Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Proof.
The Woman Who Drank Margaritas
She was the woman who drank margaritas. Whether it was mid-morning or early afternoon or that dreary, gray hour sometime just before dinnertime in late September, she could be found with a frosty margarita in hand.
Brian K. HenryPublished 5 years ago in ProofHow to Make Limoncello at Home
It makes sense to learn how to make limoncello if you love the drink. It's not always easy to come by, so why not have it on hand? You have full control over the ingredients, not to mention the strength of the booze. Besides, there's some cachet attached to making your own limoncello. The brew takes a while to mature, however. Getting that potent lemon taste is no overnight job. It's time-consuming, but that's time well spent. Just bear in mind that it doesn't hurt to have a jar (or five) of the lemony liquor seeping at all times. The odds are high that your family members and friends are going to start making requests once they catch wind of your homemade concoction.
Lynne ShumakerPublished 5 years ago in ProofA Drunk Mind Doesn't Speak a Sober Heart
I hate the phrase "a drunk mind speaks a sober heart." It's not true. When I am drunk, I have a completely different agenda than when I am sober. I can list about 800 things that I would never in a million years do when I'm sober, but I have done those things when I'm drinking. To make it short, most of us have done stuff when we are drunk that we regret the next morning; eating at that taco place that always makes you sick, calling an ex, hooking up with someone, or even fighting with a friend. It's happened to a good portion of us. The next morning, it's not a good feeling and not just because of the massive hangover. Putting the pieces together after a black out is always a nightmare, too. It's almost worse than remembering what drunk you did.
Michelle SchultzPublished 5 years ago in Proof- Top Story - November 2018
Struggles All Bartenders Will Understand
There are two well-known facts: British people like to drink, and British people have a tendency to be overly polite. ("Oh yes, sorry, can I just—sorry, do you mind if I just squeeze past? Sorry, yes thank you, cheers for that.") These two things, however, don't seem to combine. As soon as they walk into a pub, bar, or club all the politeness seems to be left at the door. So here are some things that really piss hospitality staff off, and why...
Paige RodenPublished 5 years ago in Proof The Joys of Homebrewing
To most people, making wine seems like something to be left to the professionals in California or Italy, but it’s almost as easy baking a cake! The process may take a while, but the steps are easy to follow and the supplies are cheap and can be found at a local hobby store or even easier on Amazon. The whole process can be condensed into three steps:
Bruce RomanoPublished 5 years ago in ProofThe History of Vodka
The history of vodka spans across many Eastern European countries including Russia, Poland, and Sweden. Each country produces vodka in different ways with varying alcohol content, and the alcoholic beverage has progressed through the 14th century all the way to the 21st century. While the history of vodka is rich, every country around the world now enjoys vodka for how commonly known it’s become. Whether you’re in Eastern Europe or the United States, you will find people selling vodka, and you’ll find the most popular vodka brands internationally. Vodka has brought the world together over time. Here are some of the most important aspects of its beginning.
Morgan E. WestlingPublished 5 years ago in Proof10 Cocktail Recipes for Gin Lovers
When my grandma was in college her nickname was 'Giny' because she drank so much gin. Which is good news for me, because if my grandma used to drink like a fish once... then it must be okay to enjoy being young.
The History of Gin in America
Gin is one of the most unique and popular distilled spirits in the world. There are few restrictions on what constitutes "gin" as far as ingredients and the distilling process, so the term encompasses a broad array of spirits. The base alcohol can be produced from any number of ingredients, and it can be flavored with any combination of botanicals. It's so easy, in fact, that you can learn how to make gin from scratch. The one central, characteristic ingredient, though, is the juniper berry. Juniper berries form the distinctive aromatic flavor that we associate with gin, and play an important role in the creation and evolution of this fine spirit.
Joseph D. N. KendrickPublished 5 years ago in Proof- Top Story - November 2018
10 Apple Cider Cocktails That Will Warm You Up This Fall
Tis the season for warm sweaters, pumpkin pie-eating, expressing thankfulness, and celebrating with family and friends. While hot apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes tend to be the most popular fall drinks, there are also incredible cocktail recipes with autumn-friendly tang.
Paul BarkerPublished 5 years ago in Proof My Own Cocktails
If you are in university then you know you will be having a drink or two. However, you have a problem: you don't like the taste of most alcohol but you still want to fit in with your cool drink. So, I am offering you some non-alcoholic drinks and some with alcohol, but you can't taste as much.
The History of the Cocktail
What is a cocktail? In order to best understand the history of the cocktail, it’s best to first understand what exactly a cocktail is. Is a martini a cocktail? What about a rum and coke? Modern usage and definitions classify just about any alcoholic drink as a cocktail. Officially though, a true cocktail is an alcoholic drink made of a liquor, water, sugar, and bitters. This definition has become a bit more lax over the years, but this basic formulation is a good place to start.
Nicola P. YoungPublished 5 years ago in ProofHow to Enjoy That Perfect Twelve Pack with Friends
Being that I was homeless for about twenty-three years, I had to make friends and people to hang out with. It wasn’t easy to find people that would steal from you or that wanted to fight, but there was a good crowd that I ended up hanging out with.
Brandi PaynePublished 5 years ago in Proof