On February 4th, the world will be celebrating International Pisco Sour Day, and it’s a great cocktail. Our two guests reveal why Pisco should be enjoyed for more than just one day and in way more than just one cocktail. Suyo Pisco was truly meant to be. Alex Hildebrandt and Ian Leggett, co-founders of Suyo Pisco, happened upon each other while working in the same office. Both are half-Peruvian and half-American, and both had the vision it took to create something that bridged both worlds. That ...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 228
Behind the doors of Warehouse 1, up north in Scotland’s Speyside, there is something brewing that we are all going to want to sample. Especially after you’ve heard it all from my guest today! Here to reveal the wonders of not only in Warehouse 1 but also the entire Glen Moray range is Iain Allan, Global Brand Ambassador and Visitor Center Manager for Glen Moray Distillery . An Elgin local, who traveled all over the world but chose to settle in his hometown due to all the wonderful whisky found o...
Jan 24, 2023•38 min•Season 7Ep. 227
Say his name in any bar around the world, and most bartenders will immediately whip out a well-worn copy of his eponymous bible of bartending. Today we meet the legend who not only authored that classic but so much more! If you didn’t know it already, our guest today, Jim Meehan, is one of the most celebrated bartenders and bar operators, as well as the author of The PDT Cocktail Book and the one and only Meehan’s Bartender Manual. He has worked in nearly every capacity in the hospitality busine...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 226
When making cocktails, do you ever feel like something’s missing? One of our guests today did, and he made it his mission to fill that void. Chris Tanca, Founder of Cordusio , was that man. He was trying to make a cocktail and could find the spirit with the exact flavor profile he was looking for. So he created it, and now Cordusio, the world’s first red berry aperitif, is hot off the presses. In fact, I met Chris at Venice Cocktail Week at the end of September for the first official launch of t...
Dec 13, 2022•39 min•Season 7Ep. 225
Did you ever look at a loaf of bread and see a bottle of vodka waiting to happen? Our guest today did, and now that bread has become the vodka that took Venice Cocktail Week by storm. Frank Grillo, the co-founder of Altamura Distilleries , wasn’t just looking at any old slice of bread when he saw a bottle of vodka, but one he had made with Altamura wheat. If you haven't already heard of Pane di Altamura, as it's called in Italian, you have been missing something special. They’ve been talking abo...
Dec 06, 2022•44 min•Season 7Ep. 224
How is it possible that you move to one of the chicest, if not the chicest, cities in the world and not find an even passible martini? Today’s guest is living proof that anything is possible! Today joining me is the inimitable Forest Collins, founder of 52martinis.com , which chronicles her search for the best cocktail bars in Paris as well as loads of other cocktail news from all over France. She is the creator of the iOS app Paris Cocktails and host of the radio show and podcast Paris Cocktail...
Nov 29, 2022•42 min•Season 7Ep. 223
Do you remember me talking about Venice Cocktail Week earlier this year? If you are an avid fan of Lush Life, you might recall I was there for the launch of what has become one of my favorite weeks of the year. The city of Venice has always had a special place in my heart. The introduction of a week celebrating Venice’s drinking establishments was genius, and I am so thankful to Paola Mencarelli and Bianca Grisolia for including me again this year for the second annual edition of Venice Cocktail...
Nov 22, 2022•41 min•Season 7Ep. 222
Have you ever described the potato as lowly? Well, the heritage variety of potatoes that is at the centre of today’s episode is anything but. In fact, it’s regal. Today on Lush Life, Emma Hamilton, the co-founder of Edwards 1902 Vodka, will attest to the fact that the King Edward potato should be respected, not only for being a tasty tuber but for being at the heart of an award-winning vodka. She and her founders have gone on to create a coffee liqueur, a rhubarb vodka, and so much more from the...
Nov 15, 2022•45 min•Season 7Ep. 221
It was her grandfather’s Manhattan that inspired our guest to love the art of making cocktails, but what was it about that Manhattan that would lead her to New Orleans? I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is Lush Life Podcast, every week we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time. Joining us today on our episode sponsored by Louisiana Tourism is the fabulous Abigail Gullo. Creative Director, Loa Bar in the Beaux Arts wonder that is the International House Hotel which w...
Nov 08, 2022•56 min•Season 7Ep. 220
First up! This is a 2 parter, so for those of you who missed part 1, go back to the previous episode and start there! If you are ready to join us for Part 2 of Asian Rice Wines and Spirits. Then let’s go! I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is Lush Life Podcast, every week we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time. We’ve discussed Sake, Shōchū, and Soju, now it’s time for Baijiu! Our trusty guide has been no other than the wonder that is Marie Cheong-Thong, one of onl...
