Let’s roar, lushes! As the Tales of the Cocktail mini-series continues, Chrissy interviews Frank Grillo and Alexandra Purcaru of Altamura vodka. Frank is the managing director of Altamura Distilleries and this former New Yorker is living the life the Boozy Blondes dream of in Puglia in Southern Italy! Alexandra is Altamura’s inclusivity ambassador, co-founder of Art Cocktail Club & beverage director at Selva Oaxaca Cocktail Bar who spends her time between Paris and Oaxaca. This dynamic duo is coming together to changing the game for all us cocktail drinkers out there!
Did you know there is a 2000-year-old recipe for a special loaf of Italian bread called Pane di Altamura? Frank stumbled across this recipe, made the bread and wondered why no one was distilling from the wheat. And ta-da! Altamura was born! Fast forward to present day and Chrissy is sipping on the product derived from that very question!
While the bread recipe has twenty centuries under its belt, Altamura Vodka is just getting started having graced the market two years ago. The team appreciates Tales of the Cocktail because it’s an opportunity to present this brand on a world stage; they see Tales of the Cocktail as an exposure opportunity but also a learning opportunity.
For its future plans, Altamura plans to expand into flavored vodka such as tomato-flavored vodka using Datterini tomatoes and a green pepper vodka using mild Friggitelli, both of which are grown in Puglia. They also plan to release a gin and American whiskey in the near future.
And while Frank and Alexandra both live abroad, when in New Orleans they recommend the same watering hole – The French 75 Bar in Arnauds, especially if you plan to order the Old Fashioned. And speaking of the US, if you’re in South Beach, order the house martini at the Four Season Surf Club – it’s made with Altamura! Find the recipe here. If you’re interested in more eclectic cocktail options, visit Altamura’s mixology page for creative concoctions and beautiful photography!
Click on Frank or Alexandra’s names to link to their Instagram accounts. While you are there check out Altamura’s page for fun content, beautiful photography and drool-worthy cocktails.
To learn more about this exclusive brand and the team behind it, check out these articles about Frank and Altamura. And don’t miss this great article about Alexandra as well! See where you can buy a bottle (or two or three) on their website. Cheers!
Tales of the Cocktail mini-series continues when Chrissy interviews Mike Winters, founder and CEO, and Iliana Partida, Master Distiller, of Quintaliza Tequila, the world’s first and only coffee aged tequila! Two things the Boozy Blondes love – coffee and tequila! But keep in mind, this isn’t a liqueur, nor a coffee-infused, flavored tequila. There is no infusing, mixing or blending of any kind!
To get the coffee aged Reposado tequila, the Quintaliza team seasons barrels that previously held organic cold brew coffee from Chiapas, Mexico. It’s initially aged two months in an American whiskey cask prior to finishing for three months in the coffee seasoned cask.
“We began with a simple, but bold dream to bring great tequila and great coffee together. The idea was not only to create something very new and different in the tequila category, but also to do it in a way that tastes great naturally without the use of any additives,” says Mike Winters, founder and CEO of Quintaliza Tequila. “Bartenders in particular are driving the call for additive-free tequila but struggle to find enough examples to fill a bar menu.”
Yes, another thing the blondes love – additive-free booze! Quintaliza is certified organic and additive-free! The rich flavor and character comes from the agave and the tequila’s proprietary aging process.
During the interview Mike and Iliana discuss how they got started in the industry. While Mike is fairly new to the industry, Iliana grew up in it; she’s a 4th generation master distiller! But both know this is their home and are dedicated to changing the tequila game and bringing this high quality, responsible innovation to market!
This “responsible innovation” is two-fold. Being certified organic and additive-free means the Quintaliza team isn’t throwing just anything into their product; they honor their ingredients, staying true to agave’s sweet, natural taste. Also they place a heavy priority on sustainability. Quintaliza only uses organically grown agave, and the company has been planting agaves since day one, demonstrating respect for the land from which it’s harvested. In addition, the coffee grounds from Quintaliza’s coffee-aged barrels are repurposed as fertilizer to increase the pH level of the soil in the agave fields.
Usually when you think of tequila, “responsible” isn’t the word that comes to mind. As Chrissy mentions during the interview, tequila is at the forefront of many memes, typically insinuating a rough night – the opposite of being responsible. That’s why Quintaliza is so great – it’s changing the tequila game for the better, and who isn’t intrigued by a “responsible” tequila?
