Tag: drinking podcast

Season 4, Travel - Where to Drink

Episode 079 | Drinks in Washington, DC

The Boozy Blondes

Watch out, America! The Boozy Blondes are headed to our nation’s capital in this episode! This trip was way overdue – neither had been to DC since they were in middle school!

The DOE is a Washington Apple Mimosa, in honor of old George. Wanna make one at home? It’s easy, just combine Prosecco (or any sparkling wine) with apple cider, a cinnamon stick and an apple slice. Easy and delicious!

The first stop on the patriotic tour was to the Old Ebbitt Grill. And bonus! Field Drinker Tanya was along for the ride too! Old Ebbitt is the oldest saloon in DC, founded in 1856. The girls enjoyed a tasty lunch and of course, some fantastic drinks. Chrissy enjoyed an espresso martini (and spoiler alert, it seems to be her DC drink of choice as you’ll learn!), Molly loved her Cloudy with a Chance of Rain (gin, orgeat, basil, lime & bitters), and Tanya ordered the exact opposite: A Lil’ Sunshine! This was a tequila based drink made with tequila, italicus rosolio, bergamotto, falernum, pineapple, lime & pepper.

From here the squad headed to Founding Farmers & Distillers. There are multiple locations in DC, with the first one opening in 2008 on Pennsylvania Ave just blocks from the White House. The girls hit up the one on Massachusetts Ave in Chinatown which is home to the distillery, Founding Spirits. They arrived just in time for happy hour and they must say, Founding Farmers offers a great happy hour menu! Chrissy drank the Founding Spirits Mule (vodka, lime and ginger beer), and Molly had the Farm Daisy (gin, green chartreuse, lemon and lemongrass), so both stayed with the same liquor base as their first drinks. (They can’t remember what Field Drinker Tanya enjoyed.)

Allegory was next, and lushes, if you’re in DC, make sure you seek out this hidden speakeasy! This was “the first bar to blend art, literature, social good, craft cocktails, and hospitality.” The bar is located in Eaton DC and once you find your way inside, you’re immersed in an Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass theme but told through the eyes of Ruby Bridges—the first Black child to desegregate the William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960. Chrissy learned of this bar while watching an episode of Drink Masters. Kapri Robinson, who bartends at Allegory was on the show. Fun fact, she won US bartender of the year for 2024!

The Boozy Blondes fellow podcasting friends, The Bargoyles, met them here, which was a great treat! The amazing hand-crafted cocktails were flowing and they tried almost every drink on the menu!

  • Chrissy: Looking Glass: Vodka, pisco, chayote fino, yuzu, champagne sherbet, clarified and Garden of Live Flowers: rum, Agricole, gin, bitters, snap peas, cardamom, aloe, black pepper coconut, lemon
  • Molly: Unicorn: Rum, Pandan, Sesame honey, Eucalyptus & Coconut and Eyes of Flame: mezcal, rum, nixta elote, mandarin, passion fruit, palo cortado, pumpkin seed
  • Tanya:Second Hand News: Vodka, Fino, orgeat, dolin genipy, lemon and Mad Hatter: Rye whiskey, lemon, lime, simple syrup, absinthe.
  • Issac: Eden: Gin, supercharged oranges, benzoin, piloncillo, orange blossom, clarified whey (plus bubbles)
  • Nick: Looking Glass

Unfortunately after this day, the girls has to separate, but they independently found amazing places to share with you. Molly went to SPIN DC, which is a ping pong bar! As an active drinker, Molly really appreciated this action-filled, and surprisingly Instagram-able bar! The concept was created when founders Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy dreamed of becoming members of the USA Olympic Ping Pong team. You can learn all about this duo here.

