Tag: TOTC

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 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!