Bridgeview Liquor

Explore cocktails from "The Only William" Schmidt's classic work "The Flowing Bowl" William Schmidt, known by his self-styled sobriquet “The Only William,” was one of the top bartenders of his day, a true celebrity bartender when such a phenomenon was relatively new. Schmidt rose to the top of his profession in Chicago in the 1870s, then moved to New York, where he worked until his death in 1904. Known for his impressive moustache, dapper dress  sense, and creativity in drink […]

Discover all the types of blending that happen in the world of whiskey. The term “blended,” when applied to whiskey, is a confusing one. Unless a whiskey is from a single barrel, every whiskey is blended to some degree. Yet the legal definitions of the word as it applies to different types of whiskey can be varied. In American Whiskey, “blended whiskey” is usually a low quality product where a portion of aged whiskey is blended with unaged grain spirit, […]

Taste and learn about rums made from Sugarcane juice with Evan ChristieRum is, essentially, a spirit distilled from sugarcane. Yet from that simple idea, so many variations spring. Most rums are made from molasses, a by-product of the process that turns sugarcane into refined white sugar. Rums can be made from various grades of molasses or even sugarcane syrup, an earlier-stage product of the sugar production. Some rums, however, are made from the fresh-pressed juice of sugarcane, which produces distinctive […]

Taste your way through history by exploring the role of yeast in alcoholic beverages with Justin Blanford There is an unsung hero in the history of humanity. It brought people together, formed societies, built cultures and languages so its effortless byproducts could be shared. It spent hundreds of millions of years perfecting its craft until the first members of our species stumbled upon its trick. Without even knowing how it worked, humans quickly began taking advantage of fermentation. Today we […]

Explore Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktail by Shannon Mustipher. Taste a selection of drinks from it mixed up by Evan ChristieTiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails by Shannon Mustipher is a remarkable work of cocktail writing. Crafted based on her experience building a tropical drinks focused menu for Gladys Caribbean in Brooklyn, this book pays homage to the roots of Tiki while also presenting drinks with a stunning contemporary feel. The classic Tiki formula, developed by Donn Beach in the 1930s, forms the […]

Taste wines blind and guess the grape with Laura Botten.Tasting wine blind can be like a game - a chance to test your abilities and challenge your senses. One of the most interesting aspects to try to guess is what grape a wine is made from. Wine drinkers, both experienced and novice, come with ideas about what specific grapes are supposed to taste like - Cabernet is bold, pinot noir is light, Chardonnay is buttery, Sauvignon Blanc is citrusy. As […]

Taste whiskeys from European countries you would not normally associate with whiskey production.While Europeans seem to have first experimented with distilling grapes, spirits based on grain soon followed, especially in regions too cold to support grape vines. As distilling traditions developed across Europe, distinct styles emerged. Industrialization and the modern economy did more to refine these styles, and though distillation of grain was important everywhere, Scotland and Ireland emerged as the only commercially important producers of whiskey, a spirit that […]

Taste and learn about the wines of the Veneto region of Italy with certified sommelier Josh Voytek.Join Certified Sommelier Josh Voytek on an exploration of the wines of the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. While most people's exposure to wines from the Veneto region around the cities of Venice and Verona is mostly concentrated around white wines, particularly Pinot Grigio and Prosecco, the region also produces another excellent white named Soave (meaning smooth) from a grape called Garganega, as well […]

Learn about chocolate, and how to pair it with wine with Romayne Kilde and Evan Christie.Wine and chocolate have many similarities; they are both considered refined indulgences, they are both considered aphrodisiacs, and they share certain chemical properties, like the presence of flavanols (antioxidants). Despite these striking similarities, it is challenging to pair wine and chocolate.  The complex interplay of sweetness, acidity, and bitterness present in both the wine and chocolate must be carefully considered in order to bring out […]

Compare and contrast wines made from Garnacha and Tempranillo, inside and outside of Spain, and wines where the two grapes are blended.For Spanish wine enthusiasts, garnacha and tempranillo are the super star grapes. Both grow in many regions across Spain and are the basis of classic wines like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat. They can both be made in a variety of styles, and they are both available at a range of prices - from extremely affordable to eye-wateringly […]

Taste and learn about a variety of Bourbon with Evan ChristieWith the enormous surge in interest around whiskey, and bourbon in particular, it is no surprise we are seeing the most diverse selection ever available. From new and expanding craft producers to legacy brands introducing new releases, there has never been a better - or more confusing - time to be a bourbon lover. So to cut through all the noise, join us for a Bourbon Bonanza, a chance to […]

Join certified sommelier Justin Blanford on an exploration of malted whiskies of all sorts, from all around the world.Please join me as we explore the world of malted whiskeys! Many of us associate the word malted with single malt whiskey. This term refers to whiskey made entirely from malted barley. Most notably than style is common in Ireland and Scotland. However the act of malting is not reserved for barley and any grain used in whiskey production can be put […]