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Stephen Jamunar | Drinkologist

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Simplifying All Things Drinks 🍷🥃🍸🍺
🧑‍💼Wine & Spirits Consultant
🧑‍🔬Chemical Engineer | WSET | CSS
🥂Cheers, Follow For More
#TheDrinkologist

Sunset in a Glass - Orange Wine? 🌅🍷 Despite the

Sunset in a Glass - Orange Wine? 🌅🍷

Despite the name, no citrus is harmed in the making of this wine!
Orange wine—also known as skin-contact wine—is simply white wine made like red wine.

Normally, when making white wine, the grape skins are immediately removed after pressing. But to make Orange Wine, winemakers take white grapes, mash them up, and leave the juice to steep with the skins and seeds. This process can last anywhere from a few days to several months.

What does this do?
1️⃣ The Color: The skins impart that gorgeous golden, amber, or bright tangerine hue.
2️⃣ The Flavor: It extracts tannins (that dry, textural grip you usually associate with reds) and creates complex, bold flavors. Think bruised apple, honey, jackfruit, dried orange rind, and savory nuts.

The Pairing Power: Because Orange Wine has the crisp acidity of a white but the robust structure of a red, it is the ultimate food pairing chameleon.
Tonight, I paired this stunning Lanchava Collection Qvevri Amber (made from the Kisi grape in Georgia, the birthplace of this ancient style!) with a savory, umami-rich Hot Pot.
The wine's texture cuts right through the richness of the meats and stands up to the complex spices of the broth.

Have you tried Orange Wine yet?

Cheers 🥂

#Drinkologistt #OrangeWine #AmberWine #GeorgianWine #HotPot

TAHITI RUM 🇵🇫 - Miami Rum Congress Bottle Choice!

TAHITI RUM 🇵🇫 - Miami Rum Congress Bottle Choice!

One bottle. That is the rule I set for myself every year at the Miami Rum Congress. Amidst hundreds of expressions and the noise of the crowd, I hunt for the single most compelling spirit to bring home to the Drinkologistt library. 🥃✨

For 2026, the choice wasn’t made because this rum was simply "delicious" (though it is spectacular).
It was chosen because it is absolutely mind-boggling.

It is difficult to wrap your head around the fact that a spirit of this sheer magnitude, complexity, and raw power emerges from such a small, idyllic island in the South Pacific. We often look to the Caribbean giants for heavy hitters, but this bottle proves that world-class distillation has no borders.

The Treasure: Down Island Spirits – Tahiti Rum (T.I.E. 2020) 🇵🇫
This is not your standard beach sipper. It is an untamed beast from the Punaruu Valley that demands respect.

Here are the specs that sealed the deal:
🔹 Origin: Distilled at the T.I.E. Distillery in Punaruu, Tahiti.
🔹 The Build: Column Still distillation from molasses.
🔹 The Wood: Aged 5 years in French Oak (3 Years in Polynesia, 2 Years in England).
🔹 The Power: Bottled at a staggering 68.2% ABV.
🔹 The Purity: No additives, no chill filtration. Just pure, unadulterated Polynesian terroir.

It is vibrant, it is intense, and it is a reminder that the world of rum is vast and full of surprises.

Have you explored rums from French Polynesia yet?

Cheers 🥃

#Drinkologistt #MiamiRumCongress #Rum #DownIslandSpirits #TahitiRum

Miami Rum Congress ‘26: The Recap 🥃✨ Another year

Miami Rum Congress ‘26: The Recap 🥃✨

Another year in the books, and another stress test for the liver successfully completed! ✅

@miamirumcongress sets the tone for the entire year in the Rum industry, and if this weekend was any indication, 2026 is going to be wild. We moved way beyond the basics—this was about pushing boundaries.

The Big Takeaways:
🌍 New Regions Unlocked: We aren't just in the Caribbean anymore. Tasted incredible pours from Tahiti and Liberia!
🍌 Esters Gone Wild: The funk is getting funkier. "Hogo Monsta" levels of flavor are the new standard.
🔥 The holy Trinity: Single Vintages, High Proofs, and Zero Additives.

Big shout-out to the organizers and the producers who made this unforgettable. The Rum Fam is unmatched.

