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Christopher Osburn

Christopher Osburn

Writer

Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professionally for almost twenty years. In that time, he has traveled all over the world from San Diego to Sydney in search of mouthwatering food, frosty beer, exciting cocktails, and complex whiskeys and other spirits. He has the pictures to prove it.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Manhattan

The fall martini: How to put a seasonal twist on a classic

Obviously, the classic martini is made with gin, but we prefer to enjoy gin-based drinks when it's warm. We’re all about whiskey when autumn rolls around.
Negroni

The best Campari cocktails: Americano, Negroni, and more

Campari's herbal, citrus base makes it a great choice for mixing into cocktails.
Oktoberfest beer steins

The best Oktoberfests in the U.S. – this is where you should celebrate

While the biggest event is held annually in Bavaria, there are countless Oktoberfest events worldwide, with some of the biggest in the U.S.
Apple Jack

The Apple Jack cocktail is the 2-ingredient drink perfect for fall

There aren’t many autumnal drinks simpler than this two-ingredient cocktail. To make it, all you need to apple juice and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
Beer and grill

What we’re tailgating with: The best football drinks to bring

While we could write a whole article on the cheesy burgers and finger foods we’ll be eating while tailgating, today it’s all about the drinks.
Oktoberfest cheers with beer steins

What is Oktoberfest, exactly? Everything you ever wanted to know

In the most basic sense, Oktoberfest is an annual festival that takes place in Munich, Germany.
Whiskey splashing from a glass

The absolute best whiskeys for beginners: Our top picks

If thinking about all of these different whisks(e)y styles is giving you anxiety, that’s okay. We don’t blame you.
Oktoberfest cheers with beer steins

The best Oktoberfest beers from the 6 Munich breweries

If you want to pay tribute to the real event in the comfort of your own home, you’ll drink an Oktoberfest beer from one of these breweries.
Adonis Cocktail

Adonis cocktail : How to make this simple, elegant drink

Instead of relying on a main ingredient like whiskey, the Adonis is a lower-proof cocktail made with only two ingredients: sweet vermouth and fino sherry
Beer

Researchers are looking at how to brew beer in space

Well, thanks to a study by the University of Florida, we finally know how beer yeast is affected when brewing in outer space.
Mojito on a bar ready to serve

The best rums for a fresh, flavorful mojito

A perfectly blended mojito relies on fresh ingredients, but the rum matters as well. Here are your best options.
Pumpkin beer next to pumpkins

Pumpkin beer is everyone’s fall obsession, but these ales actually taste good

Here's The Manual's roundup of the best pumpkin beers that include wild ales, imperial porters, and other pie-inspired concoctions from top craft breweries.
Tequila

What is añejo tequila? All about the sweet spot of sipping tequilas

When it comes to sipping tequilas, añejo is the sweet spot. This is the tequila variety for fans of bourbon and single malt Scotch whisky.
Mug of beer outside on a table

9 best fall beers and autumnal releases to drink this year

To help you wade through the glut of autumnal beers now gracing grocery store shelves and bar taps, we offer up the best seasonal beer recommendations.
American

These are the obscure cocktails you need in your life

Some drinks still haven’t been embraced by the masses yet and we think that’s a true shame.
Beer

How is beer made: Everything you ever wanted to know about the basics of beer

Beer might seem complicated, but there are only four ingredients that are needed to brew this popular alcoholic beverage.
Negroni Sbagliato

The Negroni Sbagliato is the lower-abv alternative to the classic Negroni

To make the Negroni Sbagliato, bartenders swap out the gin in favor of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine).
Aperol

The best Aperol cocktails (the Aperol Spritz is one, but it’s not alone)

Its lightly sweet, bitter, citrus and herb-forward flavor profile is a great choice for cocktails.
Daiquiri

How to make the Hemingway Daiquiri, a less sweet twist on a classic

This elevated take on the classic Daiquiri is made with white rum, maraschino liqueur, fresh lime juice, and fresh grapefruit juice.
Roadsmary's Baby

Pumpkin beer: Everything you ever wanted to know about this divisive fall staple

For those new to the style, a pumpkin beer is a fall seasonal style. Like with many fall-centric beers, it usually hits shelves in mid to late August.
Manhattan

We absolutely love these rye whiskey cocktails (and you will too)

Rye is known for its cracked black pepper, herbal, caramel, vanilla, oak, and spiced flavor is the base for some of the most well-known cocktails.
Dirty martini

The incredible types of martinis you should know how to make

Learn a little bit about the martini and its history and take a deep dive into the most popular different types of martinis.
Hugo Spritz

Think the Aperol Spritz is too bitter? Try the Hugo Spritz instead

If you were to branch out and want to imbibe something with a similar (but less bitter) flavor profile, we suggest a Hugo Spritz instead.
Home bar

Home bar essentials: A guide to all the tools you need

When it comes to crafting your home bar, there are a few essentials.
Americano Cocktail

The Americano cocktail: How to make this classic drink

While the Negroni is made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin, the Americano (which was created first) opts for Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water.
Tequila Sunrise

What is grenadine? (And how you should use this cocktail ingredient)

We know it’s a syrupy, red-colored liquid used for flavoring foods and by bartenders as an ingredient in many cocktails. But what else do we know?
Gin cocktail

This is where you can find the best cocktail bars in the U.S.

