Death to the Vodka Soda!

Drinking used to be a delight. Gay men would gather to bond proudly over aged whiskeys, smooth vodkas and intoxicating tequilas that were superior because of their taste, not because of their price—or worse, their calorie count. At dinner or when out dancing, cocktails playfully combined these ingredients in ways that made their flavors explode instead of muting them under an avalanche of artificial sweeteners. But somewhere along the way, things got a little boring. Today, while New York revels in a new cocktail boom, gay men have kept their options limited and their taste buds ignorant. And it’s not vodka that’s to blame—or soda for that matter. As we explore on the following pages, a vast array of spirits and cocktails offer sophistication, simplicity and yes, even minimal calories. For those of us who spend a good part of our salary on liquor, shouldn’t we treat ourselves to a higher standard of imbibing? That’s why our annual Winter Cocktail Issue is a call to arms: put an end to the bland routine of contemporary gay drinking and use the following guide to expand your mind and your palate—because better drinking is only a sip away.