Add a splash of bourbon, a hint of hops, and a generous pour of local pride, and you’ve got the perfect backdrop for today’s episode.

Sponsored by Visit Cincy, we’re diving into the drinks, history, and experiences that make Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky a true destination for cocktail lovers.

First up, we have Maija Zummo, the Senior Communications Manager for Domestic and International Communications for the Cincy Region, and of course, a proud Cincinnati native.

Maija is a former journalist who now channels her storytelling skills into showcasing the city she loves. Her mission is to educate others about this hidden gem of a destination and invite them to discover the unique charm of the Cincy Region.

Next up, we have Bill Whitlow, the Brand Ambassador of Wenzel Distillery. Bill started behind the bar at the age of 16. After a varied career, including winning the Woodford Manhattan Experience twice and the best Mint Julep in Kentucky for 2019 and 2022, he helped open the Wenzel Distillery in Covington.

Wenzel Distillery is a boutique personal blending experience and has expanded into a fully operational distillery. Wenzel has won Best Finished Bourbon in the World, Best Under 12 Year Limited Release, and other Gold and Silver Medals.

I am so excited to introduce them and the whole Cincy Region — where North meets South and Ohio meets Kentucky. Just a bridge apart, Cincinnati’s German heritage and urban energy connect with Northern Kentucky’s Southern charm.

While you are there, you can sip bourbon, sample craft beer, and savor award-winning cuisine. There are tons of vibrant street art, historic landmarks, and stunning architecture to explore — all along a riverfront that’s buzzing with festivals year-round.

You can plan your trip at visitcincy.com.

Our cocktail of the week is called Blueberry Chocolate Julep.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 oz Wenzel Distillery Wheated Bourbon
• ½ oz Blueberry Syrup
• 2 Dashes Bourbon Barrel Foods Chocolate Bitters
• 6-8 Mint Leaves

METHOD

• Add mint and blueberry syrup to your julep cup and lightly muddle
• Add Wenzel Bourbon and bitters
• Add crushed ice and mix
• Garnish with a mint sprig, blueberries, and powdered sugar

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, plus links to most of the ingredients.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/spirit-of-cincy/

-----

Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual.

Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!

Produced by Simpler Media

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Get great cocktail ideas on

How does someone from Brittany end up in Britain, only to return to Paris and open—of all things—a pub? Don’t be surprised, though: this pub comes with a touch of oh là là.

I’m joined by Hyacinthe Lescoët, whose journey began in France, where his love for hospitality was first sparked while helping out in his mother’s pizzeria at just 12 years old. After earning his master’s degree in advertising, Hyacinthe made his way to London, igniting his passion for the craft of the cocktail.

He returned to Paris, where he championed seasonality, sustainability, and innovation. With this wealth of experience, in 2019, he teamed up with friends to open their own bar, The Cambridge Public House—a space that brings his philosophy of flavor, creativity, and hospitality to life. Today, he’s here to tell us how it all began!

We would so appreciate your support by signing up to our newsletter. You can get our advice on anything to do with home bartending, where to drink in every major city, special recipes, and even your very own Lush Life mug! Just head to alushlifemanual.substack.com and sign up!

Our cocktail of the week is called Cigarette After Sex.

INGREDIENTS

• 25 ml Siete Misterios Mezcal
• 15 ml Sloe Gin
• 90 ml Agua de Jamaica
• 10 ml Verjus
• Garnish: Lapsang souchong tea rim

METHOD

• Prepare the trim by making the side of a wine glass wet and dipping it into the tea
• Fill a wine glass with ice
• Pour in all the ingredients and stir well
• Add more ice if necessary
• Serve

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, plus links to most of the ingredients.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/hyacinthe-lescoet-cambridge-public-house/

-----

Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual.

Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!

Produced by Simpler Media

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest

New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

I’m not the only one who can’t resist a good hotel bar—London’s are bursting at the seams most nights. Now, thanks to our guest today, Barcelona’s stepping into the spotlight with 25 of its best great hotel bars teaming up for the first-ever Barcelona Hotel Bar Week from September 22nd - 28th!

The brains behind it all is Bianca Grisolia, who decided it was high time Barcelona’s hotel bars got the spotlight they deserve. Not only is she Founder and Organizer of Barcelona Hotel Bar Week, but a communication strategist, international PR expert, and founder of BG PR & Communication, an agency working globally with cocktail bars, chefs, premium brands, and hospitality realities.

With years of experience in strategic communication and mixology events, Bianca is a passionate advocate for the cultural value of hospitality and a driving force in building community and connections within the hospitality industry, plus she is my friend!

We would so appreciate your support by signing up to our newsletter. You can get our advice on anything to do with home bartending, where to drink in every major city, special recipes, and even your very own Lush Life mug! Just head to alushlifemanual.substack.com and sign up!

Our cocktail of the week comes to you directly from the Cotton House Hotel - Batuar Bar & Restaurant, created for Barcelona Hotel Bar Week by their amazing Bartender: Alberto Melis.

INGREDIENTS

• 60 ml Gin - they use 100&NOMORE, which is local to Barcelona
• 200 ml of homemade tonic

METHOD

• Toast 8 grams of fennel seeds in a dry pan until they release their aroma.
• Infuse 1 liter of water, the toasted fennel seeds, 0.8 g white cassia, 20 grapefruit skins, and 5g kaffir lime leaves at 70°C for 20 minutes, then filter through a strainer.
• Heat the 250 ml oat milk to 80°C (no boiling), pour in the infusion and add 50 ml of lemon juice. Leave to cool in the fridge for 60 minutes then filter with a coffee filter or cotton filter.
• Now that you have the two infusions done, combine 1 part of the water with one part of the clarified oat milk
• Mix 200 ml of homemade tonic for every 60 ml of gin and serve on the rocks in a Collins glass, and garnish with a grapefruit zest.
• If you have one, then place the mix in a soda siphon, let the mix cool in the fridge for about 60 minutes and load with two cartridges of CO2. Once gasified, serve on the rock in a Collins glass and garnish with a grapefruit zest.

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, plus links to most of the ingredients.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/barcelona-hotel-bar-week-with-bianca-grisolia/

-----

Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual.

Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!

Produced by Simpler Media

Follow us on Twitter and