Bartender's Sketchbook is the best thing we've seen on Instagram recently

You'd expect a cocktail from Russia to be vodka-based. But let the Instagrammer surprise you.

With a cider made from honey.

"The history of the town (Suzdal) dates back to at least 1000 years ago. For centuries it functioned as the capital of several Russian principalities and a religious center with numerous monasteries. It has a remarkable ratio of churches to citizens: at one point, forty churches for four hundred families."

The beverage of choice in Russia is vodka, by far. Suzdal, however, is famous for another drink, medovukha, a Russian type of cider made from honey. Suzdal is a small town about 25 miles away from Moscow. The history of the town dates back to at least 1000 years ago. For centuries it functioned as the capital of several Russian principalities and a religious center with numerous monasteries. It has a remarkable ratio of churches to citizens: at one point, forty churches for four hundred families. Walking through the town, you might get the feeling that every third building is a church. Although having over ten thousand residents, Suzdal still retains a rural look with streams and meadows everywhere and chicken and livestock a common sight on the streets, some of which remain unpaved. This juxtaposition of stunning medieval architecture with its pastoral setting lends Suzdal a picturesque charm and in the summer artists and easels are a common sight. #watercolor #sketch #sketchbook #drawing #doodle #doodling #artist #art #artwork #mixology #mixologist #cocktails #drinkporn #recipe #drinks #russian #suzdal #vodka #cider #artoftheday #bartender #bartendersketchbook

A photo posted by The Sketchbook of a Bartender (@bartendersketchbook) on Sep 14, 2015 at 10:27pm PDT

Here's a rum based concoction, and some questions about the creator to ponder while you drink.

"As you descending into the deep sea, the world becomes quiet. It leaves just yourself and the amazing natural images you see in front of you. You are feeling of absolute freedom as you are freed from gravity. You feel weightless as if you are flying. Then it's not just your body flying, you mind start to fly as well."

We've heard of drinks that have the same effect.

Our world is undoubtedly beautiful. I was amazed quite often by the magic power of nature Creator. As you descending into the deep sea, the world becomes quiet. It leaves just yourself and the amazing natural images you see in front of you. You are feeling of absolute freedom as you are freed from gravity. You feel weightless as if you are flying. Then it's not just your body flying, you mind start to fly as well. #watercolor #sketch #sketching #doodle #bartenders #cocktails #mixology #mixologist #drawing #painting #sketch #sketchbook #rum #drinks #drinkporn #recipe #art #artist #artoftheday #arts #beach #dominicanrepublic #scuba #diving #bartendersketchbook

A photo posted by The Sketchbook of a Bartender (@bartendersketchbook) on Sep 18, 2015 at 9:14pm PDT

If there's a lesson to be learned from racist, murderous, Christopher Columbus, it's this: "Set your goals high and even if it's a failure, you will fail above everything else's success."

Which is to say, even if you don't find a new sea route to Asia, this drink is reason enough to celebrate.

In the late 15th century, Christopher Columbus became obsessed with the possibility of pioneering a western sea route to Cathay (China), India, and the gold and spice islands of Asia. Instead of landing in mysterious Far East, the great expedition eventually led to the New World, various Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South and Central American mainlands. "Set your goals high and even if it's a failure, you will fail above everything else's success. " #watercolor #sketch #sketchbook #sketching #doodle #doodles #art #artist #arts #artoftheday #bartendersketchbook #mixology #mixologist #bartender #bars #drinkporn #recipe #drinks #drinks #rum #santodomingo #dominicanrepublic

A photo posted by The Sketchbook of a Bartender (@bartendersketchbook) on Sep 23, 2015 at 11:51am PDT

The architect behind the Sydney Opera House, Jorn Utzon, was publicly humiliated by Australian ministers for the rising costs of constructing the structure he had designed.

A few months before the completion of the project, he resigned, shut shop, and "vowed never to come back to Australia again". When the Opera House was inaugurated in 1973, he was not invited to the opening ceremony. Nor was he mentioned in any of the speeches.

Also read: From basement to world's biggest store - 20 facts about Amazon

The man will now go down in history as the architect of a World Heritage site. (There is only one other known name associated with the design of heritage sites.)

A quick reminder that beach holidays could be about more than just the swimsuits and white sands.

"When you arrive in Boracay one of the first things you'll notice is the friendliness and openness of the local people. People greet you with a smile."€š

The woman behind the Bartender's Sketch Book lived in Nepal for three defining months. Pokhra never left her.

