Category: Libations

Second Time Around: What To Do on Your Second Trip to Amsterdam

Brouwerij 't IJ is a great brewery serving delicious craft beer in Amsterdam, Holland, the Netherlands.

A certain blonde gentleman with a penchant for European travel — perhaps you’ve heard of him? — often shares this advice in his guidebooks: “Your trip to [insert European country] is like a complex play — it’s easier to follow and really appreciate on a second viewing.”

(Spoiler alert: it’s Rick Steves, of course.)

Keeping this sentiment in mind, I had several questions about what my second trip to Amsterdam would be like. Would visiting at the height of the summer make us want to scram from Amsterdam? Would I manage to avoid head-on collisions with one of their 881,000+ bicycles? And, most importantly, would I be able to stuff myself with as much stroopwafel and beer as I had last time?!? Inquiring minds needed to know.

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Where To Drink in Copenhagen Right Now

Strom is one of the best bars in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Denmark is a pretty magical place: it’s not only known as the inspiration for the happiest place on Earth (Walt Disney can thank Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens for that), it actually is the happiest place on Earth. That’s no joke — the Scandinavian country ranked first in the world in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report in 2013, 2014, and 2016.

So it should come as no surprise that with such happy people (which we all know equals people who are highly satisfied with their beers and their bars, right?), Denmark’s capital city has an abundance of fantastic drinking options to try.

With Hamlet’s eternal question in mind, then – “To drink or not to drink,” of course — here are the best places to drink in Copenhagen right now.

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Banff National Park: The Lake Agnes Tea House Trail Guide for Non-Hikers

Lake Agnes in Banff National Park

He said there would be tea.

That’s how my brother, Sir Campsalot, convinced us to make the trek up to Lake Agnes Tea House in Banff National Park. He’d been living in Calgary for nearly a year now, and our family had ventured up to the Great White North to see what his new life was all about: the digs, the poutine, and — of course — the mountains.

It’s no secret that my usual vibe is cocktails in a New York City bar or craft beer in Belgium instead of contemplating the wonders of the universe surrounded by trees. But in the spirit (ha!) of getting healthier this year, I hoped to change all of that in Banff this past June.

Having tea as a reward was the motivator I needed to turn this rusty pair of legs into an actual hiker. But what’s the deal with the Lake Agnes Tea House trail, and why should it be on your list of hikes to do in Banff? Here’s the scoop for all of you non-hikers out there.

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Yunessun Spa Resort in Hakone, Japan: Or, You Too Can Bathe in Wine and Coffee

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, also called Yunessun Spa Resort or simply Yunessun for short, is a wine-loving, coffee-guzzling tourist's dream come true. Here's the real deal about what to expect when you visit this hot springs theme park in Hakone, Japan. #Yunessun #Hakone

If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I’m a complete sucker for themed experiences. Whether it’s a Marie Antoinette-themed speakeasy or a Doctor Who-themed restaurant, I tend to seek out the quirkiest, wackiest themed experiences I can when traveling.

So it should come as no surprise that, when we discovered a magical place in Japan where it was totally acceptable — nay, encouraged — to bathe in wine, it was the first thing I booked when we were planning our stay.

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, also called Yunessun Spa Resort or simply Yunessun for short, is a wine-loving, coffee-guzzling tourist’s dream come true. Here’s the real deal about what to expect when you visit this hot springs theme park in Hakone, Japan.

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Why You Need to Visit Coney Island Brewery

Get a tasting flight at Coney Island Brewery to sample the great craft beers they have to offer in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Coney Island Brewery's tap room may be smaller than some, but what it lacks in space, it more than makes up for with its tasty beers. Here's why you need to take the ride down to the southern end of Brooklyn and visit Coney Island Brewery.

When I think of summer in New York City, I inevitably dream about Coney Island. Umbrella lounge chairs dot the long stretches of sand; the smell of sizzling hot dogs wafts in the air; and high-pitched shrieks abound as people whiz by on roller coasters and other amusement park rides. But I didn’t realize until a few weeks ago that Coney Island is home to its very own brewery, named — you guessed it — Coney Island Brewery.