Be sure to follow Quintaliza on Instagram, and check its website to find where you can purchase a bottle! And once you get a bottle, try out some fabulous cocktails illustrated in the glamour shots below! ! (Photo credit The J Projects by Jaci Peña)
Let us know which you’ve concocted! By the way, the most popular selling cocktail using Quintaliza is the Espresso Martini. This should be no surprise considering the tequila is coffee aged! You can find the recipe here.
Tune in to the next installment of the Tales of the Cocktail mini-series where Chrissy interviews Alexis Brown of Moët Hennessy USA. Alexis is the Hennessy Ambassador for Moët Hennessy and her career started because of her love of the hospitality industry. This passion shines through in her current role as she loves interacting with guests and educating others. Also, when asked what her favorite drink to make is, she answers, “whatever drink will make you happy.” Aw!
No rookie to Tales of the Cocktail, this year marked Alexis’ 9th year at the event! Moët Hennessy hosted an incredible party focused on drinks and sounds of the decades at Tales of the Cocktail this year at Latrobe’s on Royal.
Guests began their journey in the early 1900s at a local general store. The featured cocktail here was the Sazerac Cocktail featuring Hennessy V.S. and Woodinville Rye. Did you know the Sazerac is often hailed as the first American cocktail?
Next during the 1920s – 1940s guests were transported back in time to the rebellious days of Prohibition! Here the starring cocktails were the French 75 (featuring Hennessy V.S & Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut), The Bobby Burns (featuring Ardbeg 10) and the Scotch and Soda (featuring Glenmorangie).
In the 1950s – 1980s area, guests entered the Moët Hennessy Record Shop with Rock & Roll! Cocktails offered here were the Moscow Mule (featuring Belvedere Organic) and the Tequila Daisy (featuring Volcan Blanco or Reposado).
The last stop through this Boozy Blondes’ dream party was “The World of Today” that featured each of Moët Hennessy’s brands through a unique, immersive pop-up like a professional calligrapher who wrote out words attendees used to describe the heritage of Moët Hennessy.
*Disclaimer – once again Molly wasn’t jealous for missing this…at all.
The girls were so fortunate to have Alexis on the podcast. She is based out of Chicago and recommends grabbing a drink at Elina’s when you’re in town. And just like the Boozy Blondes, she loves grabbing a drink at the Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone when she’s in NOLA. She also never leaves town without stopping at Erin Rose’s for a frozen Irish Coffee!
Be sure to follow Alexis on Instagram – she loves chatting all things cocktails, lifestyle and travel!
It’s the first interview of the Tales of the Cocktail mini series! If you are unfamiliar with Tales of the Cocktail, be sure to listen to Episode 066 where Chrissy explains the ins and outs of this booze lover’s paradise!
In this episode Chrissy sits down with the Mozart Chocolate Liqueur team at Tales of the Cocktail. Mozart Chocolate Liqueur is an Austrian brand combining the best of two worlds: chocolate & spirit. WARNING. This episode will absolutely make you want to run out and buy a bottle (or all expressions of the brand)! Try to not say “mmm” or “oh my God” out loud while you listen (Molly certainly did)!
Mozart Chocolate Liqueur was purchased by Marussia Beverages in 2016 and since that time has tripled its sales! If you are like the Boozy Blondes and completely “squirrel” when you see shiny, pretty things, you’ve definitely noticed these beautiful bottles before!
In this episode Chrissy introduces listeners to Carina Planeta (Senior Brand Manager), Jenny Manger (Portfolio Director Marussia Beverages USA), Brandi Toomer (South Central Regional Sales Manager at Marussia Beverages USA) and Ashely Ott (Savona Communications). Learn about Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, find out how they got into the industry, and get hear about their favorite drinks and bars!
The group samples some of Mozart’s expressions, starting with the Dark Chocolate and Coconut. I think it’s safe to say Molly wasn’t jealous at all missing this tasting! Since she’s writing this blog, she hopes the sarcasm translates here…Putting her FOMO feelings aside, she predicts a fun night with the Chocolate Coconut Cookie Monster cocktail in her future made with both!
Also, these are both lactose-free so Chrissy can indulge as well. The newest expression is the Coconut Chocolate, which is a balanced, refreshingly light taste and an exotic aroma of coconut combined with a Caribbean note. Coconut Chocolate is characterized by a creamy consistency and a nutty, mildly fresh taste. You know how much the girls love cruising in the Caribbean, so this was 100% made for them! Follow this link and scroll down to see mouth-watering suggested cocktail recipes with the Coconut Chocolate. The girls recommend adding it to a pina colada or even a latte!
