• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Stir & Strain

  • About
  • Recipes
    • Make or Buy
    • Gin
    • Mezcal
    • Rum
    • Tequila
    • Vodka
    • Whiskey
    • Wine
    • Low Rent Cocktail of the Month
  • Gift Guides
  • Cocktail Presets
  • Seasons
    • spring
    • summer
    • Fall
    • winter
  • Supplies

notes

Coming back online // you can’t wear a mask and drink at the same time

October 12, 2020 by elana 2 Comments

Checking in cocktails // stirandstrain.comTrying to drink a cocktail with a mask on was not something I planned on dealing with this year. Both of my kids starting school full time, renovating our house, fitting into a bridesmaids dress, these were what I thought would be my most challenging issues when 2020 started. And yet, here we are.

I will not break down how this year has been challenging; I’m late to that game and frankly rehashing all of it will not be therapeutic for me or for you dear readers. And it’s been done. Over and over a million times now, and it’s not even over yet.

So where will this site go from here? Well, for a start, I never planned on taking such a long break. I think the longest break I took from writing on here was about three months years ago. Next year will mark 10 whole years of Stir and Strain and that feels monumental, and maybe what brought me back here to say hello.

I’m going to take some time to shuffle through some posts and put together some resource guides both for use at home, and where you can help out in the wild (from the safety of your home). It’s in the works but with my current workload of full time virtual school for two youngins, the pace over here has slowed down considerably.

As always, I appreciate you stopping by and showing support reading these recipes. Please feel free to say hello! I’m still here but I might not answer you for a week (or more).

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Notes Tagged With: notes

Monday Booze News A new low-abv drink to try, jello shots for St. Patrick's Day, and getting to know Tennessee whiskey

March 8, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: Always with lime wheels // stirandstrain.com

  • First, apparently there are a myriad of ways to clean a wine decanter. Who knew? Well, now you do.
  • St. Patrick’s Day is coming, get to know some single pot whiskey.
  • Don’t forget your Shamrock Shot Glass Top Hat YOLO!
  • And yes, we’re bringing out those Irish Coffee Jello Shots again because WHY NOT?!
  • Confused about Tennessee whiskey? Get your answers here.
  • These are the beers you should be drinking right now.
  • Condensation inside that bottle of booze? Here’s why...
  • Piquette, your new favorite low-abv drink.
  • Need a new rum? Here are some bartender’s picks for most underrated.
  • And finally, 20 homes in Italy got treated to some free wine… from their faucets.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News All about Chartreuse, sleep where your beer is made, and more tiki mugs you'll want to buy!

March 2, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: poolside at the GCH // stirandstrain.com

  • Happy TIki Mug Monday folks! If you’re into tiki mugs AND the Mandalorian, Tiny Tony has a presale for his Child mug and it’s gonna be cuuuuuute!
  • And if beer is your thing, here’s a pretty new stained glass beer mug that is actually made by TikiFarm.
  • Speaking of beer, would you try a salted beer? We’re going to give it a try.
  • Love Chartreuse? You’re going to need this new book.
  • And if you’re not a big Chartreuse fan, then perhaps this Whiskey Master Class book is more your style?
  • Mocktails are here to stay, probably. Here’s why.
  • We’ve moved on from Japanese whisky. Here’s 5 Japanese gins to try.
  • Had a bit too much at the distillery tasting? Well, now you can sleep there.
  • Thinking about starting your own booze brand? Don’t do it. But if you still want to, check out how these bartenders made the leap.
  • And finally, Aviation Gin is winning at commercials.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News Presidents Day Drinking Edition

February 17, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: All the Presidents Drinks // stirandstrain.com

  • First! This weekend Cocktail Presets is having a 50% off sale in anticipation for our new Spring Cocktails Series launching later next month. Use code FRIEND50 at checkout!
  • An ATM but for sparkling wine? And it’s FREE?!?!
  • President Harry Truman started every morning off with a glass of bourbon.
  • Yes, I’ve definitely been drawn into a bar for a unique drink, but the amount of times I’ve never finished that drink is.. well, sad.
  • President Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed sipping on Mint Juleps.
  • If you’re in DC, stop into Columbia Room for some amazing sounding classes for cocktails!
  • Madeira was a favorite among our early presidents like John Adams.
  • I’m alllll about amaro in a Tiki cocktail.
  • Champagne was a popular drink of choice for many presidents.
  • And finally: Hey thieves! Maybe don’t get drunk when you’re trying to rob some place.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News Beer helps reunite dog with owner, pink spirits, and is tofu booze ever coming??

February 10, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: Peachy Keen Cocktails // stirandstrain.com

  • First we’ve rounded up all the pretty colored drinks if you want something nice to make this week that also tastes good.
  • Looking for something pink to drink besides rosé? Try these spirits.
  • Breaking open some wine this week? Should you decant or aerate?
  • Apps and sherry? Heck yes!
  • Need another word for Mocktail? Alcademics has you covered.
  • Still waiting for that Tofu Booze to come out...
  • What’s new in flavored whiskey? Well… these.
  • This new nightclub in Koreatown in LA hurts my eyeballs but I’d still drink there.
  • It’s only a matter of time before someone is distilling pechuga with roadkill and red hot candies.
  • And finally, in ridiculously cute and hopeful news, beer helped reunite owner with long-lost dog.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News Finding rare booze, yet another use for bacon and cocktails, and bitters from Japan!

