaard wrote an entire treatise on wine. Our guest today is another student of philosophy who found her calling in the drinks industry. I am so pleased to have my friend and fellow drinks journalist, Millie Milliken, on the program today.  Not does she have nearly 10 years of food, drink, and events writing experience in print and online, but in 2022 she won both the IWSC Spirits Communicator of the Year award as well as The Alan Lodge Young International Drinks Writer of the Year Award. Needless to say, she is a great writer.  How did she become specialized in drinks? Well, I will let her tell you. You can always find a video of this episode, plus all the other Lush Life episodes, as well as a whole lot more; just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual. Our cocktail of the week is the Savoury Martini: INGREDIENTS 5 parts Capreolus Garden Swift gin 1 part Noilly Prat Vermouth Citizens of Soil Olive Oil METHOD Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass Add ice Stir, stir, stir Strain into a martini glass  Garnish with Citizens of Soil Olive Oil You’ll find this recipe, more Gin Martini cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find most of the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/drinks-writing-with-millie-milliken ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

You’ve finally done it - opened your bar, launched your spirit, won your first cocktail competition. So now what do you do? Time to call today’s guests! Since the moment I met them, Alex Chatwin and Alex Irving, Co-Founders of LX PR, have been Lush Life’s number-one fans, and it is such a privilege to have them on the program with me.  These women have grown their company to be one of the most respected drinks PRs not only in London but all over the world. Today, they share the story of how they became LX, as well as give some great tips for anyone starting a new brand. So if you are a new bar or a spirit, this episode is for you! As they are both named Alex, you can always see who is who on Youtube, where you can find a video of this episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more; just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual! Since we have two guests, we have to have two cocktails of the week.  I asked them to name two of their favorite cocktails, and they both picked classics. Alex Irving picked the Gin Martini with a twist, and Alex Chatwin picked the French 75!  Here is the French 75: INGREDIENTS 1 ounce Cognac or Gin ½ ounce Lemon juice ½ ounce Simple Syrup 3 ounces Champagne METHOD Add the gin or cognac, sugar syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker Add ice and shake Strain into a flute glass and top with Champagne Stir gently Garnish with a lemon peel For Alex Irving’s cocktail, the Gin Martini, you can find it here: https://alushlifemanual.com/classic-gin-martini-recipe You’ll find this recipe, more classic cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find most of the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/master-drinks-pr-with-alex-chatwin-alex-irving ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Our guest today introduced me to a job title I had never heard of before - the maltster.  She works for one of the very few distilleries that still floor malts its barley - thus the need for a maltster. In short, a maltster is a maker of malt for use in brewing or distilling, but Charlotte Coyle goes into way more detail about the maltster at Benriach Distillery.  Charlotte is the Brown-Forman UK Malt Whisky Ambassador and sat down to tell me all about the history and the Scotch Whisky that is made up in the Speyside distillery of Benriach, plus what goes on in Warehouse 13. But before we explore maltsters, you can now watch this episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual! Our cocktail of the week is Benriach Boulevardier. The Negroni is a blend of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. In this case, we take out that gin and replace it with Benriach. INGREDIENTS 20ml Benriach The Twelve 20ml Campari (or other bitter aperitif) 20ml Sweet vermouth 10ml Cherry syrup METHOD Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice Stir until cold and slightly diluted Strain into a rocks glass over cubed or block ice Garnish with a cherry and orange zest You’ll find this recipe, more whisky cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find some of the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/benriach-with-charlotte-coyle ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Before our guest launched his first non-alcoholic spirit, his mission was to make it easy to be a mindful drinker. Now six years later, thanks to his hard work, it is definitely getting easier to be a mindful drinker! Morten Lee Sørenson gave up drinking alcohol for 100 days. He found that it wasn't difficult not drinking alcohol, but it was quite difficult to find good alternatives. At that moment, he decided he was going to create products that made it a whole lot easier to be a mindful drinker, and ISH was born. Now you can find ISH spirits and wines not only in some of the best restaurants in the world but at your local and online!  