Homemade Ginger Beer
My love of bubbly water began overseas with confusion over how to answer a waiter when asked, “Frizzante or naturale?” A bottle of bubbling mineral water arrived after I ventured a guess.
Cider Sense
When the air is crisp and the temperatures have cooled, our thoughts fill with visions of apple cider. Whether it’s served hot or iced, something about that sweet, crisp, fruity, spicy apple drink just makes sense for the winter season.
A Drink with a View
Bears do it. So do groundhogs, skunks, and bats. What are we talking about? Hibernation. Fortunately, humans have far more sophisticated options for when temperatures drop, none of which requires digging a hole — there’s a puffy jacket and scarf, of course, or a visit to one of Reno-Tahoe’s cozy locations offering delicious cocktails, hot toddies, fine wines, or ice-cold beers with swoon-worthy views to warm your soul.
A Spirited Scene
A decade ago, the Nevada craft liquor law created a new way of doing business. It allowed local distillers to make alcohol from scratch with natural ingredients instead of buying neutral grain spirits from large out-of-state factories.
A Toast to a Legend
We lost a local legend. Charlie Abowd — chef, restaurateur, philanthropist, and extraordinary member of the Carson City, Carson Valley, and Reno communities — passed away on Nov. 9. He was 73.
Latin American Libations
Latin America has delicious cuisine, but oftentimes folks overlook its cocktails. That is a mistake, especially here in Northern Nevada, where you can enjoy many mouthwatering beverages reminiscent of those cobblestone plazas, sidewalk cafés, and bars where one can sip and watch the world go by while on vacation or studying abroad.
Breaking Traditions
For Jake Bilbro, winemaking isn’t just a craft — it’s an adventure. This fourth-generation Sonoma County vintner grew up profoundly respecting the earth. His father, a true Renaissance man, instilled in him a passion not only for winemaking, but also for outdoor exploration.
Lifting Spirits
If Saturday afternoon finds you in search of a tasty tipple, how about crafting your own specialty cocktail? High Mark Distillery in South Reno offers weekly cocktail-mixing and spirit-making classes in its tasting room. The classes are taught by owner/master distiller Felicia Keith-Jones.
Odeon, Resurrected
Odeon Saloon in Dayton has the kind of blustery, loud-mouthed, Wild West atmosphere you’d expect from a joint that once boasted regulars the likes of Mark Twain. After it was established in 1863, it ranked in the top tier of entertainment experiences in the Great Basin, which wasn’t saying much.
Lake View
When driving up winding Kingsbury Grade toward South Lake Tahoe, it’s difficult not to admire Tahoe Ridge Resort. The tall structure sits atop the cliffs of the Carson Range, just before the road drops toward the lake, and it offers stellar views of the Carson Valley.