Holy shots! Can you believe it, lushes? The Boozy Blondes just wrapped up Season 4 of the Boozy Blondes Podcast! Mind blown emoji!
This season was packed with travel, tastings, and so many special guests. The girls are so happy to celebrate another boozy season. They created this podcast to share their travels, drinks, and stories with fellow booze travelers. Four seasons later, they’ve done just that and more! In this episode they reflect on meeting amazing people, learning about beer, wine, and spirits, and sharing adventures across the U.S. and abroad.
The DOE is Champagne, of course! The Boozy Blondes are raising a glass to each other, and to you, in gratitude for joining them these past years on this crazy, and boozy, adventure.
The girls discuss highlights from the season. Molly breaks down her top 4 into different categories:
Most WTF Moment (Molly is mortified by her screechy voice in Episode 062 6-pack To Go with the Boozy Bros –listen here-)
Biggest Educational Takeaway (Episode 080 6-pack To Go with Jose Hernandez of 4 Ever Acres Kitchen –listen here– has been a resource for tequila buying for Molly)
Chrissy shares her top 4 moments from Season 4 as well:
Italy (From planning to execution, Italy was unforgettable. There are 4 episodes dedicated to Italy, so if you’re planning a trip, the girls hope those episodes are resourceful for you! Her favorite of the four is Episode 087 Wine Tour & Tasting Near Rome with Sally and Guido of Convivo Rome –listen here-)
Washington, DC (This surprise trip left the girls wanting more DC! Check out Episode 078 for tips and tricks of the best places to visit –listen here-)
Lebowski’s Kool-Luah (Super fun founders and super fun brand! The girls really enjoyed meeting Dave and Monica Kowalski of Lebowski’s Tap Room in Episode 091 –listen here-)
One special highlight of this episode is the game at the end! If you are familiar with the classic tv game show Password, you’ll have no trouble playing along! The girls bring back the Boozy Bros for an epic battle focused on themes of Season 4 – see how well you do!
As the girls say Arrivederci! to Season 4, they look forward to more boozy adventures in Season 5. None of this would be possible without you loyal lushes, and the girls are forever grateful for your support – without you, they would be two boozy blondes drinking alone in a closet!
This week on the Boozy Blondes Podcast, the girls are taking you back to paradise — Maui, Hawaii, where one of their absolute favorite spots sits high above the valley with sweeping views of the Pacific: Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery. This destination is more than a distillery; it’s an experience that combines breathtaking scenery, gourmet pairings, and world-class spirits.
During Molly’s visit, she and Rainer indulged in a three-course food-and-cocktail pairing featuring bao buns with sparkling lemongrass lemonade, white miso beef carpaccio paired with Maui Seventy-FY gin cocktails (a twist on a French 75), and coconut rum cheesecake bites with an espresso martini finale. Add in full-sized flatbreads, extra cocktails, and those jaw-dropping Maui views – Molly was instantly in love.
After the feast came the distillery tour. Their guide Alan escorted the group through sugarcane fields, past the solar-powered distillery, fermentation and bottling areas, and then hosted the tastings of Ocean’s seven signature spirits. Each spirit comes in a distinctive bottle, with the flagship Ocean Organic Vodka housed in its iconic blue sphere inspired by a Japanese fishing buoy and tilted at 23.5°, the same angle as Earth’s axis.
But Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery is more than great drinks and stunning views. It’s an operation deeply committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. And, according to TripAdvisor, Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery ranks in the top 10% of attractions worldwide!
Molly was lucky enough to sit down with Randy Basile, Ocean Vodka’s Sales Manager, who recently moved from Maui to the blondes’ own backyard in St. Augustine, Florida! Randy shared his journey with Ocean (eight years strong!), what makes their vodka and other spirits unique, the challenges and surprises of bringing Hawaiian products to Florida, and the environmental mission that drives everything Ocean does. He also gives the scoop on where to find Ocean products in Florida (Publix, Broudy’s, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Shores, and even Total Wine) and beyond.
