Lush Life

It takes a certain courage and a fair bit of conviction to build a whisky distillery that dares to do things differently. Luckily, today’s guest is genetically predisposed to have both.
Today I’m sitting down with Gareth Moore, CEO of the Virginia Distillery Company. With his father’s dream as the blueprint, Gareth has transformed an idea into one of the most exciting names in American whisky.
He guides us from his father’s story to what defines Virginia Single Malt whisky today!
Our cocktail of the week is the A Cab on the Boulevard - yes, the Virginia Distillery take on the Boulevardier!
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Virginia Distillery Co. Cabernet Cask Select
1 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
Orange peel

METHOD
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice
Strain into a cocktail glass
Garnish with an orange peel

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/virginia-distillery-company-with-gareth-moore/
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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!!

You just can’t help falling in love with a town that gave us both the King of Rock n Roll and the Queen Bee. Today’s episode brings us the delights that can only be found in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Sponsored by Tupelo CVB, we’re diving into the history, restaurants, drinks, and experiences that make Tupelo on your go-now list.
First up, we have Jennie Bradford Curlee, the Deputy Director of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau. A lifelong resident of Tupelo, Jennie Bradford joined the Tupelo CVB in 2012 and now heads it all up.
After she gives us a tour around Tupelo, we are joined by Jeri Carter, the Queen Bee of Queen’s Reward Meadery.
Jeri Carter founded the Meadery in 2016, and all the meads produced are made with Mississippi Honey. Since its inception, Queen’s Reward has won over fifty medals in National and International mead and wine competitions.
I know that most people know Tupelo as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, but there’s so much more to discover. It’s also the headquarters of the Natchez Trace Parkway, one of the top ten most visited national parks in the country.
Coming in early 2027, the Chickasaw Heritage Center will open along the Natchez Trace, inviting visitors to experience the Chickasaw First American story from a uniquely Chickasaw perspective.
If you’re hungry? Tupelo serves up more than 200 restaurants, everything from Southern favorites and smoky barbecue to farm-fresh fare and elevated culinary creations.
And in the birthplace of the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll, live music isn’t optional; it’s essential. With 16 venues offering performances almost every day of the week, the soundtrack to your stay is always playing.
Just remember that with more than 2,200 hotel rooms, three distinct shopping districts, and one unforgettable vibe, Tupelo is ready when you are. Just visit Tupelo.net and imagine what you can do there!
Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/the-spirit-of-tupelo-mississippi/
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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!!

There is only one place to experience the sunset over Venice with a cocktail in hand. Our guest today is the one behind the drinks that make it unforgettable.
Let me introduce Valentina Mircea, the Bar Manager of The Skyline Bar at the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice.
She has spent over ten years in this industry, from London to Brighton to Venice. Whether she’s guiding her team to create a zero-waste signature menu or watching a guest experience the lagoon at sunset, her mission is to make moments into memories.
You can also read about the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice in my new book — yes, it’s finally happening. A Guide to Drinking in Venice lands April 2026. I’ve been hinting at it for years, and it’s now available for pre-sale. Go to alushlifemanual.com/book for more details.
Now — let’s enjoy that sunset at least virtually with Valentina.

Our cocktail of the week is the Venetian Lagoon.
INGREDIENTS
40 ml Gin dei Sospiri
20 ml Noilly Prat
10 ml Luxardo Bitter Bianco
10 ml Lillet Blanc
10 ml Salamoia (olive brine)
10-15 grams of purple cabbage
Garnish: 3 Kalamata Olives

METHOD
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with 10/15 grams of purple cabbage
Let sit for 30 minutes to infuse it
Strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube
Garnish with 3 Kalamata olives

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/hilton-molino-stucky-venice-with-valentina-mircea/
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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 other Tuesday, usually!!

At the St Regis, it’s two, two bars in one. Our guest is well aware of that fact - preparing a perfectly executed Negroni at noon on a sun-drenched terrace… and then later that evening a Warhol-worthy cocktail set in a bespoke glass.
Today I’m sitting down with Ludwig Negri, Manager of The St. Regis Bar and the Arts Bars at the St Regis Venice.
He’s been there since it was reopened in 2019, after honing his craft in London. We’ll talk Lake Garda beginnings, Venetian lagoon botanicals, and what it really takes to build two distinct bar identities in one of the most visited hotels in the city
You can also read about the St Regis Venice in my new book — yes, it’s finally happening. A Guide to Drinking in Venice lands in April 2026. I’ve been hinting at it for years, and it’s now available for pre-sale. Go to alushlifemanual.com/book for more details.
Our cocktail of the week is the Doge’s Tipple.
INGREDIENTS
45ml artichoke-infused Mancino Amaranto
45ml Venetian bitter (we are using select, but we are gonna change soon with Bitter dei Sospiri)
10ml Amaro Cadello
Lemon Essence spray from Essentia
1 globe artichoke

METHOD
You will need to infuse your vermouth with artichoke first. To do that, you need to remove the outer leaves and trim the stem of one globe artichoke, keeping only the tender, light-green leaves and heart. Then slice the artichoke into very thin pieces. Add these to the jug and then add 750ml of Mancino Amaranto, which is what the St Regis Venice uses, or any vermouth. Then let it rest 24-48 hours.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir until well chilled
Strain into a rocks glass with ice
Mist with a spritz of Lemon Essence spray

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/st-regis-venice-with-ludwig-negri/

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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 other Tuesday, usually!!

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
40 ml Vodka
20 ml Coffee liqueur
10 ml Amaro
Salted Sugar Syrup* to taste

METHOD
Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
Shake until well chilled and frosted.
Fine strain into a coupette glass
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
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram
Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest
New episodes every other Tuesday, usually!!