Simon Ford

Drink Better

Upgrade Your Gin And Tonic With These 10 Recommended American Craft Gins

The botanical-driven spirit is being reinvented

May 21, 2013 2:01 pm

Gin is no longer a harsh, toxic liquor fit for ruining mothers and breeding destruction. Today’s gin can be aromatic, organic, made with locally grown botanicals and decidedly American. Step up your springtime gin and tonic with one of these American craft gins.

Drink Ford Tough

What To Drink At Your Backyard Barbecue All Summer Long

Booze suggestions, plus a killer punch recipe

May 16, 2013 2:01 pm

Just as the food at a barbecue is best when simple, so too is the booze. What you really want is something cold and refreshing that you can grab from an ice-filled cooler. Read on for backyard BBQ drink suggestions, along with a killer punch recipe.

Drink Ford Tough

Erick Castro Is Living His Dream, One Perfectly Made Cocktail At A Time

Meet the man behind San Diego's Polite Provisions

May 10, 2013 1:01 pm

Erick Castro is a bartender’s bartender. After a career working at many of San Francisco's great cocktail bars, he has opened a new bar in sunny San Diego called Polite Provisions, part cocktail bar and part old-fashioned pharmacy counter, complete with egg creams. Instead of telling you what Erick is doing, I thought I would let him do that himself. I bellied up to his new spot and asked him some questions.

Drink Ford Tough

What Exactly Is A Mint Julep? And Why Should I Be Drinking It All Year Long?

The iconic bourbon cocktail, and 4 all-star recipes

May 2, 2013 2:02 pm

Photos: Jeff Kubina, flickr4jazz on Flickr

While columnist Simon Ford has never been the biggest fan of horseracing, he always looks forward to The Kentucky Derby. The main reason? It marks the time when bars and restaurants start paying attention to one of his all-time favorite mixed drinks, the mint julep. But did you know that this classic cocktail is actually very versatile? Or that it has a storied history? The drink's interesting tale, plus recipes, after the jump.

Drink Ford Tough

An Ode To Dale DeGroff, King Cocktail

A look at and appreciation of a cocktail legend

Apr 24, 2013 4:01 pm

If you are a fan of cocktails and bartending you should be familiar with the name Dale DeGroff, known throughout the cocktail world as “King Cocktail.” He is one of the saviors of the crafted cocktail as we know it today and is considered a legend for what he has done globally for the culture. Read on to find out more about his journey and for a classic cocktail recipe.

Drink Ford Tough

From Bar Bartender To Kitchen Bartender: The Journey Of Charles Joly

A new standard of cocktail at Chicago's The Aviary

Mar 27, 2013 4:01 pm

If Charles Joly were a chef, he would be a household name. He has won just about every cocktail competition in America. He has been nominated for a James Beard Award, and I have no doubt that he will bring one home in the not so distant future. After a long stint behind the stick at famous Chicago cocktail den The Drawing Room, Charles moved last year to take a position at heralded experimental cocktail bar The Aviary. The results have been revolutionary.

Drink Ford Tough

Meet The Bartender Who Created His Own Spirit

A profile of the innovative mind behind Hum

Mar 13, 2013 4:31 pm

Adam Seger has gone from bartending at some of the country's most storied hotels to experimenting tirelessly to create a new spirit. Read on to learn about Adam's journey, his Hum spirit and some cocktail recipes.

Drink Ford Tough

Legends, Myths And Facts About The History Of The Cocktail

Setting the record straight on the word "cocktail"

Mar 6, 2013 3:31 pm

Photo: Museum of the American Cocktail

What actually is a cocktail? What does the word mean and where did it come from? I think that these are some valid questions, considering I have enjoyed cocktail hours, menus and the drinks known universally as “cocktails” for many years. Read on for the answers.

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Fun Guinness facts straight from the tap. Sláinte!

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