André Darlington
Paulius Musteikis
12 months of meals
Isthmus reviewers make the rounds of the latest restaurants. more
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Movie trivia
Ricky Pajewski is now at the helm of the cocktail program at Oliver’s Public House, with an updated menu. He scores with “Skylar’s Number” and other original and popular but underexposed classics. more
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A smash hit
Cafe Hollander is the Belgian beer bar with an alluring cocktail menu. Which is the secret standout? more
Laura Zastrow
All in the cards
Once known as “Juckerspiel,” the card game euchre was brought to Wisconsin by German immigrants. Lovers of the game keep the tradition alive every Monday night at the Madison Labor Temple Bar. more
Besotted with Papa!
Hemingway’s rich cocktail life is captured in “To Have and Have Another” by Philip Greene. It’s a great handbook to work through leisurely or read at one go. more
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Saffron revolution
The Omorfi and the Saffron Sipper are early winter getaway drinks at Forequarter. The Omorfi skews Greek, while the Sipper splits the difference between the Nordic climes and the subcontinent. more
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Better than latte and pie
The Pumpkin Alexander at the Esquire Club is an old-fashioned dessert drink in the flavor of the moment. more
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Versatility and variation
The hot toddy is a simple drink that lends itself to experimentation. The Hot Sake Toddy at Umami uses Ozezi Junmai sake and local honey for a winning combo. more
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Give me amaro, per favore
Cento has a strong menu of amaro and vermouth offerings, and exciting cocktails made from both. more
Shine on, you crazy Diamond
The Margaritas are good. The smoky, complex Diamond cocktail with Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila and Cointreau is even better at the bar at latest Pasqual’s. more
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Southern comfort
Julep’s house julep is steeped in tradition. It’s the meditative cocktail of William Faulkner and Walker Percy, full of history and fable. more
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What’s not to like?
Beer syrup cocktails are cause to obsess at Merchant, Mezze, and at home more
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Licentious libation
If pears drizzled with rich balsamic sounds good to you, you’ll like Graft’s Profligate Potation. more
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Epic fall cocktail
The Barrel Rider is an epic fall cocktail from the Tornado more
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Sweet assertion
Monona’s Waypoint Public House offers a clever take on a classic with its Blinker cocktail. more
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Goodbye summer, hello autumn
At the Old Sugar Distillery tap room, say goodbye to summer with a Honey Cap, or greet autumn with the ultra-American Fall Special. more
Joe Rocco
The drink of your dreams
There’s a perception that craft cocktails are hard, that there’s some mysterious alchemy required. But with a little preparation, you can make a truly great cocktail at home. more
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Seven stories up
The Madison Blind is a rooftop bar serving designer drinks using local spirits. more
