Rima Suqi

I’m not usually into collaborations where a designer teams up with a liquor company to create either a new bottle or a new box, etc. because no matter how cool they look, you’re paying a bunch of money for something that you’ll ultimately never use. But recently I came across this Cocktail Bag by Claire Coles for Perrier Jouet champagne. Here’s the thing – it’s insulated, but not super thick, has a leather base and can stand on its own. To me, this is something you use to transport your jewelry when you travel. After you drink the contents, that is.

Pricing ranges from $50 for the Grand Brut to $80 for the Blason Rose to $170 for a Bell Epoque gift set. Buy them here.

How is it possible that with all the booze people I know – thanks to several years thoroughly exploring the topic of brown liquors – nobody, NOBODY, alerted me to the existence of disposable flasks. I’m the girl who has, on more than one occasion, used an OXO travel mug as transportation for said substances. Maybe while strolling the High Line. Maybe at the movies. And granted, said mug is a lot less conspicuous than something that says FLASK all over it. But still, this is good information that was withheld.

I saw said flasks in the latest Restoration Hardware catalog (back to normal size, thank God). You can find those here (set of 3, $15), picture below -

I like the idea but not the execution. So I went digging and found the company’s site, with many designs that do not state the sort of obvious. They’re $2.99 each and funnels are $0.50. Some options are below. I haven’t tested them so cannot offer a formal seal of approval, but the idea is pretty damn good.

Borrowed screen shots from the company’s site, and this is as large as it gets, but you get the idea.

People who say they don’t like gin are, in my opinion, misled. There are almost no rules to gin production, so you can undoubtedly find one you’ll love. The problem is that most people mix gin with tonic, and traditional tonics are awful. Try it without any booze and you’ll see what i mean.  Lately I’ve been on a bit of a tonic quest and I’ve settled on two which I love equally for different reasons (and taste delicious sans gin or vodka): TomR and Q.

The former is a bit heavier, and must be mixed with seltzer for the right result. It’s $11.95/bottle (it’s a concentrate), buy it here.

The latter you can drink right out of the bottle, it’s $2.95 here. Either way, your boozing ways will be forever changed. That’s not a bad thing, btw.

You can also buy a sampler of 3 different tonic waters here. Warning: it can easily become an obsession.

I was recently invited to a birthday party for a good friend whose husband is a chef.  Followed by the agita over what to bring to dinner/a party at a chef’s house. Said chef and I had bonded over brown liquors in the past, so a friend came along and brought a bottle of Corner Creek bourbon. At first I was confused because the bottle looks like a wine bottle, not anything I’ve ever seen hold bourbon. Who cares? This 88-proof, Bardstown, Kentucky-produced liquid is gorgeous. Smooth, just sweet enough, and best yet, only around $20.

A tasty gin from the isles of Wisconsin, of all places. Didn’t know America’s Dairyland had islands? Neither did I, despite growing up one state away. Those isles make some damn good gin: Death’s Door. Made for a lovely Gibson at Fedora last week. Thank you, Quinn.

I’m a girl who loves brown liquor – give me a good scotch or  bourbon, especially on a cold winter night (or sometimes day) and I am one happy girl. The superbowl provided the perfect excuse to try out several new bottles that came my way (with the help of very willing friends) and the winners were:

In the Scotch category -

The Macallan 18 year, aged in Sherry Oak casks. Most of my friends who drink Scotch are very into peaty, smokey, lick-the-ashtray single malts. Macallan does not fit that description at all – BUT even these snobby scotch drinkers loved it. As did I. Big hit (to the wallet also – about $140).

In the Bourbon category:

Knob Creek Single Barrel reserve. New this month. Super super smooth (120 proof) delicious and only $39.95 a bottle. Really really awesome – add one ice cube and you’re good to go. Don’t even think about mixing it.

its hard to read (sorry) but so worth the effort — and supports my theory that the only thing that should be mixed with tequila is fresh lime.

Last night I showed up at a party with a bottle of one of my favorite champagnes, Ruinart Rose. It’s a splurge, to be sure, but it’s simply perfect and pink and festive and it was one of those nights.

The room was full of smart, well traveled, in the know, sophisticated types and not one of them had heard of this brand. They kept opting for the stuff with the orange label. Silly people, but lucky me to get the RR all to myself.

Was recently introduced to Greece Is For Lovers, a design firm based in Athens. Kind of loving their Hooker’s Delight glass (below). Buy it here.

…to crack open a beer. Buy these at Modern Anthology.