The Cocktail Nation

The Torino Temple of aperitivo returns to Belgium with a spectacular lineup of Negronis

Last year in Ghent, Martini’s Caffè Torino was a happy discovery for many visitors. The Italian style aperitivo bar focussed uniquely on Martini’s recent re-interpretation of vermouth accompanied by succulent side dishes. In short, a place where you inevitably lost track of all time, aperitivo all night long! This year, 30th of March until the…

Belgian Steam Gin Gets Your Engine Rolling

Another gin, you say? Yes, people don’t seem to get enough of it. Which recently lead to the quaint discovery that our blood vaguely tastes of juniper. A fact which largely broadened our Transylvanian fanbase by the way. Read below why you should try Steam Gin. Steam Gin is the product of a unique cooperation…

Bijou Bar (Antwerp), timeless perfection

Bijou, a diamond in the rough? No, it’s definitely well cut and polished! A hidden jewel then? No, not really hidden, just rather modest. This bar created by cocktailian veteran, Ben Belmans and the bearded ginger sultan of drinks, Dieter Van Roy is a sparkling stone amongst pebbles! Even so that – not entirely unexpected…

Jigger’s launches Belle Fleur Apple Eau De Vie!

And you know what they say, an apple a day… Olivier Jacobs from Jigger’s (Ghent) wanted to make a spirit that is honest and responsibly made. A product which he followed from apple to bottle. Distilled by Biercée this results in an eau de vie that is an absolute jewel and there’s only 2000 bottles……

Black Smoke Rising!

Black smoke, pieces of trees and lots of dead animals smouldering! It sounds like the beginning of a war movie, but it’s actually a brand new BBQ restaurant in Belgium. Situated in the old ‘De Koninck’ brewery, founders Kasper Stuart and Jord Althuizen couldn’t have picked a better spot. Black Smoke is the name and…

Maison Ferrand & The Launch Of The Belgian Cocktail Book

Every year Maison Ferrand launches a cocktail book in a different city, this book represents the (cocktail) culture and bartender scene of the country the city is located in. It started 5 years ago in Paris, followed by Berlin, London, Singapore, NYC and now Antwerp, Belgium. The good people of Maison Ferrand immediately spotted how…

How do you like your vermouth?

If somebody offered us a vermouth and asked: “Italian or French?” We would probably answer: “A Savoyan”. Because that’s where they come from, the former Duchy of Savoy. Or was it Germany? And more importantly where are they now? Italy, France? Yes and Spain and a little bit everywhere actually, even Belgium has one. Vermouth…

Hammering a good drink to life requires a Sip-smith

No doubt Sipsmith, as a relatively new gin, has earned its place among the classics and will keep it for a long while. Fairfax, Sam and the well known Jared Brown took their first steps into sip smithing with prudence, which also happens to be the name of their first small copper still. A few…

Saint James Rhum Cocktail Competition

Last week one of the cocktail competitions we judged was the Saint James Cocktail Competition. Fifteen candidates squared off against each other in the lovely ‘La Tricoterie’ in Brussels in the hope of winning one of the great prizes – amongst them one of the last bottles of Saint James 250 for Belgium. Saint James…

There’s no cheers without a good cause! And this week you’ll be toasting with Negronis

Today marks the start of the Negroni week. That means that until the 12th of June every Negroni consumed in the bars that volunteered for this project will result in 1€ going to a good cause. Besides that the Negroni is starting to burst out of craft cocktailbars and high end speakeasies straight into dive…

The Cocktail Nation

St. Paddy’s is coming! Choose your Teeling!!

The Macallan, probably the most meticulously made single malt whisky in the world.

Siderit Vodka Lactée, forget grain or potatoes! This one is made from milk! And it’s spectacular!

Mackmyra explores the possibilities of whisky on a whole new level

Observations from Diageo World Class 2018 Benelux Finals

By The Power Of Pisco II: What Is Pisco?