Coming Up: I'll go more into the Rum Trends we saw at MRC along with my favorite Rums I tried!

Cheers 🥃

#TheDrinkologist
#MiamiRumCongress #Rum #RumTasting #rumlovers

Warming up for @MiamiRumCongress this weekend! 🥃

Warming up for @MiamiRumCongress this weekend! 🥃

Before the madness begins this weekend, I’m taking a moment to reset with something truly singular: The Chairman’s Reserve Master’s Selection (a @FloridaRumSociety exclusive pick).

This isn't just "rum"—it's a study in precision. It’s a pure Coffey Still expression distilled in 2009 and aged for 11 years in the tropics. At 57.3% ABV with zero additives, it’s the perfect baseline to prepare my palate for a weekend of exploring the industry's newest trends and releases.

Of Course, I’ll be documenting the entire experience so don’t miss the upcoming vlog where I'll be taking note of all things happening in the world of Rum!

Who else will be in Miami this weekend? Let me know👇

#TheDrinkologist

#MiamiRumCongress #ChairmansReserve #RumEducation #Rum

THE 2026 T&T DRINK TRENDS DEEP DIVE 🎙️�🇹🇹 (Full Vi

2026 T&T Drink Trends 🇹🇹 Since dropping my Global

Liquid Archaeology: A Tale of Two Sails ⚓️ This i

13 Strikes, New Ventures, and The Ultimate Bar? 🥃

13 Strikes, New Ventures, and The Ultimate Bar? 🥃

We are officially settled into the new year, and I’ve been doing some thinking about the next chapter for Drinkologistt.

From consulting to teaching, the drink work has been incredible, but the core mission hasn't changed: Drinking. Simplified. I want to help you elevate what is in your glass, whether that’s understanding Cask Strength spirits or decoding a wine label.

So, I’m building the syllabus for the next few months and I need your input: 👇
If there's anything you'd like to know about the world of drinks, let me know, and I’ll try to cover it.

(And for those asking about TikTok... let’s just say we have "creative differences." 13 strikes later, I think I’ll stick to Instagram and YouTube where the alcohol education is actually welcome. 😂)

As for the "Ultimate Bar" project... Food for thought.

Cheers to the next steps! 🥃

#Drinkologistt
#TheDrinkologist

#DrinkingSimplified #NextSteps #BarBuild #BeverageIndustry #Trinidad #Drinks #DrinkEducation

DRINK TRENDS OF 2026 🍸📉 If the last few years we

DRINK TRENDS OF 2026 🍸📉

If the last few years were about "More" (more price, more hops, more complexity), 2026 is officially the year of "Better."

I’ve mapped out the 7 massive shifts hitting the beverage world this year. We are trading late nights for early sunsets, hype labels for hidden gems, and sugar for savory complexity.

Here is the deep dive into what you’ll be drinking this year:

1. The Value Pivot - We aren't drinking "cheap"—we’re drinking smart. The move is lateral: swap the $45 Sancerre for a $18 Touraine Sauvignon, or "Celebrity Tequila" for Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. Don’t drink the label; drink the liquid.

2. The Lager Renaissance - Palate fatigue is real. After a decade of heavy Hazies, simplicity wins. Expect a surge in high-quality Mexican-style lagers (lime & salt essential) and crisp German Helles. We want beer that tastes like beer.

3. The Daycap - 5 PM is the new 11 PM. The "Daycap" isn't about ending the night; it's about extending the sunset. Think lower ABV, Spritzes with Sherry or Vermouth, and waking up without the fog.

4. Exotic & "Swavory" - The modern palate wants texture and umami. Look for Pandan (the vanilla of the East), Yuzu, and Calamansi to replace standard citrus, plus savory ingredients like Miso and Sesame bridging the gap between food and drink.

5. Small Pours - Commitment issues? Solved. The "Mini-Martini" and 3oz wine pours are the ultimate hospitality move. Explore the premium side of the menu without the premium price tag.

6. NA Normalization - The "Green Rush" is over; now it's just standard service. The best bars are integrating NA options directly into the main menu. The focus is no longer fruit flavor—it's about replicating the burn and mouthfeel of a spirit.

