Dmytro Kovalenko
Editorial byline
Dmytro Kovalenko is an editorial byline for Munchies Magazine, with a focus on Drinks, Cocktails, Spirits & Wine. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
From Wine Steward to Beverage Manager: How the Sommelier's Job Was Rewritten
The traditional role of a sommelier has significantly evolved from a wine-focused expert to a comprehensive beverage manager, now responsible for an entire beverage program including spirits, beer, sake, and cocktails. This expansion has opened diverse career paths beyond the traditional restaurant floor.
Oct 31, 2026 · 3 min read
No Full Liquor License? How to Build a Creative Cocktail Program with Beer and Wine Alone
Discover how to build a creative and profitable cocktail program using only a beer and wine license. This guide offers spirit substitution strategies, menu ideas, and business benefits for operating without a full liquor license.
Oct 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Make-Ahead Holiday Punches, Ranked by How Much You Can Batch Before Guests Arrive
Discover which holiday punches can be fully prepared days in advance versus those needing last-minute additions for freshness. This guide ranks make-ahead options to ensure a stress-free party.
Oct 26, 2026 · 4 min read
Beyond the Buzz: Key Beverage Alcohol Trends Shaping 2026-2027
The beverage alcohol market in 2026-2027 is driven by consumers prioritizing flexibility, experience, and wellness. Key trends include redefining premiumization, the rise of convenient RTDs, bold flavor exploration, and a growing movement toward moderation led by younger generations.
Oct 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Nostalgic Bars Blend With Cafe Concepts, Reshaping Nightlife in 2026
In a bustling downtown, a 1980s-themed arcade bar now generates 25% higher average customer spend than its generic counterparts, according to Nightlife Analytics.
Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min read
MSC World Asia Unveils Five New Bar & Lounge Experiences
Onboard MSC World Asia, set to debut in December 2026, guests can craft personalized sodas in an 80s-inspired 'Clubhouse' or savor Futurism-themed cocktails with mixology theater at the 'Sky Box Bar'.
Sep 9, 2026 · 2 min read
New Jersey Makes Permanent Cocktails To-Go Sales and Delivery Legal
New Jersey, in 2026, became the 33rd state to permanently legalize cocktails to-go, transforming a pandemic-era lifeline for businesses into a lasting consumer convenience.
Aug 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Non-alcoholic beverage trends in 2026 show reduced alcohol consumption is here to stay
The percentage of U.S. adults who report consuming alcohol has fallen to a record low of 54% in 2025, according to Forbes . This means a substantial 46% of U.S. adults already abstain. This signifies
Aug 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Prepared Cocktails Market Sees Nuanced Growth Amid Shifting Tastes
In the US off-trade, 'prepared cocktails' reported an 8.
Aug 13, 2026 · 3 min read
Marella Cruises adds 18 zero-alcohol cocktails fleet-wide
Starting in August 2026, Marella Cruises will significantly expand its zero-alcohol menu, offering 18 new alcohol-free cocktails, six 0% ABV spirits, and four 0% wines across its entire fleet, accordi
Aug 10, 2026 · 3 min read
Emidio Pepe, Abruzzo Winemaking Pioneer, Dies at 94
Just one day after his 94th birthday, Emidio Pepe, the winemaker who famously held back 80% of his 2010 vintage for decades of aging, passed away on July 28, 2026, according to Wine-searcher .
Aug 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market Strategies Reshape Categories, Leaving Some Brands Behind
Crazy Mountain, a non-alcoholic beer brand, recently secured an impressive $15 million in seed financing, a sum that underscores a significant shift in investor confidence towards sophisticated alcoho
Jul 11, 2026 · 4 min read
Gen Z's Anxious World Reshapes Bar Culture Trends for 2026
In 2025, the percentage of teenage Americans who had tried alcohol was lower than at any time since data collection began, yet almost seven in 10 23-year-olds reported binge drinking in the past year.
Jul 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Fellow Series 1 Espresso Machine Sees Discount
For the first time since its launch, the premium Fellow Series 1 espresso machine, known for its $1,499.
Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read
Gruns Superfood Gummies Review Reveals Mixed User Experiences
Grüns Superfood Gummies, despite rigorous manufacturing in NSF-certified facilities across the U.
Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read
Bon Appétit Shares Easy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Bon Appétit just dropped a new recipe: a daring triple-hybrid of chicken, pasta, and Caesar salads.
Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read
Mexican wine breaks tradition, redefining global wine expectations
In Baja California's Valle de Guadalupe, a 30-year-old winemaker recently produced a Cabernet Franc that outscored a renowned Bordeaux in a blind tasting, signaling a seismic shift in the global wine
Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read
Top 7 Refreshing Frozen Drinks for Summer
In just five minutes, you can blend a professional-grade Malibu Frozen Piña Colada, transforming your summer refreshment from complex to effortless.
Jun 21, 2026 · 5 min read
18 Baristas Advance to 2026 US Barista Championship Semi-Finals
Out of 30 elite baristas who competed in Round One of the 2026 US Barista Championship in Denver, 12 were eliminated, a brutal culling that immediately set a demanding standard for advancement, Sprudg
Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read
How to Taste Whiskey: A Five-Step Checklist for Beginners
Tasting whiskey is a repeatable process, not a mysterious talent. This guide outlines a five-step checklist for beginners to identify aromas and flavors, from preparing your palate and glass to observing appearance, nosing, tasting, and adding water.
Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read