Journal

September 1, 2026

Fire meets fire.

The char of the bourbon barrel. The glow of the Hot Shop. And molten glass transformed into a one-of-a-kind whiskey glass—individually designed and created by each guest alongside a talented glass artisan, making every piece as distinctive as the experience itself.

Created by My Bourbonista in collaboration with Ignite Glass Studios, Bourbon & Blaze brings two crafts shaped by fire together inside one of Chicago’s most distinctive working glass studios.

Think polished concrete and glowing glass. Sophisticated tablescapes dressed in warm tones and brass accents. A beautifully curated hosted bar paired with passed hors d’oeuvres, abundant small plates or an elegant seated dinner—all unfolding within the energy of a working Hot Shop.

Beyond the glass studio, wander into the Urban Garden, where artisan glasswork adorns the landscape, or head to the rooftop and take in the stunning Chicago cityscape from above.

Our recent corporate Bourbon & Blaze was unanimously delightful—a little sophisticated, a little unexpected and completely memorable.

Corporate gatherings. Milestone birthdays. Groom’s events. Bridal celebrations. Or bring everyone together.

You name the vision. We make it happen.

Bourbon & Blaze. It’s on your agenda.

My Bourbonista
Chicago’s Premier Bourbon Tasting Concierge

Consider This Your Invitation

The glass is set.
The bourbon has been chosen.
And something exceptional is about to begin.

Perhaps it’s an intimate birthday dinner. A wedding weekend. An evening with your favorite people. Or a gathering designed to impress clients who have experienced nearly everything.

This is bourbon, beautifully presented.

Rare pours. Thoughtful details. Engaging conversation. A little discovery along the way.

No two gatherings ever feel quite the same—because the best experiences never do.

Your occasion deserves its own pour.

My Bourbonista
Chicago’s Premier Bourbon Tasting Concierge

Bourbon belongs in beautiful places.

With the nights getting a little longer, and all the feels of summer a little closer, it makes me think about fun summer cocktails. Here’s where the Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned takes front and center.

This delicious cocktail makes for an interesting twist to the traditional fireside S’mores. It infuses the classic Old Fashioned with the delicious flavors of toasted marshmallows – perfect for entertaining.

Sit outside by the fire with me and I’ll pour you a glass of this lovely bourbon cocktail.

Let’s get started!

Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz your favorite bourbon
• 1/2 oz toasted marshmallow simple syrup (recipe below)
• 2-3 dashes chocolate bitters (optional, but recommended for depth)
• Graham cracker crumbs (for rimming)
• Toasted marshmallow (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass by rimming it with graham cracker crumbs (spray rim with vodka for best sticking results without compromising flavor!)
2. Combine bourbon, toasted marshmallow simple syrup, and bitters (if using) in a mixing glass.
3. Add ice and stir to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice and garnish with a toasted marshmallow (see photo for inspiration).

Toasted Marshmallow Simple Syrup (Homemade)

Ingredients:

• cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 10-12 regular-sized marshmallows (toasted lightly)

• Instructions:

• 1. Toast marshmallows lightly using a kitchen torch or stovetop flame.
  2. Combine water, sugar, and toasted marshmallows in a saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Stir until marshmallows are melted and sugar is dissolved (around 5 minutes).
  4. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any charred bits.
  5. Let cool completely before use and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Prepare Glass (Optional): Rim the cocktail glass with graham cracker crumbs by moistening the rim with a little syrup or vodka spray for dipping into the crumbs.

Combine Ingredients: In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, marshmallow simple syrup, and bitters.

Stir and Chill: Add a large ice cube to the mixing glass and stir until chilled.

Strain and Garnish: Strain the chilled cocktail into the prepared glass over a large ice cube. Skewer the marshmallows, toast with a kitchen torch or stovetop flame, and place them on the rim of the glass or over the drink as garnish. You can also add chocolate shavings.

Now, sit down with me, sit back and take a sip of this delicious and visually appealing bourbon cocktail with a nod to the delightful flavors of fireside toasted marshmallows. Oh, and least I forget…I brought chocolate!

Cheers!

Some of life’s greatest moments happen around the table.

Not because of the table itself, but because of who gathers there.

It’s where little hands once colored pictures for Mother’s Day. Where family dinners turned into stories that still make us laugh years later. It’s where anniversaries are celebrated with a quiet toast, children become adults, and friends become family.

As Greg and I celebrate another wedding anniversary, I’m reminded that the years are measured less by the calendar and more by the moments we’ve shared around our own table. The conversations. The laughter. The traditions. The people we’ve welcomed into our home and into our lives.

Perhaps that’s why I love what I do so much.

Every weekend, I have the privilege of creating another table for someone else. A wedding where two families become one. A rehearsal dinner filled with anticipation. A birthday, retirement, anniversary, or bachelor/bachelorette party where friends linger just a little longer because the conversation is too good to leave.

The bourbon may be what first brings everyone together, but they remember the stories shared, the laughter that echoed around the room, and the feelings shared together.

Because in the end, the finest experiences aren’t simply poured into a glass.

They’re created around the table.

Here’s to the tables that bring us together — the bourbon that makes it special — and to the people who make it feel like home.