Paris has taken Venice by storm but this time round, unlike Napoleon in 1797, they’ve arrived with shakers not soldiers. Our guest today is leading the charge!

I’m sitting down with Pietro Lorefice, Bar Manager of Experimental Cocktail Club Venice, one of the bars that changed the cocktail conversation in this city.

Experimental Cocktail Club conquered Paris in 2007 with its innovative ideas, sparking Europe’s modern cocktail revival and growing into an influential group of bars and hotels around the world.

In Venice, Pietro is at the helm and we’re talking craft, culture, and what it really takes to run one of Venice’s most exciting bars.

You can also read about Pietro in my new book - well almost. I HAVE A NEW BOOK COMING OUT in April 2026 - A Guide to Drinking in Venice! I've been talking about it for what... three years now? I can't wait for you to see it at last for pre-sale!

Go to alushlifemanual.com/book for more details.

Now let’s join Pietro!

Our cocktail of the week is the Isola Di Pino

INGREDIENTS

1. 40 ml Vodka
2. 20 ml Coffee liqueur
3. 10 ml Amaro
4. Salted Sugar Syrup* to taste

METHOD

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake until well chilled and frosted.
3. Fine strain into a coupette glass
4. Add 3 coffee beans for good luck and enjoy.

*Salted Sugar Syrup: Combine equal parts (by weight) of sugar and water. Add 5% salt based on the total weight. Stir until completely dissolved.

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, plus links to most of the ingredients.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/experimental-cocktail-club-venice-with-pietro-lorefice/

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Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual.

Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!

Produced by Simpler Media

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New episodes every other Tuesday, usually!!

In music, most of us are attracted to a song’s continually repeated musical rhythm, "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones, or "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, but once those were new to us. Our guest today is here to remind us of the pleasure we get when discovering a new riff.

Sponsored by Visit Cincy, I am thrilled to introduce you to Mollie Lewis, the President of New Riff Distilling, which took Kentucky’s leitmotif of bourbon and sprinkled in a few eighth-note surprises to create a liquid that is winning awards not only at home but around the world. Her story proves there’s always room for a new tune in town.

Not only am I excited to introduce Mollie to you, but also the whole Cincy Region — where North meets South and Ohio meets Kentucky. Just a bridge apart, Cincinnati’s German heritage and urban energy connect with Northern Kentucky’s Southern charm.

While you are there, you can sip bourbon, sample craft beer, and savor award-winning cuisine. There are tons of vibrant street art, historic landmarks, and stunning architecture to explore — all along a riverfront that’s buzzing with festivals year-round.

You can plan your trip at visitcincy.com.

Our cocktail of the week is the New Fashioned:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz. New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon
• 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 3 dashes Orange Bitters
• 1/4 oz. Rich Demerara Syrup*

METHOD

• Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass
• Add ice and then stir until chilled
• Strain over a large rock in a rocks glass or coupe
• Garnish with an orange peel

*Rich Demerara Syrup - In a large pot, mix 12 oz of water and 24 oz of demerara sugar together on low heat. Use a spoon to slowly stir as the mixture heats up. Heat through until sugar dissolves, never allowing the mixture to come to a boil. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, plus links to most of the ingredients.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/new-riff-with-mollie-lewis-president/

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Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual.

Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!

Produced by Simpler Media

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest

New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Some birds sing at dawn to wake us up, but today we’re celebrating the birthday of a certain nocturnal songbird whose award-winning cocktails, wonderful hospitality, and sultry nightly soundtrack have been keeping London warbling for 15 years.

Today we’re turning our attention to Nightjar, the Shoreditch bar that rewrote London’s late-night playbook.

Joining me are the brilliant duo behind it: Roisin Stimpson and Edmund Weil. Long before Nightjar became a fixture on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, the Top 500 Bars, and every other list, Rosie and Edmund had a dream and the drive to create a place that brought together all their passions.

All their bars, Nightjar, Oriole, and Swift, hold a special place in my heart, and you will see why. I don’t want to reveal too much of their story in this intro, so let’s get right into the episode and have them guide us through the story of Nightjar.

 But before that, if you love Lush Life, we would so appreciate your support by signing up for our newsletter. You can get our advice on anything to do with home bartending, where to drink in every major city, special recipes, and even your very own Lush Life mug! Just head to alushlifemanual.substack.com and sign up!

Now grab that Martini and let’s join Rosie and Edmund!

Our cocktail of the week is the Toronto:

INGREDIENTS

• 50 ml Woodford Reserve
• 12.5 ml Fernet Branca
• 7.5 ml Maple syrup, infused with roasted coffee beans & pecan nut

METHOD

• Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass
• Add ice and then stir until chilled and
• Strain it into a rocks glass.
• Garnish with cotton candy

You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com, plus links to most of the ingredients.

Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/nightjar-with-roisin-stimpson-edmund-weil/

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Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual.

Lush Life Merchandise is here - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more!

Produced by Simpler Media

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest

New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!