Sip & Synopsis - What You'll Find Here

• Cheers to Punxsatawney Phil
• Featured Cocktail: A New Dawn
• Fun Facts - Bourbon
• Mixologist Spotlight: Tiffanie Barriere
  
• The History of Angostura Bitters

In this week's edition, we toast to Groundhog Day, that quirky tradition forecasting spring or more winter. While Phil might need a drink after his moment in the spotlight, I reminisce about a favorite from the movie Groundhog Day: sweet vermouth on ice with a lemon twist. It’s a nod to simpler times and a sweet but strong reflection of character preferences. 

What we drink sketches our character, be it in life or fiction, revealing tastes, traditions, or the backdrop for our stories. So, what’s your signature drink, or your character's? It’s a fun lens to view our narratives through.

Here’s to Phil, to spring, and to the stories we tell one drink at a time. Cheers! 🥃

For a signature cocktail that embodies the theme of "Groundhog Day and New Beginnings: Celebrating Love, History, and Humanity," We created a drink called "The New Dawn." This cocktail blends flavors that represent warmth, depth, and a touch of sweetness, symbolizing hope and unity.

Tiffanie Barriere of @TheDrinkingCoach. PHOTO: JOSE MANUEL PEREIRO

As the call for diversity echoes louder across industries, the spirits world is spotlighting the incredible contributions of Black professionals. Resources like Omolola Olateju's Black Girls Drink and Julia Coney's Black Wine Professionals are illuminating the talents shaping beer, wine, and cocktails. Enrich your Instagram with the brilliance of these Black mixologists and drink aficionados.

From the cozy corners of a single bar to the grand stages of global events, these cocktail innovators are stirring up the industry with their creativity and expertise. Among them is Tiffanie Barriere, whose visionary cocktails and consultancy have skyrocketed Atlanta's One Flew South to global acclaim, earning it the title of "Best Airport Bar in the World." A James Beard Advisory Board member and part of the Atlanta Les Dames d'Escoffier, Barriere is mixing more than just drinks—she's crafting a legacy. 

Angostura bitters have a fascinating history that dates back to the early 19th century. Here are some highlights:

• Origins: Angostura bitters were created in 1824 by Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, a German doctor seeking a cure for soldiers' stomach ailments in Simon Bolivar's army in Venezuela. The bitters were named after the town of Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar).

• Secret Recipe: The recipe for Angostura bitters is a closely guarded secret, known to only a few people at any given time. It's said to contain more than 40 ingredients.

• Global Spread: Initially used as a medicinal tonic, Angostura bitters gained popularity as a key ingredient in cocktails, becoming a staple in bars around the world by the late 19th century.

• Unique Label: The oversized label on Angostura bitters bottles is a result of a miscommunication. According to lore, when the bitters began to be exported, the Siegert sons were responsible for the label's design. One was tasked with designing the bottle, and the other the label. The label ended up being too large for the bottle, but it was used anyway and became an iconic part of the brand's image.

• Cocktail Essential: Angostura bitters are a critical component of many classic cocktails, including the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Pink Gin. Their complex flavor profile adds depth and dimension to drinks.

Cheers!

~ Andrea 

P.S. Do you have a favorite cocktail? Are you a mixologist or do you want to highlight someone? If so reply to us for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter and to be entered into our monthly drawing!