After an exhilarating month at KOVAL, learning about the many contributions to the making of spirits, the concoction of cocktails, and the talented artistry that people of African descent have brought to Chicago, the Midwest, and the world.

While new conversations have sprung up in our industry around the historic role of enslaved black people at distilleries (such as the black men who distilled whiskey for George Washington at Mount Vernon), conversations around the talents of black bartenderswoman bartenders, and other minorities have arisen as well.

Photo: Jude Goergen

As we enter the final stretch of another Chicago winter, summer days still seem like a distant dream. It will be several months before we can once again swim in Lake Michigan, purchase paletas any time of day, or go to free films in Millennium Park. Who can help but be tempted by the safety of home and Netflix? But there too lies a wintry danger: Cabin Fever. With another month (at least) of snow and slush and cold winds, we at KOVAL decided we needed to find a way to get ourselves out of the house without risking exposure. What you might not know about KOVAL, though, is that we love books. A good book from a unique and beautiful library? We’re there! What’s more, we love a good book while sipping KOVAL spirits at warm, toasty bars … with fireplaces. Follow along as we explore the city’s libraries and nearby cozy warm up spots. 

As Valentine's Day approaches, the search is on for the perfect gift for that special someone. To help in the quest, we've curated two gift guides inspired by two very distinct personalities - our KOVAL Bourbon and Dry Gin. In doing so, we collaborated with other makers and companies we admire, many of whom are neighbor businesses in our hometown of Chicago. Cheers to perfect pairings and giving with love. 

Making beautiful, handcrafted products is never easy, but the end results are always worth the time and effort. Here at KOVAL, we love partnering with other makers and innovators who share our commitment to excellence. That’s why when we set out to create a collection of tea cocktails, our first call was to our friends at Spirit Tea, a Chicago company dedicated to sourcing an uncommon selection of handmade teas. They’ve brought together a group of industry veterans with decades of combined experience in tea, coffee, hospitality in herbalism, working together under the belief that “a great cup is the result of passion and strong relationships.” We couldn’t agree more.

Snowed in? Now is the time for a beloved warm cocktail: The Hot Toddy! While chances are the whiskey-and-lemon laden drink can’t cure the common cold, it can at least warm you up. Below, you’ll find a few hot toddy cocktails designed to relieve your winter sorrows, as well as an exploration of what hot toddies are and their lineage in the history of cocktails.

As we sit back, resting from the months of holiday preparations and celebrations, we are faced with a choice: Shall we toast to the end of 2017 and the beginning of a New Year with the traditional sparkling wine or with a fine cocktail? At KOVAL, we always have a third, roguish option: Both!  

There’s something delightful about that time-honored cocktail, the French 75, bubbling over with both Champagne and Dry Gin. That’s why every time the New Year comes around, we reach for our favorite variations on the drink. But where did this “Tom Collins in a Tuxedo” come from? And why do we drink Champagne—with or without gin—on New Year’s anyway?