Today on Lush Life, we explore his journey from concept to 11 Madison Park! But before you get to meet Morten, I’m sure you know already that you can now watch this episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual! Our cocktail of the week is Mindful Margarita: INGREDIENTS 60 ml ISH Mexican Agave Spirit 30 ml Lime juice 30 ml Orange juice 20 ml Simple syrup METHOD Add all the ingredients to a shaker Add ice Shake, shake, shake Strain into a cocktail glass  You’ll find this recipe, more alcohol-free cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/ish-spirits-with-morten-lee-sorenson ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

On February 4th, the world will be celebrating International Pisco Sour Day, and it’s a great cocktail. Our two guests reveal why Pisco should be enjoyed for more than just one day and in way more than just one cocktail. Suyo Pisco was truly meant to be. Alex Hildebrandt and Ian Leggett, co-founders of Suyo Pisco, happened upon each other while working in the same office. Both are half-Peruvian and half-American, and both had the vision it took to create something that bridged both worlds. That something is Suyo Pisco. It’s great to have them both with us today to explore the journey it took to bring the liquid to bottle.  But before we get to it, do you want to enjoy a tasting of Suyo Pisco? Well, buy yourself a bottle and then tune into Lush Life YouTube Channel.  Yes, Alex and Ian led me through a tasting, but you can only find it on my youtube channel, where you can also watch this entire episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes, as well as a whole lot more! So heck out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual! Our cocktail of the week is El Capitàn: INGREDIENTS 1.5 oz SUYO Pisco No. 1 Quebranta 1.5 oz Sweet Vermouth Orange peel METHOD Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass Add ice Stir, stir, stir Strain into a coupe glass. Express orange peel for aromatics and garnish. And don’t worry; you can find a recipe for the Pisco Sour, more pisco cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find some of the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/suyo-pisco-with-alex-hildebrandt-and-ian-leggett ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Behind the doors of Warehouse 1, up north in Scotland’s Speyside, there is something brewing that we are all going to want to sample. Especially after you’ve heard it all from my guest today!  Here to reveal the wonders of not only in Warehouse 1 but also the entire Glen Moray range is Iain Allan, Global Brand Ambassador and Visitor Center Manager for Glen Moray Distillery.  An Elgin local, who traveled all over the world but chose to settle in his hometown due to all the wonderful whisky found on his doorstep, Iain’s 18-year reign at the distillery has seen the whisky world grow and change! Today, we’ll find the hows and whys! But before you get to meet him, I’m sure you know already that you can now watch this episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual! Our cocktail of the week is Glen Moray Elgin Fizz: INGREDIENTS 50 ml Glen Moray Fired Oak 10 ml ginger liqueur (such as King’s) Sparkling apple juice A cinnamon stick & orange twist METHOD Fill a glass with ice. Stir in the whisky and the ginger liqueur. Top up with the sparkling apple juice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a twist of orange. You’ll find this recipe, more festive cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/glen-moray-whisky-with-iain-allan ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Say his name in any bar around the world, and most bartenders will immediately whip out a well-worn copy of his eponymous bible of bartending. Today we meet the legend who not only authored that classic but so much more!  If you didn’t know it already, our guest today, Jim Meehan, is one of the most celebrated bartenders and bar operators, as well as the author of The PDT Cocktail Book and the one and only Meehan’s Bartender Manual. He has worked in nearly every capacity in the hospitality business since 1995. Today, he serves as Beverage Director of an outdoor lifestyle brand called Snow Peak, which has a restaurant in Portland, Oregon called Takibi. If that isn’t enough, he is also co-founder of Banks Rums, a collection of fine rums that are unique blends from the East and West Indies, which we are here to talk about today. But since it's Lush Life, you know we're going to talk about a whole lot more.   But before you get to meet him, I’m sure you know already that you can now watch this episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual!   Our cocktail of the week is The Planter Punch INGREDIENTS 60 ml / 2 oz. Banks 7 Golden Blend Rum 22.5 ml / .75 oz. Pineapple Juice 22.5 ml / .75 oz. Cranberry Syrup (equal parts fresh cranberry juice and simple syrup) 15 ml / .5 oz. Orange Juice 15 ml / .5 oz. Lime Juice 1 dash of Angostura Bitters Cranberries & Mint METHOD Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a terracotta cup filled with pebble ice Garnish with a mint sprig and three cranberries   You’ll find this recipe, more festive cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/banks-rum-with-jim-meehan ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