The brewery’s tap room may be smaller than some, but what it lacks in space, it more than makes up for with its tasty beers. Here’s why you need to take the ride down to the southern end of Brooklyn and visit Coney Island Brewery.

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5 Best Things to Do in Beacon, NY: Your Perfect Day Trip from NYC

Visiting Dia:Beacon, a world-renowned art museum, is one of the best things to do in Beacon, NY.
We're going to let you in on a little secret: Beacon is one of the coolest day trips from New York City, and after reading about all of the cool things to do in Beacon, NY, we wouldn't be surprised if you hop on the next train going upstate! Here are the 5 best things to do in Beacon, NY.

Even though it’s possible to live three lifetimes in New York City and still not get to everything the metropolis has to offer, sometimes even diehard New Yorkers need a change of scenery. We’re going to let you in on a little secret: Beacon is one of the coolest day trips from New York City, and after reading about all of the cool things to do in Beacon, NY, we wouldn’t be surprised if you hop on the next train going upstate!

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5 Reasons Why Maggie Hoffman’s “The One-Bottle Cocktail” Needs To Be On Your Bookshelf

Picture this: it’s a Friday night, and you’ve decided to try your hand at mixing your own cocktails. You settle on something called a Vieux Carré — a classic cocktail that originated in New Orleans — but as you scan the ingredient list, you realize that you need four different bottles of liquor and two bottles of bitters. Your heart sinks: another cocktail dream bites the dust.

So what do you do when you love cocktails, but don’t want to spend years and lots of moola building up a sizable liquor collection? Enter Maggie Hoffman’s lifesaver of a cocktail recipe book, “The One-Bottle Cocktail,” out today. Here are five reasons why it needs to be on your bookshelf, pronto.

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5 Romantic NYC Bars That Are Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Whether you're with someone, think you're with someone, or just plain don't care, February 14 is a great excuse to let New York City's bars work their magic. Here are five romantic NYC bars that are perfect for Valentine's Day.

Let’s face it: Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays you love or you loathe. It’s either a chance to celebrate your epic, undying love for one another — complete with roses, candles, and Jacques Torres chocolates, of course — or it’s like having a severe case of déjà vu as you encounter slobbery, sappy, stupid couples everywhere.

But whether you’re with someone, think you’re with someone, or just plain don’t care, February 14 is a great excuse to let New York City’s bars work their magic. Take it from us, the NYC Cocktail Bar Yentes: we’re damn good matchmakers when it comes to hooking you up with a bar you’ll love.

So open your minds, your hearts, and your wallets, folks. Here are five romantic NYC bars that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

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“Hella” Awesome: Why Hella Cocktail Co. Is A Name You Need to Know

Founded in Brooklyn in 2011, Hella Cocktail Co. creates delicious craft cocktail mixers, syrups, and bitters. Here's why you need to know about them.

We couldn’t stop laughing. Mr. Five O’Clock and I had just ripped open our holiday gifts and discovered that we’d given each other similar bitters-related presents. He had selected spices and herbs to create bitters for me; I had purchased a bitters-making kit from Hella Cocktail Co. (formerly known as Hella Bitters) for him. This was true love at its finest, we grinned conspiratorially.

Those gifts we exchanged in December 2014 started our lifelong love affair with bitters. (I know this because I combed through my e-mails to verify the date, as fact-checking is key here. When Mr. Five O’Clock gets home, I can tell him I won our bet.)

We’ve been huge fans of Hella Cocktail Co.’s products from the moment we unwrapped those gifts three years ago. We’re practically thisclose to being the OG fans of the company, so you know our fondness for their bottles is legit.

So when we met Eddie, one of the company’s co-founders, through Honeymoon Israel last year, it was like the stars aligned. And when Eddie the cocktail Santa sent us some Hella Cocktail Co. syrups, mixers, and bitters to check out for the 2017 holiday season, it was some seriously magical Hella holiday déjà vu all over again.

So how did the Hella Great Gift Opening Session of 2017 go down? What kind of cocktails can you make with these goodies? What does “hella” even mean? And what are bitters, anyway? Don’t worry: we’ve got you covered.

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