Molly was also lucky enough to attend the German Ambassador’s residence for a celebration in honor of the Day of German Unity, which commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany! The event had major Epcot Food & Wine Festival vibes (which by the way you can listen to Boozy Blondes Episode 016 and hear all about the girls’ favorite annual festival), and some of the food reminded Molly of that served at Buchner’s Bierhalle in Jacksonville! (The girls love Buchner’s and you can hear all about it in Episode 006 and Episode 021, Jax Ale Trail Vol. 1 and Vol. 2!)

She also visited another “active drinker bar” called Swingers Crazy Golf DC. It’s a beautiful indoor miniature golf venue where they serve you drinks while you play!

While apart, Chrissy checked off about a dozen new bars on her Bingo card. First was Yellow, which is more about the food than the drinks, but definitely worth a stop. The menu expands across baked goods, mezze, wood-fired pita sandwiches, & specialty drinks, but after 4pm, Yellow reopens as (Not)Pizza “a sourdough celebration of Levantine flavors, fired in the YELLOW wood-burning oven at 700 degrees – it looks an awful lot like pizza, but it’s not.” Chrissy went during the (Not)Pizza hours, which she learned about on a Boozy Blondes favorite, Somebody Feed Phil (catch Yellow on Season 7, episode 2). She enjoyed a “Chrissy-friendly” pizza (no dairy) and Lebanese wine, Kefraya Les Breteches.

Next stop for Chrissy was The Fountain Inn, which was established in 1783 and is one of the most important inns in American history!

  • Washington slept there
  • Jefferson drank there
  • DC was built there
  • The Fountain Inn also hosted the debate between Thomas Jefferson & John Adams during the controversial and pivotal election of 1800

Chrissy enjoyed a hot toddy (the best of her life!) then switched to wine. The Fountain Inn offers bourbon tasting experiences and cocktails tours, so be sure to check out the website when you plan your visit.

Some other notable stops during Chrissy’s time are:

  • Ilili – Incredible Lebanese food and libations on the Wharf. There’s also a location in DC. Highly recommend reservations.
  • Zaytinya – Mediterranean restaurant with small plates and creative cocktails by the legendary Chef Jose Andres. They also have locations in NY and South Beach.
  • 12 Stories – a sexy rooftop bar on the Wharf with 360 degree views of DC.
  • The Hamilton – the hippest historic happy hour in DC with some pretty awesome food and history.
  • Round Robin Bar at The Willard – Known as DC’s oval office of bars this place is dripping with history plus it’s in one of the most beautiful hotels in the States.
  • The Waldorf Astoria – a DC gem for Michelin dining and drinks. Plus the lobby bar is absolutely jaw dropping. You will drop you wallet when you go here, so be warned, but know it’s worth it.
  • Ben’s Chili Bowl – serving up a taste of history since 1958. This famous family run establishment is worth the hype. From serving food during the March on Washington in ’63 to providing food and shelter during the DC riots of ’68. They’ve done it all, including winning a James Beard Award and appearing on shows like Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. There is a bar next door called Ben’s Next Door. Ben’s has multiple locations, and Chrissy visited the original on U Street. During her time there she was graced by the chili queen herself, Miss Virginia Ali!

When the girls reunited, they visited The Vue Rooftop in the Hotel Washington which boasts amazing views of the National Mall and White House. Molly enjoyed My Flower My Nectar which was made with Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, Pineapple, Jasmine, Roses, Lemon, and Fee Foam. Chrissy loved her Power to the Peaches: Grey Goose Essences, Cointreau, Chandon Garden Spritz, chamomile, honey, and lemon. Chrissy had been to The Vue earlier in the week and she enjoyed an espresso martini and truffle fries.

While this is a drinking podcast, the girls want to be sure to mentions some of these must-sees when you’re in DC:

These places barely crap the tip of the ice berg when it comes to all DC has to offer. The girls hope to be back soon and share a DC Volume 2 episode with you lushes! Make sure to check out the Boozy Blondes Instagram and look for reels featuring Old Ebbitt, Founding Spirts, Swingers Crazy Golf DC and the Day of German Unity event!

