Lush Life

Thinking of opening a new cocktail bar or planning a fabulous cocktail party?  Thanks to our guest today we don’t have to start from scratch. He’s given us the tools to hone every facet of the guest experience!

How lucky are we that Jason Williams, Creative Director of Proof & Company and head of Proof Creative, their bar and beverage consultancy program, has shared his 20 PIllar Plan with the rest of the world. 

He could have kept it a secret...

It might be known for rock, ballroom dancing, arcades, and even The Cure’s Robert Smith, but one wouldn’t automatically think of Blackpool, England as the home of Sweet Mash. Thanks to the efforts of our guest today, you will now.

Moving from New York City to Blackpool England is only a small step if your goal is to redefine what an English whiskey can be.  Vince Oleson, Distillery Manager of Bankhall Sweet Mash, has taken that step...

Heading to the City of London is like going home! Fleet Street, one of its most famous addresses, was always the denizen of journos who were known to enjoy a tipple or two. My guest today welcomes me back with a Gimlet that’s pure London through and through...

It wouldn’t be fair to say I have a favorite restaurant in Venice, but my guest today runs the one spot that is nearest to my heart. Now he’s not only wowing them with his world-class Venetian cuisine but he’s created an amaro that makes the gondoliers sing.

I’m not the only one who Luca di Vita has welcomed into Alla Testiere, the wonderful restaurant he owns with chef Bruno Gavagnin...

My cocktail of the week is made up of masterclasses, bar takeovers, tastings, and overall fun and festivities, plus is served in a city that I love. Confused? 

Did you guess what’s on the table? This week's episode is its own cocktail whose ingredients come from Venice, Italy, and is called Venice Cocktail Week. From Dec 13 - 19 last year, Venice was host to a slew of cocktail lovers, distillers, bartenders, and anyone who could shake or stir...

What is a work of art?  That question is so subjective. Yet I truly believe that my two guests have made it possible for us to drink every cocktail we have at the St. Regis Venice in a work of art. 

My first guest is Facundo Gallegos, the Bar Manager at the St. Regis Venice. The second is Adriano Berengo, the President of Berengo Studio 1989 and Fondazione Berengo...

Hidden away under the Bloomberg Building in the City of London lies the remains of the Roman Temple of Mithras, which you can visit. So what does that have to do with drinking? Our guest today is definitely the one to answer that question! 

Francis Grew, one of the fantastic curators of the fabulous Museum of London, knows all about the Romans in London and more specifically what the Romans were drinking in London when it was known as Londinium...

The daffodils are out and as some of you may know from previous episodes that when the daffodils come out, I get behind the mic for a short chat.

I need to thank all of you for being so patient with me. It’s been kind of a crazy year. In between traveling and covid and other life stuff, I know Lush Life has been a bit sporadic! 

I also want to thank all of you who have helped me by filling out the Lush Life 2022 survey...

If you already call yourself a cocktail fan, then I will take it for granted that my two guests are already known to you. If not, I am proud to introduce you to The Cocktail Lovers!

Who are the Cocktail Lovers? Just the industry icons who launched the award-winning The Cocktail Lovers magazine 11 years ago. 

Individually they are Sandrae Lawrence and Gary Sharpen...

I have a penchant for wild cats; one, in particular, go tigers! Now there is another cat begging for my attention, and I just can’t ignore it. Who could when these cats are distilling rum?

On Lush Life today, sponsored by Louisiana Travel, I am thrilled to have Tait Martin, Ph.D...