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Hamptons.com
June 17, 2025

Ja Rule Livin’ it Up at Calissa for Amber & Opal Whiskey Launch

David Andrewsby David Andrews
in Entertainment, Gallery, Trending
Home Entertainment
Ja Rule I Photo Courtesy of John Roca

As a celebrity bartender, Ja Rule was always there when we called, always on time. Hosted in the Hamptons at Calissa, Ja Rule showed off his mixology skills, livin’ it up and serving craft cocktails from Amber & Opal as the premium whiskey brand launched in the Hamptons. 

 

Calissa has never exactly been short on star power, but this was a night to remember—it’s murda how good the vibes were. Even on Rainy Dayz Calissa keeps it chic with full valet, indoor and outdoor bar service and of course a VIP section, step-and-repeat, and Calissa co-owner James Mallios on the decks as DJ.

Kylie Monagan, Ja Rule and Julia Levi I Photo Courtesy of John Roca

“We had such a fun time hosting the Amber & Opal NYC launch at our sister restaurant, Amali, this Spring that when the Hamptons launch came up, we knew Calissa would be the perfect spot to host it at.  We are all big fans of whiskey and Ja Rule in equal measure, so this was meant to be.” – Calissa Partner Julia Levi

 

I’ve been to more than a few celebrity bartender experiences as a writer in the Hamptons, and Ja Rule, Calissa, and Amber & Opal 100% got the assignment. 

Ja Rule I Photo Courtesy of John Roca

Ja Rule rolled up in full superstar form, dripping with diamonds—more ice on his neck than they had behind the bar—and brought the high energy he’s known for. He served up Amber & Opal with a smile, a nod, and just the right amount of swagger. He was gracious, funny, and very much in his element. 

 

The cocktails were a perfect showcase of how to do whiskey right in the Hamptons. Cool, elevated, effortlessly refreshing. Guests sipped on a curated menu of Amber & Opal craft cocktails, each designed to highlight the whiskey’s smooth character. The standout? The lemon-forward “Amber Crush,” is bright, zesty, and dangerously drinkable. Summer in a glass.

Amber & Opal is a smooth, richly layered whiskey that blends classic craftsmanship with a touch of star power. Inspired by the warm, golden tones of amber and the iridescent beauty of opal, this whiskey delivers depth, elegance, and a little edge—just like its partner Ja Rule. Whether served neat, on the rocks, or in a summer cocktail, Amber + Opal is designed for good times and great company.

Peak Calissa vibes all night. Glamorous yet totally down to earth. The kind of night where A-listers clink glasses with locals and no one bats an eye – it’s the Hamptons.

 

Eventually, Ja Rule handed off bartending duties and joined the dance floor, where the energy shifted from cocktail launch to full-on summer party. With music, lights, and a crowd that was clearly ready to party, the night blurred into that perfect blend of celebrity glam and Hamptons ease.

 

Amber & Opal Whiskey had its moment in the spotlight, and of course, so did Ja. Calissa never disappoints – always on time, always unforgettable.

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Waterfront Estate with Legal Cottage and Dock in Rampasture