Thanks to the folks at Upgraded Points, we know where to find the best cocktail bars in the U.S.
Beer

Does beer expire? That’s a complicated question

When you crack open a can or bottle of beer, do you always look for the date it was produced to see if it’s still fresh? Probably not.
Martini with three olives

The best vodkas for your evening vodka martini: Our top picks

Martinis deserve vodkas that taste better than poorly distilled ethanol. These best vodkas will surely elevate your martini, and make you feel like Bond.
New York Sour

How to make the New York Sour, a leveled up whiskey sour

The New York Sour adds one more dimension to bring everything together nicely.
shochu

What is shochu? The Japanese spirit that’s more popular than sake

You might think of whisky or sake when it comes to Japanese alcoholic beverages, but there’s another form of alcohol that’s quite popular in Japan (and beyond).
La Louisiane

The La Louisiane is the nightcap cocktail you need

If you already enjoy the Boulevardier or its close relative the Vieux Carré, you’re going to enjoy the La Lousiane.
White Negroni

How to make the White Negroni, a French riff on the classic

While the classic Negroni has its history in the early 1900s, the White Negroni is a fairly contemporary take on the drink.
Old Fashioned

The classic bourbon cocktails everyone should know how to make

Bourbon's corn-based mash bill is sweet, mellow, complex, and flavorful. It never gets lost in a cocktail and is guaranteed to warm you up on a cool evening.
Bourbon

The best flavored whiskey: We absolutely love these bottles

The best flavored whiskeys don’t mask less-than-desirable whiskeys with cloyingly sweet flavors.
Gin cocktail

The main types of gin, explained (it’s not just London Dry)

There are a handful of different types of gin. You’re probably well aware of London Dry Gin, but have you heard of Plymouth-style gin or Old Tom?
Sour beer

What is a sour beer? What you need to know about this tart, acidic drink

In the simplest terms, a sour beer is exactly what its name implies. This is a type of beer that was crafted to be tart, acidic, and sour.
Aperol

What is Aperol? The bittersweet Italian liqueur your home bar needs

If you’ve never tried this aperitif, you’ve likely at least heard of Aperol or at the very least have seen the world written on a cocktail menu.
Old Fashioned

Bartenders say these are the most overrated bourbon cocktails

There are a handful of well-known classic bourbon-based cocktails. Many of which are at least a little overrated.
Dirty martini

Shaken vs stirred: Which actually makes a better cocktail?

There are cocktails where shaking is more appropriate and drinks where mixing is the better technique.
Beer close-up

6 Anheuser-Busch beers most people don’t realize the company owns

If you don’t pay attention to the beer world, there’s a good chance you don’t already know all the iconic brands that were snatched up by AB InBev.
Old Fashioned

The best bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Our top picks

There are few whiskey-based cocktails more beloved than the iconic Old Fashioned.
Gibson Cocktail

The Gibson cocktail is for you pickle lovers

A take on the classic Martini, the Gibson is made with gin and dry vermouth. Where it differentiates from the other iconic drinks is with its garnish.
Pouring an IPA

Low-ABV session IPAs are perfect summer drinks: Our top picks

According to most experts, the cut-off to be considered a “session” beer is 5% alcohol by volume. Here's are the best ones.
Gin cocktail

4 simple gin cocktails anyone can make (that taste delicious)

Some of the more iconic drinks include the Gin & Tonic and classic Martini. But these aren’t the only simple, elegant, refreshing gin-based cocktails.
A glass of beer on a beach

These are our favorite hazy IPAs for hazy summer days

The style is known for its juicy, fruity, hoppy flavor profile. This makes it a perfect beer for the hazy, humid summer days.
Buffalo Trace

These are the best Kentucky distilleries to visit this summer and fall

This year, instead of driving from coast to coast looking for alcohol-themed destinations, we’re sticking to Kentucky.
A mojito cocktail sitting on the bar

These are the highball drinks you should know how to make

Simply put, a Highball is a mixed drink that consists of a liquor base and a non-alcoholic mixer.
Daiquiri with lime

The best rums for your summer daiquiri

We asked seasoned bar pros to tell us their favorite rums for daiquiris, and here they are.
Soju

What is soju? Everything you need to know about the world’s most popular liquor

Similar to vodka, soju is a clear neutral grain spirit that’s very popular in Korea.