Sugar Daddy in a Glass: Summer Solstice, Scotch, & Red Lobster
Where Islay Meets the Land of Cheddar Bay Biscuits
As ya’ll know — I don’t love the Summer. It’s hot, sticky, and funky out here in NYC.
But you know what I do love? Summer Solstice... and Shakespeare in the Park. Give me a little poetry with my perspiration, please.
Now, the sun is out here doing the absolute most — strutting high and will be serving us the longest, most radiant day of the year on June 20th. And your Sugar Daddy in a Glass is ready to celebrate it with the proper flair (and the proper pour).
Let’s be real — the Summer Solstice is nature’s way of saying:
"Go on, darling — stay out a little later, laugh a little louder, sip something spectacular, and maybe kiss someone under the stars." And who are we to argue with Mother Nature when she’s in her Hot Girl Summer era?
So, while I might not be frolicking on the beach, I will be soaking in this glorious day with friends, bottles popped, and glasses that glisten like the setting sun.
Here are a few ways to make your Solstice as golden as your favorite dram:
🌻 Host a Golden Hour Happy Hour
Turn your balcony, garden, rooftop — hell, even your stoop — into a Summer lounge. Invite your crew. Pour bright, citrusy whiskies, spritzes, or ice-cold highballs. Garnish with mint, basil, or whatever’s growing wild nearby. You could also go with rosé, a nice bottle of Mirabeau or the Mumm Sparkling Brut Rosé.
🎶 Create a Sun-Kissed Soundtrack
Cue up a playlist of breezy bops and smooth jams. Think tropical house, old-school disco, sexy R&B, or retro summer anthems. I may just have to make a Sugar Daddy Solstice Mix.
🔥 Embrace Fire & Flavor
As golden hour fades, fire up the grill or light a few candles. Pair smoky grilled bites with a peaty Scotch or a sultry, complex dram that lingers long after the sun dips below the skyline.
🌌 Stargaze with a Nightcap
When the stars come out to play, so should your darker pours. Trade the light sips for a rich, velvet-nightcap — think sherry-aged whiskies, aged rum, or an indulgent Cognac. Bonus points if you can still hear the faint strains of Shakespeare drifting through the park.
Remember: Just as the sun ripens the fruits of the earth, time and craftsmanship perfect the treasures in our glasses. So let’s raise a toast to the zenith of summer, to indulgence, joy, and golden moments — both poured and lived. ✨
Claim your spot, grab your glass, and make this Solstice one to remember.
(And if you see me at Shakespeare in the Park — cheers me, darling. 🥂)
To the longest day, the sweetest sips, and the most luminous nights ahead,
XOXO Shosh 💋
A Peaty Good Time with Ardbeg & Gillian Macdonald
I had the pleasure of diving into the smoky, seductive world of Ardbeg — a Scotch that is the very definition of the "peaty paradox." But what truly elevated this experience from a simple tasting to a memory I'll savor forever? Sharing the room (and the drams!) with none other than Gillian Macdonald, Ardbeg’s Master Blender. Her stories and insights turned each sip into a sensory adventure.
For those yet to discover this liquid magick: Ardbeg hails from Islay, that wild and windswept Scottish island famous for whiskies that wear their peat proudly. The rugged coastal vibes aren’t just for Instagram — that sea spray weaves a salty kiss into every drop.
When you taste Ardbeg, expect a full-blown flavor symphony: intense peat smoke, earthy goodness, bonfire nostalgia, and the occasional hint of tarry rope. But here’s the kicker — beneath all that brawny smoke lies an unexpected softness, a sweet undercurrent that makes each dram endlessly fascinating.
Our afternoon kicked off with a showcase of Ardbeg’s cocktail potential — because who says you have to sip it neat? We enjoyed two delicious creations with the iconic Ardbeg 10 Year Old:
Taking Liberties — bold and playful.
Banana Foster Soda — pure dessert-in-a-glass decadence.
Proof that Ardbeg can totally shine in the cocktail spotlight!
Then came the real treat: a guided tasting of five incredible Ardbeg expressions with Gillian as our whisky witch.
✨ Ardbeg 10 Year Old – The perfect starting point. Smoky, citrusy, with a hint of sweet vanilla. Classic for a reason.
✨ Ardbeg 17 Year Old – A rare gem! Softer peat and beautifully nuanced. A true sipping treasure.
✨ Ardbeg Smokiverse – A bold, limited release that pushed the smoke dial to thrilling new heights.
✨ Ardbeg 19 Year Old – A masterpiece of maturity. Complex layers of fruit, spice, and gentle smoke.
✨ Ardbeg 25 Year Old – The grand finale. Elegant, luxurious, and impossibly smooth — the kind of whisky you remember long after the glass is empty. 🥂
From bold cocktails to venerable drams, this was an epic tasting experience — and sharing it with Gillian made it all the more special.
Serving:
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