Whether you’re sipping an espresso martini at home, enjoying live music on Ocean’s lawn in Maui, or spotting those iconic blue bottles at your local shop, Ocean Vodka offers a taste of Hawaii wherever you are. Make sure to follow them on Instagram for event updates, beautiful cocktails, and breathtaking views!
Have you visited Ocean Organic Farm & Distillery? Did you love it as much as Molly? Tell the girls about your experience in the comments below! If you get the chance to visit in the future, say hi to Alan, Raul, and Jack, and tell them the Boozy Blondes sent you!
This week the girls stepped up their party game in a big way — from epic themed parties in Season 1 to something a little more refined: a private wine tasting right at home here in Season 4! (Are the Boozy Blondes growing up?) And yes, they even had a professional guide them through it!
Kevin Wynn from PRP Wine International arrived with a box full of wines and treated the girls and their friends to an unforgettable tasting experience. They sampled numerous exclusive wines (not sold anywhere else!), learned about each bottle, and of course, enjoyed plenty of laughs along the way. PRP makes it simple to tailor your tasting by grape, country, or sweetness level, and after the event, you can even purchase your favorites by the case – unlocking access to their members-only deals and warehouse sales.
Chrissy went all out with the party prep:
Guest List (PRP recommends up to 12 guests at the tasting)
Make an invitation
Plan the menu (what snacks will you serve with the tasting – the girls chose oft pretzel charcuterie boards, tea sandwiches, pasta salad, and mini cupcakes from Sweet City Cupcakes in St. Augustine)
Decor (balloons and wine bottle bouquets)
Party favors
Welcome drinks
Kevin was the star of the night! He was knowledgeable, entertaining, and full of stories from past tastings. Even though his wine preferences didn’t match the girls’ faves, he had the expertise to guide them through every pour.
If you’ve ever thought about hosting a wine tasting with friends, PRP Wine International makes it fun, educational, and totally approachable. You can book your own through the PRP website and be sure to follow Kevin on Instagram along with PRP Wine International.
This episode proves you don’t need to be a sommelier to throw a fabulous tasting party – just good friends, a little planning, and a whole lot of wine. Cheers!
“Hey careful, man, there’s a beverage here!” And not just any beverage – it’s Lebowski’s Kool-Luah coffee liqueur, and the Boozy Blondes are taking you behind the brand to learn all about this award-winning spirit, new on the scene! This story is one of passion, heritage and a little bit of serendipity…
Chrissy and Molly sit down with Monica and Dave Kowalski, owners of Lebowski’s Taproom in Colorado Springs, and founders of Lebowski’s Kool-Luah. The DOE features this delicious coffee liqueur – in espresso martinis for the blondes and White Russians for the Kowalskis.
Lebowski’s Kool-Luah broke into the beverage scene in June 2024. Monica had stumbled upon an old, handwritten recipe from her dad – a homemade coffee liqueur he used to make around the holidays and gift to friends and family. Monica vaguely remembered this drink and out of nostalgia, decided to try to make it herself. When she nailed the recipe, she was pleasantly surprised at how good it was and decided to offer it to her guests at Lebowski’s Tap Room…perfect test market, right? The feedback was nothing short of overwhelming!
Seeing the buzz and recognizing the potential, Monica and Dave knew they had something special on their hands (and spoiler alert, they now have a collection of awards to prove just how special). They decided to take a leap and bring this recipe to market. They teamed up with Blackhat Distillery out of Colorado Springs and the result is a fun, approachable liqueur, that’s less sweet than many others on the market today, boasting only 65 calories per ounce! It’s vodka-based paired with rich Columbian coffee. This sippable craft spirit delivers a bold coffee punch and is great poured over ice, perfect in a White Russian (a nod to the Taproom’s namesake, The Big Lebowski), or used to elevate your favorite cocktail.
If you visit the taproom, you can indulge in over 50 White Russian varieties – complete the White Russian challenge, and if you complete it, you earn a shirt to prove it! (You know the Boozy Blondes love a good drinking challenge.) If you’re interested in purchasing your own bottle of Kool-Luah, you can order online or visit your local Total Wine store. Keep an eye out because they are expanding to 27 states and 240 stores!