When making cocktails, do you ever feel like something’s missing? One of our guests today did, and he made it his mission to fill that void.  Chris Tanca, Founder of Cordusio, was that man. He was trying to make a cocktail and could find the spirit with the exact flavor profile he was looking for. So he created it, and now Cordusio, the world’s first red berry aperitif, is hot off the presses. In fact, I met Chris at Venice Cocktail Week at the end of September for the first official launch of this new spirit. He’s here with me now with Daniela Garcea, the Global Brand Activator, to reveal what it took to produce this gorgeous liquid and what their plans for it are.  But before you get to meet him, did you know that you can now watch this episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual!   Our Cocktail of the week is the Cordusio Tonic, their deceivingly simple & surprisingly delicious signature cocktail. A classic reimagined with a twist. INGREDIENTS 1 part Cordusio 3 parts premium tonic  1-2 raspberries METHOD Generously fill glass with ice Pour Cordusio & top with tonic Carefully mix with a bar spoon Garnish with 1-2 raspberries You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/cordusio-with-chris-tanca-and-daniela-garcea ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Did you ever look at a loaf of bread and see a bottle of vodka waiting to happen? Our guest today did, and now that bread has become the vodka that took Venice Cocktail Week by storm. Frank Grillo, the co-founder of Altamura Distilleries, wasn’t just looking at any old slice of bread when he saw a bottle of vodka, but one he had made with Altamura wheat.  If you haven't already heard of Pane di Altamura, as it's called in Italian, you have been missing something special. They’ve been talking about it for centuries. Even Horace, the classical writer, said it was the best bread in the world, and that was in the 1st century.   Pane di Altamura is an Italian bread from the Altamura area of Puglia, Italy. In 2003, Pane di Altamura was granted PDO status in Europe, which means that, for it to be called Pane di Altamura, it must be made in a heavily regulated way. As I said, this is not just your supermarket bread.  In turn, Frank’s Altamura Vodka is not just your regular run-of-the-mill vodka but one made with this very special wheat.  How did he come by this bread living in Atlanta?  Well, I’ll let him tell you that story! But before you get to meet him, did you know that you can now watch Frank’s episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual that's youtube.com/@lushlifemanual!   Our Cocktail of the week was created by Antonio and his team at the Aman Venice, especially for Altamura Vodka. It’s called the Seven Pillars!    INGREDIENTS 40 ml Altamura Distilleries Vodka 40 ml Fig Liqueur 20 ml Select Dried Tarragon Dried Fig METHOD RIm half of a rocks glass with dried Tarragon  Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass Add ice Stir, stir, stir Strain it into the rocks glass with ice Garnish with a dried fig   You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/altamura-vodka-with-frank-grillo ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

How is it possible that you move to one of the chicest, if not the chicest, cities in the world and not find an even passible martini?  Today’s guest is living proof that anything is possible! Today joining me is the inimitable Forest Collins, founder of 52martinis.com, which chronicles her search for the best cocktail bars in Paris as well as loads of other cocktail news from all over France.  She is the creator of the iOS app Paris Cocktails and host of the radio show and podcast Paris Cocktail Talk. As a freelance writer, she has written for Drinks International, Serious Eats, the World’s Best Bars site, PUNCH drinks, and so many other publications about the Paris cocktail scene. Forest is the Academy Chair for France for the World's 50 Best Bars and President of the France chapter of the Les Dames d’Escoffier. We met during Venice Cocktail Week, and now I can’t imagine a time when I didn’t know her. But before you get to meet her too, did you know that you can now watch Forest’s episode plus all the other Lush Life episodes as well as a whole lot more on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual! Now here is Forest.   