Cocktail College Podcast

2 days ago | vinepair.com | Olivia White

When it comes to cocktails, everybody has an opinion. Perhaps it’s a common one, like that Martinis should always be stirred and never shaken. Other opinions might be hotter takes, like Old Fashioneds are overrated. No matter what, every drinker has at least one opinion regarding cocktails and how they ought to be prepared and enjoyed. To learn about some of the most controversial cocktail opinions held by the pros, we asked bartenders from across the country for their hottest cocktail takes.

2 days ago | vinepair.com | Hannah Staab

From probiotic shots and electrolyte supplements to odd homemade remedies, everyone is looking for a shortcut to evade the dreaded hangover. But before reaching for a new product or trying some last-ditch cure involving pickle juice or oysters, there are some simple steps that people can take to help prevent that uneasy feeling the morning after a night out. One of the easiest ways to make sure you feel your best after a few drinks is fueling up with the right food.

2 days ago | vinepair.com | Dave Infante

Earlier this week, I broke the news here at VinePair that Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) plans to “withdraw” from California — like, the entire state — at the beginning of September. The second-largest wine and spirits distributor in the country has been collapsing in the Golden State for years, but its death spiral had tightened considerably since the top of 2025, when major brands began heading for the warehouse door more or less monthly. Now, it’s throwing in the towel.

3 days ago | vinepair.com | Olivia White

While its name might evoke the bygone cocktails of the disco era, crème de cassis is a deep red liqueur capable of shining in a wide range of cocktails. Often confused with Chambord, which is made with black raspberries, crème de cassis is made by infusing crushed blackcurrants in a neutral liqueur. The result is a sweet, slightly tart liqueur with subtle earthiness that imbues cocktails with a lush fruit note.

3 days ago | vinepair.com | Pete O'Connell

Every town in the country, regardless of size, has some entity in place to handle political affairs. Most have a mayor, while others rely on a city council. But when a town is so small that it doesn’t technically qualify as a “town,” who runs the show? Well, it depends. These places, formally known as unincorporated communities, often exist in rural areas or on the fringes of larger, established cities.