Spirits

Spirits: A toast to creativity

Chop House serves drinks with a shots of innovation. Photos: Nicole Hamel Everything can be improved by adding bacon. Double cheeseburger? Add bacon. Scrambled eggs? Add pieces of bacon. A hurricane is about to ravage Florida? Add lots of bacon. …

Spirits: Creating a buzz

Jose Villafana, Jr. taps into the increasingly popular craft beer scene. Photos: Nicole Hamel Pam Gordon remembers the first time she saw the dark brown liquid cascading into a glass with milky white bubbles rising to the top. She brought…

Spirits: Not for the weak of heart (or liver)

The strong drinks and countless options at Crafted Concoctions in Tavares will have you coming back for more. Photos/Videos: Nicole Hamel Craig Williamson and Rebecca Doherty, owners of BTW (Burgers, Tacos, Waffles) in Tavares, decided to branch out, about three…

Spirits: Cold and Bold

Mystic Ice Cream constructs alcohol-infused creamy concoctions while building relationships. Photos: Nicole Hamel It’s hot. It’s August, the infamous dog days of summer. A time of the year when a scoop or two of cold, creamy, made-from-scratch delicious ice cream…

Spirits: Sweet Spot

Fruity flights and Milkshake IPAs make Suncreek Brewery a nice night out for beer and dessert-lovers alike. Photos: Nicole Hamel Bill Downs first started buying simple craft beer kits in college, and about five years later began using all types…

Spirits: Uncorking a wine culture

Two Old Hags creates quite a buzz in Leesburg. Photos: Nicole Hamel There’s no telling where wine connoisseurs might find their next favorite wine. Maybe during a visit to a popular wine region like Napa Valley in California. Maybe at…

Spirits: Sunny days for beer lovers

Tap into a variety of craft brews at a bright new spot, the Sunny Pint in Wildwood. For most people, the phrase “dream job” is an oxymoron. For beer lovers, however, you can’t beat Sue Sidoti’s job. As a beer connoisseur…

Spirits: Twisted vines

Lake Seneca Farms has an orchard full of fruits to make unique wines for any taste. Tim Besuden got into hobby wine about seven years ago, when he and his wife, Jane, moved from Orlando to Mount Dora. They eventually…