Our cocktail of the week is Forest’s own favorite Martini: INGREDIENTS 1 part Dry Vermouth 4 parts London Dry Gin 3 dashes Orange bitters Preserved lemon rind METHOD Add all the vermouth gin and bitters to a mixing glass Add ice Stir, stir, stir Strain it into a Martini glass Garnish it with the preserved lemon rind for a citrus/briny pop!   You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/52-martinis-with-forest-collins ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Do you remember me talking about Venice Cocktail Week earlier this year?  If you are an avid fan of Lush Life, you might recall I was there for the launch of what has become one of my favorite weeks of the year.  The city of Venice has always had a special place in my heart.  The introduction of a week celebrating Venice’s drinking establishments was genius, and I am so thankful to Paola Mencarelli and Bianca Grisolia for including me again this year for the second annual edition of Venice Cocktail Week, which took place from Sept 25 to Oct 2, 2022.  In attendance were so many of my friends and former Lush Life guests: Giorgio Bargiani, Daniyel Jones, Facundo Gallegos, and Martin Hudak. Plus, I met even more greats, including Giulia Cuccurullo, Emanuele Balestra, Patrick Pisolesi, and the Maestro himself, Salvatore Calabrese, who made his signature Breakfast Martini in a gondola!  In this episode, I’m taking you with me back to Venice to meet a few of the many participants who make cocktail week happen! You can also watch all the fun we had on Youtube in our Lush Life Goes To Venice Cocktail Week! Up first is Bianca Grisolia, the PR and Communications Director of Venice Cocktail Week 2022, to update us on some of the changes from this year to last. Then we head to Caffè Florian for a bit of coffee talk with Cristiana Rivolta,  then the San Clemente Palace Hotel bar where perfume and gin collided with Paul Rabanser, and then onto the Experimental to discuss how art and cocktails are a match made in heaven with Dan Nevsky.  The cocktail of the week is Caffè Florian’s Red Sighs: INGREDIENTS  60 ml Gin dei Sospiri 20 ml Select Tè Florian Venezia 1720 in infusione or Chai Tea METHOD Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker Add ice  Shake, shake, shake Strain it into a martini glass  Garnish with an orange peel You’ll find this recipe, more Venetian cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll find some of the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/venice-cocktail-week-2022 ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on

Have you ever described the potato as lowly? Well, the heritage variety of potatoes that is at the centre of today’s episode is anything but. In fact, it’s regal. Today on Lush Life, Emma Hamilton, the co-founder of Edwards 1902 Vodka, will attest to the fact that the King Edward potato should be respected, not only for being a tasty tuber but for being at the heart of an award-winning vodka. She and her founders have gone on to create a coffee liqueur, a rhubarb vodka, and so much more from the King Edward potato. Today on Lush Life, we’ll be earthing up the story of how it all came to be…that’s potato-growing lingo, by the way! Before we do that, did you know that you can now watch the podcast on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! Just head to youtube.com/@lushlifemanual.  Now on to Emma and Edwards 1902! Our cocktail of the week is the Edwards 1902 Rhubarb and Ginger-Tini, and this recipe makes two gorgeous cocktails. INGREDIENTS 3 parts (75ml) Edwards 1902 Rhubarb Vodka 3 parts (75ml) The King’s Ginger 1 part (25ml) Dry White Vermouth (They love In The Loop Vermouth from East Sussex, England) A Lemon (for zest) METHOD Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker Add ice. Shake, shake, shake  Strain into two Nick and Nora glass Grate lemon zest over the top of the drink You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/edwards-1902-vodka-with-emma-hamilton ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