The girls expect the expansion to happen quickly because since its launch, Lebowski’s Kooh-Luah has been racking up the awards. Their impressive collection includes Gold at the Denver International Spirits Competition, Silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best in Class at the Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge and so many more! These accolades put Kool-Luah in the company of some of the best craft liqueurs out there, proving it’s more than just a hometown favorite.
The girls love this story – it’s a combination of family history, community, creativity, collaboration, and passion. Monica’s dad’s recipe could have stayed a hidden gem, but instead, it’s being shared with coffee and cocktail lovers alike – around the country!
Have you been to Lebowski’s Taproom in Colorado Springs? Have you tried the Kool-Luah? What’s your favorite way to enjoy it? Let the girls know what you think in the comments below! And if you’ve been to the taproom and tried one of the 50 White Russian varieties, which was your favorite?
Be sure to follow Lebowski’s Kool-Luah on Instagram and follow the Taproom too! The Boozy Blondes agree Lebowski’s Kool-Luah is one of the best on the market, but “that’s just, like, their opinion, man!” You need to try it for yourself 😉
The Boozy Blondes are bringing you another magical episode and this time they are including the Boozy Bros! The gang tackled a magical monorail pub crawl for Molly & Phil’s birthdays; this included stopping at bars in the Walt Disney World Monorail Resorts and as a bonus, they added the Wilderness Lodge, since they all love it there so much. Follow along and see how they attacked the challenge.
The DOE is a Dole Whip cocktail! In honor of the favorite Disney treat, Dole Whip, the gang is sucking up this delicious concoction as they recap their pub crawl journey. Molly blended Publix brand Banana Pineapple Lactose Free Ice Cream, pineapple juice and spiced rum to make the drinks.
Since there were four resorts on the adventure, each of the group members presented a resort:
Before they dive into their resorts, Molly explains the rules of a “Drink Roulette Poker” game the gang played at each stop:
Each player earns one card at each lounge
As a bonus, all four names go in one bag, and drink tokens, relative to each lounge, are in the other bag
Bonus card: Whoever’s name is drawn, draws a drink token. If he or she orders and drinks that drink, a bonus card is awarded
Bonus card: correctly predict monorail color
Bonus card: other random challenges that pop up on the fly (e.g., how tall is the fireplace in the Wilderness Lodge lobby)
Best poker hand wins at the end of the crawl
Losing poker hand orders transportation back to home resort or hotel
In addition to the drink roulette poker challenge, the Boozy Blondes made wardrobe changes at each Resort! They had a scavenger hunt book to follow along with too, which made the visit extra fun!
Phil starts with the Wilderness Lodge, where the group visited two lounges: Geyser Point Bar & Grill and Territory Lounge. Geyser Point offers great views on the water. Here Phil drank a beer, Rainer ordered a tequila soda and the girls enjoyed Pineapple Mules. In the Territory Lounge Phil and Chrissy split a Smores Old Fashioned, Molly had the L&C G&T (lavender and cucumber gin and tonic) and Rainer sipped on a beer. The group highly recommends ordering the popcorn sampler if you’re enjoying drinks here!
When they wrapped up, the group boarded a boat and enjoyed a short ride to the Magic Kingdom, where they transferred to the Grand Floridian boat. Chrissy walks listeners through this resort, and it was extremely busy the day they were there. They put their name in at the Enchanted Rose (pro tip to put your name in because they don’t take reservations), and ran down to the quick service restaurant Gasparilla Island Grille to grab to-go drinks while they waited for their names to be called (technically, they waited for Molly’s phone to receive a text, which is nice, so visitors to this resort can enjoy it from any place on property while waiting for a callback). Once they were called, they collectively ordered Espresso Martinis and truffle fries!
