Talking SPIRITED WOMEN and More
Details about a boozy book panel in Brooklyn and other distractions
Next Wednesday, March 5, I have the honor and distinct pleasure of interviewing Sammi Katz and Olivia McGiff at the Heights location of Books are Magic at 7 PM. It’s the day after their book Spirited Women: Movers, Shakers, and Trailblazers in the World of Cocktails publishes. It also happens to be a couple of days before International Women’s Day 2025 on March 8.
If you’re rolling your eyes about the notion of specifically calling out the accomplishments of women in the spirits industry AGAIN — “Why in 2025 are we still calling them female distillers, women bartenders, women brand owners, etc. — why can’t we just say they are distillers, bartenders, brand owners, etc. without discussing gender?” Well, that’s beside the point.
No, I mean really. The point is on one side, and that point of view is right next to it.
What this book does very successfully is tell the stories of 55 women in the industry around the world, many of whom have not been in the spotlight as much as some of their peers. Instead of focusing on gender, it’s about identity in general — how they’ve worked to make themselves, their work, and their respective cultures more visible.
Oh, and 45 of the profiles have matching recipes, which are either well thought out custom creations by Katz (who has worked for many years behind the bar) or a signature by a featured woman.
The stories of these women pop from the cover and pages, thanks to co-collaborator McGiff’s illustrations that gorgeously capture the energy and tone of the text.
I’m really excited that Katz and McGiff have brought me on to help promote the book with this talk! Of course cocktails will be available for sipping along, courtesy of Kasama Rum (its founder Alexandra Dorda is in the book).
Tickets — which are needed to attend! — are available here, and there will be a book signing following the discussion. If you can’t make it, the talk will also be streaming on YouTube live (I don’t have a link right now, but follow me on the socials (Instagram or Bluesky your best bets) and I’ll post from there when it’s available).
Books are Magic
122 Montague Street
Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
Other Stuff
I just started reading Lindy Woodhead’s War Paint, the story of Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden and their dueling cosmetics enterprises. I’m kinda jealous that someone has already come up with a musical adaptation. This read a great way to go into March like a lion.
Earlier this week I squeezed into a packed Mace bar for the launch of Kota Pandan Liqueur, a collaboration between Nico de Soto and Maison Gabriel Boudier. Given the somewhat difficult to pin down flavor profile (neither really fruity nor vegetal, but with vanilla-ish aromatics) I was pleasantly surprised at how versatile the spirit is. And how good it was in the two drinks I tasted, Masa Urushido’s yummy spritz situation (which he told me was inspired by a non alc banana soda drink his young daughter came up with) and a Negroni riff.
I’m really loving Paradise on Hulu. I’ll watch anything with Sterling K. Brown, but I think this is some of his best work. What’s it about? Well, it’s a political intrigue sci fi mashup that despite everything that’s going on manages to be a riveting distraction.
And I’m listening to Allegra Krieger’s Art of the Unseen Infinity Machine which was recently gifted to me on vinyl (thank you, love!) and speaking of War Paint and the color red, I’m rediscovering the band of the same name. It had been a while.
Cheers!