It was her grandfather’s Manhattan that inspired our guest to love the art of making cocktails, but what was it about that Manhattan that would lead her to New Orleans?  I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is Lush Life Podcast, every week we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time. Joining us today on our episode sponsored by Louisiana Tourism is the fabulous Abigail Gullo. Creative Director, Loa Bar in the Beaux Arts wonder that is the International House Hotel which won the best Hotel Bar in America in 2019. She was the First winner of the Heaven Hill Bartender of the Year and a legend in the business.  Originally a New Yorker, she has found her home in the Big Easy.  Have you ever been to Louisiana? I love it for its Creole and Cajun culture, Mardi Gras, and the beautiful city of New Orleans, but the Pelican State offers so much more, including the amazing live music scene covering everything from Jazz to Swamp pop and Zydeco, a fascinating history combining diverse cultures, over 400 festivals a year and adventures including kayaking on the bayous and lakes, hiking in the many National and State Parks throughout the state or the newly launched Louisiana Civil Rights Trail.   If you didn’t know already, it’s the home of the cocktail, not only the Sazerac, gumbo, jambalaya, Tabasco hot sauce, King Cake, and beignets!  Louisiana offers a food and drink experience that is second to none.  Meet craft distillers, brewers, and mixologists who are working with local traditions and making a name for themselves on the Louisiana Culinary Trails or Louisiana Libations Trail. Let the endless beauty of Louisiana feed your soul and inspire you. You can check out more by visiting louisianatravel.com The French 75 is a New Orleans classic and our cocktail of the week. This is how we make it the Loa way. INGREDIENTS  1 ounce Cognac or Gin 1/2 ounce Lemon juice  1/2 ounce Simple Syrup 3 ounces Champagne METHOD Add the gin or cognac, sugar syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker Add ice Shake, shake, shake Strain into a Champagne glass Top up with Champagne Stir gently Garnish with a lemon peel If using gin and making it the Loa way, Abigail suggests garnishing it with fresh herbs from your garden, like Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Mint, Lavender, or Thyme.  You’ll find this recipe, more Louisiana cocktails, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/how-to-drink-your-grandfathers-manhattan-with-abigail-gullo ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to buymeacoffee.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and

First up! This is a 2 parter, so for those of you who missed part 1, go back to the previous episode and start there! If you are ready to join us for Part 2 of Asian Rice Wines and Spirits.  Then let’s go!  I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is Lush Life Podcast, every week we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time. We’ve discussed Sake, Shōchū, and Soju, now it’s time for Baijiu! Our trusty guide has been no other than the wonder that is Marie Cheong-Thong, one of only eight spirit committee members of the IWSC, Chairman of the British Sake Association, a Council Member of the Association of Wine Educators, a member of both the Circle of Wine Writers and the Guild of Food Writers, Educator on Asian Rice wine and spirits at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and so much more. By the way, did you know that you can now watch the podcast on Youtube, so check out the Lush Life Youtube Channel!! All of the past episodes are there, but also Season 7 - where you get to see us talk! How exciting is that!  Almost as exciting as our episode today.  China, here we come!    Our cocktail of the week is the Fenjiu Bee’s Knees. INGREDIENTS 50ml of Fenjiu Fen Chiew 10-Year-Old 53% 25ml lemon juice 20ml honey METHOD Add all of the ingredients to a shaker Add ice, then shake, shake, shake Strain into a coupe or bird glass!   You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/asian-rice-wines-and-spirits-with-marie-cheong-thong-part-2 ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

What a way to begin Season 7!  By attempting to tackle the category that is Asian Rice Wine and Spirits? We would be truly destined to fail if we didn’t have such a spectacular leader to guide us through. How can I describe Marie Cheong-Thong? She is not only one of eight spirit committee members of the IWSC but also Chairman of the British Sake Association, a Council Member of the Association of Wine Educators, a member of both the Circle of Wine Writers and the Guild of Food Writers, Educator on Asian Rice wine and spirits at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and so much more - including my friend and our guest today. I cannot think of anyone better to be our leader as we head into this massive category. Think of this episode of Asian Drinks 101 - at a glance!  If you live for Lush Life, would you consider supporting us... Just go to patreon.com/lushlife, and you can donate once or monthly to make sure we are still here every Tuesday.  