Gourmet Business - November 2015

I’ve spent a lot of time on both sides of the bar in my time. When it’s just the two of us my wife and I always prefer to sit at the bar to eat and drink, and I’ve been a bartender on and off for most of my adult life. I’ve even penned two books about eating and drinking, one solely devoted to spirits and cocktails. Consumed in moderation, alcoholic beverages are one of the great joys of being an adult, and cocktail hour is a ritual in our house that does not go unobserved (my wife says she has her own personal bartender). In Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, 007 says, “I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well made.” My sentiments exactly. In one of our features this month, “Shaken, Not Stirred” (again quoting Mr. Bond), we take a look at some of the great new bar tools and accessories for the home bartender, satisfying an explosion of interest in the astounding array of craft spirits and cocktails. 

To complement the above product gallery, editor Joanne Friedrick has rounded up a bevy of great mixers, bitters and other ingredients (“Let’s Drink to That” pg 13), without which cocktails would be the poorer indeed. Joanne also has written a fine report on the state of the private label industry (“Passionate About Private Label” pg 19). 

Given the time of year, we also have included a handy piece on “Gourmet Gifts Under $35,” with over two dozen great gift suggestions for the gourmet shopper. There is still plenty of time to get most of these items into your store for all those desperate last-minute shoppers among your clientele. 

We wish everyone the best of luck for the holiday season and a very happy Thanksgiving. Cheers! 

James Mellgren
Managing Editor, Gourmet Business

jmellgren@gourmetbusineses.com