February 3, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News Electric Drinks // stirandstrain.com

  • For those of you who partied a little too hard last night, and you’re in NYC, get yourself to one of these bars this morning for a Bloody Mary.
  • And maybe make some shot glasses with your leftover bacon??
  • Meehan’s newest project is a little out of the ordinary...
  • Is it more surprising that I don’t think 2 gallons are a lot in a year?
  • These vodkas don’t taste like your ordinary vodkas. And no, they’re not flavored.
  • Finding rare bottles of booze can be hard nowadays. Here’s some tips to help you.
  • Could this be the most accurate jigger EVER?!
  • Get excited about some new bitters. No, really!
  • Instead of flowers this year, nothing says love like a dragon Negroni pin.
  • And finally, of course America would think this novel virus outbreak had to do with beer.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News Wine in the river, Drinking with Chickens, and Tiki News

January 27, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: it's fresh // stirandstrain.com

We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled booze recipe posts next week, but first… more booze news…

  • First, do you know what a squash is when you’re talking about cocktails? Our latest recipe over at Simply Recipes will explain that AND give you a no ABV cocktail you want to drink this winter.
  • And if you like that, try this tea and tonic drink too!
  • Do you know American Single Malt Whiskey? Here’s your cheat sheet.
  • Remembering Tiki News and the Tiki Revival of the 90s.
  • And now you can go drink like a Caribbean local with these drinks.
  • The Sober Curious movement sees an increase in the UK.
  • Can’t make it to London to visit Tayer + Elementary? You can still make some of their drinks with these recipes.
  • They might be calling it the Red Russian River soon...
  • This twitter thread on drink advertising photos is fantastic.
  • And finally, if you enjoy cocktails, chickens, and fresh ingredients, PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK!!!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News Booze-less bartenders, using mango pits for syrups, and the 100th anniversary of Prohibition

January 20, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: York Bar Drinks // stirandstrain.com

  • If you’re saving your nonalcoholic drinking for “Sobertober” you can preorder what looks to be an amazing collection of booze-less drinks.
  • Or if you’re looking for nonalcoholic drink options in SF, try these places!
  • Are you surprised that your bartender might also have cut out alcohol?
  • And if you want a NoABV drink at home without a lot of complicated syrups and the like, check out these bottles.
  • I’m thoroughly impressed with the use of mango pits here to make a syrup. Talk about a stainable cocktail pantry!
  • And if you want to stock up your cocktail pantry with more homemade items this year, check out our BUY or DIY series for lots of options.
  • Is Vietnam on your bucket travel list? Here’s some great bars to try while you’re there.
  • Put this on your to-do list… make your perfect Martini.
  • It’s the 100 anniversary of Prohibition. And what a dark time that was...
  • And finally, apparently it’s champagne that will help you live past 100.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News Meat and cheese pairings, more noABV drinks, and some booze technology

January 13, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: meat and cheese edition // stirandstrain.com

  • First, we rounded up some of our fav non-alcoholic drinks from the site. Check them out!
  • Also, if you’re looking to simplify your cocktails photo editing, we’ve made it even easier to grab one of our Classic Cocktail Presets for Lightroom Desktop and Mobile.
  • AND! I’ve got a brand new shrub recipe up over on Simply Recipes right now. If you like pears and ginger you should be clicking this link right now.
  • While Dry January is helpful to many, it’s also major dollar signs for noABV brands.
  • New year’s goals include knowing more about wine? Then you must read this book.
  • Planning a a happy hour or dinner soon? Check out what wine to drink with what charcuterie.
  • Meat not your thing? How about these cheese and beer pairings!
  • Chill a whole bottle of wine in 3 minutes. Beer in under a minute…. You just gotta wait until October.
  • What makes a perfect Manhattan? Some bartenders weigh in on that.
  • And finally, just because you can order a Baby Yoda cocktail doesn’t mean you should order a Baby Yoda cocktail.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

Monday Booze News The 2019 booze trend wrap up, what's coming in 2020, and drinking expensive booze in an igloo

January 6, 2020 by elana Leave a Comment

Monday Booze News: blank and soda // stirandstrain.com

  • Looking ahead to the next decade, here’s a few trends in drinking that are sure to stick around awhile.
  • And here’s 8 trends to look forward to (please don’t send me to a selfie bar…)!
  • Some drinking resolutions from some drinking experts can be found here.
  • And some additional round ups of what we drank and what was cool in 2019 over here.
  • First, why are you stealing your grandmother’s booze, and second, sure, give me some new options for a nitecap!
  • A private igloo, a $3,000 hot chocolate, gold shavings, New York City… my eyes have rolled so hard I’ve given myself a headache.
  • FINALLY, a science article on whiskey that is actually cool.
  • Like a Manhattan, take a walk through its history.
  • Want more scotch in 2020? Start with these bottles.
  • And finally, that’s not port from the 1800s, that’s pee. Happy New Year everyone!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Booze News, Notes Tagged With: booze news, notes

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 23
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Stay in Touch

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
Classic Cocktail Presets // stirandstrain.com

Recent Posts

  • Coming back online // you can’t wear a mask and drink at the same time
  • Home Bar Spring Favorites
  • Monday Booze News A new low-abv drink to try, jello shots for St. Patrick's Day, and getting to know Tennessee whiskey
  • Monday Booze News All about Chartreuse, sleep where your beer is made, and more tiki mugs you'll want to buy!
  • Tequila Cazadores: Cristalino Launch
  • Mixed Citrus Margaritas for Margarita Day Learn to make a squash syrup (no, not the vegetable!)
  • Building a Home Bar: Keeping Cool with the Newair Premiere Line Fridge
  • Monday Booze News Presidents Day Drinking Edition


Copyright © 2025 Stir and Strain .
All rights reserved. Original photography may not be used without prior written permission.
Alcoholic drinks are intended for adult use only. Mind your local drinking laws.

%d