ABOUT THE AUTHOR Andrea McHugh Andrea McHugh is a New England-based food, wine and spirits, and travel writer. Her byline can be found in US News, Insider, Parade Magazine, the Boston Globe, Yankee Magazine, Classic Boat, Travel Awaits, TripSavvy, the Hartford Courant and numerous national and international publications. She’s traveled to destinations far and wide,…
In the world of advanced mixology, we often talk about “balance.” We obsess over the specific gravity of a syrup, the dilution rate of a stirred Martini, and the precise ABV (alcohol by volume) of a house-made tincture. We treat our cocktails as complex chemical systems requiring meticulous oversight. Yet, for too long, the industry…
In the world of high-end mixology, materials matter. We don’t serve a Moscow Mule in a glass tumbler for the same reason we don’t use plastic jiggers: it compromises the “Structural Integrity” of the experience. The copper mug is the undisputed king of barware, prized not just for its aesthetic, but for its superior thermal…
At NRF, we hosted our exclusive industry event Lightspeed Edge, and the energy was unmatched. It was a space for real conversation—practical sessions, candid questions and networking that didn’t feel like speed dating. We wanted retailers and partners to talk openly about what’s changing and what’s actually working in-store right now. Retailers and partners joined…
