Allie Albanese

A writer and photographer, Allie is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she seeks to use both images and the written word to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, people, cultures, and traditions in places near and far. You can read more about her professional background and her long-term vision for Parched here.

Allie is major foodie (with a severe peanut addiction!), a Certified Sommelier and cocktail enthusiast, an avid solo traveler, and a sunrise and sunset aficionado. She’s also a big time animal lover, one of her greatest desires in life being to own a Newfoundland dog (or 3)!

Allie is currently based between Atlanta and St. Simons Island, Georgia, and when not working to build Parched she can be found exploring the globe one bite, sip, and story at a time!

latest from

Allie Albanese

Looking west across the Brooklyn Bridge with One World Trade in the background

Travel

May 24, 2023
37 Fascinating Fun Facts About the Brooklyn Bridge

Ready to unveil the secrets surrounding one of NYC’s most iconic landmarks? From its stunning architecture to the rich history behind its construction, read on to discover 37 fascinating fun facts about the Brooklyn Bridge.

Looking up at a plane flying through a pink and purple sky

Travel

May 15, 2023
How Long is a Flight from Atlanta to Seattle? (2023)

Looking to fly from Atlanta to Seattle? Check out this comprehensive guide for flight time information, airline details, and useful travel tips to help you plan your trip from east to west with ease.

Cliffside ocean views from Farewell Spit at the top of South Island, NZ

Learn

May 10, 2023
When is Mother's Day in New Zealand? (2023 - 2032)

When is Mother's Day in New Zealand this year (and in the years to come)? Read on for all of the important dates and gift ideas you need to help you plan the perfect Mother’s Day celebrations for the amazing Kiwi moms in your life.

Tequila Gimlet displayed in a Nick & Nora cocktail glass and garnished with a dehydrated lime wheel

Drink

May 7, 2023
Tequila Gimlet Recipe: A Tasty 3-Ingredient Cocktail

Elevate your Cocktail Hour with this simple and delicious 3-ingredient Tequila Gimlet Recipe. In less than 5 minutes you’ll have a tasty twist on a classic cocktail in hand before you can say Tequila!

Mixture of candy bins in a candy shop

Travel

May 3, 2023
TSA Rules: Can You Bring Candy on a Plane? (2023)

Curious if you can bring sweets on an airplane? Discover the latest TSA rules and regulations for what kind of candy is allowed, what kind isn’t, and how to pack it properly.

Vodka Sunrise cocktail displayed in a Collins glass and garnished with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry

Drink

April 21, 2023
Vodka Sunrise Recipe: An Easy and Refreshing Cocktail

Looking for a refreshing cocktail to beat the heat? Try this quick and easy Vodka Sunrise recipe! With just three ingredients and a few simple steps, you can enjoy the taste of summer right in your glass.

Bright pink Clover Club Cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass and garnished with fresh raspberries

Drink

April 15, 2023
Classic Clover Club Cocktail Recipe with a Modern Twist

Creamy, fruity, and enjoyed by cocktail enthusiasts for over a century, this modern-day twist on a classic Clover Club cocktail is sure to please even the most discerning cocktail connoisseur.

Lillet Spritz Cocktail displayed in a blue wine glass, garnished with a lemon twist

Drink

April 11, 2023
Easy Lillet Spritz Recipe: A Light & Fresh Sunny Day Sip

Whip up the ultimate warm weather cocktail with this French 75-inspired Lillet Spritz Recipe! A little tart, a little sweet, and a whole lot refreshing, a Lillet Spritz cocktail is easy to make and pairs perfectly with a sunny day.

Salmon Roasted in Butter and herbs and garnished with lemon slices

Eat

March 30, 2023
Super Simple Salmon Roasted in Butter and Herbs

Craving a mouth-watering salmon dish but short on time? Try this easy-to-make recipe for salmon roasted in butter by Mark Bittman. With just a few ingredients and a couple of simple steps, you can have a succulent piece of fish on your table in no time at all!

Things to do in St. Simons: Sunset at the pier

Travel

March 23, 2023
37 Best Things to Do in St. Simons Island, GA (2023)

Discover the best things to do in St. Simons Island with this local’s guide to the island! From beautiful beaches to historic landmarks to an amazing array of outdoor activities, plan your perfect beach vacation with this comprehensive list of the top things to do on St. Simons Island all year long.

Frozen Piña Colada cocktail displayed in a hurricane glass, garnished with a cherry and pineapple fronds

Drink

March 14, 2023
Best Frozen Piña Colada Recipe: Get Ready to Blend & Sip!

Looking for a refreshing cocktail to cool you down or transport you to the tropics? Look no further than this easy Frozen Piña Colada recipe. With just a few ingredients and a blender, you’ll be feeling all the island feels in no time!

