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It’s high summer, the unofficial season of sipping. Whether it’s spritzes by the pool, margaritas at magic hour, or a perfectly stirred Negroni on a rooftop, this time of year just tastes better. |
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It’s also when the spirits world heads to its own kind of summer camp: Tales of the Cocktail. BMF is proud to serve as PR Agency of Record for Tales–the industry’s leading cocktail conference and festival, hosted every July in New Orleans by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. |
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It’s a week where bartenders, distillers, spirits pros, and brands from around the globe come together to learn, connect, and celebrate the craft. This year, BMF is back in the Big Easy supporting the Foundation and raising a glass with one of our favorite American icons: Jack Daniel’s. |
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In this edition of The Pulse, we’re toasting the tastemakers shaping the future of the industry. Read on for a behind-the-bar convo with Tales co-founder Gary Solomon Jr., a go-to list of summer cocktail spots, and a Q&A with Diageo’s Tracy Doyle, SVP of Brands in Culture, on how spirits stay culturally relevant, and buzzworthy. |
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Cheers to what’s next. Drink it in. |
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| Pulse Check: Cocktail Culture & Innovation With Gary Solomon Jr. |
| As the cocktail world descends on New Orleans for this year’s Spirited Awards®, we’re toasting Gary Solomon Jr., Co-Chair of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. In this special Pulse POV, Gary takes us behind the scenes of the industry’s biggest week – sharing how Tales is shaping the future of hospitality, celebrating bartender-led bars, and keeping New Orleans at the center of cocktail culture. ➔ |
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| BMF Connects With Tracy Doyle |
| BMF founding partner Brian Feit sat down with Tracy Dole, SVP of Brands In Culture at Diageo, to discuss building brand relevance across one of the world’s most iconic spirits portfolios. From launching nostalgic throwback sodas to leading the charge on zero-proof innovation, Tracy shares how she’s shaping culture with intention and why the best ideas should always feel a little risky. ➔ |
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The New + The NoteworthyEverything Worth Doing/Seeing/Getting/Booking |
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| Photo via Tales of the Cocktail Foundation |
| Every summer, BMF client Tales of the Cocktail transforms New Orleans into a global gathering for the spirits world. Bartenders, distillers, and industry leaders from every corner of the globe come together to share ideas, celebrate craft, and shape the future of cocktail culture. The week is packed with tastings, seminars, brand showcases, and late-night pop-ups – culminating in the prestigious Spirited Awards®, which honor the very best in the industry. Learn more about Tales of the Cocktail and the Spirited Awards® here. ➔ |
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| | A true New York institution, BMF client Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle is the city’s ultimate late-night cocktail destination. Velvet banquettes, live piano, and perfectly chilled, award-winning martinis set the scene for timeless uptown nights. Whether you’re toasting something big or just the end of Tuesday, it’s a must-visit for summering in the city. Book your evening here. ➔ |
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| Spritz anyone? Perched above Midtown Manhattan, BMF client RT60 Rooftop Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel New York offers a sleek, elevated escape for summer cocktailing in the city. For the season, RT60 has partnered with Le Moné to debut a limited-edition lineup of citrus-forward cocktails designed for golden hour and beyond. Book your reservation before summer ends here to try the limited-run menu. ➔ |
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| | BMF client Jack Daniel’s just dropped Tennessee Blackberry – a bold yet refreshing spin on the classic spirit. Blending the smooth character of Old No. 7 with real blackberry liqueur, it delivers a fruit-forward sip with notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a hint of spice. Whether served over ice or in a simple cocktail, it’s a brand-new, easy-drinking crowd-pleaser made for peak summer sipping. Order your bottle here. ➔ |
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| | BMF client Rosewood Hong Kong’s bar, DarkSide, unveils Timeless Tales, a new cocktail menu inspired by Kowloon’s layered history. Consistently ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars, DarkSide is known for rare aged spirits, vintage cigars, and nightly live jazz. From char siu fat-washed bourbon to kombu-infused tequila, each cocktail offers a refined take on local storytelling through flavor and craft. Book here. ➔ |
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| | BMF client Monkey 47 is the gin your summer cocktails have been waiting for. Distilled in Germany’s Black Forest and crafted with 47 botanicals, it’s crisp, aromatic, and perfect for a next-level gin and tonic. Serve it in a copa glass over ice with combos like grapefruit and rosemary, blackberry and mint, or lime and juniper. Easy to mix, even easier to sip. Get your bottle here. ➔ |
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| | BMF client Loews Hotels has introduced Fizz by Loews Hotels, a new nationwide beverage program blending mindful drinking with fizzy indulgence. Available across all properties, the menu features house-made sodas, spritzes, and customizable cocktails crafted by in-house “Fizzologists” using fresh, local ingredients. From Lychee Lush in Miami to Peach Fizz in St. Louis, each sip offers a refreshing, flavor-packed escape. Explore the menu here. ➔ |
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The FrequencyWhat We’re Listening To Now. |
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| | Justin Bieber is back with Swag, a new album that blends fresh production with his signature sound. Packed with standout collabs and lyrics that reflect his evolution, it’s already making waves–climbing charts, sparking buzz, and landing on summer playlists everywhere. Listen here. ➔ |
