What is the difference between Bourbon and Rye, and most important which one should you use in your Manhattan?
Bourbon vs. Rye: What’s the Difference?
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Melanie Tornroth
Content Coordinator & Photographer
Meet Mel, the content coordinator at A Bar Above, who channels her love for storytelling into crafting engaging blogs, emails, and more. A Chapman University alumna, Mel began her professional career as a high school English teacher moonlighting as a wedding photographer, making the leap into the world of mixology content in 2020. Her role keeps her very busy and utilizes all the skills of her past life, combining writing, editing, and lifestyle photography.
When she’s not behind the keyboard or camera, Mel is working out, diving into audiobooks, enjoying a good board game with her husband & kiddo, or surrounded by her small menagerie of cats, dogs, and rabbits. She also frequents fancy cocktail bars for “research” purposes, always on the lookout for the next great drink to share. Her journey from classroom to cocktails has been quite the creative ride, and she’s excited to keep exploring the art of mixology with you. Cheers!
A Beginner’s Guide to Making Gin at Home
Yes, you can make your own gin at home, without any high-tech equipment or a chemistry degree. Well… kind of. No actual distillation is involved.
Whiskey Vs Brandy: Differences Between the Two Spirits
Table of Contents: Whiskey Intro Origins & Whiskey Production Whiskey Flavor Profiles Types of Whiskey Whiskey Cocktails Brandy Intro Origins & Brandy Production Brandy Flavor Profiles Types of Brandy Brandy Cocktails The Difference Between Whiskey and Brandy...
Dry Vs Dirty Martini
Ah, the Martini: a classic cocktail that screams elegance and sophistication. But did you know that there are lots of variations of this iconic drink? As basic a recipe as this is, there are tons of ways to make it your own. So let's take a closer look at the original...
National Bourbon Day
Happy National Bourbon Day! Did you even know this was a thing? No? Well, you're in the right place for an awesome recipe and some good ol' fashioned celebration of this amazing spirit (my personal favorite). Jump to Recipe Apparently every June 14th,...
Finding the Perfect Chartreuse Substitute
If you're lucky enough to snag a precious bottle of Chartreuse right now, you probably know just what a feat that is. The elusive French liqueur is extremely difficult to find at the moment, requiring quite the treasure hunt through various liquor stores. So what are...
Father’s Day Gift Guide
COCKTAIL GIFTS FOR DAD: A FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE It’s almost Dad’s special day, and you don’t know what to get, right? Dads can be hard to shop for, so we’re here to help you out with the ultimate brainstorm of unique dad gifts! Below, you’ll find our gift idea list...
All Things Whiskey: Whiskey Cocktails, Brands, And Styles To Try
This month, Chris spoke with the founder of Black Bourbon Society, Samara Davis, and cocktail enthusiast and influencer, Snehal D’cunha, to find out all about different whiskey/whisky styles and brands-- plus their favorite whiskey cocktails! (Note: You can also find...
The Shake Vs Stir Debate: Should Cocktails Be Shaken Or Stirred?
Thanks to James Bond's specification, we all know the age-old debate about the shaken vs stirred Martini. But just because he greatly influenced cocktail culture, he's not necessarily correct in asking for his Martini “shaken, not stirred.” Which brings us to an...
The 10 Best Bartending Gifts
Being a bartender requires skill, precision, and a wide range of bar tools or barware to create the perfect cocktail. If you're looking to impress the mixologist in your life, consider getting them a gift that will make their job a little easier and a lot more...
New Bar Tools Release!
Hey there, fellow cocktail lovers, wine enthusiasts, and hospitality staff! We're super excited to announce the addition of a couple new bar items & color lines to our ever-expanding lineup of bar accessories. Since our co-founder, Chris, spent 15 years behind the...
Join Us at the National Restaurant Association Show 2024
Ready to spice up your culinary journey? Then the National Restaurant Association Show 2024 is calling your name… And the best part? Chris will be there repping A Bar Above! When: May 18-21, 2024 Where: The bustling city of Chicago (McCormick Place: 2301 S. King Dr.,...