One of the questions Chrissy asks the team is recommendations for places to drink in their hometowns and in NOLA. If you’re visiting any of these places, be sure to check them out!
Ashley recommends the NOLA Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone – one of the Boozy Blondes’ faves! She says to order a Ramos Gin Fizz here! Follow them on Instagram!
The Boozy Blondes are so thankful the girls took time to sit down and chat with Chrissy and share their amazing brand with you, our listeners! If you’re interested in purchasing any of these indulgent expressions (and how can you not be after listening to this episode?!), you can buy them here! Chances are you can find different expressions at your local liquor store too! Fun fact, Cream Chocolate, aka “liquid chocolate,” is the top seller.
Share your recipes and reactions to these decadent liquors with the Boozy Blondes by sending them an email or a DM on Instagram!
Welcome, lushes, to a multi-part mini series diving into the Tales of the Cocktail event! Tales of the Cocktail is an annual trade conference, festival, and gathering of cocktail and spirits industry professionals in New Orleans, Louisiana, and this year, Chrissy was lucky enough to attend – as an official media member! Talk about a Boozy Blondes dream come true!
Every summer representatives of the global beverage industry meet to celebrate and advance the innovations shaping this industry. They cover everything from wellness, sustainability, history and emerging trends. You can find everyone here from new Indie brands to well-known heavy hitters!
This year (2024) marked the 22nd year of Tales of the Cocktail. From July 21 – 26, 2024, representatives from 52 countries hosted 400 unique events showcasing 290 brands! How do you choose what to taste, where to go or who to meet? It’s a mystery how Chrissy narrowed down her schedule, but tune in over the next few months, because you’ll get a behind the scenes listen as to how things shaped up for her. It was a lot of work sampling spirits, interviewing legends, absorbing industry education and of course attending some badass boozy parties!
The girls are so excited to share this mini series with you – and be sure to keep an eye out for the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail dates which will be released this fall!
It’s already August – this year is flying by! The Boozy Blondes have been busy, and in this episode they are giving you a look into the future of what’s to come through the remainder of the year.
The DOE is Chrissy’s version of a Pimm’s cup – she used a shot of Pimm’s, lemon juice, and club soda mixed with a tea concoction she made with strawberries and cucumbers. It’s so refreshing and a great summer drink!
Jumping right in, the girls recall where their travels took them so far in 2024 and rattle off all the places still on their calendars! You can expect to learn more about these places in future episodes, and the girls hope you have some of these destinations scheduled for your upcoming travel plans!
One major event where Chrissy is representing the Boozy Blondes is Tales of the Cocktail, held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. This has been a bucket list event for Chrissy, and in the Season 2 Wrap Up (Episode 048) she listed this as an event she hoped to attend in Season 3 – and she made it happen!
The other major event mentioned in this episode is the upcoming “Boozy Blondes Abroad” trip! The girls are jetting to Italy for the Thanksgiving holiday this year! Episodes from this trip will release in Season 4, but make sure to follow the girls on Instagram for sneak peeks of their travels in the Eternal City!
After spending a week in Rome, Molly will head back to the states while Chrissy embarks on another transatlantic Virgin Voyage! This definitely means listeners can expect a Booze Cruise Volume 3 episode in Season 4! (Have you listened to Booze Cruise Vol. 1Episode 013 and Booze Cruise Vol. 2Episode 043? The girls share great tips about preparing and making the most out of your cruising expedition!)
With great domestic travels on deck as well, the Boozy Blondes are preparing valuable content for you for Season 4! The girls are so grateful to have you join them on this boozy venture and hope they continue to provide tips and tricks to make your travels more enjoyable – and boozier!
In season 2 of the podcast, the Boozy Blondes announced they were asked to be the official bloggers of the 2023 Palatka Craft Beer Festival presented by the Palatka Rotary Club! (Episode 049) Now, with the 2024 Palatka Beer Fest approaching, the girls recap their experience last year and give listeners tips of what to expect, what to bring and what made this beer festival stand out!
The DOE for the episode is Untitled Art Cotton Candy IPA. If you know the Boozy Blondes, you know they love cotton candy – especially in boozy liquid form! This 6.3% hazy is packaged in the cutest, feminine can and tastes just like cotton candy! The girls love it!
