Dylan Ettinger

1 week ago | foodandwine.com | Dylan Ettinger

Credit: camaralenta / Getty Images The Blue Weber species of agave is at the heart of every bottle of tequila. The plant takes years to mature before it can be made into tequila. Like wine, the environment in which the agave is grown affects a tequila’s flavor. The vast majority of tequila is produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which is divided into two major producing regions: the highlands (Los Altos) and the Tequila Valley (El Valle), sometimes referred to in English as the lowlands.

1 week ago | foodandwine.com | Dylan Ettinger

Credit: EyeEm Mobile GmbH / Getty Images Anyone who has gone to brunch or a rooftop happy hour recently can tell you that the spritz is still on top of the cocktail world. The classic Italian cocktail has become a favorite for warm-weather sipping, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing. To most Americans, the bright orange Aperol Spritz is the most familiar expression of this category of cocktails.

1 week ago | foodandwine.com | Dylan Ettinger

Credit: Courtesy of Campari AmericaRussell’s Reserve 13-Year Bourbon will be back in Summer 2025 after a year-long break, now bottled at its highest proof yet — 123.8 — making it the boldest release to date. The 2025 edition features richer flavor notes, including vanilla, brown sugar, cherry, and a new cola undertone, along with a robust oak character from extended aging. All future releases of Russell’s Reserve will feature seasonal and year-specific labeling for easier identification.

2 weeks ago | foodandwine.com | Dylan Ettinger

Credit: Food & Wine / Tim Nusog Prep Time:2 minsTotal Time:3 minsYield:1 The Bamboo, a combination of sherry, vermouth, and bitters, is a low-ABV cocktail that’s based on the build of the classic Manhattan cocktail. Instead of a spirit base, the Bamboo swaps in fino sherry, and is usually made with a dry vermouth, which also makes it similar in build to a Martini. The Bamboo was part of a wave of sherry-based cocktails based on the Manhattan, the most notable of these being the Adonis.

2 weeks ago | foodandwine.com | Dylan Ettinger

Credit: Food & Wine / Tim Nusog Prep Time:2 minsTotal Time:3 minsYield:1 The South Side, a combination of gin, lemon juice, mint, and simple syrup, has a muddled and cloudy history. Ask five bartenders where this fresh and bright cocktail originated, and you’re likely to get five different answers.