A few tips:

1. The aim is to provide a range of alternatives that will appeal to your guests both as individuals and as a group; should underpin a convivial and relaxed setting; and are designed to surprise your snobbish uncle who thinks that only vintage champagne, Vega Sicilia, first-growth claret, or Romanée-Conti will do.
2. Remember that higher alcohol levels do not equate to enjoyment. In fact, one could argue that it is counter-productive. Your bar should be stocked just so to avoid anyone laying flat on their face come 2 AM.
3. Not everyone drinks alcohol, so you should ensure that you have a range of water, soft drinks, juices, and, perhaps, a non-alcoholic punch available.
4. Please do NOT drink and drive- – car or bike. It is irresponsible, dangerous and socially unacceptable. No excuses!
5. While there are hundreds of potential alternatives in each category, we’ve listed some modest suggestions that should not disappoint. Take this list to the store with you, simply hand to the clerk, and you’re all set.

G = Gosling’s; M = Miles Market; MM = Milan Milan

White Wines:

Hugel Pinot Gris or Riesling or Gewürztraminer (M)

Wente Chardonnay (various regions) (G)

Terlan or Bollini Pino Grigios (MM)

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc (M)

Red Wines:

Peter Lehmann Portrait Cabernet Sauvignon (M)

Donnafugata Tancredi (MM)

Kaiken Ultra or Catena Malbec (M)

Butterfield Pinot Noir (M)

Layer Cake Primitivo (M)

Bonterra Zinfandel (G)

Sparkling Wines:

Santa Margherita Brut Rosé (MM)

Piccini or Lamarca Prosecco (MM)

Fortified/Sweet:

Dow’s 20-year-old tawny port (M)

Dow’s LBV Port (G)

Cossart-Gordon Rainwater Madeira (G)

Geografico Vin Santo del Chianti (MM)

Spirits:

Courvoisier VSOP Cognac (M)

Tito’s Handmade Vodka (M)

Bombay Sapphire Gin (M)

Patron Silver Tequila (M)

Bacardi 8-year Gran Reserva Rum (M)

Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky (G)

Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky (G)

Cointreau Liqueur (G)

Gosling’s Black Seal or Family Reserve Rums (G)

Amaretto Liqueur (MM)

Digestifs/Bitters:

Campari or Aperol Bitters (M, MM)

Grappa (various) (MM)

In case anyone would like a traditional seasonal warmer, try this. Guaranteed to bring a glow to one’s surroundings:

Austrian Glühwein

Ingredients

2 bottles of good-quality red wine

570 ml water

Juice of 2 lemons

5 oz (140 g) sugar

6 cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

2 oranges – cut into bite-size pieces

Preparation:

• Put all ingredients in a pot and bring it close to boil.
• For additional taste, cut 2 oranges into bite-size pieces and add to the wine. Let simmer but not boil.
• Remove clove and cinnamon stick before serving it into lightly pre-warmed glasses.
• Decorate glasses with an orange slice.
• Of course, for a Bermudian touch, adding a liberal splash of dark rum would not go amiss!

The post 5 Tips to stocking your holiday bar appeared first on RG Magazines.

Shawn Talbot is an educator turned Marketing Coordinator for Goslings and a part-time bartender at the Dog House on Front Street. He talked to us about his experience in the industry, feminism, and why it’s time to bring men into the conversation.

Tell us about your journey.

“I was born in Bermuda, moved away to Montreal, Canada, and recently moved back full-time. I studied education and set out to be an economics teacher, but quickly found that it wasn’t the right path for me. I’ve been with the Dog House since its opening in Summer of 2017. I now work full-time as Marketing and Event Coordinator at Goslings, and am at Dog House on weekends.”

What are your hobbies?

“I enjoy boxing, playing the ukulele, painting and taking naps on the beach (one of my more preferred “hobbies”), I believe it’s important to vary them, to stay stimulated and avoid being unenthused with your life.”

Who are the main women in your life?

“My Granny was my rock; she shaped the person I am today. She raised me to have respect, morals and determination, and to keep my head on straight –– school, sports and family. I have also had strong, brilliant female teachers who paved the way for me.”

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

“100% yes. Growing up in Montreal, Canada –– a city filled with culture, activists, artists –– has really help me shape a conscious view of the world we live in. Feminism is a part of that. I am an advocate for the equality of humans.”

Many believe that we’re at the point that men can, and should, be a part of the conversations about women. What do you think?

“I truly believe that they should be in the conversation. Nowadays, there are a lot more open-minded people who don’t necessarily believe in “traditional” binary views, i.e. “women have this role and men have this role in society”. This just isn’t the way life is anymore. The only way to continue to break down these walls, whether for race or sex or something else, is to continue to talk about them, and continue to share each other’s knowledge and own perspectives. In the end, enlightened people will overthrow the small-minded; everything just takes time I suppose.”

You meet many different women in your line of work, what is your general view of women in the bar?

“You name it, and I have seen it. The club scene attracts people from A to Z. My general view is that women tend to “live in the moment” more than men would. They let loose, dance and appear to have a much better time, while men may have ulterior motives at times. All this depends on the night and crowd (and full moon sometimes). Perhaps women don’t care what others think as much. I see far less men out there busting a move.”

Do you meet a lot of female bartenders? Have you worked with them? Does that change the atmosphere?

“I have not met many, although the ones I have met were awesome. I have only had the chance to work with one here in Bermuda, and she is at the Dog House. I cannot say that her gender has changed the experience. She’s is an attractive woman, so she naturally gets more attention, but this is just human nature. To my knowledge, she isn’t treated any differently by staff or customers, mainly because she’s back there making drinks just as fast, or even faster than the guys are.”

This article was originally published in the Fall 2018 edition of RG Magazine.

The post The bystander bartender appeared first on RG Magazines.

The Wreck Hill Rhum & Coke

Ingredients

-3 ounces Fever Tree Cola or Coke-Cola

-1 ounce Gosling’s Aged Family Rum

-1/2 ounce Gin

– 2 dashes bitters

-1/4 lime [preferably Key lime]

– Dash of club soda

Directions

Combine ingredients, mix and enjoy!

Local bartender Ryan Gibbons, from Barracuda Grill, created this cocktail in tribute to Bermudian music heritage, the Gombeys and our island culture. It took quite a bit of trial and error to get the flavors exactly right, he admits. As peach was coming into season, he paired that with the delicate taste of Gosling’s Gold Seal Rum. The drink’s sweetness comes from mango puree, brought to life with a pop of lime, dash of honeyed apricot and smoked hickory bitters.

Dancing Warrior

Ingredients

-1oz lime juice

-0.5oz mango purée

-0.75oz Peachtree peach schnapps

-1.5oz Gosling’s Gold Seal Rum

-5 drops Honeyed Apricot & smoked hickory bitters.

Directions

1) Add all ingredients to a mixing glass

2) Fill the glass with ice, cap with a shaker tin and give a vigorous shake.

3) Keeping the liquid in the shaker, release the seal between the tin and glass.

4) Strain cocktail into a short tumbler glass filled with ice.

5) Garnish with a grapefruit twist and enjoy.

This article was originally featured in the Summer 2018 edition of RG Magazine.

The post Drink to that appeared first on RG Magazines.