The Palatka Craft Beer Festival is an annual event hosted by the Palatka Rotary Club at Riverfront Park every November. About 20 vendor booth attend, sharing unlimited tastings of their delicious craft beer with attendees! Adjacent to the park is a Hampton Inn, so the girls packed up the Boozy bros and Chrissy’s parents and settled into home base. The festival was right across the street!
The event offers two ticket options – general admission and VIP. With only $20 separating the two options ($45 for GA, $65 for VIP), it was an easy decision to go VIP. VIP ticket holders were allowed entry an hour early, we had a private VIP tent with complimentary food, and we were given a free Palatka Craft Beer Fest t-shirt! The event kicked off at noon for VIP ticket holders or 1pm for GA.
The extra hour gave the girls time to chat with the representatives on site and take their time enjoying the different beers. When the clock struck 1:00, the festival got slammed! It’s a very popular event so that extra hour was a great perk!
There were about 20 breweries/vendors on site for the event, and the girls were lucky (and quick enough) to hit almost all of them! Be sure to listen to this episode to hear about what the girls sampled including the stand outs from the day.
Following the festival the fun continued! The girls and their crew sat down for a meal at Velchoff’s, then wandered over to Azalea City Brewing for more drinks, card games and music! (by the way, you can learn all about Azalea City in Episode 035 in an interview with owner Andrea Canover – listen here!) By the time they left Azalea, they were hungry again, so they ventured through the streets of Palatka until they stumbled on Angel’s Dining Car, Florida’s Oldest Diner! Here Chrissy ordered her third burger of the day. And that put the exclamation point on our Palatka adventure – we took those burgers to go and ate them back at the hotel before calling it a night.
Azalea City Velchoff’s burgerAngel’s Dining CarAngel’s Dining Car – Florida’s Oldest Diner
Be sure to keep an eye out for the 2024 Palatka Craft Beer Festival – coming soon!
The Boozy Blondes recently spent some time apart on different trips and meet up in this Happy Hour episode to dish about all the must-see’s they saw while apart! From Auburn, Alabama and Waco, Texas to The Florida Keys, tune in to this episode to hear about the hidden gems you can find in these random spots.
Molly took a trip to Auburn, Alabama, and found some great spots on and off campus to check out! On campus she loved Oz, Avondale and Walt’s on the Roof.
Oz is a speakeasy nestled behind the Italian Restaurant Il Forno, but if you can find the secret entrance around back, it feels much more speakeasy and underground. The fireplace is your way inside where the mixologists are mixing up some pretty fabulous cocktails. The address is “Somewhere over the rainbow, Auburn, Alabama,” and it’s open from 6pm – 1am every day except Tuesdays and Sundays. Or so they say. There is a light outside of the secret entrance, and if it’s on, game on! You can enter! Be sure to follow them on Instagram!
The Avondale Bar and Taproom was one of the first bars Molly ever visited in Auburn, and it’s got speakeasy vibes due to the secret staircase leading upstairs to the bar. This bar is an alternative to traditional college bars with plenty of soft seating where you can overlook campus. It’s “A Responsible Bar for Responsible People” and also shares “All Who Are Thirsty Are Welcome.” Follow them on Instagram to drool over the beautiful hand-crafted cocktails.
Another great spot overlooking campus is Walt’s on the Roof. It’s a rooftop bar above the Laurel Hotel and Spa. Try to make reservations because it was difficult to get in when Molly went. This spot is beautiful and surrounded by a garden where the crops are harvested for the restaurant downstairs (1856, which is a culinary school). Walt’s offers rooftop yoga, Thursday Champagne Garden, Garden Grill Sundays, and so much more, so be sure to follow them on Instagram!
Next door to Auburn is the cute town of Opelika, Alabama. Opelika has two great breweries and standout distillery.
Red Clay Brewing Company was founded by three friends and the brewery represents them: their history and the South they love and call home; “red clay” is native to this area of the south. One of Molly’s all time favorite beers is brewed here called Skinny Dippin’, a 5% Lemony Tea Sour. They also have fantastic pizza!
Resting Pulse Brewing Company strives to be a space where you can find your “resting pulse” and relax and enjoy great beers and food. The owners gave it this name to also represent their history in healthcare. Molly tried A LOT of beers when she visited, and they have a fantastic offering. Just like their neighbors, Red Clay, Resting Pulse has great pizza!