You could get Lush Life Merchandise, personalized bar suggestions, exclusive content, and so much more! Go check it out at patreon.com/lushlife. Now let’s dive in! The cocktail of the week is the Grapefruit Chuhai! INGREDIENTS 1 measure of your favorite Shochu Juice of 1/2 grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed Soda water Grapefruit slice METHOD Fill your glass with ice Add the Shochu Add the grapefruit juice Top with soda water  Stir gently Garnish with a piece of grapefruit   You’ll find this recipe, more highball cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/asian-rice-wine-and-spirits-with-marie-cheong-thong ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Is it that time already…the leaves are falling, there is a chill in the air, and I’m back with a new season to keep you company. I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is Lush Life Podcast, where every week, we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time. Yes, next Tuesday, I bring you Season 7 of Lush Life.  This season it’s more of the same  - great conversations, great cocktails, and a few bar suggestions from around the world, plus some bar news added in for good measure! We’ll be delving into Asian rice wine and spirits, Edwardian vodka, American whiskey, and that’s just the beginning! Just a note that I have set up a new Patreon account, so if you love Lush Life, please consider supporting us - you could get Lush Life Merch, personalized bar suggestions, exclusive content, and so much more! Go check it out at patreon.com/lushlife. And join me next week when class is in session. I will also be learning how to read again - opening those dogeared cocktail books I’ve been devouring in the past year with the geniuses who wrote them. So join me next week when class is in session. I can’t leave you without a pre-season cocktail of the week or my pre-tail: Since this time of year is all about apples - this is one of my favorite autumn cocktails.  It’s the Avallen Autumn Old-Fashioned: Ingredients 50ml Avallen 10ml Amontillado Sherry (I used Lustau) 5ml Maple Syrup and  1 Large Barspoon Fig Jam Method Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass:Stir to dissolve jam (10-15 seconds) Then add ice, and stir, stir, stir.  Double strain into a rocks glass with ice filled to the top Garnish with a slice of fig or apple or a fig and an apple   You’ll find this recipe, plus all the cocktails of the week, at ALushLifeManual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop.  ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to patreon.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

During  lockdown, I received cocktails from some of the world’s best bars delivered right to my door.  Who should cycle them over to me at a moment’s notice? None other than the drinks legend who is my guest today.   Many of you who filled out my Lush Life survey, asked for more interviews with industry legends; well, here you go. Fabrice Limon is at your service. He has too many titles to list here, and most of them are Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Scotch+Limon, Highball Brands, and The Drinks Drop, to name a few.  How did it happen that he was delivering those cocktails to me? Well, you’ll have to listen to the episode, won’t you? For those of you who haven’t completed my Lush Life Survey, head over to alushlifemanual.com/survey-2022, and please fill it out. But wait until after this ep!  If you live in the UK, you can get this amazing Apricot Sazerac from Manchester's fabulous bar, The Daisy, via The Drinks Drop! Anywhere else in the world, you are lucky that they shared the recipe with us!! INGREDIENTS 26ml Fanny Fougerat Petit Cigue 26ml Rye Whiskey 12ml Briottet Apricot 3.5 ml Demerara Syrup 4 dashes Jade Absinth (Dashes) 1 dash Angostura (Dash) METHOD Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass Add ice Stir, stir, stir Strain into a rock glass with ice   You’ll find this recipe, more stirred cocktail recipes, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/highball-brands-with-fabrice-limon ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to buymeacoffee.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

What is the saying, when life hands you sugar cane, make rum, right?  Well, my guest today is making way more than white rum, aged rum, and rhum agricole down south in Gonzales, Louisiana, that’s for sure.  On Lush Life today, sponsored by Louisiana Travel, I am thrilled to have Andrew Soltau. Co-Owner and COO, of Sugarfield Spirits to guide us through how he and his brother found their way to Gonzales Louisiana in the middle of a whole lot of sugar cane and started to produce their award-winning spirits. Have you ever been to Louisiana? I love it for its Creole and Cajun culture, Mardi Gras and the beautiful city of New Orleans, but the Pelican State, offers so much more, including the amazing live music scene covering everything from Jazz to Swamp pop and Zydeco, a fascinating history combining diverse cultures, over 400 festivals a year and adventures including kayaking on the bayous and lakes, hiking in the many National and State Parks throughout the state or the newly launched Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. Gonzales is midway between the state capital Baton Rouge and the crescent city, New Orleans.  