CocktailWonk

28/09/2026

Cooking up something cool at WH**KY LIVE PARIS 2026 2026!

14/09/2026

A recent press release from Sovereign Brands caught my eye and made me dig deeper. The latest from the (always free) Rum Wonk newsletter.

Link in comments.

14/09/2026

India's Food Safety and Standards Authority pulled certain Old Monk and McDowell's expressions from shelves — neutral spirit dressed up with flavoring, sold as rum. Here's the regulatory backstory, and what counts as "rum" around the world.
See pinned comment for link.

05/09/2026

Presenting the Lambrugroni. 😎

After inexplicably forgetting vermouth on our road trip, I spied a stray bottle of Lambrusco Carrie Smith had packed. (Lambrusco is a fuzzy seem-sweet red w**e from Italy).

Inspiration strikes at odd moments.

Lambrugroni
1 oz gin (Citadelle Gin)
1 oz Campari
1 oz Lambrusco

Stir gin and Campari with a few cubes of ice. Add to chilled glass. Add Lambrusco. Enjoy.

15/08/2026

If you’ve somehow not yet seen Justin Wojslaw’s Coconuts & Carnage book, or if somehow you’re still on the fence, check out Steve the Bartender’s great video review.

Restock your syrups: https://bartend.link/liber-and-co-syrupsView ...

11/08/2026

Dubbing this The Decatur (The Brooklyn of Georgia). Begins like a Brooklyn but dives into the peach orchard.
0.25 oz Maraschino
0.25 oz peach liqueur (or 0.5 is you prefer)
0.75 oz sweet red vermouth
1.5 oz high proof rye (Old Forester BIB)
Dangerously quaffable. Make it and post your notes here.

24/06/2026

It’s hot AF in France this week, so we’ve (mentally) departed for Cuba. Check out the foam in these Hotel Nacional Specials!

24/06/2026

What your Rich Demerara Syrup wants to be when it grows up. A 50:50 blend of muscovado sugar and raw sugar from the Gardel factory on Guadeloupe. Muscovado is cane juice reduced down a sticky sand - the closest thing to molasses in crystalized form.

2 parts sugar mix to one part mineral water, gently heated in the microwave till dissolved.

Yes, Hotel Nacional Specials are on tonight’s menu.

17/06/2026

Stiggins’ Fancy Ball 2026 at Chateau Bonbennet! Bartenders from around the globe come to help make the next batch of the iconic pineapple rum.

07/06/2026

Having recently returned from a fabulous week in Italy, I was surprised how many people didn’t know Wonk Press now ships to the EU and UK for much less than previously. If you’ve previously held off, take another look!

Yes, Modern Caribbean Rum, Minimalist Tiki, Polynesiacs, Coconuts & Carnage - the whole product lineup!

Pro tip: with FedEx, multiple books up to 5 kg can be shipped for the same cost — bundle and save!