7. Cannabis Sippers - THC beverages are graduating to the dinner party. We are seeing a massive rise in "Micro-dosed" (2mg–5mg) botanical seltzers that mimic the pacing of a glass of wine.

👇 Which of these trends are you most excited to see?

Cheers 🥂

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#2026Forecast #DrinkTrends #WineEducation #CocktailCulture #Lager #NonAlcoholic #SmartSipping #HospitalityTrends #2026Drinks

First Pour of 2026 🥃🇬🇾 Ringing in the new year wi

First Pour of 2026 🥃🇬🇾

Ringing in the new year with a serious study in contrast: The El Dorado High Ester Blend PM/DHE 2014.

IYKYK, this isn’t your standard Demerara sweet spot. It’s a collision of two titans from DDL’s heritage stills.

You have the Port Mourant (PM) from the Double Wooden Pot Still providing that classic, oily, brooding bassline. But here, it’s spiked with the Diamond High Ester (DHE) from the John Dore Copper Pot Still.

The result is a masterclass in balance—heavy texture meets volatile esters.

A complex, powerful start to the year. If 2026 is anything like this glass, it’s going to be a hell of a ride!

Cheers 🥃

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#ElDoradoRum #DemeraraRum #RumGeek #CaskStrength #FineSpirits #RumDiaries #FirstPour2026 #GuyanaRum #Rum #Rhum

2025 Drink Trend Predictions - SCORECARD 📝✅ They

2025 Drink Trend Predictions - SCORECARD 📝✅

They say hindsight is 20/20... but foresight is better. One year ago, I mapped out the drinking landscape for 2025. Now that the year is wrapping up, let’s check the receipts.

Swipe through for the full breakdown, but here is the summary:

🏆 The Big Win: The Savory Era
I predicted "Cocktails Go Culinary," and 2025 delivered. From Tomato Vine Martinis to Miso Old Fashioneds, we officially stopped drinking dessert and started drinking dinner. The line between the kitchen and the bar is gone.

🦓 The Cultural Shift: Zebra Striping
We nailed this one. "Pacing" became a lifestyle. The stigma of ordering a functional non-alc drink between cocktails vanished, and our mornings were better for it.

⚠️ The Evolution: The Vessel Changed
I called for "Half Bottles" and a split in the Beer market. I was right about the behavior (we wanted portion control and variety), but the market chose Aluminum over Glass.
Premium Canned Wines and Spirit-Based RTDs (Ready-to-Drink) stole the "At Home" occasion from macro beer.

Final Grade: A-
The insights were solid. 2025 was the year we officially traded "Sugar" for "Savory" and "Bingeing" for "Balance."
... But the industry moves fast.

👇 Which of these 2025 trends did you drink the most of this year? Let me know!

🔮 2026 PREDICTIONS COMING SOON ➡️

Cheers 🥂

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#DrinkTrends #2025Recap #CocktailTrends #SavoryCocktails #Mixology #Wine #Beer #Spirits #Cocktails #FutureOfDrinking

Noche Buena ✨ Two Pours 🥃🥃 Dad’s holding it down

Noche Buena ✨
Two Pours 🥃🥃

Dad’s holding it down in Trinidad, and I’m raising my glass in Miami. We might be miles apart, but we’re sharing the exact same spirit tonight—the Paul John Christmas Edition 2019.

Celebrating the Eve with a shared dram 🥃

#drinkologistt #Christmaseve #nochebuena #christmasdrink #pauljohn

The Christmas Martini ❄️⭐ Why choose between a c

The Christmas Martini ❄️⭐

Why choose between a classic cocktail and festive flavors?

I infused Gin with the warming spices of the season—Cinnamon, Star Anise, Cloves, and Nutmeg—then stirred it down with Vermouth and a splash of Sherry for a nutty, complex finish.

It’s savory, aromatic, and looks beautiful against the tree lights.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication this holiday. 🥂

Cheers 🍸

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#martini #gin #christmascocktails #holidaycheers #mixology #festivedrinks

Designing the Taste of Celebration. 🥂✨ What happe

Designing the Taste of Celebration. 🥂✨

What happens when you mix high-end design with the spirit of a Trini Christmas? You get a Spectacle.

It was ecstatic to curate "The Festive Collection" for the @international.interiors Appreciation Party. We moved beyond the standard open bar to create a liquid experience that matched the elegance of the evening.