From here, the Boozy Blondes and Bros took the “highway in the sky” to the Contemporary Resort. Molly introduces the Contemporary, one of two original Disney resorts! The group squeezed into the bar at Steakhouse 71, which is always a favorite. Although it was crowded, the group still enjoyed their drinks (a round of tequila sodas) and split the Stack Burger – another favorite! And bonus – the bartenders surprised the group with Champagne in honor of the birthday twins, Phil and Molly! (Pro tip – if you’re celebrating, ask for a pin! You’ll sometimes get to experience a little extra Disney magic – like complimentary Champagne.)
By this time, the Magic Kingdom fireworks had started, so the group boarded the monorail to the final destination, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Rainer walks listeners through this stop, highlighting all the lounges. He advises if you want to get a seat at the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Speakeasy, get your name on the list early! Feeling the effects of the heat and drinks, the group decided to stop at only one lounge here, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, outside the back of the main lobby. You’ll typically find live music at this beautiful outdoor lounge. Rainer sipped on Reposado, Molly enjoyed Rosita’s Margarita, Chrissy loved her Spikey Pineapple (made with Dole Whip!) and Phil had the Mosquito Mojito. It was time for more food, so they shared a tuna roll (with pink rice!) and dumplings.
The Boozy Blondes are wrapping up their Season 4 Italy tour with an episode all about Rome! Are you planning a trip to the Eternal City? This episode will help you plan for some of the hot spots you don’t want to miss!
First things first – the DOE. Chrissy continues to try to warm Molly up to spritzes, but it’s not going so well. Molly reluctantly sips the Campari Spritz Chrissy made because, well, “when in Rome!”
If you’re traveling by plane to Rome, chances are you’re flying into Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. From here you can take an Uber to train to your destination. The girls stayed in the neighborhood of Trastevere, and you can hear an episode dedicated to this beautiful community in Episode 088 (listen here!).
One must-see stop when in Rome is Vatican City. Its headquarters to the Roman Catholic Church and full of cultural, religious and historical significance. The girls toured the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel. Understandably so, Vatican City is a popular spot and gets extremely crowded with tourists. The girls planned for the crowds and booked the earliest tour possible through The Tour Guy for about $150 per person. This 3-hour tour included:
Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican
Pio-Clementino Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra, Tapestries and Maps
Raphael Rooms and School of Athens
Entry to the Sistine Chapel
Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica
A Professional, English-speaking guide
Max group size of 10
The girls highly recommend the tour, especially if it’s your first visit. There is so much to take in! One pro tip is to dress for the weather – much of the tour actually takes place outside, and the girls were not prepared for that! Other tips include:
Go as early as you can to beat the largest crowds
You are allowed to take pictures (no flash) everywhere except inside the Sistine Chapel
Dress modestly – your shoulders and knees must be covered
Bags are allowed but must be small backpacks or purses
Following your tour, there are cute restaurants close by where you can grab a cocktail (or espresso) before your next adventure! For the girls it was touring the Colosseum, but unfortunately due to the miserable weather, they skipped it. This is the tour they had booked again through The Tour Guy for you check out.
One of the best experiences the blondes had was renting e-bikes and exploring the Appian Way. Chrissy packed a picnic lunch for the group, and they took off from an e-bike rental store near Circus Maximus. Beware – there are no bike lanes, so navigating the traffic can be a little treacherous. Over the course of the ride, they stopped at:
Catacombe Di San Callisto – the catacombs here were built in the 2nd century around 150AD! The tour is about 10 Euros per person and lasts about 45 minutes
Appia Antica Caffe for spritzes and beer
Borghese Park
Church of Domine Quo Vadis – where Saint Peter was said to encounter Jesus when he initially fled Rome – you can see Jesus’ footprints here
The girls agree this was a great way to experience the Roman countryside and some history too! Having a picnic lunch alongside one of the oldest roads in the world was surreal! After biking the group enjoyed aperitivo at Da Etta and Freni e Frizioni (details in Episode 088), then had an amazing meal at Divin Ostilia Wine Bar.
Other must-sees in Rome are the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. You can listen to our Angels and Demons Pub Crawl episode (Episode 085) to get more details about those stops.
A few more tips as you plan your trip:
Stop in random churches! They are full of history, art and faith, and breathtaking!
