Lush Life

About Lush Life

Where can you learn to live life one cocktail at a time? Here on the Lush Life Podcast discover why an old-fashioned is the drink of choice, who is making their own bitters and how ice, or lack there of, is transforming the cocktails you drink. Hosted by your favorite drinking companion, Susan L. Schwartz, the Lush Life Podcast introduces you to the movers and shakers of the cocktail world.

Publisher

Susan L. Schwartz

Category

arts · leisure · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jun 2016

Latest episode

7 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

278 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Sept 2026

   How to Enjoy Barcelona Hotel Bar Week 2.0 with Founder Bianca Grisolia and a few of the Bartenders Behind It

   If you follow my writing, you know I have a penchant for hotel bars. If you happen to share my passion, then this year don’t miss your chance to experience what’s happening behind the hotel bars in Barcelona from Sept 21 - 27. Now, thanks to our guest today, Barcelona’s stepping into the spotlight again with more than 30 of its best great hotel bars teaming up for the second Barcelona Hotel Bar Week (https://www.barcelonahotelbarweek.com/). You might have heard the brains behind it all, Bianca Grisolia, last year when she introduced the event on Lush Life. If you missed it, let me introduce you to the one who thought it was high time Barcelona’s hotel bars got the spotlight they deserve. Not only is she Founder and Organizer of Barcelona Hotel Bar Week, but a communication strategist, international PR expert, and founder of BG PR & Communication, an agency working globally with premium hospitality brands and venues Bianca is a passionate advocate for the cultural value of hospitality and a driving force in building community and connections within the hospitality industry, plus she is my friend! Today, she’s here to tell us how it all began and how this year is different. We are lucky enough to have Bar Managers from four of the participating hotels. We have: Alberto Melis, Bar Manager, The Cotton House Hotel (https://hotelcottonhouse.com/en/) Marcos Miranda, F&B Manager, Hotel Kimpton Vividora (https://kimptonvividorahotel.com/en/) Matteo Conte, Bar Manager, Grand Hotel Central (https://www.grandhotelcentral.com/en/) Hugo Maciel, Bar Manager, Mandarin Oriental Barcelona (https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/barcelona/passeig-de-gracia) Check out Barcelona Hotel Bar Week here! (https://www.barcelonahotelbarweek.com/) Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/barcelona-hotel-bar-week-2026 (https://alushlifemanual.com/barcelona-hotel-bar-week-2026) ----- Lush Life Merchandise is here (https://www.redbubble.com/people/alushlifemanual) - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more! Produced by Simpler Media (https://podcastlaunch.pro) Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alushlifemanual/) New episodes every other Tuesday, usually!!

2. 

   20 Apr 2026

   How to Drink at the Virginia Distillery Company

   It takes a certain courage and a fair bit of conviction to build a whisky distillery that dares to do things differently. Luckily, today’s guest is genetically predisposed to have both. Today I’m sitting down with Gareth Moore, CEO of the Virginia Distillery Company (https://www.vadistillery.com/). With his father’s dream as the blueprint, Gareth has transformed an idea into one of the most exciting names in American whisky. He guides us from his father’s story to what defines Virginia Single Malt whisky today! Our cocktail of the week is the A Cab on the Boulevard - yes, the Virginia Distillery take on the Boulevardier! INGREDIENTS 2 oz Virginia Distillery Co. Cabernet Cask Select 1 oz Campari 1 oz Sweet Vermouth Orange peel METHOD Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice Strain into a cocktail glass Garnish with an orange peel You’ll find this recipe and all the cocktails of the week at alushlifemanual.com (https://alushlifemanual.com/), plus links to most of the ingredients. Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/virginia-distillery-company-with-gareth-moore/ (https://alushlifemanual.com/virginia-distillery-company-with-gareth-moore/) ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual (https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual). Lush Life Merchandise is here (https://www.redbubble.com/people/alushlifemanual) - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more! Produced by Simpler Media (https://podcastlaunch.pro) Follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/alushlifemanual) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alushlifemanual/) Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/alushlifemanual/) New episodes every other Tuesday, usually!!

3. 

   13 Apr 2026

   How to Catch the Buzz in Tupelo, Mississippi

   You just can’t help falling in love with a town that gave us both the King of Rock n Roll and the Queen Bee. Today’s episode brings us the delights that can only be found in Tupelo, Mississippi. Sponsored by Tupelo CVB (https://tupelo.net), we’re diving into the history, restaurants, drinks, and experiences that make Tupelo on your go-now list. First up, we have Jennie Bradford Curlee, the Deputy Director of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau. A lifelong resident of Tupelo, Jennie Bradford joined the Tupelo CVB in 2012 and now heads it all up. After she gives us a tour around Tupelo, we are joined by Jeri Carter, the Queen Bee of Queen’s Reward Meadery (https://queensreward.com/). Jeri Carter founded the Meadery in 2016, and all the meads produced are made with Mississippi Honey. Since its inception, Queen’s Reward has won over fifty medals in National and International mead and wine competitions. I know that most people know Tupelo as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, but there’s so much more to discover. It’s also the headquarters of the Natchez Trace Parkway, one of the top ten most visited national parks in the country. Coming in early 2027, the Chickasaw Heritage Center will open along the Natchez Trace, inviting visitors to experience the Chickasaw First American story from a uniquely Chickasaw perspective. If you’re hungry? Tupelo serves up more than 200 restaurants, everything from Southern favorites and smoky barbecue to farm-fresh fare and elevated culinary creations. And in the birthplace of the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll, live music isn’t optional; it’s essential. With 16 venues offering performances almost every day of the week, the soundtrack to your stay is always playing. Just remember that with more than 2,200 hotel rooms, three distinct shopping districts, and one unforgettable vibe, Tupelo is ready when you are. Just visit Tupelo.net (http://tupelo.net) and imagine what you can do there! Full Episode Details: https://alushlifemanual.com/the-spirit-of-tupelo-mississippi/ ----- Become a supporter of A Lush Life Manual for as little as $5 - all you have to do is go to https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual (https://substack.com/@alushlifemanual). Lush Life merchandise is here (https://www.redbubble.com/people/alushlifemanual) - we’re talking t-shirts, mugs, iPhone covers, duvet covers, iPad covers, and more covers for everything! And more! Produced by Simpler Media (https://podcastlaunch.pro) Follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/alushlifemanual) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alushlifemanual/) Get great cocktail ideas on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/alushlifemanual/) New episodes every Tuesday, usually!!

Who has been a guest on Lush Life

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Noah Rothbaum
• Maija Zummo
• Bill Whitlow
• Hyacinthe Lescoët
• Bianca Grisolia

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

69,574

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 78 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

87

Social presence

94

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

Contact Lush Life

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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