What’s your go-to spot in DC? Let the Boozy Blondes know! Message them on Instagram or send them an email!

6-Pack To Go, Season 4

Episode 078 | 6-Pack To Go Series: Fill Your Boat Day Cooler

The Boozy Blondes

The blondes are back with another 6-pack to go episode, and with boat season right around the corner, they debate the top six drinks to fill their cooler! If you want a successful boozy boat day, tune in and find out what the girls are packing!

Chrissy’s cooler always includes painkillers to start the day while Molly packs as many canned drinks she can fit in her cooler. Both girls love to pack Owl’s Brew – made with 100% real ingredients, these drinks are perfect for days on the water. And did you know? The Boozy Blondes interviewed Maria Littlefield, co-founder of Owl’s Brew in Season 2! Listen here!

So whose cooler do you like better? Comment under the post for this episode on the Boozy Blondes Instagram account!

Season 4, Travel - Where to Drink

Episode 077 | Disney Drinking, Sangria University

The Boozy Blondes

Welcome to another magical episode brought to you by the Boozy Blondes! In this episode Molly recaps how much fun she and her mom had at Walt Disney World’s Sangria University at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Tune in to this episode to learn what, exactly, Sangria University is, what to expect when you enroll, tips to ensure you make the most of your experience and the pros and cons of the class.

The DOE is, surprise! Sangria! The Boozy Blondes have a delicious recipe from their friend Kelly…delicious and dangerous! Here is the recipe if you’d like to indulge:

  • 750ml Red Wine (Red Blend recommended)
  • ½ cup brandy
  • ½ cup Grand Marnier
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • Squeeze juice from (1) lemon and (1) lime
  • Chop (1) apple, (1) pear or summer berries and add to sangria
  • Orange slices for garnish

Make ahead one day for alcohol to mellow. Add Grand Marnier floater on top!

Sangria University is held at Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. It’s a 90-minute class of the history of sangria making (with a little Disney history sprinkled in) that includes four samples of a variety of sangrias and a light appetizer. You learn about each sangria on the flight – each a different variety including a red, a white, a rosé and a sparkling sangria. The class concludes with a final exam where students create their own sangrias choosing from a variety of wine bases, liquor options, enhancements and flavors.

It’s only offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and costs $69 – $79 per person which includes tax and gratuity. When you sign up, about $10 of your tuition goes to your instructor as a tip.

This class is catered to adults. Guests under 21 can attend, but they are charged the same price as adults and given a nonalcoholic substitute for sangria.

Molly shares a few tips in this episode to make the most of your class:

  1. Enroll early – up to 60 days out. There are only 2 classes each weekend and they fill up.
  2. Give yourself plenty of time to get to Coronado Springs – it’s kind of an outlier resort without boats or monorails or sky buckets to get you there.
  3. Wait inside at the resort until about 10-15 minutes before your class. There is nothing to protect you from the elements while you wait for the Sangria University staff to let you in Three Bridges.
  4. Take your time sampling the sangria – although the ice will melt and water down the sangrias, the history lesson is received much better while sipping on them.
  5. Same thing with your snack – it’s not a lot, so take your time, you can’t order anything else during class.
  6. Be prepared to keep yourself entertained in the time between the lesson and final exam. Your instructor must visit all the tables to get the custom orders, so if you’re not one of the first, you’ll be waiting a while.
  7. While this is a pre-paid event, be prepared to potentially spend some more day of – extra tip for your instructor, premium spirits for your final exam, extra sangria on your way out.

Be sure to listen to this episode to hear the pros and cons of the class (in Molly’s opinion) and see if you scored as well as Chrissy did on her Sangria pop quiz! To catch highlights from the class, find the Sangria University reel on the Boozy Blondes’ Instagram. Be sure to message the girls if you attend Sangria University and share what you think – especially tips for the final exam Cheers!