John Emerald Distilling Company is across from Red Clay and offers tours, cocktails and bottle sales inside! They offer whiskey, gin, vodka and rum. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for specials and beautiful, drool-worthy pictures of their craft cocktails!
After Auburn, Molly traveled to Waco, Texas. Waco is home to six breweries, all within a mile and a half of each other, and the first was Bare Arms Brewing Company, which opened in 2015. Appropriately, this was the first brewery Molly visited in Waco.
She ordered a flight here in the cutest cog flight board which holds six beers. Bare Arms also has a pretty extensive food menu, so it’s a great place to hang out for a while. They “honor those that roll up their sleeves, bare arms, work hard, and perfect their craft,” thus their name.
Bare Arms is open 7 days/week and host a lot of events, so follow them on Instagram to keep up with all the fun!
The other brewery Molly visited was Southern Roots Brewing Company. Another great space with awesome beers and delicious food! This brewery was founded in 2018, years after the owners started brewing beer for friends and family.
When Molly was here there were about 15 beers on tap (she had a flight, of course) and she enjoyed the pizza of the month. In May it was alfredo, pesto, tomato, arugula, chicken and balsamic drizzle (and bacon which she kept off her pie). Southern Roots is open and airy with a courtyard out back. They host live music and fun events so follow them on Instagram.
While Molly was running around these southern cities, Chrissy went as far south as possible – The Florida Keys! In this episode, she breaks down the best spots for beer, cocktails, food and music. She even shares a special hidden gem she’s discovered on the way to Key West!
BEER
Islamorada Brewing – Chrissy always makes a pit stop here on her way to Key West. In addition to their great beer, they have a food truck, awesome merch, and a full liquor bar. Islamorada was at Croctoberfest when the girls went, so you can hear more about them in Episode 044! Listen here!
Bearded Lady – This place hosts great guest taps! It has a funky, eclectic vibe and has a great Instagram account!
Sunset Pier – You can’t visit Key West without catching a gorgeous sunset – grab a spot to enjoy drinks here during sunset
El Meson de Pepe – enjoy mojitos just 90 miles from Cuba! This place also has great live music
Southernmost Beach Resort – If you’re lucky enough to score a cabana rental here, your day of drinking just got a whole lot boujee-er!
Saint Hotel – Burgundy BarGeneral HorseplayPapa Pilar DistilleryNine One FiveKey West First Legal RumSalute!Dante’sSunset PierSouthernmost Beach Resort
FOOD
The Café – Amazing Key lime pie, and also vegan options
Robert is Here – this elevated food stand serves smoothies, guac, salsa, produce, and more! It opened in 1959, by a 6 year old little boy named Robert to help sell his family’s produce. It’s still going strong and everyone from Presidents to celebrities stop by!
While these destinations are not always the easiest to get to, they offer great options for fellow boozers out there! Have you visited any of these spots before? Share your opinions and photos with the girls! DM them on Instagram or send them an email!
On May 4, 2024, the St. Augustine Craft Brewers’ Festival celebrated its 5th Anniversary at the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida! This is basically a Boozy Blonde’s playground and the girls recap the event in this episode so you can plan for the 2025 fest!
The festival offers three different ticket types: General Admission, VIP and Designated Driver:
General: (850)available, 1pm entry time, access to food trucks, live music and unlimited tastings – tasting glass provided by Ice Mule Coolers
VIP: (100) available, get you early entry (12pm), private bathrooms, an air-conditioned pavilion and catering provided by Meehan’s Irish Pub, a local favorite. You get guaranteed parking and a private beer station plus access to everything listed in general admission ticket description.
Designated Driver tickets: all proceeds benefit Epic Behavioral Healthcare, a non-profit specializing in the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders
There were almost 30 breweries on site at this event! The girls grabbed their tasting glass and tasting glass necklace (courtesy of Fishardy Fishing Carters) and took off running towards the closest brewery. They almost hit them all!
Dog Rose Brewing Co | hear Chrissy interview owner Courtney Murr in this episode who is also the Festival Director! Dog Rose is located in St. Augustine, Florida.
Ancient City Brewing| Another hometown brewery with two locations – one downtown and one over by the St. Augustine outlets. You can hear more about Ancient City in Episode 003.
Ruby Beach Brewing | Located in downtown Jacksonville, the girls stopped here before a Jags game in 2023.
