Drink

Must-Visit Stops on the Steins, Vines, & Moonshine Trail

Just 30 miles outside of Washington, D.C., in Prince William County, the Steins, Vines, and Moonshine Trail includes more than 20 independently owned breweries, wineries, and distilleries. An app invites thirsty explorers to earn prizes while exploring the boozy trail, which extends from eastern Prince William near I-95 to western Prince William near I-66 to […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Next-Level Mimosa Tips from Richmond’s Mimosa Fest Founder

Mimosas are beautiful in both their simplicity and their range of possibilities. Light, celebratory, and endlessly sippable, they’ve earned their place as the unofficial drink of brunch. The classic OJ-and-bubbles combo is tried and true for a reason—but there’s also a world of fresh mimosa takes out there to explore. Necoya Tyson, founder of Richmond’s […]

by Hope Cartwright

Martini 101: Classic Recipes, Variations, and Ordering Like a Pro

After espresso martinis took over cocktail menus and social media last year, many non-mixology scholars were left wondering: what, exactly, is a martini? Sipping on the creamy, coffee-forward drink with its adorable three-bean hat, it’s easy to forget that martinis, traditionally, are transparent, boozy, and feature a very different flavor profile. Despite its Italian-sounding name, […]

by Hope Cartwright

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Around the world, as both a beverage and a pastime, tea is steeped in history and ritual. From the casual to the ceremonial, tea is a throughline for many cultures, and now, it’s enjoying a renewed interest from beverage pros who are drawn to tea’s unique flavor characteristics, health benefits, and cultural connections. Recently, two […]

by Stephanie Ganz

How to Make a Michelada, Summer’s Spiciest Cocktail

Brunchers know the Bloody Mary like the back of their hand—but have they met its beer-based, chili-spiced sister, the michelada? This classic summer refresher takes an ice-cold beer and kicks it up a notch with spice, bold seasonings, and even seafood. Similar to a Bloody Mary, with beer instead of vodka, the michelada delivers citrusy, […]

by Hope Cartwright

Discover Spotsylvania County’s Wine Scene By Trolley

While the wine region surrounding Charlottesville has gained national acclaim, the Spotsylvania County scene is still relatively under the radar—for now. The Spotsylvania Wine Trail is a six-venue loop that includes spots like Fredericksburg’s Bacchus Winery, Vibin’ With Val, Mattaponi Winery, and Lake Anna Winery. No DD? No problem—the Fredericksburg Trolley offers half-day tours on […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

4 Virginia Breweries With Destination Onsite Stays

Virginia’s craft beer scene offers an embarrassment of hoppy riches, with breweries spanning from the Chesapeake Bay to the Shenandoah Valley. Entire interstates, like Nelson County’s Highway 151—sometimes known as the Brew Ridge Trail—are now dedicated to this thriving industry. But while brewery hopping is a great adventure, especially with a designated driver, there’s something […]

by Kinsey Gidick

Try Virginia’s cocktail of the year from Hotel Roanoke

Want to taste the official best cocktail in Virginia? The Hotel Roanoke can now claim that title, thanks to lead mixologist Henry Hill, Jr. The longtime bartender won the inaugural Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024 with his cocktail called “No Place Like Home.” The boozy concoction was inspired by the prompt: Why do you choose […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

No Place Like Home: Virginia’s Cocktail of the Year

Try this recipe that won the Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024.

by Erica Jackson Curran

What’s Behind Cirrus Vodka’s New Richmond Tasting Room Menu

The sun-warmed stone patio at Ballast, the new mixed-use development off Summit Avenue in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition, beckons passersby with its striped umbrellas, outdoor seating galore, and inviting sounds of chatter. Cirrus Vodka’s new tasting room, which opened April 24, sits beside the bonny courtyard across from specialty food shop Yellow Umbrella—evoking Mediterranean beach town […]

by Hope Cartwright

Top Tea Rooms and High Tea Experiences in Virginia

High tea is the bread and butter—or rather, the scone and clotted cream—of Great Britain, yes. But who says Virginians can’t join in on the tea frenzy across the pond? This extended list of Virginia tea rooms spotlights classic high tea experiences, bringing a touch of old-fashioned charm as well as delicious teas, pastries, and […]

by Hope Cartwright

Colonial America’s Favorite Cocktails, From Virginia Distillers

In their mission to recreate the libations of yore, Williamsburg-based 8 Shires Distillery dove deep into historic records—ledgers, ship manifests, journals, and personal diaries—to uncover the drinking habits of Colonial America. Through all their research, one fact stands out: “For the most part, everybody drank all day long,” says general manager Tucker Casanova. All that […]

by Hope Cartwright

Dirty Sodas Arrive in Virginia at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets

It’s not your standard big gulp that you can get from 7-Eleven,” says co-owner Ben Cichelli of the tricked-out drinks at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets in downtown Vienna. The shop caters to “soda purists,” as Ben might say—those who know the fizz difference between a fountain-pour drink and a bottled 2-liter, and who might be […]

by Hope Cartwright

Coastal Virginia’s Distilleries Embrace Seaside Inspo

A sun-warmed beach and an ice-cold cocktail: what is it about the pair that make such a perfect match? When the two adored relaxation rituals meet, magic happens—especially inside of Coastal Virginia’s distilleries. These distillers take oceanside inspo and bottle it, bringing the beach vibes to you. Blue Sky Distillery: The Blackbeard’s Point Rum reminds […]

by Hope Cartwright

Starch & Strain: The Secret to Smoother Cocktails

Mixologists are introducing rice to your favorite classic drinks, but not as a tasting ingredient. Rather, rice-washed cocktails are mixed with dry, raw rice, which is later strained out, to smoothen and purify blended flavors. The starch mellows the methanol and propanol in the booze, exposing liquors’ more complex flavors. Rice-washing works best with brash-tasting […]

by Hope Cartwright

Elevate Your Cocktails with Next-Level Garnishes

Garnishes can be so much more than aesthetic afterthought. “Garnish with” this or that is the standard end step in a cocktail recipe. Though last, garnishes certainly shouldn’t be considered the least, providing both added adornment and taste. Olives bob at the bottom of a dry martini, and a leafy celery stalk juts out of […]

by Hope Cartwright

Fat-Washed Cocktails: The Secret to Richer, Smoother Sips

By Janelle Alberts It’s been almost 20 years since a bacon-infused Benton’s Old-Fashioned launched a new technique among bartenders called fat-washing. Despite the unappetizing name, fat-washing has so gained in popularity over the years because it continues to deliver a legitimately elevated cocktail. Fat-washing is a fairly simple process of freezing your spirit with fats […]

by Staff

10 Speakeasies Across Virginia & How to Find Them

Tucked in hidden alleyways and behind disguised doors lie some of the state’s best-kept secrets … and cocktails. Speakeasies promising vintage vibes and low-light charm dot the map far and wide, but where to find them? Here are 10 to get you started on a journey to delicious drinks and illicit adventures of 1920s allure. […]

by Hope Cartwright

Richmond Bartender on When to Order Well vs. Top-Shelf

Ordering a drink is a simple thing, just two or three words: “Moscow Mule,” “Old Fashioned,” “G&T.” Until the bartender asks for your brand preference. Belvedere or Svedka? Hendrick’s or Gordon’s? So many options of varying prestige and prices that so few of us understand. Andy Im, bartender at Rappahannock in Richmond, says that when […]

by Hope Cartwright

Pages: 1234567891011

Events

July 25, 2025

An Artist’s Journey: The Bay School’s Annual Student Art Show

Bay School Community Arts Center/Art Speaks Gallery

July 25, 2025

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Workhouse Arts Center

July 25, 2025

Learning at Lunch: Troublemakers of the NWP

Workhouse Arts Center

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

by Stephanie Ganz

Virginia’s Best Small-Batch Ice Cream Shops

Move over, chocolate and strawberry. It’s not that you’re boring, it’s just that Virginia’s small batch scoopers are churning out so many flavors that it makes plain old vanilla seem, well, vanilla. In the Old Dominion, we found that Scoop in Richmond’s Fan District is out of this world, with flavor bombs like Tahini & […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Why Virginia Is Becoming a Major Tech Hub

Everyone knows tech geniuses are around every corner in Silicon Valley or Seattle. But don’t underestimate Virginia. The Commonwealth is becoming an increasingly major player in the tech industry, appearing on top techy lists worldwide. Hyperscale Hub From projected fusion plants to 3D-printed houses, it’s never a slow news day in the Old Dominion’s tech […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Drink

Must-Visit Stops on the Steins, Vines, & Moonshine Trail

Current Issue

Events

An Artist’s Journey: The Bay School’s Annual Student Art Show

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Learning at Lunch: Troublemakers of the NWP

Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Virginia’s Best Small-Batch Ice Cream Shops

Why Virginia Is Becoming a Major Tech Hub

Drink

Must-Visit Stops on the Steins, Vines, & Moonshine Trail

Current Issue

Events

An Artist’s Journey: The Bay School’s Annual Student Art Show

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Learning at Lunch: Troublemakers of the NWP

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Virginia’s Best Small-Batch Ice Cream Shops

Why Virginia Is Becoming a Major Tech Hub

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Get our most popular
weekly newsletter: VL Today

Get our most popular
weekly newsletter: VL Today