Nov 01, 2022•40 min•Season 7Ep. 219
What a way to begin Season 7! By attempting to tackle the category that is Asian Rice Wine and Spirits? We would be truly destined to fail if we didn’t have such a spectacular leader to guide us through. How can I describe Marie Cheong-Thong? She is not only one of eight spirit committee members of the IWSC but also Chairman of the British Sake Association, a Council Member of the Association of Wine Educators, a member of both the Circle of Wine Writers and the Guild of Food Writers, Educator o...
Oct 25, 2022•47 min•Season 7Ep. 218
Is it that time already…the leaves are falling, there is a chill in the air, and I’m back with a new season to keep you company. I’m Susan Schwartz, your drinking companion, and this is Lush Life Podcast, where every week, we are inspired to live life one cocktail at a time. Yes, next Tuesday, I bring you Season 7 of Lush Life. This season it’s more of the same - great conversations, great cocktails, and a few bar suggestions from around the world, plus some bar news added in for good measure! W...
Oct 18, 2022•3 min
During lockdown, I received cocktails from some of the world’s best bars delivered right to my door. Who should cycle them over to me at a moment’s notice? None other than the drinks legend who is my guest today. Many of you who filled out my Lush Life survey, asked for more interviews with industry legends; well, here you go. Fabrice Limon is at your service. He has too many titles to list here, and most of them are Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Scotch+Limon, Highball Brands, and The Drink...
Jun 28, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 217
What is the saying, when life hands you sugar cane, make rum, right? Well, my guest today is making way more than white rum, aged rum, and rhum agricole down south in Gonzales, Louisiana, that’s for sure. On Lush Life today, sponsored by Louisiana Travel, I am thrilled to have Andrew Soltau. Co-Owner and COO, of Sugarfield Spirits to guide us through how he and his brother found their way to Gonzales Louisiana in the middle of a whole lot of sugar cane and started to produce their award-winning ...
Jun 21, 2022•53 min•Season 6Ep. 216
Have you tried to find Le Syndicat bar on Rue Faubourg Saint Denis? They don’t make it easy. Our guest today explains what’s going on behind all those posters and why it’s not to miss on your next trip to Paris. I think we need to toast to the father of Thibault Massina, the Creative Director at the one and only Le Syndicat bar in the 10th arrondissement in the City of Lights. Thanks to his introduction to wine’s merits at an early-ish age, Thibault has become the wine connoisseur he is today. H...
Jun 07, 2022•36 min•Season 6Ep. 215
Our guest today fell into distilling after years of being a self-proclaimed Pinot chaser. What is it exactly that drew her over to the spirit world? Sarah Elsom, Master Distiller of the Cardrona Distillery on the South Island of New Zealand, knew she wanted to work in wine from the age of 16. That passion took her all over the world and back again. When she returned home, she was lucky enough to walk into the fledgling Cardrona Distillery, and she has never left. Cardrona has grown over the year...
May 31, 2022•39 min•Season 6Ep. 214
What to do when your country bans alcohol sales during the height of covid, and you own a distillery? Create a non-alcoholic spirit, and then find the perfect partner to help you introduce it to the world. Danielle Schoeman used her distilling know-how to produce Mahala Botanical, then she sent it to Paul Scanlon to see what he thought. After years working for a drinks company, he was ready to bring one of his own to market. It was kismet, and they have not looked back. I was lucky enough to mee...
May 17, 2022•50 min•Season 6Ep. 213
I have a penchant for wild cats; one, in particular, go tigers! Now there is another cat begging for my attention, and I just can’t ignore it. Who could when these cats are distilling rum? On Lush Life today, sponsored by Louisiana Travel, I am thrilled to have Tait Martin, Ph.D., President & CEO of Wildcat Brothers Distillery who is with us to recount the story of how a cocktail made with their rum found its way to being THE official cocktail of the city of Lafayette, Louisiana and so much ...
Apr 26, 2022•52 min•Season 6Ep. 212
If you already call yourself a cocktail fan, then I will take it for granted that my two guests are already known to you. If not, I am proud to introduce you to The Cocktail Lovers! Who are the Cocktail Lovers? Just the industry icons who launched the award-winning The Cocktail Lovers magazine 11 years ago. Individually they are Sandrae Lawrence and Gary Sharpen. They’ve been listed on the London Evening Standard’s The Progress 1000 of London’s Most Influential People, the Bar World Top 100 peop...
Apr 19, 2022•47 min•Season 6Ep. 211
The daffodils are out and as some of you may know from previous episodes that when the daffodils come out, I get behind the mic for a short chat. I need to thank all of you for being so patient with me. It’s been kind of a crazy year. In between traveling and covid and other life stuff, I know Lush Life has been a bit sporadic! I also want to thank all of you who have helped me by filling out the Lush Life 2022 survey. If you had no idea I even had a survey, I would really appreciate your checki...
