I Was There: The Night Someone Tipped

As a journalist I‘m no stranger to the strange and bizarre, and I confess I heard the story many times over the years, but always put it down to urban myth, or the fanciful ravings of drunken bartenders. The fact that it persisted always intrigued me. So I started digging, more as a hobby at first, and many times I got excited only to have … Continue reading I Was There: The Night Someone Tipped

Drunk Experiments 2: Sensory Deprivation in a Cocktail Bar

Bars are sensory places — the sound of the crowd, the taste of great cocktails, the smell of wood, leather, perhaps a smoking fire. But do you actually need all five senses to enjoy them? That’s the question that gripped me after four cocktails and three successive Jägermeisters. I asked myself, could you perhaps enjoy them more by ridding yourself of one, or even, all … Continue reading Drunk Experiments 2: Sensory Deprivation in a Cocktail Bar

Bar Wars: USA Vs NZ

I’ve been asked many times what the similarities and differences are between New Zealand bartenders and their counterparts in the USA. And it is a very good question. The similarity is that both make drinks. The difference is that US bartenders subscribe to the theory that the customer is always right, whereas in New Zealand they’re rarely under that illusion. So in the spirit of fostering … Continue reading Bar Wars: USA Vs NZ

7 Reasons Why Rappers Shouldn’t Pimp Drinks Brands

These days it seems every rapper feels an all-consuming need to associate themselves with an alcohol brand. From vodka, to tequila, rum and cognac there is literally no booze they won’t whore, I mean endorse. So, in no particular order here are seven reasons they should reconsider that desperate marketing urge. 1) Claiming responsibility for creating it   This is about as believable as a … Continue reading 7 Reasons Why Rappers Shouldn’t Pimp Drinks Brands

Filthy Still – A tale of travel, sex and perfectly made cocktails

So pleased to announce that my debut novel Filthy Still has now been published on Amazon Digital Worldwide.  Filthy Still is a bittersweet tale of love loss and Jägermeister fuelled depravity set against the backdrop of beautiful Queenstown, New Zealand, perfect for anyone who’s ever stared down the business end of a shot, or woken up somewhere they shouldn’t. To celebrate I have included Chapter One … Continue reading Filthy Still – A tale of travel, sex and perfectly made cocktails

Liquid Sophistication – An ode to Cognac

Some products are irretrievably, unapologetically romantic; a smokey, single malt Scotch, a cold glass of crisp Champagne, a golden brown Cognac warming in the palm of your hand. Just like champagne cries out for a toast, or Scotch an impromptu Robbie Burns reading, Cognac demands something from you too; a moments pause, a little stillness in your world, a little reflection as you stare into … Continue reading Liquid Sophistication – An ode to Cognac