Stop for aperitivo! It’s an Italian lifestyle – enjoy drinks and small snacks before dinner. Molly’s favorite was at the rooftop bar of FortySevenHotel.
Beware of bathrooms – or lack of seats on toilets. BYOS! (Bring your own seat!)
Make reservations in advance but leave some room for flexibility! Sometimes getting lost leads to the best adventures!
If you can, add an extra day or two to your original plan – vacation goes by so fast. If you’re planning for 7 days, see if you can swing 10! Having downtime days is a blessing!
Is there a place in Rome you love that we didn’t mention? Share it with us in the comments below!
Bentornato lushes. In this episode the girls are taking you on a tour of the cutest neighborhood in Rome, Trastevere! The girls sip Italian wine as their DOE while they reminisce about the magic this place brings.
On their trip, the Boozy Blondes wanted to stay a little outside of the craziness of center-city Rome but still within walking distance, so they found an Air B&B (check it out here!) in Trastevere. Trastevere is a funky, bohemian area of Rome that clings to its centuries-old, working-class roots. It’s known for traditional and innovative trattorias, craft beer pubs and artisan shops. From the pre-dinner passeggiata until late, a young crowd buzzes around tiny Piazzas, and mosaic-filled churches, enjoying the area’s great restaurants, pubs and nightlife. This neighborhood provides the perfect blend of history, food and art!
Staying in Trastevere allowed the girls to explore on foot rather than booking ride shares. Here are some of the gems they found through their travels:
Freni e Frizioni | translates to: brakes and clutches; a fitting name considering the bar was once a mechanic shop! This bar is highly recommended by the Boozy Blondes. Chirssy got a taste of what their legendary bartenders could do when Riccardo Rossi and Manuel Di Cecco came to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail. (Check out the girls’ mini series on the podcast to hear more about that, starting with Episode 066!) Chrissy visited Freni e Frizioni twice while she was in Italy, spinning the drink wheel and sharing shots with Manuel on her visit. On her second visit, with Molly and the Boozy Bros, they all ordered the Un-Social, which was tequila, passion fruit, coconut & Sichuan liquer, Agavecito infused with coriander, citrus and grapefruit soda. The girls (and guys) still drink about this cocktail! Freni e Frizioni has been recognized by World’s 50 Best Bars and Anthony Bourdain! This place also offers a nice buffet for those enjoying cocktails inside.
Ristorante le Mani in Pasta | translates to: hands in pasta. This restaurant was directly across the street from the girls’ Air B&B door. So convenient! This place provides a realtraditional-style trattoria experience. But make sure you have a reservation, this place is always packed! The second you step inside Le Mani in Pasta you’re wrapped up in a warm and informal atmosphere, typical of a Roman osteria. And on the same note, the food here is delicious! They serve Roman cuisine as well as seafood, meat and pasta dishes from different Italian regions. All the dishes are of high quality and extremely fresh. Le Mani in Pasta makes it its mission to order fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, home-made pasta and cheese every day. This was another double-dip stop for Chrissy. She and Phil enjoyed dinner here so much, they went again when Molly and Rainer arrived in Rome! And they had the same server both times!
They had a wide selection of wine, and the prices were incredible – each bottle was under $30! As in most of Italy, you can get a killer bottle of wine for a fraction of what you’d pay in the States, and as good Boozy Blondes, the girls certainly made the most of it at Le Mani in Pasta. Chrissy had the Kressman Monopole on her first visit which is a white Bordeaux and Sauvignon Blanc blend. Molly ordered a bottle of St. Michael- Eppan Pinot Noir. But it didn’t stop there. The group ended up drinking 4 bottles between them all. (Randomly the group ran into friends from Florida, Lloyd and Lisa, who ended up joining them for dinner!) And the best part was they only had to stumble across the street to get home.
La Punta Expendio de Agave | Molly and Rainer found this great tequila bar just around the corner from their Air B&B. Walls inside are filled with tequilas up to the ceiling! They have a menus of specialty drinks, and Molly started with a classic Paloma and then the El Grtio which was mezcal, sage, lime and agave. Rainer had the best time choosing tequilas to drink neat. The food menu is small, but with a small menu, you know they really nail the items. They had street tacos, and fun fact, it was on Thanksgiving, so definitely the most unique Thanksgiving dinner they have shared – Thanksgiving at a Mexican bar in Italy.
