Why We Should All Be Paying Attention to California Brandy
“Home to award-winning wine regions like Napa and Sonoma Valley, California has a long history of brandy production dating back to before it gained its statehood.” Read more on Thrillist.
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Cosmic Cocktail Recipes
I write a monthly Cosmic Cocktails column for Thrillist that provides astrology-inspired cocktail recipes.
The Little-Known History of California’s Only Black-Founded Town
“To seek out America’s Black history is to unwittingly assume the role of archeologist and detective—so many of our stories have been buried or tossed aside, waiting for a patient explorer to unearth them. Such is the case with America’s Black-founded towns, which sprang up in the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War, a product of
These Red Drink Recipes Celebrate the Evolution of Juneteenth
“Arriving on the heels of spring, Juneteenth festivities typically involve picnics, with red foods and drinks dominating those spreads. While watermelon and barbecue represent popular choices at many summer soirées, a deeper investigation into Juneteenth reveals food traditions that predate the trans-Atlantic slave trade.” Read more.
The Insider’s Guide to Getting Lost on the Venice Boardwalk
“Like the rest of the city, the Venice Boardwalk has changed tremendously since its glory days as a retreat for artists, hippies, and counterculture movements in the 1960s and ‘70s. There was even a moment where we sincerely worried that we’d lose the iconic two-mile-stretch to Silicon Beach start-ups. Yet even as the neighborhood has contended with
Whip Up This Fried Porkchop Sandwich Feast for Your Next Cookout
“Whether you’re in charge of slow-cooking meats, flipping burgers, or crafting sides like potato salad and baked beans, barbecues are a summer rite of passage. They represent community, sharing, and, of course, delicious comfort food, accompanied by memories that keep us satisfied long after the weather turns.” Read more.
What Is Bacanora and What Does the Spirit Mean to Sonora, Mexico?
“You’re familiar with tequila, and you’ve likely taken note of the current mezcal craze, but also worth your attention is bacanora, a regional mezcal that’s been produced in the northwest Mexican state of Sonora for at least 300 years. The spirit is named after the town of Bacanora, a small village with less than 1,000 residents that
The Ultimate Tequila Trail Travel Guide
“Traditionally Mexican, agave-based spirits like tequila and mezcal are enjoying a global boom in popularity, with the latter shedding its former image as the frat boy’s booze of choice to now boasting some of the most high-end luxury brands around. As one dives into the mundo of tequila, Jalisco is the place to go to see turquoise-colored agave
This Historic South LA Neighborhood Is a Mecca for Black-Owned Businesses
“Compared to the East Coast, Los Angeles doesn’t have much in the way of historical homes and buildings, with even the oldest standing residence in the city, Avila Adobe, erected in 1818. Often it’s Highland Park that’s revered for its Craftsman-style homes and architecture, but further south in the neighborhood of West Adams, you’ll find beautifully preserved
How Inglewood Became the Epicenter of Black Culture in LA
“The roar of airplanes flying in and out of nearby LAX airport act as the daily soundtrack for residents of Inglewood, a city that spans just over nine square miles and is located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. The city has undergone numerous transformations since 1781, when a group of settlers were