Unqualified Drink Critic

Making judgments on and issuing verdicts about drinks of all kinds with no relevant credentials whatsoever. If it's good, I like it. If it's terrible, I don't like it. Either way, I'm going to tell you about it.

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Boozy mellon balls for the Fourth! Triple Sec, raspberry infused vodka, a wee bit of pineapple juice. Ball 'em, soak 'em, and DROP 'EM! Blueberries for color.

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

This Rioja is ridiculous. RIDICULOUS! We bought absurdly priced ultra-premium filet mignon - like 3 inch thick filets - and I charcoal grilled them beotches to utter perfection. This Marques de Caceres is so perfectly balanced for this meal (also featuring grilled Old Bay baby potatoes and grilled sea salt asparagus) that I'm almost stunned. This is all in celebration of my mom's 71st birthday. Girlfriend still knows how to turnup. Plus she has the most bad-ass grill. It's the Weber "Performer" - an extra-wide charcoal grill with a gas starter that cranks the charcoal up in no time. Like OMG. LYLAS! KIT! BFF! Anyhow, Rioja for the win. Peace to all my readers. You are two of my favorite people in the world. Cheers!

[gastronomista]

My favorite cocktail from last night’s #PlymouthGinNYC Fancy Bar Crawl - the Chartreusian Velvet Sling made with @plymouthginus, VEP yellow chartreuse, velvet falernum, pineapple juice, lime juice, cane sugar syrup, and muddled rosemary presented in an iced pineapple branded with @theplazahotel’s iconic logo! 🍍❇✨ (at The Plaza Hotel Champagne Bar)

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Absurdly beverage baller.

[gastronomista]

I’ve got dragons on the mind, and found this insanely awesome crystal dragon glass from our visit to @parchedpenguin this weekend. Even better with a nip of @Jameson Black Barrel Cask Strength Whisky!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Please...anyone...buy me these. You'll be my boo like forever. reclaimedprep

[hellabitter]

Your dad is patiently waiting ⏳#FathersDay (at HellaBitters.com)

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

FOR REAL!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Hello, gorgeous(es)! Built this mixed six on a good sale in an eclectic little Haymarket, VA shop that sells craft beer, wine, and hand blown glass stuff (because what could possibly be a more natural inventory model). I've tapped into the can of Birdhouse Pale Ale and it's outstanding. At only 5% ABV it's bustin' out with hop character - orange and lemon rind, a little pine, and the requisite grapefruit. Perfect carbonation and "weight" - nice and light but bonkers flavorful. The best of summer pales. Cheers!

[gastronomista]

Weekend Vibes. . So excited for #NegroniWeek (not that I need any incentive to drink negronis) but next week we drink for a cause, so get out there and Negroni it up!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

LOST RHINO "GOODEN HOG" I'm super legit lucky to live within jogging distance of #LostRhino Brewing Company - a dynamite effort put forth by some Ashburn business locals including a handful of folks who established Old Dominion that was bought by Anheuser-Busch in 2007. Solid exit strategy! What happened at Lost Rhino since had been pure gold. This beer, a simultaneously hop and malt in-your-face brew, comes in at 9%ABV and drops 68 perfectly bitter IBUs all up in your grill. The carbonation is super fine and the flavor is viscous with orange rind, apricot, and a tang on the finish that's almost reminiscent of a sour. #clutch! Not sold by the growler (different beer in there that I'll review later), a 9oz glass was a serious mouthful. I managed... Great, great brew #LostRhino ...no surprise there. Cheers!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Double Old Fashioned with Canadian Club Small Batch 12 and a hella lotta bitters (2 dashes Angostura Aromatic and 8 big easy dashes of Peychaud's). Top it off with organic orange twist and a giant Tillen Farms bing cherry and it's as close as this old dude is getting to a turnup!

[an-imbibing-gentleman]

[justcocktails]

Finally!!   It’s been a long week!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Let There Be Bulleit Sometimes simple is best. Tonight is one of those times. Bulleit bourbon on the rocks in a small tumbler. Excellent. Cheers!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Because work. Classic (aka the ONLY true) #martini - not dry. Citadelle gin, Dolin Vermouth, monstrous olives. Begin.

[drinkshouts]

April 1 - Le Mot D’Or …

Happy April Fools Day. I’m one of those grumps who doesn’t really go in for such things, so no tricks or gags here — just a delicious drink of my own creation that also happens to be a terrific introduction to Fernet Branca. If you’ve been curious about this bracingly bitter Italian liqueur, but nervous about trying a shot of it, well, I don’t blame you! It’s potent. But there’s a lot to love about it, and the scant quarter ounce in this cocktail lets it shine without overwhelming the other ingredients.

This is my favorite drink that I’ve ever personally created. If you’ve got the ingredients, give it a try!

2 oz. Bourbon (Michter’s US*1)

.75 oz. Sweet Vermouth (Noilly Prat)

.5 oz. Maraschino (Luxardo)

.25 oz. Fernet Branca

Dash Aromatic Bitters (Homemade)

Combine all ingredients in a pint glass over ice and stir thoroughly. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe. Garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry.

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

The minute I get home in making this.

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

#Cheers from the Chesapeake, readers. Find your own #peace and add a little #HappyHour.

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Boulevardier: Here's to Good Health! Today my brother-in-law E-Rock found out he's cancer free after months of treatment for testicular cancer. This one's for you bro. May sound a little strange considering I'm only seven years your senior, but I'm damned proud of you. Tonight we're miles apart but are virtual-toasting with Boulevardiers. #Cheers to many decades ahead of cocktails and hardcore laughs!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Barring finding a seriously legit barista in this near-blizzard, the Nespresso is earning its chops!

[unqualifieddrinkcritic]

Frankie says RELAX!