A scoop of traditional cottage pie in a dish sitting next to a pan full of the casserole

Eat

February 15, 2023
Traditional Cottage Pie Recipe: Comfort Food at Its Finest

Experience the ultimate comfort food with this traditional cottage pie recipe. Made with a savory meat filling and topped with creamy mashed potatoes, it’s the perfect dish for family dinners, cozy nights in, or for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

A creamy Chocolate Raspberry Martini Cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass and garnished with a baby rose blossom

Drink

February 10, 2023
Sinfully Delicious Chocolate Raspberry Martini Recipe

If you're looking for a tasty cocktail to whip up for Valentine’s Day, look no further than this creamy and delicious Chocolate Raspberry Vodka Martini. Combining the rich flavor of chocolate with the tartness of raspberries, this easy-to-make Chocolate Raspberry Martini recipe tastes like a decadent dessert in a glass!

Upright piece of dead driftwood on Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island, Georgia

Travel

January 31, 2023
Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island: All You Need to Know (2023)

Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia is an East Coast hidden gem. Here’s all you need to know about this beautiful and otherworldly destination.

Bright coral-colored cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass, garnished with a curly lime twist

Drink

January 25, 2023
Siesta Cocktail

Tequila meets Campari in this Siesta Cocktail for an unexpectedly delicious combination of flavors that showcases the one-of-a-kind bittersweetness that Campari is so well known for.

Seagrass growing on top of a small sand dune, with a pale pink morning sky above it

Learn

January 17, 2023
The Beauty (and the Beast) of Setting Boundaries

Setting boundaries is a skill that’s tough for some and comes naturally for others, but the rewards reaped from doing so are universal.

Ruby red cocktail displayed in a wine glass and garnished with a sprig of rosemary

Drink

December 30, 2022
Blackberry Champagne Fizz

Festive and fun, this Blackberry Champagne Fizz makes the perfect accompaniment to Sunday Brunch, Happy Hour hangouts, and all things New Year’s Eve!

Bright yellow cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass and garnished wih a curly lime twist

Drink

December 21, 2022
Rockin’ Around the Passion Fruit

A holiday tipple, “Southern” style! This passion fruit-forward Rum cocktail evokes Christmas vibes in the Southern Hemisphere and vacation vibes for those of us up “north.”

Golden hour on St. Simons Island as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean with orange sun rays bursting out from behind a ring of clouds

Learn

December 15, 2022
Different Is Beautiful

In a world where it sometimes feels as though originality and creativity go unrewarded, hold true to your convictions and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Ruby red cocktail displayed in a rocks glass filled with ice, garnished with cranberries and thyme sprigs

Drink

December 1, 2022
Cranberry Margarita: Welcome to the Party, Pal!

A Cranberry Margarita with a Christmas (name) twist! Fresh, tart, and super festive, this holiday drink is one you’ll be making on repeat.

View of the St. Simons Lighthouse from the St. Simons Island pier set against a soft, pastel pink sky

Travel

November 22, 2022
The St. Simons Island Lighthouse: A Prominent Landmark on Georgia's Coast

Torn down, rebuilt, and standing tall along the southern Georgia coastline, learn the history of the St. Simons Lighthouse and what it’s used for today.

A close up view of a whole Bourbon and dark chocolate pecan pie resting on a striped linen

Eat

November 19, 2022
Bourbon and Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie

Bourbon and chocolate and pecans, oh my! Take your classic southern pecan pie recipe to the next level with this chocolatey twist that will quickly have you coming back for more.

Orange-colored cocktail displayed in a rocks glass with one large cube of ice, garnished with an orange twist

Drink

November 15, 2022
Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned

‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin! The classic Old Fashioned cocktail gets a seasonal twist with a rich, yet delicate, pumpkin spice syrup that’s as versatile as it is delicious.

Pale orange-colored cocktail displayed in a rocks glass filled with ice and garnished with an apple fan

Drink

November 14, 2022
The Southern Knob

A yummy combination of Bourbon, apples, cinnamon, and spice, The Southern Knob cocktail is chock full of Autumn flavor and guaranteed to give you all the Fall feels!

7 apple cider donuts toppling off a wire cooling rack

Eat

November 10, 2022
Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Moist on the inside, cinnamon and sugary on the outside, this classic baked apple cider donut recipe packs a big Fall punch!

Looking up at the tops of 9 trees, all full of vibrant orange, red and gold fall-colored leaves, set against a bright blue sky

Learn

November 7, 2022
Lessons from Mother Nature

Mother Nature is one of our greatest teachers. Here are some of the important lessons that she's taught you.

A creamy Martini displayed in a vintage coupe glass

Drink

November 2, 2022
Pumpkin Martini

Creamy, cozy, and full of Fall flavor, this Pumpkin Martini tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass! It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or for an after dinner drink when you’re craving something a little sweet.

Section of a wall built using tabby cement that shows the outline of oyster shells

Travel

October 25, 2022
What is Tabby Cement and How is it Used in Construction?

A brief look at how you make tabby concrete, what tabby is used for in construction, and the history of how tabby found its way to America.

A pumpkin spice White Russian cocktail displayed in a rocks glass filled with ice, sitting in front of a small skeleton that has one of its arms resting on the edge of the drink

Drink

October 21, 2022
Pumpkin Spice White Russian

Who needs tricks when you've got this treat to add some spooky deliciousness to your Halloween shenanigans!