Taverna Trilussa | This classic has been open since 1910, operating with the same motto: we don’t care who you are, the important thing is that in the end you have eaten and drunk more than well. This is the only thing that really matters. Pasta is served straight from the pan!
Jerry Thomas Bar Room | This tiny cocktail bar is everything a speakeasy should be, right down to the little password window in the door. You can check out the Boozy Blondes Reel on Instagram highlighting their visit.
You can learn more about this amazing bar in Episode 085 – Italy: Roman Angels & Demons Pub Crawl (listen here!) to hear the insider information about the world-renowned cocktails the girls tried at this speakeasy’s new location in Trastevere. Just know, the hand-crafted drinks are amazing, they gave the group (and the entire bar) shots and the team there was so welcoming!
Da Etta | Boasting “an all day venue open 7 days a week from 8 am to midnight,” Da Etta has anything and everything. Part breakfast, gastro pub, restaurant, cocktail bar, pastry shop, and wine cellar the possibilities are endless. You can enjoy the cozy atmosphere inside or the large outdoor terrace.
Settled in the shadow of Tiberina Island and historic Trastevere, this little gem was perfect for the group to visit. Located in Piazza Piscinula, it was a short walk from the Air B&B. Phil and Chrissy went there for wine and light bites one evening and then the group went back for beer, wine, and espresso after surviving our biking adventure. (You can here more about that in the upcoming Rome episode!) Check out all their locations here!
There is so much to explore in Trastevere; it’s one of those places with such an original charm that it’s almost impossible to explain. There’s so much to do, like concerts, food tours, pub crawls, and more. It’s close enough to the hustle and bustle of downtown Rome but still tucked away from the major touristy areas. The girls were able to absorb the culture and let the neighborhood guide them.
Have you been to Trastevere? Is there a place you’d recommend to the Boozy Blondes? Leave a comment below!
Ciao, lushes! The Boozy Blondes are taking you back to Rome in this episode to give you all the details on a half-day wine tour they experienced just outside of the hustle and bustle of Rome. This episode takes you through beautiful countryside.
The DOE is a bottle of Pecorino, a light-skinned white Italian wine grape variety that grows in Italy’s eastern wine-growing regions. It’s similar to a Sauvignon Blanc.
During the girls’ stay in Rome, they knew they wanted to take an excursion, and they found this Half Day Rome Wine Tour with Convivio Rome just outside the city. This tour is managed by the sweetest couple, Sally and Guido, who, spoiler alert, turned out to be the most amazing hosts the girls could have asked for!
This tour included a drive through the beautiful countryside on the way to visit the local winery, where the girls enjoyed a tour and sampled (3) different wines with a light snack. It also included a visit to Sally and Guido’s home complete with other quality local wines and an amazing spread of food they had prepared, while overlooking a spectacular view. There was even a medieval village down the mountain from their home!
That’s the overview – here are the steps to take and expect if you want to enjoy this beautiful day:
Take the train to Fara Sabina. Sally and Guido will send you all the details so you know which station to leave from and where you need to go. Remember: when you’re taking the train in Italy, and you buy your tickets at the station, you need to get your ticket validated BEFORE you board. — Pro tip when traveling to the Fara Sabina station: Buy provisions before you go or bring them with you. There is one shop outside the station in Fara Sabina, and you can get an espresso or pastry, but you can bring whatever you want to eat or drink on the train. Yes, that includes your boozy libations.
Once you get to Fara Sabina, Sally and Guido will pick you up in a passenger van. From here they drive you through the beautiful countryside to the winery.
At the winery, you experience a behind-the-scenes tour of production and bottling, and you get to see the barrel room! After the tour, you gather in the main room. Just off this room is a giant deck which overlooks the vineyards and the Roman countryside – so incredibly beautiful.