Hourglass Brewing | The girls interviewed Ashley aka FloridaHopMama in Season 2, and she gifted them a collaboration beer from here Episode 029. At the festival, Chrissy drank Macro-Dose and it was 19.2%! Molly had the Margs on Deck – a crushable summer gose with black sea salt, coriander, lime and blue agave nectar (6.4%).
Pareidolia Brewing | The blondes were so excited to meet owners Pete and Lynn! This brewery is located in Sebastian, Florida, so about 2 hours south of St. Augustine, and the girls recap their visit in Episode 020. At the festival Molly tried the Citra Surfer, Citra forward juicy IPA with notes of grapefruit and Chrissy had the Don’t Be Blue…Berry a 5.3% wheat beer, with blueberries obviously.
Cask | Cask was there – Cowford Ale Sharing Klub. This is a group open to all who are of legal drinking age and who wish to learn and share information about home brewing. They have monthly meetings at local breweries to share and sample their homebrews and even host their own competitions. The girls met some of the members at the Palatka Beer Fest in November 2023.
Cueni Brewing Co | Cueni is in Dunedin, Florida, and if you visit their taproom, you’ll see they have the best flight boards!
Fishweir Brewing Company | The girls love Fishweir. They stopped there on their first leg of the Jax Ale Trail (Episode 006)! Molly drank the Kush Terpene Hazy (with no THC) and Chrissy enjoyed the Gatorade Seltzer.
Reve Brewing Co | Reve is another Jacksonville brewery, and at the festival the blondes met the owner Eric who is also a brewer and Mike, another brewer and his wife Jennifer. They brought two beers to the festival: Light Into Ashes (6.2% hazy IPA) and Far Side of Fantasy (6% sour with cherry, lime and lactose).
Alcatraz Brewing | The girls were too late to sample their beer! So sad. They sold out quickly – another reason to get the VIP tickets. That extra hour really helps to give you a jump on all the tastings.
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co | The girls visited Ivanhoe in Orlando, Florida, not too long ago – October 2023 and loved it! At the festival they came armed with four beers – Joyland (7% American IPA), Park Hopp’r, a 5% pilsner, Halftoberfest, a 5.42% Vienna lager and Guavacation, a 4% berliner weisse beer with guava and raspberry.
First Magnitude Brewing Co | The girls both had the Anastasia Sour here – it had the prettiest can! It was a sour beer with raspberry, hibiscus and vanilla. First Magnitude is out of Gainesville, Florida.
Old Coast Ales | This is another St. Augustine brewery you can hear more about in Episode 003. The girls love hanging out here and love Osprey Tacos next door too!
Bog Brewing Co | And Bog was also there rounding out the St. Augustine breweries! You can hear more about Bog in Episode 003.
3 Mavins Brewing | They are based out of South Florida and use simple clean ingredients in their beer like honey, agave nectar and maple syrup. They brought their Amber Lager (6.2%), Encore Session IPA (4.7%) and the Pink Lady (5.5% pale ale).
Southern Swells Brewing Co | The girls visited Southern Swells on leg 3 of the Jax Ale Trail and you can hear all the details about this brewery in Episode 050!
Southern Philosophy Brewing Co | The Boozy Blondes really connected with Gallagher and Nicole at Southern Philosophy. They are located in western Georgia, and the girls really wish they were closer! They brought four beers with them: The Lagoon (4.1% lactose free sour conditioned on coconut with pineapple, clue curacao, Sicilian lemon, lime and tangerine puree), Cinco de Mustache (5.5% Mexican lager), Chipotle Smoked Porter (6.5%) and Sowega Honey Haze (8.3% IPA).
INK Factory | Another favorite of ours – you can hear all about Ink Factory in Episode 050 Jax Ale Trail Volume 3, including the amazing burger from Hard Pressed that was on site when we went. They had two beers at the festival – Surfadelic, a hazy pale ale and Triple Whip Volume 7, a smoothie sour with pineapple, mango, key lime and white chocolate!
Azalea City | Another Boozy Blondes favorite, out of Palatka, Florida. Molly had one of her faves, Fresh Squeeze Hazy IPA, and Chrissy had the Irish Coffee Stout. You can hear from Azalea City’s owner Andrea Canover in a behind the scenes interview Episode 035.
