Category: Season 3

Season 3

Episode 074 | Boozy Blondes Season 3 Wrap Up

The Boozy Blondes

Season 3 has come to a close and the Boozy Blondes reflect on all their adventures in 2024! One of the girls’ favorite things about hosting this podcast over the past three years has been all the connections they’ve made with people all over the world!

Season 3 focuses on travel and adventures. Chrissy and Molly would be traveling regardless if the Boozy Blondes Podcast existed or not, so they’ve used this platform to bring advice you and hope you find value and entertainment in it!

The DOE is a MAN-mosa…which is a mimosa with a shot of vodka! They’ve upped their Prosecco game and have clearly built their tolerance over the seasons!

During the Season 2 Recap, the girls listed two goals to achieve in Season 3:

  1. Be a better Boozy Blonde (more for Molly)
    • She’s still growing, but little by little, she’s improving!
  2. To gain more recognition in the beverage industry and be able to attend boozy events.
    • The girls nailed this one! From craft beer festivals to magic shows, the girls really got around this season. And one major success – Chrissy attended her first Tales of the Cocktail!

What’s crazy is Chrissy’s Fast Five answers during the Season 2 Wrap Up episode came to fruition in Season 3! Her goal was to attend Tales of the Cocktail, and a city she wanted to visit in Season 3 was Nashville – check and check!

The girls talk about their highlights for Season 3:

  • Tales of the Cocktail
    • Don’t miss the Season 3 mini-series covering this event! Hear interviews with influences in the beverage industry in episodes:
      • 066 | Tales of the Cocktail Overview
      • 067 | Mozart Chocolate Liqueur with Carina Planeta, Jenny Manger, Brandi Toomer, Ashely Ott
      • 068 | Moët Hennessy w/Alexis Brown
      • 069 | Quintaliza Tequila w/Iliana Partida & Mike Winters
      • 070 | Altamura Vodka with Frank Grillo and Alexandra Purcaru
      • 071 | El Tequileño Tequila with Gina Castillo Oghene
      • 072 | Tullamore D.E.W. w/Clodagh Mai O’Callaghan
      • 073 | Mijenta Tequila w/ Ana María Romero
  • NOLA Jazz Parade
  • Palatka Beer Fest
  • Nashville (x2! Molly and Chrissy went together twice!) The following episodes cover their adventures, tips and tricks:
    • 053 (Honky Tonks)
    • 054 (House of Cards)
    • 055 (Breweries & Distilleries)
    • 057 (Bonus Trip Episode!)
  • House of Cards
  • St. Augustine Craft Brewers Festival

They also have have some Season 3 shout outs including:

  • Bill and Rebecca Abbot at Magic Hideaway (hear all about Magic Hideaway in Episode 058)
  • Courtney Murr of Dog Rose Brewing Company (Hear her interview in Episode 062)
  • Magicians Mark and Shadow at House of Cards (hear all about the magic in Episode 054)
  • All those who spent time with Chrissy at Tales of the Cocktail and are now a part of the Boozy Blondes podcast

The girls close out the episode, and Chrissy predicts a place the blondes will visit in Season 4 – she says “England.” So tune in next year to see if Chrissy’s crystal ball is still in tact!

And if you’re curious about the Booze & Vinyl book the girls reference in this episode, you can find a copy here! It’s the perfect combination of booze + music + recipes.

Cheers until next year!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3, Special Events

Episode 073 | Tales of the Cocktail Interview: Mijenta Tequila w/ Ana María Romero

The Boozy Blondes

Happy Thanksgiving!

We’ve reached the end of our Tales of the Cocktail mini-series with Molly’s favorite – tequila! Chrissy interviews Ana María Romero, Master Distiller with Mijenta Tequila. Chrissy and Ana María find a spot away from the excitement at the Mijenta Cocktail Party at the Four Seasons during this year’s Tales of the Cocktail to chat about the brand and Ana María’s love for curating the perfect tequila taste.