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| BMF has linked up with Flash GEA (jē), NYC’s breakout DJ and genre-mixing producer with a cult following and a sound that’s lighting up the city’s most iconic rooms. Known for blending big room techno with gritty acid house, @flashgea is the go-to selector for brands, tastemakers, and underground heads alike. For this issue of The Pulse, Flash has curated a playlist of top tracks to enjoy while cocktailing this summer – listen here. ➔ |
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The DestinationNow Departing... |
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| Photo via Condé Nast Traveler |
| Embark on a journey around the world with The World’s 50 Best Bars Travel Guide, your passport to the most iconic cocktail destinations across the globe. From hidden speakeasies to groundbreaking mixology temples, this guide offers an inside look at the bars setting the global standard for creativity, culture and unforgettable nights out. ➔ |
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That’s Fire By Sir Candle Man 🔥 |
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| BMF tapped fragrance tastemaker Kudzi Chikumbu, aka Sir Candle Man, for our Summer Drinks scent spotlight. We’re burning a smoky blood orange margarita made with half mezcal, half tequila, and a touch of spice, mirrored in scent by Mezcal Roja from Kelly + James. This candle captures the same sun-soaked energy with smoky mezcal notes, a hint of minerality, and spicy vetiver that evokes carefree laughter with friends under the sun. ➔ |
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| | Let’s chat about how we can keep your brand in tune with the pulse of culture. |
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The SublimeCreators, Innovators, And Cool $#!+ You Should Know About. |
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| | BMF client Malfy Gin has teamed up with Missoni for a limited-edition bottle inspired by the colors and spirit of the Amalfi Coast. Wrapped in Missoni’s signature zigzag pattern, the Malfy Originale design pairs perfectly with sunny days, seaside views, and their new signature Bianco Royale cocktail. Add in matching glassware and beachside bar takeovers, and you’ve got the ultimate drink upgrade for your summer travels. Discover more here. ➔ |
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| | BMF client Red Bull is fueling the vibes of Summer 2025 with its latest Summer Edition: White Peach that’s a crisp, juicy twist on the brand’s iconic energy blend. To turn up the heat, Red Bull launched nationwide experiences inviting fans to share how they turn up all summer long, from rooftop adventures to late-night festival moments. In addition, Red Bull revealed this flashy pink supercar ahead of the F1 Grand Prix to get the word out about this new flavor nationwide. ➔ |
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| | Dom Pérignon’s Summer 2025 campaign, “Creation Is an Eternal Journey,” brings together Zoë Kravitz, Tilda Swinton, Iggy Pop, Anderson .Paak, Takashi Murakami, Alexander Ekman, and Clare Smyth to explore the meaning of creation through intimate films and portraits. Launched with a celebration at the Tate Modern, the campaign blends art, storytelling, and limited-edition releases to cement the Maison’s legacy as a symbol of timeless creativity. View the campaign film here. ➔ |
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| | Eric van Beek is one of the most awarded names in modern mixology – named International Bartender of the Year at the Spirited Awards, co-founder of Handshake Speakeasy (ranked one of the World’s 50 Best Bars), and the creative force behind the World’s Best Cocktail Menu and Best International Bar Team. A true disruptor in the cocktail space, he’s setting the trends and now teaching us how to do it right. Follow along here for at-home cocktailing tips, inventive pours, and a fresh take on the craft. ➔ |
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| | This summer, Baccarat has reimagined its iconic crystal tumblers a joyful twist. The Colors of Joy Harmonie set arrives in luminous pastels, each glass cut to catch the light and elevate every pour. From afternoon aperitifs to late-night nightcaps, it’s the perfect companion for a season of spirited celebration. Explore the collection here to upgrade your summer cheers. ➔ |
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| Photo via Maison Assoline |
| Belvedere Vodka and Maison Assouline brought London a weeklong ode to cocktail culture with Martini Icons, a striking photography exhibition by Agostino Perrone, Director of Mixology at The Connaught. Through a series of black-and-white portraits and moody still lifes, Perrone captures the martini as more than a cocktail – rather a symbol of glamour and identity. Learn more about the exhibition here. ➔ |
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The Week in ReviewICYMI... |
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Travel This The Summer I Turned Pretty Filming Location Is A Dreamy Coastal Escape ➔ The Best In-Flight Drinks To Sip At 35,000 Feet ➔ Air France Launches New Cocktails For La Première Guests ➔ Your Beer Could Be Much, Much More Refreshing ➔ How The Humble Cocktail Menu Became The Most Stylish Storytelling Tool In Hospitality ➔
Fashion & Beauty The Rise Of Drinks Brand Collaborations With Fashion Labels ➔ Chipotle And Wonderskin Revive Fan-Favorite ‘Lipotle’ Lip Stain Kit ➔ The Giadzy X Rails Collaboration Proves Food And Fashion Are A Perfect Match ➔ Making Gin Approachable With No.3 Gin And Bar Moga ➔
Entertainment Traveller Whiskey And 818 Tequila Offer A New Take On A Classic Cocktail ➔ I Invented The Cocktail Party. Here's How It All Started. ➔ Sarah Jessica Parker Talks Summer In The Hamptons And Her Newest Creative Project ➔ Where Y’at This Weekend: Tales Of The Cocktail, Summer Of ’99, The Broadside, Onward & Upward Tour ➔ Burlesque: The Musical Review – Christina Aguilera Movie Gets A Gloriously ‘Dirrty’ Makeover ➔
Technology Space-Age Sommelier Drinks Brings AI Drink Recommendations ... And Boosts Sales ➔ The Quest For A Hangover-Free Buzz ➔ OpenAI Prepares To Launch GPT-5 In August ➔ Women Will Soon Be Able To Request A Female Uber Driver In These US Cities ➔
Media Can A 'Cortisol Cocktail' Help Relieve Stress? ➔ Move Over, Aperol — The Hugo Spritz Is Summer's Hottest Cocktail ➔ How Diversifying Drinks Can Create New Restaurant Dayparts ➔ White Peach Sangria Is The Pitcher Drink Of The Summer—Here's Why Everyone's Talking About It ➔ Trouble Falling Asleep? I Tried This Viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail and the Results Surprised Me ➔
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