"The magic of Pohkara is you bare see any snow here in the city, however it's only 50km to three out of the ten highest mountains in the world: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu and it's the base for trekkers to Annapurna Circuit, mountaineers ultimate promised land and also the most challenge trekking trail on the earth."

Tequila isn't necessarily what you would associate with Nepal. So the bartender's sketchbook added in a glass of chai.

Sorghum is a grain fermented to create a cheap liquor called Er Gou Tu. So vast is its appeal, that Sorghum is now the highest imported grain in the Great Republic.

And now you can taste what (partially) keeps the Chinese currency competitive, with the Red Star.

Yes, this is Beijing. Firstly relax. Whichever disaster, scam, or nightmares that your well meaning parents and friends warn you before you get on board of the flight, I can promise with 99% accuracy will not happen to you. If you are generous to use a bit more patience, common sense, smiles, and yes charades, Beijing is in turn a very welcoming, amusing, inundating, louder, cleaner and far less intimating than you would have anticipated. Er Guo Tou is a local Chinese distilled liquor made from sorghum. The principle of this recipe is to use local ingredients only cause you have already begun to learn to love this city. "You must go on adventures to find out where you belong to." #watercolor #artist #art #artwork #artoftheday #bars #bartender #sketch #sketchbook #bartendersketchbook #doodle #painting #drawing #drinks #liquor #mixology #mixologist #drink #drinkporn #foodporn #beijing #china #wanderlust #travel

A photo posted by The Sketchbook of a Bartender (@bartendersketchbook) on Oct 22, 2015 at 9:06pm PDT

She writes of holiday nostalgia, alongside her own recipe for a Lichi Martini:

"The trip to Hongkong was my first time traveling abroad solo. I was in the age of 13 (.) I had a lot of firsts. My first time dim sum, first durian, first 3D movie, first time seeing dolphins and most importantly, my first time experiencing another culture."

And a drink to memorable firsts:

The trip to Hongkong was my first time traveling abroad solo. I was in the age of 13. I distinctly remember it being an amazing yet profound traveling experience. I had a lot of firsts. My first time dim sum, first durian, first 3D movie, first time seeing dolphins and most importantly, my first time experiencing another culture. It was a mixture of anxiety and excitement. Till now I still remember that mixed emotions, the feeling of butterflies in the stomach, exhilaration and anticipation. It was like opening a cave of wonders and when you come out, you are changed forever and the world is scrolling out in front of your eyes, no turning back. Sometimes I feel like I am really a lucky kid. I am grateful for the support, trust and freedom my parents always give to me when I attempt something new. Most time my choice may not be theirs, but they respect my pursuit nonetheless even though sometimes those pursuits are selfish. They rejoice for every of my success and encourage me to stand up from every of my failure. I never hear my parents say " I love you" to me. However they taught me that unconditional love is not about what you say, it's only about what you do.#watercolor #hongkong #martini #wanderlust #travel #cocktails #drinks #drink #bar #asian #mixology #mixologist #recipe #drinkporn #foodporn #art #artist #sketch #sketchbook #doodle #painting #drawing #bartenders #bartendersketchbook #artoftheday

A photo posted by The Sketchbook of a Bartender (@bartendersketchbook) on Oct 20, 2015 at 7:58pm PDT

And she writes with a warmth we wish we could reciprocate through the interwebs.

"Maybe home is nothing but two arms holding you tight when you are at your worst."

Boston is a special place. What makes it special is the people whom I met in this city. Sometimes I feel like Boston is my second home. I need to come back here from time to time to review those good memories and recharge myself, especially when I was in downtime. Maybe home is nothing but two arms holding you tight when you are at your worst. #art #artist #artoftheday #watercolor #wanderlust #travel #sketch #sketchbook #painting #doodle #drinks #drinkporn #foodporn #recipe #bartendersketchbook #bartender #bars #mixology #mixologist #boston #bostonterrier #cambridge

A photo posted by The Sketchbook of a Bartender (@bartendersketchbook) on Oct 11, 2015 at 5:27pm PDT

She writes of magic.

"In the border of Arizona and Utah, there is a magic place called Antelope Canyon. It's just a normal sandstone cave in most normal days, however when light beams start to peek into the canyon in every spring, the cave demonstrates various magnificent and mysterious colours by the moving of direct sunlight. And it becomes the paradise of photographers and attractions for people from all over the world."

The canyon, the sketch, or the cocktail. We don't know which we like best.

Read more: Heat & Dust: meet the couple who travelled India @500 a day

The only legitimate way to celebrate love, and diversity in love:

A very, very, colourful drink.