In the main room you sample some wines and enjoy some snacks! At this point, you can purchase any bottles you like.
From here, pile back into the van and head to Sally and Guido’s home! The hospitality they showed the Boozy Blondes was so genuine and heartfelt, like the girls were old friends rather than tourists. More wine is served along with a delicious selection of light bites.
After taking in the views, enjoying each other’s company, and wine, of course, Guido drives you back to the train station.
Sally and Guido have been hosting this tour for over a decade, and they have it nailed down to a science. They also host cooking classes, cooking holidays and olive oil tours. They are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the wines, food, culture, landscape and more, we can’t begin to give this experience justice by trying to describe it to you.
Be sure to follow them on Instagram, and follow links at the top of this blog to see all they offer! You can see the Boozy Blondes’ Instagram reel from the day here. The girls give the Half Day Rome Wine Tour their stamp of approval. If you embark on this beautiful day, be sure to tell Sally and Guido the Boozy Blondes sent you! Salute!
Grab your 6-packs, lushes! It’s that time again – and today we’re filling them with the best bars in New Orleans, Louisiana, better known as NOLA. The Boozy Blondes chat with Amber Gunn of Hop Around Nola, who is a true expert when it comes to the New Orleans scene, especially where to get a good drink.
Amber fills her 6-pack and then the Boozy Blondes take a stab at it – and ask Amber to grade it. So tune in to see how they do!
As for Amber’s 6-pack, these are the places you need to go in New Orleans:
Barrel Proof | Amber’s favorite neighborhood dive bar – “a margarita bar with a whiskey problem.” If you are looking for a bar offering an impressive variety of whiskeys and bourbon, make this place a stop on your visit! Amber claims you can get the best margarita in the city here too! And if you go on a Friday night, there is a good chance you’ll see Amber there!
Chandelier Bar | This is located in the Four Seasons Hotel downtown (The Boozy Blondes actually mention this bar in Episode 059 | New Orleans, Part 1 – Jazz Parade – listen here!) – serving amazing classic cocktails and specialty cocktails by some of the best bartenders in the city!
Carousel Bar | Located in Hotel Monteleone, this bar actually rotates! It takes 15 minutes to make a complete rotation. Serving great cocktails – Amber’s is the French 75 – and she recommends waiting for a seat at the bar for the full experience.
Cure | This bar has a little upscale feeling with unique cocktails! Pro tip – order the deviled eggs! Fun fact – this is where Amber and Chrissy met for the first time in real life!
Pigeon and Whale | This is more of a restaurant than bar, but they are serving up amazing cocktails – including the best espresso martini in the city! They also specialize in Negronis. This is also a great place to get oysters.
Pepp’s Pub | This is a dive, dog bar with incredible margaritas. Very laid back and a perfect place for dog owners to bring their pups! And if you want to try Malört, they will take your picture while you try it and add your description of this scary spirit to the bottom of the photo!
The Boozy Blondes share their 6-packs with Amber, and are very proud that they matched two of her bars! But you have to listen to hear their grades!
Be sure to follow Amber on Instagram for more great NOLA content and send the Boozy Blondes a message with your favorite NOLA bars! Also…you can hear more about great New Orleans places in Episodes 059, 060, and 061!
Whether you’re feeling angelic or sinful, this episode is for you. The Boozy Blondes embark on a full day of bar-hopping and sightseeing around the Eternal City at places referenced in Dan Brown’s popular thriller (and movie starring Tom Hanks), Angels & Demons!
The DOE is a Select spritz – the national drink of Italy!
If you’re not familiar with Angels & Demons, it’s a great read (and as mentioned, available to watch in about 2 hours) – and the references in this episode might make a little more sense. Regardless, these stops will not disappoint – Angels & Demons fan or not! In the story, the main character follows “The Path of Illumination.” In this episode, the girls follow “The Path of Intoxication!”
The first stop actually isn’t boozy, but it’s worth mentioning. Tattoos at Bad Church Tattoo in Trastevere. In Angels & Demons, some of the characters get branded, so why not really get into character…and drag the Boozy Bros with them! While lifelong ink might not be everyone’s souvenir choice, if you are looking to get a tattoo abroad, the girls list off some pro-tips:
Make reservations online
Go early so it doesn’t slow down your day.