Pale orange-colored cocktail displayed in a rocks glass rimmed with brown sugar and filled with ice, garnished with small apple sticks

Drink

October 17, 2022
Smoky Mezcal Apple Cider Margarita

Fall is in the air and nothing says Autumn quite like apple cider! It adds a perfect seasonal touch in this Mezcal Margarita that will warm you up and have you coming back for more.

A pink and orange sunset over the Sidney Lanier Bridge in the Golden Isles of Georgia

Travel

October 10, 2022
Sidney Lanier Bridge: The Tallest Cable-Stayed Suspension Bridge in Georgia

A brief history of the Sidney Lanier Bridge, where it's located, and why this bridge to Jekyll Island is so well known.

Light coral-colored cocktail displayed in a rocks glass filled with ice, garnished with a pineapple frond

Drink

September 27, 2022
Amaro e Dolce

The perfect balance between bitterness and sweetness, this Amaro e Dolce cocktail brings together Vodka, Campari, and fruit juices for a super refreshing super delicious drink!

A whole key lime pie with a single slice cut out from it

Eat

September 23, 2022
Key Lime Pie with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust

Tart, sweet, creamy, crunchy -- this is everything you could want in a perfect key lime pie!

The sun halfway risen over the ocean, framed by a soft pink and blue sky with a flock of birds flying over it from the right

Learn

September 22, 2022
Do Unto You as You Would Do Unto Others

Self-care isn’t selfish, and by putting ourselves first we are much better equipped to care for others.

Blue drink displayed in a brandy snifter glass filled with ice, garnished with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge on a cocktail pick

Drink

September 15, 2022
Blue Hawaiian Cocktail

A classic cocktail with Blue Curaçao as the star of the show, this fruity and delicious Rum cocktail will have you feeling all the island vibes!

Pink cocktail garnished with a lime wheel

Drink

September 8, 2022
Coconut Guava Margarita

Guava, coconut, lime, and Tequila make for a delicious combination in this super fresh Coconut Guava Margarita recipe that you can whip up at home!

A crystal glass bowl full of yellow and green key limes with a dark green linen towel in the background and a knife resting by several key lime wedges in the foreground

Learn

September 1, 2022
Key Lime Goodness: What Should I Make with My Very First Bounty of Key Limes?

The key lime Gods have blessed me with a beautiful crop of mouthwatering citrus, but now I need help deciding how to make the best use of them!

Blue cocktail displayed in a rocks glass filled with crushed ice garnished with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge

Drink

August 29, 2022
Blue Hawaii Cocktail

Gorgeously azure in color and deliciously citrus-forward in flavor, this classic cocktail made with Blue Curaçao, Vodka, and Rum is light, refreshing, and begs to be sipped on a sunny day by the pool.

An external view of Little Island, NYC’s newest public park located on the city’s West Side waterfront

Travel

August 25, 2022
Little Island New York: Everything You Need to Know About NYC's Newest Public Park

Ticket info, hours, location, and more, here are all the details you need to plan a visit to Little Island NYC, the Big Apple’s newest public park located on the city’s West Side waterfront.

A pale yellow cocktail displayed in a Collins glass, garnished with cucumber and mint

Drink

August 19, 2022
Cucumber Mint Collins

Add a twist to your classic Tom Collins! Cucumber and mint provide a refreshing touch in this summer drink that will cool you off and have you coming back for more.

Dramatic clouds over the Atlantic Ocean with bits of blue sky poking through

Learn

August 15, 2022
How to Take Care of the World and People

Some wise words from an 8-year-old that we all could learn a lesson from.

A red cocktail displayed in a Nick and Nora glass, garnished with fresh guava

Drink

August 10, 2022
Guava Time

Fresh guava meets guava nectar in this Rum-based cocktail that’s tropical, fruity, and oh so pretty!

Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park looking west towards Manhattan with the Brooklyn Bridge and Word Trade Center in the background

Travel

August 7, 2022
The History Behind Jane's Carousel and How It Found Its Home in Brooklyn

Located in Brooklyn Bridge Park along the East River waterfront, Jane’s Carousel offers stunning views of downtown Manhattan with a bit of craftsmanship and history rolled into one.

An orange-colored cocktail displayed in a rocks, garnished with basil and a peach slice

Drink

August 3, 2022
Peach Bourbon Basil Smash

What’s better than an icy cold Smash drink on a hot summer day? A Whiskey Smash cocktail that combines peach and basil for a refreshing Smash cocktail recipe you’ll be reaching for all season long!

Small, white, wooden First African Baptist church surrounded by large oak trees draped in Spanish moss with blooming pink hydrangeas in the foreground

Travel

July 29, 2022
First African Baptist Church St. Simons: One of the Island's Oldest and Most Significant Places of Worship

The First African Baptist Church is the oldest Black church on St. Simons Island and an important symbol of the island's religious history.

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