In Roald Dahl’s classic book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the plot hinges upon a handful of golden tickets tucked into chocolate bars, granting undreamed-of access to a mysteriously magical candy factory. That story came to mind one day as…
Category: Cocktail Wonk
Don Q Deep Dive
In the annals of rum history, Puerto Rico often gets short shrift. While the stories of Barbados, Jamaica, and Martinique rums are well trod ground for writers, Puerto Rico’s rum story is far less known despite being the largest producer…
Talking Rum with DDL’s Sharon Sue-Hang
In September 2019, Demerara Distillers Ltd (aka DDL) brought me to Guyana to tour their facilities and meet key members of their staff. I came away with many things to share, and which I’ll share over several stories. While there,…
Is “Minimalist Tiki” an Oxymoron?
Tiki drinks, by their very nature, lends themselves to excess. Why use one rum when you can use three? A tasteful, simple lime wedge garnish? That simply won’t do! Not when you can layer together pineapple fronds, mint, a swizzle…
Alexandre Gabriel – On the Record
One of my favorite things about writing Cocktail Wonk is the opportunity to sit down with key people in the rum industry and go deep with geeky questions of interest to rum enthusiasts. Without any space constraints, I can let…
Cocktail Wonk Top Ten Stories of 2019
It’s time once again for my year-end roundup of the most important Cocktail Wonk stories of the year – 2019 Edition! Despite my lest frequent posting in 2019, it was an extremely busy year, and my first full year focusing…
Great Cringe-Free Gifts for Rum Enthusiasts
Picking out a gift for a friend or family member who loves rum, but you’re not a rum expert yourself? This short guide has your dilemma in mind! In what follows, you’ll find concrete recommendations for readily available rums that…
Setting the Record Straight on British Navy Rum
History presents a special challenge to those writing it or seeking knowledge from its pages: It constantly changes underneath your feet. Facts we once believed to be true may be contradicted later by later-arriving sources. Reasonable assumptions made about one…
Rocky Yeh – A Legend Passes
Heartbreak. Rocky Yeh is suddenly gone, leaving an entire industry struggling with how to process his life and his impact on so many people. Although I first met Rocky six years ago, it was only the last year I really…
Your Next Holiday Drink Sensation: The Coquito
A quick post to share a recipe which several people asked me for after seeing my social media post. The Coquito is a sinfully rich drink associated with Puerto Rico and Christmas. Some call it the Puerto Rican answer to…