Email your art ahead of time in case of language barrier.
From here the girls traveled to Piazza del Popolo on the north end of the city to Angolo degli Artisti. Piazza del Popolo is the largest square in Rome and an iconic site in the book. The girls loved this restaurant; they were seated outside looking across the square and enjoyed spritzes, pizza and charcuterie…adding limoncello shots to wrap up the meal.
From here, the girls crossed the square and wandered up some steps to Terrazza del Pincio. This public park offers sprawling views of the city and is one of the best places to see the sunset in Rome. Since it was early in the day, there was no sunset, but the girls still captured some beautiful pictures overlooking Piazza del Popolo!
Next, the girls headed south to see the Spanish Steps and grab espresso at Don Nino. The Spanish Steps aren’t in the book, but an iconic (and super busy) spot in Rome. Don Nino is a traditional pâtisserie chain in Rome where Chrissy had stopped just days earlier to recreate the Audrey Hepburn scene in Roman Holiday.
Next stop was the Trevi Fountain, but the girls didn’t wait in line to throw in coins. Go early! The line stretches pretty far! The girls moved on past the Trevi Fountain and around the corner to Baccano for cocktails and appetizers. The girls were seated outside along the street and absorbed the bustling ambiance will sipping spritzes and enjoying carpaccio and tartare. It was about a month before Christmas and Baccano nailed it with the decorations – it was beautiful!
From Baccano, the blondes traveled to the Pantheon. While there are different options for tours, the girls chose a self-guided one. Major Pro Tip and time saver – there’s a cash-only line at the Pantheon where there’s rarely a line, and it’s only 5 euros to get in. Make sure to find the line farthest to the left.
After spending some time soaking up the ancient history at the Pantheon, the Boozy Blondes made their way to Piazza Navona, another plaza hosting an iconic scene from Angels & Demons. While it’s only a 4-minute walk to here from the Pantheon, there are beautiful churches lining the way that the girls highly recommend you visit. The combination of history, art and faith is not to be missed in these stunning structures.
Just around the corner from Piazza Navona is a great wine bar and deli, I Pizzicaroli. Here the girls enjoyed a bottle of wine and drooled over the giant charcuterie boards. The girls found there way back here later on to grab another bottle for the road!
The final stop on the Angels & Demons tour was Castillo San Angelo. While the girls didn’t go in, you can tour Castillo San Angelo for around $20. This is basically where Angels & Demons ends, so it was the perfect finale to the day. It’s a 20 minute walk to here from I Pizzicaroli, but feeling the effects of “The Path of Intoxication” it took the Boozy Blondes way longer than that! They stopped for espresso, gelato, shopping and provisions, and enjoyed some wine overlooking Castillo San Angelo from across the river.
Technically the Angels & Demons tour ended here, but the girls had one more stop on their list: Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, frequently named one of the best 50 bars in the world! The girls found their way to the Jerry Thomas Bar Room, which is a new edition and location for the famous speakeasy. The speakeasy is just a few blocks from I Pizzicaroli, while the bar room is across the Tiber River back in Trastevere where the girls were staying. If you’d like a sneak peek inside the bar room, watch the Boozy Blondes’ reel highlighting this spot. If you want the password, you can find it on the website.
The itinerary for this day was definitely aggressive, and credit is due to Chrissy for mapping out this amazing tour. If you want a more guided, all-inclusive experience that involves little to no planning on your part, they’re out there. Reputable groups like GetYourGuide and Viator had a few different Angels & Demons tours available at the time of this recording.
You can see the Boozy Blondes’ reel highlighting this pub crawl on their Instagram. If you’d like a map with details of the Boozy Blondes Angels & Demons Pub Crawl Tour, send them a message, and they will send you their custom plan. And remember, whether you’re feeling angelic or sinful (or both, like the young Boozy Blonde Chrissy in this picture), this day is sure to be fun! Cheers!
Boozy Blondes 