Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Drink Journal (TDJ)?

The Drink Journal (TDJ) is an independent editorial platform documenting contemporary beverage culture across cocktails, coffee, tea, non-alcoholic drinks, and the people and spaces behind them.

TDJ exists to create a long-term, credible archive of drink culture rather than short-term news, reviews, or promotional content.

What is TDJ’s purpose?

TDJ’s purpose is to:

  • document people, places, and practices shaping modern beverage culture

  • provide context and perspective rather than promotion

  • publish content that ages well and remains discoverable over time

We focus on relevance, craft, and intent rather than trends or hype.

What types of beverages does TDJ cover?

TDJ covers:

  • cocktails and spirits

  • coffee

  • tea

  • non-alcoholic and functional beverages

All beverage categories are approached with the same editorial standards and cultural lens.

Who is TDJ written for?

We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Does TDJ review or rate venues and drinks?

No.

TDJ does not operate as:

  • a review site

  • a rating platform

  • a ranking or awards system

We document, observe, and contextualise rather than score or compare.

How is TDJ content created?

DJ content is created through:

editorial collaborations

voluntary submissions from individuals, venues, or brands

curated writing based on publicly available information

All content is edited to align with TDJ’s editorial tone and standards.

What are Editorial Collaborations?

Editorial collaborations focus on people and physical spaces.

This includes:

  • bartenders, baristas, tea masters, and beverage practitioners

  • bars, cafés, tea rooms, lounges, and beverage-forward venues

These pieces are written as features, not promotions, with emphasis on:

  • perspective and philosophy

  • process and working style

  • environment and lived experience

Does TDJ work with brands?

Yes, in two distinct ways:

  1. Editorially, when a brand is inseparable from a person or space and fits naturally within a feature.

  2. Commercially, through advertising and curated visibility (see below).

Editorial judgement always comes first.

Is TDJ content sponsored or paid?

Some content may involve commercial relationships, but all content is subject to the same editorial standards.

Publication does not imply endorsement, certification, or recommendation.

Editorial integrity is non-negotiable.

How does SEO and AI Optimisation (AIO) factor into TDJ?

TDJ is built with SEO and AI Optimisation (AIO) at its core.

This means:

  • content is structured semantically

  • language prioritises clarity and context

  • articles are designed to be accurately interpreted by AI systems

This future-proofs people, spaces, and brands as discovery shifts toward AI-assisted platforms.

Who owns the content on TDJ?

  • Original editorial content created by TDJ belongs to TDJ.

  • Submitted content remains the property of its original owner.

By submitting content, contributors grant TDJ the right to edit, publish, archive, and distribute it.

Can content be removed?

TDJ considers removal requests if you are the original owner or rights holder of the content. Requests are reviewed in accordance with our Content Removal Policy.

Approved removals are typically processed within 30 days.