Ana María has been in the industry for about 30 years, and her current position revolves around innovation with quality control and process control. Her first love was wine – she initially only thought of drunk people when she thought of tequila! In reality, tequila can be elegant and complex – it just has a bad stereotype around it! Tequila is so expressive, and Ana María appreciates the freedom in her position to design a complex, delicious taste. She’s in the game to change that historical stereotype – tequila = just drunk people. Drinking tequila should be an enjoyable, immersive experience – one to be remembered the next morning!

What sets Mijenta Tequila apart from other brands is the high quality level of the agave, how it is slow cooked and the meticulous distillation process. Also, there are no additives used in the process. You can read more about Ana María and Mijenta Tequila in an interview from Chilled Magazine.

While hard to choose, Ana María admits the Blanco is her favorite variety in the Mijenta family. A recommended recipe, El Diablo, using the Blanco can be found on the Mijenta website.

Ana María ends the interview and our Tales of the Cocktail mini-series encouraging us to always fight for our dreams ❤ Such a perfect finale.

You can follow Mijenta Tequila on Instagram, and keep up with Ana María on her Instagram page too. She’s teaching a certified professional tequila taster class starting in 2025! Sign up the Boozy Blondes!

Cheers!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3, Special Events

Episode 072 | Tales of the Cocktail Interview: Tullamore D.E.W. w/Clodagh Mai O’Callaghan

The Boozy Blondes

The Tales of the Cocktail mini-series continues when Chrissy interviews Clodagh Mai O’Callaghan, Brand Ambassador with Tullamore D.E.W. whiskey. Clodagh Mai lives in New York but hails from Cork, Ireland, and her accent is actually a contributing factor how she landed in the industry! She shares whiskey with Chrissy, and they talk about their love of Irish Coffee (as does Chrissy’s mom!); you can find the recipe for the Tullamore D.E.W. (Tully) Irish Coffee here!

Tullamore D.E.W. (fondly known as “Tully”) is the original triple blend Irish whiskey – three styles of whiskey are blended together to create the award-winning taste. Malt (fruity), pot still (spicy), and grain (sweet). Its name comes from the town where its made (Tullamore) plus the initials of one of Ireland’s greatest distillers, Daniel Edmund Williams (D.E.W.). Distilling this triple blend started back in the early 1800s! With the expertise and longevity in the industry, it’s no wonder Tullamore D.E.W. is the number two brand in the world!

The best seller which launched this year (at the time of this episode), is the Honey variety which adds a touch of warmth and sweetness to the flagship whiskey. It’s made with 100% natural Bohemian honey sourced from hives in the Czech Republic.

The Boozy Blondes have added a Tullamore D.E.W. distillery visit to their boozy bucket list. This facility spans over 58 acres with 365,000 barrels of Irish Whiskey producing over 2.9 million gallons annually! While you are here, you have the unique opportunity to blend and bottle your own whiskey!

If you’re in NOLA, Clodaugh Mai recommends visiting Erin Rose, her favorite watering hole in the Crescent City. Alexis Brown in Episode 068 has also dubbed Erin Rose as a must-stop spot when you’re in town!

You can follow Clodaugh Mai and all her Tully adventures on Instagram, and be sure to follow Tullamore D.E.W. for fun posts, including glamour shots of that amazing Tully Irish Coffee the girls talk about!

“Success comes not to those who desire it most but to those who care deeply about what they do and feel compelled to create.” – Daniel E. Williams

Slàinte!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3, Special Events

Episode 071 | Tales of the Cocktail Interview: El Tequileño Tequila with Gina Castillo Oghene

The Boozy Blondes

How lucky is Chrissy? We have ANOTHER Tales of the Cocktail interview for you! She had the privilege of meeting so many amazing leaders and influencers in the beverage industry during her stay, and she was grateful to score an interview with Gina Castillo Oghene, El Tequileño Tequila’s Director of Advocacy.

El Tequileño tequila has been around for 65 years, but it’s known as Mexico’s best kept secret. (It just launched in the United States 6 years ago!) Today, over six decades later, El Tequileño is crafted in the same place, using the same recipe under the direction of founder Don Jorge Salles Cuervo’s grandson, Master Distiller Jorge Antonio Salles.

