Good Morning and or afternoon! I have had one hell of a last few weeks with a project I have been somewhat keeping a secret for the last 7 months which has been turbulent to say the least, and also because this week I became a father! 🫢 

2024 has been a year for the books. So many incredible trips taken, a rebrand of my bar and restaurant and now finishing this year off with this gift. I am truly a happy man.

Anyway! Last week I posted a really awesome video where I reviewed Lalo Tequila but also got to share some of the interview I did with Lalo, the man and grandson of the Original Don Julio. Give it a watch, i think it provides some incredible incite into this exciting brand.

Let's get to this week's newsletter!

Booze in 2025: Hold Onto Your Wallets and Get Ready for the Unexpected

My crystal ball is cloudy, but one thing's for sure: the drinks world is in for some major shake-ups in 2025. We've combed through the latest trend predictions from Vinepair and Wine Enthusiast, and let's just say, things are about to get interesting.

First things first, get those wallets ready. Both publications agree that those sky-high drink prices aren't going anywhere. Inflation, tariffs, you name it – it's all contributing to the rising cost of a good drink. Looks like happy hour is about to become everyone's favorite time of day.

But hey, at least the drinks themselves will be worth the splurge. Tequila and mezcal are still reigning supreme, but get ready for some creative twists like "taco margaritas" (we're not exactly sure what that entails, but we're definitely curious). And if you're a fan of tropical flavors and global cuisine, you're in luck. Apparently, our palates are going on a trip around the world in 2025.

Speaking of travel, remember those $45 shots of mezcal and uni? Yeah, those are apparently a thing now. Vinepair says fine dining restaurants are embracing the shot, but with a seriously luxurious (and expensive) twist.

Craft spirit enthusiasts, you might want to stock up on your favorites. Both publications predict a tough year for small distilleries, with rising costs and drinkers tightening their belts.

And what about wine? Well, Vinepair says red wine is out and white wine is in. They're even predicting all-white wine lists at some restaurants. But don't worry, those who prefer their drinks with a little more kick can still find plenty to enjoy. Martinis are still going strong, with bars riffing on classic variations like the Gibson and the Vesper.

Non-alcoholic drinks are also having a moment, but they're not the sad afterthoughts they used to be. Expect interesting flavor combinations, fancy presentations, and even "alcohol-free food pairing experiences." And if you can't decide between booze and no-booze, just "zebra stripe" it – switching between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night.

Eastern Standard Rises Again: Jackson Cannon Rebuilds a Boston Icon

Robert Simonson, over at Imbibe, (and one of my favorite spirits and cocktail authors) recently gave us a fantastic look into the career of Jackson Cannon, a true legend in the Boston cocktail world. This isn't just a profile piece; it's a story of resilience, dedication, and the enduring power of hospitality.

Cannon, who was instrumental in building Boston's cocktail scene in the 90s, recently found himself rebuilding it after the pandemic wreaked havoc on the industry. He resurrected the iconic Eastern Standard bar (in a new location, sadly), and opened a brand new high-craft cocktail haven called Equal Measure.

But Simonson goes beyond just the "what" and delves into the "why." Why would this veteran bartender, with nothing left to prove, jump back into the daily grind of running a bar? The answer, it seems, lies in his deep-rooted passion for hospitality and his unwavering commitment to mentorship.

Simonson paints a picture of a man who truly cares about his craft, his colleagues, and his customers. Cannon is a constant student and teacher, always seeking new knowledge and sharing it with his team. He's a champion of the Boston bar scene, and a reminder that sometimes, the most experienced among us have the most to teach.

My Take: I never worked in the City of Boston proper as a bartender, I always worked in the suburbs. But I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Jackson Cannon and Eastern Standard, at least indirectly.

When I got my first job as a real Craft Cocktail bartender, the person who trained me, Kevin, was someone who used to work and apparently run the Bar at Eastern Standard with Jackson Cannon. And it was due to that experience and being trained by Kevin, that I started to take this very seriously and it's what set me on the path I'm on today.

When Eastern Standard closed during the pandemic, I and so many people were very upset as it was a cocktail institution that was so important to our city. I even posted a story years back talking about how much it would be missed.

When it was brought back last year I knew I couldn't wait to visit, and my wife surprised me with reservations at Eastern Standard for my 30th birthday with all of my best friends. We had an amazing dinner, some bone marrow Sherry luge shots before drinking the night away at Equal Measure. Everything was amazing and it feels so right to have Eastern Standard back.

And in my opinion, Jackson Cannon deserves every bit of praise he gets.

Holiday Gift Guide! Random Miscellaneous Gift Ideas!

We’ve covered the Useful gifts, we’ve covered the best books, today were going for the totally random and fun gifts!

Pins with Attitude: Cocktail Critters 
I stumbled upon these guys a while back and every bartender loves pins, they go great on aprons, hats, backpacks, and these guys make really cute ones with animals and also really cool cocktail ones. They also make a "(somewhat superfluous) Loch Ness Monster Whiskey Stone which is really cute, even if i don’t like whiskey stones.

Fun And Awesome Merch! Mover & Shaker
My boy Nick, from Mover and Shaker has he best apparel and Merch company in the bartending game. They are funny, and make incredible gifts for that spirits lover / bartender friend of yours. Their store has so much awesome stuff. I’m doing a bad job describing why its so cool, but go check out their store, you’ll get it.

Hand Lotion: O’Keefe’s Working Hands
Yes, you read that correctly. Every bartender needs this. It is indispensable and probably should’ve been on last weeks list but if you have a bartender friend, this I a MUST have gift. Our hands get incredibly dry especially if you work in the Cold North or Northeast. Cracked and dry hands are the worst, and working hands is the best lotion I have found.

Small Oak Barrel: Age Your Own Spirits!
Okay, so i have never bought one but I was gifted one. This is great for a home bartender or cocktail enthusiast who would want to try aging their own spirit. Its a fun experiment, and many years ago, we aged a Negroni with Coconut and it was delightful.

Best Video I Saw This Week

Chef Jose Andres is one of the worlds most renowned chefs and this video really struck a chord with me. My wife and I are foodies, and this is what we try to follow when we go to a new City. Having multiple dinners a night (small bites not full meals) is the most enjoyable way in my opinion to truly get a know a new city.

And it makes my heart happy to have heard this from such a huge inspiration in the food world!