6-Pack To Go, Season 4

Episode 076 | 6-Pack To Go Series: Hangover Reality TV

The Boozy Blondes

Welcome to a new mini-series from the Boozy Blondes! These crushable episodes are called “6-Pack To Go” episodes because the Boozy Blondes share their top 6 in different categories. It’s a way for the girls to give you their recommendations in a wide range of boozy topics. For example, today they are debating the top 6 reality tv shows to binge when you are hungover.

The girls don’t want to give away their top 6s in this blog, so you have to go listen! They are curious to know if you share their feelings about certain MTV’s The Challenge competitors or if you’ve visited any of the bars owned by Southern Charm characters. Or how do you feel about reality shows where the contestants are looking to find love like Love is Blind or Married at First Sight?

Throughout this mini-series, the blondes will bring guests to the 6-Packs to share their expertise and recommendations as well! The girls hope these episodes bring you a new bar or city to visit or a new drink or activity to try or even some nugget to remember for the future! (Like next time you’re hungover, go check out old episodes of Laguna Beach!)

The girls love hearing from their fellow lushes, so send in your category recommendations and let them know if you match or try out any of their top 6 in any category! You can DM them on Instagram or shoot them an email. Cheers!

Behind the Booze - Interviews, Season 4

Episode 075 | Behind the Booze – Interview with Chris Parker of Barfly Mixology Gear

The Boozy Blondes

Listen here!

Welcome to Season 4 of the Boozy Blondes podcast! The girls kick off the season interviewing Chris Parker, National Sales Manager for Barfly Mixology Gear. Barfly is a premium mixology-ware company created to celebrate and elevate the craft of cocktail making. Perfect tools for the Boozy Blondes, right?

The DOE is Prosecco, which ironically did not require any barware, but the girls are celebrating the kickoff of season 4!

Chrissy first discovered the Barfly brand at Tales of the Cocktail (have you heard the girls’ mini-series all about Tales of the Cocktail? Be sure to check out episodes 066 – 073). As a fan of curating delicious cocktails at home, she was instantly drawn to the beautiful products.

Barfly is a relatively new brand under the parent company Mercer Tool Corp. It was created when members of the Mercer team started paying attention to the tools bartenders were using. It seemed there was one main manufacturer in this space, so the team decided to create products to add variety in the market, and to give its end-users a choice when it came to premium barware. As a stainless-steel products manufacturer, the Mercer team used their expertise in stainless steel fabrication, and Barfly Mixology Gear was created!

Consumers can purchase Barfly products through online retailers such as Amazon and some specialty cocktail shops scattered around the country, but for professionals, Barfly is available through their food service distribution channels. It’s a great partnership. So convenient for food service personnel – they don’t need to make an additional call for these products; they can arrive on the same truck as their other supplies. And for Barfly, this gives them access to thousands of sales representatives in the field who are working with bars and restaurants every day!

Barfly also partners with a number of influencers like The Educated Barfly. You can check out the “Drinks with Movers and Shakers” page on the Barfly website to see how these products are being used t create amazing concoctions you can recreate at home! Be sure to following Barfly on Instagram for fun content too!

Dedicated to fostering growth and success within the company and its community, Barfly created the Together We Give initiative. Visit the website to learn more about the causes and foundations it supports in addition to multiple bartenders guilds and the American Culinary Federation.

The girls learn more about Chris during their conversation too! He originally went to culinary school, and he worked in New York food service for about a decade, both in front of the house and back of the house. This is where he really fell in love with the industry and carried his passion into his initial role at Mercer when he was hired as a sales representative. Now as the National Sales Manager, he’s traveling around the country staying on the cutting edge of culinary, engaging with chefs and bartenders on a daily basis.

Chris currently resides in Cincinnati and recommends visiting Sundry and Vice and Japps if you are ever in town looking for cocktails. And although hard to choose just one, Chris decides the 3-piece heavy weight shaker is his favorite Barfly product.

Have you created any fabulous cocktails with Barfly mixology-ware? Share your creation with the Boozy Blondes! Cheers!

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!