El Tequileño is verified as part of Tequila Matchmaker’s “Verified Additive Free” program, also know as the Additive Free Alliance. This program promotes transparency in tequila production to help consumers make informed choices, and you know the blondes appreciate brands that use REAL ingredients. Tequila brands who apply to this program undergo a rigorous annual verifications process that includes audits, lab tests and tastings during various stages of production.

And did you know the distillery hosts a luxury resort? Casa Salles Hotel Boutique opened in 2019 to share the ultimate tequila experience. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect Boozy Blondes retreat, what does?!

The El Tequileño team attended Tales of the Cocktail sharing their tequilas and also to introduce Still Strength which is 100 proof! Still Strength was introduced at the end of July and was made available in select national and local retailers starting July 30th. Tales of the Cocktail took place July 21st – 26th. Chrissy started her day with a shot of Still Strength, so she was lucky enough to get a taste of this exclusive expression before it was available to the public! She was pleasantly surprised by the flavor – very floral and fruity without any burn!  

Gina’s story about how she started in the industry definitely made Chrissy wish she had a Time-Turner (yes, Harry Potter reference); Chrissy would definitely have pursued a different career and followed in Gina’s footsteps had she known “liquor brand ambassador” was an option! (But then there probably never would have been the Boozy Blondes, so the girls ultimately are glad things turned out the way they did!) But back to Gina – she started her career in the industry with a whiskey brand and was transitioned to the tequila brand ambassador for Jose Cuervo and Don Julio. This role turned into what Chrissy calls “a tequila love story;” you need to listen to the interview to understand!

Gina’s favorite cocktail to make is the Tommy’s Margarita, and her best seller in the US is El Tequileño Platinum made with 100% estate grown agave from the highland of Jalisco. Visit El Tequileño’s website to find recipes for drool-worthy, beautiful cocktails! And side, note, if you’re visiting Guadalajara, stop in Gina’s bar Mitilde Mi Amor!

Have you tried any of the El Tequileño varieties? Which is your favorite? Message us on our Boozy Blondes Instagram or send us an email! Cheers!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3, Special Events

Episode 070 | Tales of the Cocktail Interview: Altamura Vodka with Frank Grillo and Alexandra Purcaru

The Boozy Blondes

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!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3, Special Events

Episode 069 | Tales of the Cocktail Interview: Quintaliza Tequila w/Iliana Partida & Mike Winters

The Boozy Blondes

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.” 

Photo Credit: The J Projects by Jaci Peña

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.

Pictured left to right: Aloe Goodbye | Casual Friday | Wildflower Margarita

Cheers!…to responsible tequila drinking!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3, Special Events

Episode 068 | Tales of the Cocktail Interview: Moët Hennessy w/Alexis Brown

The Boozy Blondes

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!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 3

Episode 067 – Tales of the Cocktail Interview: Mozart Chocolate Liqueur with Carina Planeta, Jenny Manger, Brandi Toomer, Ashely Ott

The Boozy Blondes

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!

Mozart Coconut Bahama Mama
Mozart Coconut Colada
Mozart Coconut Iced 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!

Carina | Vienna, Austria
The Restaurant in the Bank – Instagram
Josef Cocktail Bar – Instagram
Her NOLA rec is Five’s Bar. You can also follow them on Instagram!

Jenny | Lake Ariel, PA
Nurnberger Bier Haus (be sure to order Bob’s Chocolate Martini) – Instagram
Her NOLA rec is Fritzel’s. You can follow them on Instagram too!

Brandi | Houston
Anvil – check them out on Instagram!

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!

Chrissy recommends Lafitte’s! If you’ve listened to Episode 061, you heard all about this gem!

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!

Season 3, Special Events

Episode 066 | Tales of the Cocktail

The Boozy Blondes

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!

Over the next few episodes Chrissy shares her amazing experience with listeners as she features interviews with multiple brands who attended Tales of the Cocktail including Moet Hennessy, Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, Altamura, El Tequileno, Mijenta Tequila, Tullamore Dew, and Quintaliza Tequila!

While you wait for each individual episode to drop, you can follow these amazing brands on Instagram:

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!

Season 3

Episode 065 | What’s Next for the Boozy Blondes

The Boozy Blondes

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. 1 Episode 013 and Booze Cruise Vol. 2 Episode 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!