Uisge Beatha: the Water of Life, from the monk John Cor to modern whisky
Uisge Beatha: the Water of Life How the monk John Cor started whisky “To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, eight bolls of malt to make aqua vitae” — so reads an entry…
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Snake Venom: the strongest beer in the world
Snake Venom: the strongest beer in the world How the Scots brewed 67.5% ABV What happens when a couple of Scottish brewers decide to create the strongest beer on the planet? The answer is Snake…
Bourbon: how corn became the king of whiskey
Fragrant corn whiskey was first made in Kentucky, the “Bluegrass State”. The state got this name because of the abundant blooming of Kentucky bluegrass. Of course, the plant cannot boast any blue shades at all…
Cruchon — the classic French summer punch
Cruchon: the French pitcher punch that conquered Russian dachas Picture a warm summer evening and a large glass pitcher full of ice, fresh berries and sparkling champagne. This is not just a drink — it…
Sangria: The Spanish Way to Survive the Heat and Keep Your Sanity
Sangria: The Spanish Way to Survive the Heat and Keep Your Sanity Honestly, sangria is one of the most underrated drinks in the world. Everyone knows it, everyone has tried it, yet almost nobody makes…
Tokaji Aszú vs Tokaji Eszencia: the wine you drink with a spoon
Vampires flowing like shadows through ancient streets. Ghouls howling at the moon. Spirits scaring impressionable passers-by. All of this unclean host was investigated by the French theologian Antoine Augustin Calmet, the most learned man of…
Pinot Noir: why this fussy grape conquered the world
Pinot Noir: why this fussy grape conquered the world If you think “black cones” are something from the forest pantry, it is time to widen your vocabulary. That is exactly what Pinot Noir means in…
Tequila and Mezcal: History, Myths and the Art of the Mexican Drink
Agave: not a cactus but a treasure of MesoamericaMany people mistakenly think of tequila as “cactus vodka”, but its true base is blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber), a plant of the asparagus family. Contrary to…
Mead and Honey Drinks: History, Traditions and Recipes
Mead (medovukha). How can one forget this drink? After all, mead is not just alcohol but part of the cultural code of many peoples. Strong, moderately sweet, it cheers body and mind, and when properly…
Sous-Vide: The Magic of Precision and Flavor Preservation
Imagine: a juicy steak where every cell is infused with the aroma of herbs, vegetables as crisp as a fresh cucumber from the garden, and fish that melts in your mouth like a cloud. This…