From the smoky, spirit-forward notes of "The Midnight Cask" (garnished with a bite of black cake!) to the glowing, aromatic layers of "The Gilded Portugal Punch," every sip was crafted to say "Thank You" to the architects and designers who shaped IIL's year.

The energy was unmatched, the parang was loud, and the glasses were never empty.

Cheers to a year of collaboration and incredible design! 🥂

#Drinkologistt
#TheDrinkologist

#InternationalInteriors #CocktailParty #TriniChristmas #EventMixology #MidnightCask #CocktailDesign #ClientAppreciation

Is this the WORLD'S BEST Ponche a Creme? Most rec

Is this the WORLD'S BEST Ponche a Creme?

Most recipes keep it simple. I decided to over-engineer it. 🧪🥃
I asked myself: "What if I took every single ingredient in traditional Ponche a Creme and ELEVATED it?"

The result is the Ultimate Ponche a Creme!
Here is the blueprint:
1️⃣ The Milk: Canned Condensed Milk ➡️ Caramelized Dulce de Leche for deep toffee notes.
2️⃣ The Citrus: Lime Zest ➡️ Lime Oleo Saccharum to extract pure citrus oils.
3️⃣ The Texture: Raw Eggs ➡️ Sous Vide at 145°F for a safe, velvety, custard-like consistency.
4️⃣ The Spirit: One Rum ➡️ A 4-Spirit Blend featuring Trinidadian Rum, Jamaican Funk, Overproof, and... PX Sherry?! (Trust me on the Sherry).

The texture is thick, the flavor is complex, and it is hands down the best cream liqueur I have ever tasted.

🎥 Want the exact measurements and the full step-by-step masterclass? Click the link in my bio to watch the full 12-minute breakdown on YouTube! ▶️

Cheers 🥂

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#PoncheACreme #TriniChristmas #Coquito #Rum #Eggnog #SousVide #ChristmasCocktails #Mixology #HolidayDrinks #CreamLiqueur #CaribbeanChristmas #TrinidadandTobago

The Festive Collection Bar for IIL 🥂✨ Reflecting

The Festive Collection Bar for IIL 🥂✨

Reflecting on a wonderful evening curating "The Festive Collection" for International Interiors Ltd.

When designing a holiday menu, the goal is to evoke nostalgia without falling into clichés. We wanted warmth, spice, and sophistication, but with a distinct twist.

The lineup featured:
🍷 Sorrel & Spice Royale: A sparkling elevation of a Kir Royale using the classic Caribbean favorite, Sorrel.

🍊 The Gilded Portugal Punch: A luxurious communal serve focusing on aromatics and citrus.

🥃 The Midnight Cask: A spirit-forward homage to Trinidadian Black Cake that required a homemade extract.

🍪 The Gingerbread Snap: Proving that Zero Proof serves should be just as complex and warming as their spirited counterparts.

Apart from the cocktails, sipping spirits in Glenmorangine 14 and Plantation XO were chosen for the holiday flavors they presented along with a selection of wines to compliment.

Special thanks to @zanerahamatali for executing all of the cocktails and the bar!

Cheers 🥂

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#HolidayParty #BeverageConsultant #CuratedCocktails #EventBar #Mixology #LiquidCulture #TrinidadianBlackCake #Sorrel #FestiveMenu #ZeroProof #PortugalPunch #TriniChristmas

THE ULTIMATE PONCHE A CREME 🇹🇹🎄🥛 I grew up on Pon

THE ULTIMATE PONCHE A CREME 🇹🇹🎄🥛

I grew up on Ponche a Creme. It’s the heartbeat of a Trini Christmas. But as a Drinkologistt, I couldn’t help but ask: Can we make it perfect?

This year, I deconstructed the classic recipe and rebuilt it with precise cocktail science. We aren't just mixing; we're engineering flavor.

The Drinkologistt Blueprint:
✨ The Texture: No raw eggs. We Sous Vide the yolks into a rich custard for a velvety mouthfeel.
✨ The Sweetness: We boil the condensed milk in the can for 90 minutes to turn it into Dulce de Leche.
✨ The Spices: We infuse our evaporated milk with spices for extra dimension.
✨ The Citrus: We take Lime a step further by using an Oleo Saccharum.
✨ The Spirit: A blend of Trini Rum for the base, Jamaican for the funk, and PX Sherry for that "black cake" fruitiness. (And yes, a touch of Puncheon for the culture 😉).

