Tempered Spirits

Myself

Tempered Spirits is a drink log, compendium, reference, and teaching tool for me, Ian Lauer, a home bartender residing in the Suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve never worked behind a bar, but I am deeply interested in the craft of mixing drinks. In the past several years I’ve invested a fair amount of time perusing cocktail blogs and books while visiting a few bars here and there, and my knowledge of mixing has grown alongside the craft cocktail movement.

I studied Architecture at Georgia Tech and conduct a bit of freelance work here and there; I test medical devices as a lab technician at my day-job. As you can see from the blog, I have a budding interest in photography and a book-reading habit.

The Site

I focus on the mixing of home-made cocktails, following in the footsteps of the great mixological researchers and craft bartenders that have guided the Cocktail Revival of the 20-oughts.

Why the name? Allow me to steal a few words from Merriam-Webster:

Definition of TEMPER

verb

1: to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else : moderate

2 archaic a : to exercise control over : govern, restrain b : to cause to be well disposed : mollify

3: to bring to a suitable state by mixing in or adding a usually liquid ingredient

5: to make stronger and more resilient through hardship : toughen

6 a : to put in tune with something : attune

I know I skipped a few definitions in there, but the remainder seem applicable to an action performed on a cocktail, don’t you think? Blacksmith : steel :: bartender : liquor? Plus, I like the (ironic) etymological nod to the Temperance Movement. No, I do not have a quick temper, and I do manage to restrain myself when it comes to having drinks (though not when it comes to stockpiling liquors and recipes).

The Photography

I shoot with a Nikon D7000, typically with a 35mm f/1.8 or a 105mm f/4 Macro lens. I use diffuse window light as often as possible, as I enjoy the quality of natural light. Luckily our house has a wide variety of lighting conditions and props for me to play around with.

Disclaimer

All of the opinions expressed on this site are mine and mine alone. I do not receive any payment for product reviews or the use of certain spirits, and I do not receive free samples from liquor companies.