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Derek Brown on Muck Rack

Derek Brown

(He/Him)
  • Contributor, Liquor.com
  • Author, NASM-certified wellness coach and founder, Positive Damage, Inc
  • President, Drink Company
Washington, D.C.
As seen in: Liquor.com, Medium, MSN, Yahoo Life, The Telegraph, The Washington Post, Substack, Vox, Epicurious, Saveur, VinePair and
Covers:  No- and Low-Alcohol Beverages, Wellness, Positive Psychology. Mindfulness.

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Derek Brown’s Biography

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I’m the Director of Education for Spiritless and am passionate about no- and low-alcohol cocktails. I ran one of the best bars in the U.S., Columbia Room, named “Best American Cocktail Bar” by the Spirited Awards in 2017. I'm also is the author of Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World and Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- And Low-Alcohol Cocktails with 60 Recipes.

I've written for a number of publications on spirits, cocktails, and well-being—from the…

Derek Brown’s Journalist Portfolio

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How to Make the Very Best Nonalcoholic Piña Colada

How to Make the Very Best Nonalcoholic Piña Colada

I'm guilty of it. I've been on vacation and, seeing the brightly colored plastic cup with accompanying umbrel…

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Yes, Non-Alcoholic Cocktails are Expensive. Here's Why. | Wine Enthusiast

Yes, Non-Alcoholic Cocktails are Expensive. Here's Why. | Wine Enthusiast

Last fall, I debuted a special cocktail at Columbia Room, the bar I own in Washington, D.C., that included bl…

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The Restful Joys of a Sober Holiday Season

The Restful Joys of a Sober Holiday Season

One of my close friends recently had a small holiday gathering. I was happy to attend after having rightfully…

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Last Call: Six Steps a Bartender Took to Solve 30 Years of Junk Sleep

Last Call: Six Steps a Bartender Took to Solve 30 Years of Junk Sleep

It was about 4 a.m. when I finished the shift at my bar. After a few drinks, I found comfort lying across fou…

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Last Call: Six Steps a Bartender Took to Solve 30 Years of Junk Sleep

Last Call: Six Steps a Bartender Took to Solve 30 Years of Junk Sleep

It was about 4 a.m. when I finished the shift at my bar. After a few drinks, I found comfort lying across fou…

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Articles

How a Seasoned Spirits Judge Approaches Judging Non-Alcoholic Beverages Original

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By Derek Brown
| The Daily Pour
Frank K’chlin, deputy chairman of the Association of Baden’s small distillers and fruit distillers, holding a glass with spirit in his hand on March 26, 2018, in Sasbachwalden, Germany. (Photo: Patrick Seeger/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images) I still remember how the viscous liquid, which bore more resemblance to cough syrup than a spirit, coated my mouth with the sting of cinnamon overpowering any other flavor. There was only one option for me as a spirits judge, always a last resort: no medal.
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Chamomile-Fennel Julep

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By Derek Brown
| The Washington Post Verified
Democracy Dies in Darkness clock15 mins courseBeverage Chamomile-Fennel Julep Start Cooking Comment on this story Reviews Add to your saved recipes Save By Derek Brown This version of the julep, originally from Firefly restaurant in D.C., uses chamomile-fennel simple syrup in place of mint to add subtle floral flavor in a twist on the classic cocktail.
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The Inconvenient Math of a Dying Model

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By Derek Brown
| Medium
it’s not exactly breaking new ground to say it, but with the issue of CAWs impact on racing a difficult truth must be stated: the industry’s refusal to modernize is not a noble defense of tradition; it is a demonstrable economic failure rooted in a profound cognitive dissonance. The community's anger toward Computer-Assisted Wagering (CAW) is a perfect example of this misdirection.
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Interview

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Awards

Beverage Book and Author of the Year, Nightclub & Bar Show Awards

2020 - Spirits & Cocktails
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