Welcome to Feast + West!
Love cocktails? You’re in the right place!
I’m Susannah Brinkley Henry, a cocktail blogger and graphic designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
About Feast + West
Feast + West began in 2014 with the intention of becoming a food and travel magazine. I had been laid off from my job and while taking freelance work for clients, I realized that I needed a creative outlet for myself. Over the years, I discovered my love for sharing recipes, and it has evolved into what it is today: a cocktail blog that celebrates both classic and creative drinks to provide balanced flavors without breaking the bank.
Since then, I’ve been featured on Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, Mashable, Southern Living and more, and in 2019, I was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards for Best Entertaining Blog. I’m also a contributor to MSN and have appeared on my local TV station, WBTV, to share drink recipes.
Over the years I’ve helped countless readers level up their cocktail skills, serving tips and tricks for beginning home bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Making cocktails and mocktails at home shouldn’t be complicated, and I’ve got the tricks to help make entertaining easier. Whether you need help demystifying gin or creating your own infusions, I’m here to stir up a good time with you.
While you’re here, check out these trending recipes:
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New here?
Start here, or check out some of my favorite posts for getting started on your cocktail journey:
- Here’s everything you need to stock your home bar.
- If you are ever in the liquor aisle and you don’t know what brand to buy, I’ve got a guide for you! Learn more about whiskey, tequila, gin, rum, vodka and vermouth.
- And if wine is more your thing, I’ve got wine guides for you too! Learn more about champagne, white wine, red wine and rosé.
- Want to make prettier cocktails? I’ve got 250+ ideas for garnishes. (So many of my garnishes come from my cocktail-themed herb garden! You should consider one too.)
I’ve got even more cocktail resources for you, too!
About Susannah
I have called Charlotte my home for my entire life. My mother hails from South Africa, and that combined with my Southern heritage has given me a deep appreciation for treasured family recipes. As a child I was fortunate to travel often, which instilled in me an adoration for new places and cultures, but I’ve always been drawn to the South and Charlotte’s creative community.
My interest in cocktails goes back to my college days. While I was training to become a graphic designer, I was also reading blogs and learning about cocktails. I was the friend who brought inspired drinks to parties and served sorbet-topped libations in my tiny apartment.
After graduation, I attended bartending school. While I didn’t become a professional bartender, I’ve taken what I learned there and transformed it into Feast + West to help others discover their inner cocktail creativity.
When I’m not mixing drinks, I celebrate all things design-related, travel with my husband Chris, explore the local food scene with friends and chill with our rescue pets, Julep (cat), Mojito (kitten) and Rey (dog).
More about me
Want to know more? Here are a few fun facts!
- Places visited: I’ve loved to travel since I was a young child. I’ve visited 22 countries and 42 states (and want to see them all!).
- Astrology sign: I’m a pretty textbook Pisces: creative, intuitive and deeply passionate. I pour my heart into everything I do — whether it’s crafting the perfect cocktail, designing for clients or updating our mid-century home.
- Things I love: In my spare time, I enjoy caring for my indoor plant collection and am always working on growing my outdoor garden. (My once-black thumb gets greener every year.) I also love to sew, read, write and bake. Lately I’ve been experimenting with fermentation by making my own sourdough and kombucha.
- Favorite spirit: Whiskey all the way! I love to sip it neat as much as I like to mix it into drinks, like a simple whiskey smash or a classic Manhattan cocktail. my second fave is tequila — I cannot ever turn down a margarita.
- Favorite cocktail: I cringe when people ask me this because I really do like most of them! It’s so hard to choose. But if I have to choose a go-to, it’d be a Moscow Mule because I always have the ingredients on hand, plus they’re easy to prepare and customize! And oh-so-delicious, too.
- Secret talent: I am really good at finding four-leaf clovers. Like, annoyingly good. If I look down at a patch of shamrocks, I can spot one easily!
More popular recipes
What people are saying
“I just love the content you are putting out. I think I’ve found culinary gems and cocktail gold.”
— Deb on Honey Whiskey
“I took my girlfriend to a restaurant recently that made her something similar to this (I took a photo of what was in it but not the proportions). I was looking to try this out myself. I just made it for her and she loved it.”
— Joshua on Elderflower Rose Gimlet
“My friends loved this drink — a new favourite.”
— Lori on Honey Deuce Cocktail
“I like the presentation. I’m also grateful because the hunt for the true melktert is a difficult one and you have almost certainly saved me many many hours of labour and wrong steps. Thank you!”
— Anthony on Milk Tart
“Had all the ingredients — loved this cocktail! Perfect combination of tangy and sweet, and a good use-up for extra champagne.”
— Carol on Poinsettia Drink
“What a great cocktail! I’m excited to make my own at home after trying one of these smoked drinks at a bar. Looks great!”
— Jenn on Smoked Old-Fashioned
“We loved this recipe! I am going to make it again for Christmas in July this year.”
— Frederica on Yule Mule
“Nice simple recipe. It’s all about knowing the ratio, and that’s what I came here for. Love your explanations and suggestions and story about how you forced more spicy into your life by practice and willpower. ^-^”
— Lyndsey on Spicy Jalapeño Infused Tequila
» See my recipes on Punchfork.
Questions?
If you have a question about a recipe, it’s easiest to leave a comment on that recipe for me to respond to.
If you have other questions, or just want to say hello, you can drop me a line at susannah [at] feastandwest [dot] com.
Work with me
I am currently working with select brands for sponsored posts and other custom content. I do not accept guest posts at this time. If you are looking to collaborate, I’d love to hear from you! Send a note to susannah [at] feastandwest [dot] com and let’s talk.
The fine print
Because we’ve gotta have it…
Photography disclaimer
All graphics and photography were created by Susannah Brinkley Henry for Feast + West, unless stated otherwise. My work should never be repurposed without expressed permission, but should you share my work, please link back to this site and credit my work appropriately. If you notice something that is not properly credited, please contact me so that I can fix it immediately.
Affiliate marketing & sponsorships
Feast + West is a for-profit blog, which means I may use affiliate links or post sponsored content. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but Feast + West will automatically receive a small commission.
All sponsored content is posted with thought, care and consideration (for myself, my readers and the brands I work with). I will always disclose this, and I would never advertise anything I wouldn’t honestly use myself or recommend to my friends and family. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I greatly appreciate your support!
Feast + West is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I earn from qualifying purchases.
AI disclaimer
Occasionally, I may use AI tools to support the content creation process, but all content is carefully reviewed and edited by me before publication.
Alcohol content
The alcoholic content on Feast + West is meant to be enjoyed responsibly and in moderation. Cocktail recipes are intended for adults who are 21+ years of age in the United States (or the legal drinking age in their country).
Please visit Recovery Resources if you or someone you know needs help with alcoholism, alcohol-related problems or other substance abuse.
Statements & policies
Site credits
Photos of Susannah by Lauren V Allen & Julia Fay • Website designed by Grace + Vine Studios • Branding by me, Susannah Brinkley Henry
