Yolanda Evans

Distilled, Featured Articles
Courtesy Lost Spirits Distillery
When visiting distilleries, great drinks are undoubtedly important, but so are the experiences.
WORDS Yolanda Evans
It can be amazing to visit the place where a favorite spirit is made, but after checking out a few distilleries, the unfortunate reality is that tours can become dull and begin to blend together. The gist is you listen to the history of so and so spirit from an engaging tour guide, get a tasting and then somehow end u...

Once the former home of the Stasi, the space was revamped and renovated to create a hip and fashionable boutique hotel, Château Royal, in the heart of Mitte. When walking into the bar, you’re greeted with positive affirmations such as “You sexy m***** f*****!!!!”. And you know what else is sexy? The elegant atmosphere, delightful cocktails and high-class service — whether you’re a hotel guest or not. Open from 12 pm to 22 pm, it’s a great meeting place for business or pleasure. Indulge in a t...

Ice cream and spritz make the perfect summer combination if you ask me. It’s a delicious cool-down solution for sweltering afternoons. Where do you go if you want to enjoy both? The answer is Vasito — the new ice cream and aperitivo bar in Wilmersdorf. Opened in May by husband and wife duo Fabio and Natascha Hilker, this ice cream parlor and bar mélange is a dream come true for the couple as they share their passion for ice cream and Mediterranean aperitivo culture with Berliners. This quaint...

At Velvet, foraged plants, herbs, and flowers have a long shelf-life. This cocktail bar serves complex, yet delicate libations made from seasonal vegetables, fruit, and herbs found around the German capital. Although not new to the bar scene, a close-knit team dedicated to the craft operates this 6-year-old dimly lit watering hole with 55 seats. Bartender Ruben Neideck, Sarah Swantje Fischer, Alice Von Vincent, Julia Raschia and Inan Öztürk meet every Tuesday for a lab day lasting three to fo...

Venturing into Mitte can be chaotic and crowded, but sometimes it’s worth the trip (especially when there’s an exciting new cocktail pop-up to discover). Considering it’s a cocktail residency from Coda’s former bar chef, the drinks are well worth the ride. Fresh off his pop-up at the Green Door bar, Adam Tudoret has set up shop in the former home of Oukan Tea in front of the Oukan restaurant and will be slinging Japanese Aperitivos until the end of September (28.09.2024). Dubbing his pop-up “...

Welcome to The Upgrade, By The Way’s series on travel hacks and hot takes. See how to submit here.
When most people travel abroad, they think about what type of goodies they plan to bring home.
Some might buy clothes, food or art. Others might be satisfied with a simple keychain. I like collecting bottles of alcohol.
I try to bring back as much liquor as I can fit in my luggage without being fined by customs. Every country has its own rules for how much you’re allowed to bring back. When retu...

When a loved one dies, we tell stories and drink in their honor.
An Irish wake is a celebration of the life of the departed, with memories shared over a whiskey or a pint of beer while the deceased lies in the same room. In Mexico, there’s Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, where it’s believed that spirits walk among the living, prompting family members to build colorful altars called “ofrendas,” which are decorated with photos, food, and beverages to toast the spirits. Imbibing to comme...

When you are outside of your culture, it’s important to develop rituals that remind you of home.
As a booze writer, I love to find interesting and obscure stories, especially about Black folks that I can bring to life.
One story I stumbled across in my research was that of Bertie “Birdie” Brown, a notorious Black moonshiner in Fergus County, Montana. It was rumored that her “white lightning” was some of the best in the area. Even before Prohibition, the locals were familiar with her moonshine...

CNN —
Donegal is Ireland’s most northerly county, where you’ll find spectacular sea cliffs, rugged mountains and secluded beaches. And at the top of this county is Inishowen, Ireland’s largest peninsula.
The area has a lot to offer for any travelers venturing to these northwest reaches. There’s Doagh Famine Village, where visitors can learn about Irish daily life from the 1840s to the present day or, if the timing is right, there’s a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Malin Head, the country’...

St. Patrick’s Day typically conjures images of people dressed in green attire, sipping green beer or Guinness. The island of Montserrat rarely comes to mind, but it should. Known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean because of its lush green landscapes reminiscent of the Irish countryside, Montserrat has a strong Irish heritage that can be spotted in the names of places, surnames, traditions, and even a shamrock passport stamp. Most prominently, its annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities qualif...

Located alongside the Neckar River, Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university and other impressive sites like the Old Bridge, Heidelberg Castle and the Student Jail. But it’s also a city of romance thanks to a little café on Haspelgasse and a piece of chocolate that has spun a tale of young lovers and intrigue for generations.
Easily recognized these days by its bright red box adorned with a silhouette of a student in a cap, the “Studentenkuss,” or Student Kiss, is a praline nougat on...

There’s a reason so many bartenders put their own spin on the Paloma. For me, it has always been a go-to at home because of how quickly it comes together—often in the glass—with an outsize, refreshing payoff. It’s not a cocktail I often order at the bar, but whenever I’m at Mr. Susan in Berlin, ordering the house version of the tequila staple, the subtle, earthy, complex Korean Paloma, is a must.
The star of the drink is gochujang, a fermented pepper paste that’s as beloved in Korea as ketchu...

The Scottish actor and gin creator shares tips, tricks, and packing lists for all types of travel.
By Yolanda Evans, and Sam Heughan
Have you ever wondered how celebrities pack for vacation? What go-to snacks are tucked away in famous people’s carry-ons? Or what beauty products they swear by to combat jet-lagged skin? Wander Musts takes up residence behind the security X-ray machine to give you an inside look at celebrities’ travel tips, tricks, and can’t-live-without essentials.
In this inst...

Sorrel (hibiscus) has a cultural and celebratory significance among the African diaspora. The plant was used for medicinal purposes in West Africa since at least the 1600s, and was brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Eventually, they turned hibiscus into a tasty beverage made with native spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, bay leaves, sugar, and other ingredients that were available on the island.
The original “red drink” continues to evolve and gain ...