Dees Brothers Brewery | The girls were so excited to see Dees Brothers at the festival! They are located in Sanford, Florida, and the girls had just been there a couple weeks before the festival for Sanford’s Mini Masters event. And you can hear bout Dees Brothers in Episode 034 Sanford Breweries and Bars). Dees Brothers is a great brewery with amazing beer and equally amazing food. They brought Thunder & Lightning (7% American IPA), Dees Bier (5.6% Hefeweizen), Lakeside Pilsner (5.2% Czech style pilsner) and Aquadnauts (10% Belgian-style Quad).
De Bine Brewing Co | The blondes loved Zak. Zak is the head brewer and operations manager and De Bine which is located in Palm Harbor, Florida. They brought four beers with them: Safety Glasses (5% hazy IPA), Czechered Past (5.1% pilsner), Fire the Cannons (5.4% Red Ale) and Wappy Sprayberry (Mixed Berry Wheat 6-ish%).
Aardwolf Brewing Co | Aardwolf is another downtown Jacksonville brewery! They brought some Star Wars themed beers with them for the event – Princess Leia Cake (vanilla and lemon hazy IPA), The Power of the Darkside (Empire stout with coconut, banana and peanut butter), C3Pilso (just beer) and This is the Way (pistachio coconut sour).
Whew! Be sure to start looking for tickets in March 2025. This beer festival lives up to the hype. It’s in a beautiful location and hosts A TON of amazing breweries serving up great craft brews! Don’t miss it!
The Boozy Blondes are still taking you through one of their favorite cities, New Orleans, and this week they are sharing some hidden gems in the city. While some may be more popular now, if you find yourself off of Bourbon Street, you can dive into the Crescent City culture and take in the “locals” experience.
For the DOE, the girls chose Happy Thursday, a fizz-free spiked refresher with a variety of flavors like Black Cherry and Mango Passionfruit. At just 4.4% they are crushable choice, especially on a warm day – or a day talking about the hot and humid Big Easy!
To start this journey the girls begin at one hole-iest of hole in the walls they can think of: Coop’s Place. Coop’s Place in the heart of the French Quarter on Decatur Street. This 1983 staple hasn’t updated much since they opened and their slogan is “Where the not-so-elite meet to eat.” It’s a fantastic no-frills watering hole with down home prices where you can experience the true taste of New Orleans while sucking down an ice cold beer straight from the bottle. When you visit, be sure to go all in with the sampler platter. But definitely bring some tissues along, because it’s so spicey, your eyes and nose will most definitely be leaking!
From here, the blondes take you to one of their all time faves, Bacchanal’s Wine Bar. This place is definitely one of a kind. It’s part wine cellar, part grocery store, part restaurant, part jazz club and part backyard party. It’s known for its charcuterie boards, and you can browse the huge selection of wine, then take a bottle with you to the courtyard tables where you can enjoy the live music. They also have a treehouse bar that serves some pretty great cocktails.
Bacchanal is strictly 21 and up, and they don’t do reservations. They have Happy Hour and free wine tastings on certain days of the week, they also offer a wine club, gift cards, and a full menu for dine in or take out, plus they have live music every day. Be sure to follow them to keep up with all the great happenings at this (not so much anymore) hidden gem.
Apple Barrel Bar is up next on the list, the smallest bar in New Orleans! Don’t let that fool you. They know how to pack in big fun. Located below the beloved Adolfo’s Restaurant in one of Frenchmen Street’s historic buildings, restaurant owners Adolfo and Kim had their first date at Apple Barrel in 1990. The bar still holds true to their vintage 90s charm with classic cocktails, cold beer and great bands. The girls have a great time every time they venture in!
Apple Barrel is 21 and up only, and cash only. Remember that – cash only! They have live music 7 nights a week and you can check out the band schedule on their website.
Pro tip…if you go Thursday thru Monday, you can hit up the Frenchman Street Art Market next door to Apple Barrel.
No trip to New Orleans is complete for the Boozy Blondes without paying their respects at a favorite local haunt (literally), Laffite’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This bar is located on the corner of Bourbon & St. Philips in the French Quarter. Named after the famed privateer turned pirate, Jean Laffite who may have once hid out here, the establishment is one of the oldest buildings used as a bar in the United States, dating all the way back to 1722!
Today you can find a full liquor bar and lively atmosphere in the dimly lit historic space that transports you back in time. With indoor and outdoor seating, and late night piano music, this bar is a must stop on our list.
The next bar is nestled inside the amazing World War II Museum, American Sector. Their slogan is “Freedom tastes better here,” and they’re open to the public without requiring admission to the museum 7 days a week from 11am to 4pm.