Apr 05, 2022•5 min•Season 6Ep. 210
Hidden away under the Bloomberg Building in the City of London lies the remains of the Roman Temple of Mithras, which you can visit. So what does that have to do with drinking? Our guest today is definitely the one to answer that question! Francis Grew, one of the fantastic curators of the fabulous Museum of London, knows all about the Romans in London and more specifically what the Romans were drinking in London when it was known as Londinium. He’s our guest today on this episode sponsored by t...
Mar 29, 2022•51 min•Season 6Ep. 209
What is a work of art? That question is so subjective. Yet I truly believe that my two guests have made it possible for us to drink every cocktail we have at the St. Regis Venice in a work of art. My first guest is Facundo Gallegos, the Bar Manager at the St. Regis Venice. The second is Adriano Berengo, the President of Berengo Studio 1989 and Fondazione Berengo. On my way to Venice last year, I happened to ask the Bar Manager of the Berkeley Hotel in London what was the one bar I shouldn’t miss...
Mar 15, 2022•37 min•Season 6Ep. 208
My cocktail of the week is made up of masterclasses, bar takeovers, tastings, and overall fun and festivities, plus is served in a city that I love. Confused? Did you guess what’s on the table? This week's episode is its own cocktail whose ingredients come from Venice, Italy, and is called Venice Cocktail Week. From Dec 13 - 19 last year, Venice was host to a slew of cocktail lovers, distillers, bartenders, and anyone who could shake or stir. So in this episode, I’m taking you with me to Venice ...
Mar 01, 2022•38 min•Season 6Ep. 207
It wouldn’t be fair to say I have a favorite restaurant in Venice, but my guest today runs the one spot that is nearest to my heart. Now he’s not only wowing them with his world-class Venetian cuisine but he’s created an amaro that makes the gondoliers sing. I’m not the only one who Luca di Vita has welcomed into Alla Testiere, the wonderful restaurant he owns with chef Bruno Gavagnin. London’s Russell Norman of Trattoria Brutto, a former Lush Lifer, is also a dear friend and colleague. Out of t...
Feb 22, 2022•28 min•Season 6Ep. 206
Heading to the City of London is like going home! Fleet Street, one of its most famous addresses, was always the denizen of journos who were known to enjoy a tipple or two. My guest today welcomes me back with a Gimlet that’s pure London through and through. Very few businesses are allowed to use the livery of the City of London and William Borrell, the Director of the City of London Distillery and Founder of Vestal Vodka, explains how it all happened plus so much more on today’s episode, sponso...
Feb 15, 2022•35 min•Season 6Ep. 205
It might be known for rock, ballroom dancing, arcades, and even The Cure’s Robert Smith, but one wouldn’t automatically think of Blackpool, England as the home of Sweet Mash. Thanks to the efforts of our guest today, you will now. Moving from New York City to Blackpool England is only a small step if your goal is to redefine what an English whiskey can be. Vince Oleson, Distillery Manager of Bankhall Sweet Mash, has taken that step. He is bourbon bent and hell-bound, to co-opt the title of the f...
Jan 25, 2022•43 min•Season 6Ep. 204
Thinking of opening a new cocktail bar or planning a fabulous cocktail party? Thanks to our guest today we don’t have to start from scratch. He’s given us the tools to hone every facet of the guest experience! How lucky are we that Jason Williams, Creative Director of Proof & Company and head of Proof Creative, their bar and beverage consultancy program, has shared his 20 PIllar Plan with the rest of the world. He could have kept it a secret. But in the spirit of community and collaboration,...
Jan 18, 2022•53 min•Season 6Ep. 203
For those of you who listened to the very, very end of my ep last week, you were expecting this week to be all about the City of London, well, due to unforeseen circumstances with which I won’t bore you. Instead, this week we will be answering all your questions about bitters with two who have been in the bitters biz for almost 10 years. I’ve had many eureka moments in the over 200 episodes of Lush Life I’ve done, but never so many in one episode! All to do with bitters. Who should be here to an...
Dec 21, 2021•55 min•Season 6Ep. 202
I wish I had known my guest sooner. Every dinner party he has ends with a round of homemade liqueur. The liquid was so good that he was convinced to bottle it for the whole world to enjoy. Now everyone’s dinner party can end with one more sip! Thomas Lester was busy doing other things when he realized what he was making was just too yummy not to share. Thus, Reverend Hubert Winter Gin Liqueur was born. It took a few twists before he had the perfect recipe, but now you just can’t miss its colorfu...
Dec 14, 2021•37 min•Season 6Ep. 201
Yes, it’s a biggie. My 200th episode, and who should join me but one of the biggest names in cocktails and my constant companion during the lockdown, Lynnette Marrero. 199 episodes ago, I had a mic and “bottom’s up” to end the show. Now we have reached the 200th episode - I have a mic, bottoms up, and 199 episodes of Lush Life Podcast! This is due to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with A Lush Life Manual and Lush Life podcast, especially my producer Evo Terra who was with me w...
Dec 07, 2021•47 min•Season 6Ep. 200
