ALL STORIES
The full collection. Every story, interview & review, all in one place – you’re welcome.
TASTE: MAJORAM MARTINI, Hamlet + Ghost
At Hamlet & Ghost, bartender Tim O’Connell was inspired by a local chef to use marjoram in a cocktail. The result? An herbaceous, summery martini.
GUEST SHIFT: JANESHA LEVONS, Bartender + Model
Freelance bartender Janesha “Jaja Levons” talks bartending in New York, international modeling, skateboarding, raising her son + why beauty is more than skin deep.
BREVIS BITTERSWEET: Klocke Estate’s Vermouth Spritz is a Pimm’s Cup Rival
Topped with Cava sparkling wine, Klocke Estate’s bittersweet vermouth spritz is a low-ABV summertime sipper.
CURIOUS RED: A Curious Departure for Non-Alc Curious Elixirs as They Drop ‘Sumptuous Syrah’
Curious Elixir’s Adaptogenic Curious Red is Founder @susiedp’s Non-Alc Feel Good Sipper for Summer 2026
BIG SOFTIE. WHY SOFT SERVE AT FAMILIAR CREATURE IS A DESTINATION DESSERT
Destination Dessert: Chef Michele’s soft serve flavors are stealing the show at Montreal-inspired Familiar Creature wine bar in Saratoga
GUEST SHIFT: PIA BAZZANI, The Maker Hotel
Pia Bazzoni, F+B Director at The Maker Hotel in Hudson, talks culinary cocktails, growing up in restaurants + crafting cocktails inspired by The Maker’s perfumes.
TASTE: ALIAS — A martini alias for The Maker scent
The Maker Hotel scent collection meets its match in Pia Bazzani’s curated cocktails designed to evoke the same mood.
TASTE: TWILIGHT GARDEN —The Maker Lounge
In The Maker Lounge, Pia Bazzani’s Twilight Garden captures the early signs of spring.
TASTE: MARTINI RAMIRO—When Sherry Met Tequila
At Mirador, head bartender Seth Jones serves the Martini Ramiro, a revelation of sherry, tequila and pickled ginger brine.
🫒INTEL: STATION SIX BAKERY-CAFE OPENS IN ALBANY. (The cold brew lattes are your reason to go.)
🫒INTEL — Station Six is open in the former Engine 6 fire house at the corner of Swan + Jefferson in downtown Albany, N.Y. We chat with owner, Mexican designer Jordan Cambron, about his cafe-bakery, cold brew + cans to go.
🫒INTEL—NEOVISTA OPENS THE VAULT + IZAKAYA KINKO at 60 STATE
🫒INTEL — NEOVISTA OPENS ITS VAULT at 60 STATE
🫒EXCLUSIVE: SOLEVO RESTAURATEUR RONNIE SOLEVO TEASES NEW SARATOGA PROJECT, ‘THE PEARL’
🫒EXCLUSIVE: SOLEVO KITCHEN RESTAURATEUR RONNIE SOLEVO TEASES HIS NEXT PROJECT, THE PEARL
GUEST SHIFT: SETH JONES, Mirador
Seth Jones, Head Bartender at Mirador in Kingston talks fine art photography, building community + sherry cocktails.
IS THIS MELON FLUFF MILK PUNCH THE COOLEST COCKTAIL IN SARATOGA?
Hamlet & Ghost Bar Director Sonia Castellani is known for her culinary, clarified cocktails. Here she combines the fresh fruit of her French childhood with marshmallow fluff + milk tea.
TASTE: KRAKOA — Channeling Utopia at {pretty to think so}
Channeling a Marvel Universe Utopia, Keshonn Hatcher blends Japanese sake with tiki indulgence for a taste of spring.
IN A NEW ROLE AT MORRISSEY’S, BAR MANAGER SHA BHATTI CRAFTS A KYOTO ALIBI
In a new bar manager role at Morrissey’s Lounge at The Adelphi in Saratoga Springs, Sha Bhatti shares his inspiration for a Kyoto Alibi.
TASTE: THE GYRO-INSPIRED “GYBSON” MARTINI
Milas bar director Andrew Patterson finds inspiration for this Gibson riff in a lamb gyro.
TASTE: Apricot + almond leads in Sonia Castellani’s subtle SMOKE SHOW
Hamlet & Ghost Bar Director Sonia Castellani takes mezcal in a more subtle direction with almond and apricot.
SEAN JOSEPHS, MASTER BLENDER of Pinhook Bourbon, talks about the Saratoga Maiden custom blend + why he thinks like a winemaker.
For the official launch of Saratoga Maiden at Lucy’s in Saratoga, we talked with Pinhook Bourbon’s master blender, Sean Josephs about creating a Saratoga blend, his winemaker approach, and the future of American whiskey.