There are two entrances, one on Magazine Street and one on Poeyfarre Street, or you can enter through the museum like the girls did. They mix up patriotic themed cocktails, and the food is really good too.
The American Sector Bar & Restaurant offers reservations online and they even cater and host events in their private dining room. If you have the time, pay a visit to the World War II Museum; it will not disappoint.
Another hidden gem on the list is Backspace Bar & Kitchen. This tiny, cozy, eclectic bar on Chartres Street has brick walls, an old fireplace, some soft seating and bar seating. The drink prices might be some of the best in the French Quarter with $2 PBRs and $3 lite beers. And they have a killer selection of local brews and a great comfort food menu. They offer different daily specials, happy hours and seasonal items follow them on Instagram to stay connected and informed.
Those bars wrap up the hidden gems the Boozy Blondes have enjoyed together. Chrissy has explored many more over the years and takes listeners through an eclectic collection of local haunts and boujee bars around the Crescent City:
Napoleon House in the French Quarter on Chartres Street. Built in 1797 this place offers an unbeatable French Creole ambiance. They’re famous for their Pimm’s Cup & Muffuletta. Go for lunch for some excellent Happy Hour specials in a gorgeous historic building.
Effervescence on North Rampart StreetGorgeous upscale champagne bar, great food. Hit up happy hour b/c it can be pricey. Cutest web address – Nolabubbles.com!
The Country Club on Louisa Street in the Bywater.This boujee old mansion/turned restaurant has a pool, which is key in the hot summer months. You can get a pool pass for the day for around $20 and enjoy great cocktails and food poolside or inside if that’s more your speed. They also do Drag Brunch on Saturdays. Pool is 21 and up only.
Arnaud’s – Richelieu Bar One of the oldest bars in NOLA, this speakeasy-esque bar specializes in obscure creole cocktails made with lost recipes from a bygone era. Ask a server to take you to the Richelieu Bar. If it’s open you might get the bartender to share the history, ghost stories and all, on your visit.
Turkey & Wolf Funkiest 80s throwback nostalgic bar/restaurant with concoctions you could never dream up on an acid trip. Must try: The fried bologna sandwich. They have wine, beer, canned boozy beverages and cocktails.
Hot Tin Rooftop & Bayou Bar on St. Charles This 1940s artist loft penthouse/turned rooftop bar in Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District, with great view of the city and craft cocktails. Don’t miss the historic Bayou Bar downstairs too.
Pluck Wine Bar Located on Girod Street in the Warehouse District, Pluck offers upscale wine in a casual environment, welcoming all price points of world-class wine away from the tourist crowds. They have a food menu as well. Don’t miss the addicting Plucky popcorn!
Elysian Bar Find this sister restaurant to Bacchanal in the Peter & Paul Hotel in the Marigny. It’s located inside an old church rectory. This place has it all: café, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and the space is divided into so many beautiful little parlors, atriums, courtyards and gardens. Chrissy’s favorite is the iconic Jewel Box Bar. Snag a seat at the bar and experience true mixologists at work. Their cocktails & James Beard nominated menu are excellent.
Bar Marilou This tiny, boujee, speakeasy on Carondelet Street serves up out of this world cocktail concoctions, hosts live jazz and even does High Tea with cocktails served in teapots on certain days. Definitely make reservations!
Vessel – in Mid City on Iberville. One block off the Canal Street Trolley stop. It’s inside a 1914 church where the ceiling is modeled after a ship’s hull. “Vessel” is more than just a name; all drinks are served in the proper vessels they were intended to be served in. Pro Tip: Make a reservation for happy hour and enjoy the happy hour food and drink menu.
Cane & Table Cane & Table serves some of the most unique Cajun-Cuban influenced tiki cocktails in the world. Named one of the “Five Best New Cocktail Bars in America” by Bon Appétit, Cane & Table offers an outstanding cocktail menu with an extensive collection of unique & obscure liquor. Amazing food too!
Jewel of the South This classy southern tavern won Tales of the Cocktail Spirit award for best cocktails in 2022. It is also listed as one of the top 50 bars in North America; the cocktail menu is out of this world! With inventive and world class techniques blending ingredients and flavors you won’t find anywhere else, these cocktails are truly unforgettable. Chrissy still dreams of the Carrot Colada cocktail she had there.
Which of these hidden gems have you visited? Share your thoughts with the Boozy Blondes! Send them an email or DM them on Instagram!
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