In true Ronny fashion, I had to bring the blog back in a big way.

One, it’s Virgo season. So, of course, the re-launch had to happen on day 1 of my birthday month. 

Two, I love a good cocktail. It only made sense for the first post during my birthday month to commemorate something I enjoy.

And three, I was only going to bring you the absolute best recipes. And who else can give you the best at-home cocktail recipe than a James Beard-nominated Bartender?

Meet the Bartender

Joseph Stinchcomb is the co-founder of Bar Muse, a hidden gem in Oxford, Mississippi. After attending Ole Miss, majoring in exercise science, Joseph worked for a period of time as a debt collector. After being laid off, he started at a local restaurant, Proud Larry’s as a back-of-the-house staff. This position ignited his love for the restaurant industry, and soon after, he took his new talents to another local business, Saint Leo, as the beverage director. During his time at Saint Leo Joseph’s program was nominated for a James Beard award. He was also the bartender-in-residence at Southern Foodways Alliance‘s 2018 fall symposium and a 2019 Smith Fellow.  In October 2021, Stinchcomb and his colleague, Ross Hester, opened Bar Muse inside the Lyric Theater, finding themselves on the “Top 100 Bars in America” list by Esquire shortly after.

What Sets Bar Muse Apart

In just 256 square feet, Bar Muse uniquely merges the class of a high-end cocktail bar with the comforts of a neighborhood dive. The cocktails crafted in this speakeasy-like bar are seasonal. The changing menu allows Stinchcomb to provide patrons with an elevated and unique experience each time they visit that can not be found anywhere else in Oxford.

They also pride themselves on sourcing local ingredients. From citrus to herbs or pecans, the best of Mississippi is infused into a Bar Muse cocktail every season. 

My favorite thing about the menu is that the drinks often reference Black History or Pop Culture. And they are the only Black-owned bar in The Square!

Joseph’s Recipes

Yo Cousin! – Bar Muses’s Twist on The Penicillin

2 oz Reposado tequila

.75 oz honey syrup

.75 oz lemon juice

A mezcal rinse of the glass Add all ingredients to a shaker. Double strain over ice. Garnish with lemon peel. For dry drinkers, you can substitute Reposado with The Spirit of Tequila, an alcohol-free spirit.

Soft Opening– Bar Muse’s Twist on a Calimocho

2 oz red wine

1 oz coke syrup

3 dashes of Angostura bitters

Fill a glass halfway with ice. Add red wine. Pour in coke syrup. Stir. Top with bitter dashes. Add garnish of choice. 

It works best with a bold wine such as a Cabernet, suggests Stinchcomb. To make the coke syrup, he recommends cooking down a flat coke with a little bit of brown sugar. 

Salud!