This isn't just a drink; it's an experience. The full breakdown and science behind the bottle is live on my YouTube channel now (Link in Bio!) 🎥

👇🏽 SAVE this reel for your Christmas prep!

The Ingredients:
8oz Trini Rum (Zaya)
2oz Jamaican Rum (Appleton)
2oz PX Sherry
White Oak/Puncheon (to taste/for the culture)
8 Egg Yolks
2 Cans Condensed Milk (Boiled)
2 Cans Evaporated Milk (Infused with Cinnamon & Star Anise)
3 Limes (Oleo Saccharum)
Angostura Aromatic & Cocoa Bitters
Saline Solution & Xanthan Gum

Happy Holidays 🌟

Cheers 🥂

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#PoncheaCreme #TriniChristmas #CaribbeanChristmas #CocktailScience #Mixology #Rum #Eggnog #HolidayDrinks #TrinidadandTobago

The Thanksgiving Trifecta Pour 🥃 Every year, I fi

🦃 Thanksgiving Drinking: The Cheat Sheet. Let’s b

🦃 Thanksgiving Drinking: The Cheat Sheet.

Let’s be real: Thanksgiving is a tricky meal to pair. You’ve got sugar in the yams, tartness in the cranberries, salt in the gravy, and fat in the turkey skin. A big, heavy Cabernet or an oaky Chardonnay usually just clashes with all those flavors.

This year, we’re drinking smarter.
Here is the official Drinkologistt Guide to navigating the feast:

🍷 The Wine: You need acidity. A dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc cuts through the rich gravy like a squeeze of lemon. For reds, keep the tannins low—Beaujolais and Pinot Noir are light enough to complement the food without overpowering it.

🥃 The Cocktails: Lean into the season. A Maple Old Fashioned has those savory, deep notes that bridge the gap between the stuffing and the sweet sides.

🍺 The Beer: Don’t overlook the brew. A crisp, bubbly Saison scrubs your palate clean after every bite.

🌿 The Finish: The most important part of the meal might be the end. Amaro isn't just a trend; the herbal complexity actually helps you digest that massive dinner.

Swipe, save, and take this list to the bottle shop. 🛒

Cheers 🍻

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#ThanksgivingWine #Thanksgiving #FoodPairing #Oldfashioned #Amaro #Beaujolais #ThanksgivingDinner #WineEducation #calvados #thanksgivingpairings #amber #Drinkguide

Wine's Seriousness Problem 🍷 (Are We Losing Drinke

Wine's Seriousness Problem 🍷 (Are We Losing Drinkers?)

What an eye-opening experience at Vinous Icons Miami! It was a collection of world-class wines and top-notch producers, but it exposed the wine industry's biggest self-inflicted wound: The Seriousness Problem.

My goal was to use my 7 Stages of Drinkability to find the best wines for every level... but I had to scrap the idea. The event was almost exclusively Stage 5, 6, and 7 wines—bold, complex, high-tannin, and high-acid.

🍷 The Core Question:
Are Stage 1, 2, and 3 wines—the lighter, friendlier, maybe slightly sweeter styles that serve as the on-ramp for new drinkers—simply not serious enough?

If a beginner is met with only the most powerful, age-worthy wines, they’ll leave feeling overwhelmed, not inspired. The smart move this event made—offering discounted tickets for those under 30—is undercut by only offering wines that those young drinkers aren't ready for yet.

We need to stop confusing "serious" with "difficult." Wine made with intention and precision is serious wine, regardless of whether it's a profound Cabernet or a perfectly crafted Rosé.

The industry is building an ivory tower and then asking why we're losing an entire generation to RTDs and cocktails.

What are your thoughts? Is the wine world too serious for its own good? Let me know in the comments!

#TheDrinkologist
#Drinkologistt

#SeriousnessProblem #Wine #WineIndustry #7StagesofDrinkability #WineRant #WineEducation #WineLover #WineTasting #Sommelier #TavelRose

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