It's also known as the Jambalaya capital of the world – so it's no surprise that there is a wealth of delicious food and drink to try here! If you didn’t know already, it’s the home of the cocktail, gumbo, jambalaya, Tabasco hot sauce, King Cake, and beignets!  Louisiana offers a food and drink experience that is second to none.  Meet craft distillers, brewers, and mixologists who are working with local traditions and making a name for themselves on the Louisiana Culinary Trails or Louisiana Libations Trail. Let the endless beauty of Louisiana feed your soul and inspire you. You can check out more by visiting www.louisianatravel.com. Here’s one of our favorite cocktails made with Sugarfield Spirits Aged Rum - the Banana Daiquiri!  Andrew says: “Classic Daiquiris are where it’s at. That being said, this is not a classic daiquiri.  It is a classic Banana Daiquiri, though.  We use real fruit because I hate fake Banana flavoring. I love real bananas, though.  This is light and refreshing, and it screams summertime.” Sounds good to me! INGREDIENTS 2oz.  Sugarfield Spirits Aged Rum ½ oz Coco Cream ½ Banana ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice ½ oz simple syrup METHOD Add all ingredients to a blender Blend Drink!   You’ll find this recipe, more Louisiana cocktails, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/sugarfield-spirits-with-andrew-soltau ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to buymeacoffee.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on

Have you tried to find Le Syndicat bar on Rue Faubourg Saint Denis?  They don’t make it easy. Our guest today explains what’s going on behind all those posters and why it’s not to miss on your next trip to Paris. I think we need to toast to the father of Thibault Massina, the Creative Director at the one and only Le Syndicat bar in the 10th arrondissement in the City of Lights. Thanks to his introduction to wine’s merits at an early-ish age, Thibault has become the wine connoisseur he is today.  He has brought all his know-how to his role at Le Syndicat, changing up what we think of as a wine cocktail. After this episode, you might be rethinking all you know about wine in cocktails and I don’t just mean vermouth. Our cocktail of the week is Appolin’Air. For those who might not know, Guillaume Apollinaire was one of the most famous French poets of the early 20th century - if Le Syndicat were around back then I am sure it would have been his local. I know he would have loved this cocktail, it’s hard not to. INGREDIENTS 40ml Grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed  25ml Simple sugar syrup (1 sugar to 1 water) 15ml Eau de vie de Framboise  30ml Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley  10ml Egg white METHOD Put all ingredients in your blender with 3 big ice cubes Put ice cubes into a chilled lowball glass   Fine strain into the glass Add a grapefruit zest on the top of the foam.   You’ll find this recipe, more cocktail recipes using wine - at least vermouth, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find most of the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/le-syndicat-with-thibault-massina ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to buymeacoffee.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Our guest today fell into distilling after years of being a self-proclaimed Pinot chaser. What is it exactly that drew her over to the spirit world?  Sarah Elsom, Master Distiller of the Cardrona Distillery on the South Island of New Zealand, knew she wanted to work in wine from the age of 16.  That passion took her all over the world and back again. When she returned home, she was lucky enough to walk into the fledgling Cardrona Distillery, and she has never left. Cardrona has grown over the years to produce not only award-winning whisky but also vodka, gin, and liqueurs.  Thanks to the miracles of modern science, I was able to chat with Sarah, who guides us through Cardrona’s approach to spirit making while she was in New Zealand and I was home in London! Here’s the Cardona Raspberry Cooler, perfect for the summer! INGREDIENTS 40ml The Source Gin 20ml Lemon  10ml Sugar  4 Raspberries  Garnish: more raspberries and mint sprig METHOD Grab your highball glass Drop your raspberries and sugar into the glass and muddle them together until crushed Add the gin and lemon Stir well Add crushed ice Garnish with raspberries and a mint sprig   You’ll find this recipe, more summery cocktails, and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, where you’ll also find all the ingredients in our shop. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/cardrona-spirits-with-sarah-elsom ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to buymeacoffee.com/lushlife. Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!  Produced by Simpler Media Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!