Waterfront Estate with Legal Cottage and Dock in Rampasture

  • ⁠
We’re all bombarded with New Year, New Me posts on Instagram and TikTok as health takes center stage in everyone’s 2026 goals. Many choose to participate in “Dry January,” a challenge that encourages participants to take a break from alcohol. Non-alcoholic alternatives are also a great option for those who want to join the bar crawl without the stigma of holding a water bottle. With help from our friends at Kidd Squid Brewery, we sampled a variety of options at their tasting room in Sag Harbor. Here are our top picks.⁠
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1. Wölffer Estate: Spring in a Bottle Rose⁠
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You can’t go anywhere in the Hamptons without grabbing a glass of Wolffer’s iconic Rosé. Don’t fret! You can still enjoy the iconic, vibrant, fruity taste with their non-alcoholic version. ⁠
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Tasting notes: It’s no surprise that it is a favorite in The Hamptons. The lack of alcohol doesn’t affect the rich, elegant rose, peach, and apple notes. This is a delicious, fresh, sparkling rosé.⁠
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2. Hedlum⁠
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Is a locally owned company that produces crispy non-alcoholic beers that perfectly mirror their alcoholic counterparts. I tried their Easy Down Lager, and it was perfect!⁠
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Tasting notes: It pours out like a beer with a nice frothy top layer. It is crisp and smooth and reminds me of a Sapporo.⁠
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3. Aplós⁠
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Another locally owned company that produces non-alcoholic drinks crafted by award-winning mixologists. I fell in love with their credo, “Life should be sipped slowly.” I tried their Chili Margarita and loved the sparkling citrus notes with a bit of a kick. It’s infused with adaptogens and nootropics, which are thought to reduce stress, elevate your mood, and overall just deliver that perfect chill for any social setting.⁠
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Tasting notes: Crisp and tangy, with very strong citrus notes, this reminded me of kombucha. It was very refreshing.⁠
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#dryjanuary #nonalcoholic #aplos  #hedlum #springinabottle
  • Experience seals in their natural environment! The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that Montauk Point State Park will host a series of hikes to observe wintering seals. Beginning in January 2026 and continuing through April 2026, a State Park naturalist will lead visitors on a scenic beach walk to an area where up to five species of seals can be observed. ⁠
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2026 Seal program dates and times are as follows:⁠
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Saturday, January 31st: 11am – 1pm⁠
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Sunday, February 1st: 12pm – 2pm⁠
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Sunday, February 15th: 11am – 1pm⁠
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Saturday, February 28th: 10am – 12pm⁠
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Sunday, March 1st: 11am – 1pm⁠
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Saturday, March 14th: 10am – 12pm⁠
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Sunday, March 15th: 11am – 1pm⁠
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Saturday, March 28th: 10am – 12pm⁠
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Sunday, March 29th: 11am – 1pm⁠
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Saturday, April 11th: 9am – 11am⁠
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Sunday, April 12th: 9am – 11am⁠
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Saturday, April 18th: 2pm – 4pm⁠
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Sunday, April 19th:  2pm – 4pm⁠
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To register, call the Montauk Downs at 631-668-5000 (ext. 0).⁠
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#seals #hike #montauk #sealwatching #recreation
  • When Jesse Bongiovi launched Hampton Water Wine Co. with his dad, Jon Bon Jovi, in 2018, he helped redefine what modern rosé could look and feel like—sun-soaked, effortless, and rooted in moments shared with the people you love.⁠
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Now, with the growth of Lily Pond Group, he’s expanding that vision far beyond the bottle. Influenced by years spent in the Hamptons’ uniquely relaxed and refined culture, Jesse’s approach to brand-building is all about capturing a feeling: the blend of ease, taste, and connection that defines a perfect summer day out East.⁠
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With Lily Pond Group’s emerging portfolio—including Hampton Water, Five Springs, and Mezcal Mezul—Jesse is shaping brands that stand for more than just good drinks. They’re grounded in storytelling, authenticity, and community, with the kind of cultural resonance that turns a product into a lifestyle.⁠
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Jesse spoke more about how he got started, how the Hamptons informed his approach, and what he sees on the horizon for the next generation of lifestyle brands.⁠
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When did you come up with the concept for Hampton Water and decide to move forward with it?⁠
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JB: We saw an opportunity to change the narrative around rosé and the idea of “rosé season.” We wanted something sophisticated but still fun and easygoing, something that reflected the lifestyle we love. When we connected with Gérard Bertrand, it all clicked. The quality in the juice matched the story we wanted to tell, and that’s when we knew we had something special.⁠
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Read the full interview at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#rose #hamptonwater #jessebongiovi #lilypondgroup #hamptons fivesprings mezcalmezul
  • Pitch Your Peers (PYP) Hamptons Chapter, a philanthropy initiative, awarded two local non-profits at its 3rd annual Pitch Day on October 25th at Scoville Hall in Amagansett. Philanthropic women from the community are the driving force behind PYP The Hamptons. They identify and champion local non-profits that qualify for its annual collective grant. The grant pool for 2025 was $60,000. ⁠
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PYP Members identified and pitched local organizations to be considered for their grant on Pitch Day on October 25th. Members voted, and this year’s first-place award of $50,000 was presented to The Retreat, while a second-place award of $10,000 was presented to Share the Harvest Farm. ⁠
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Read the full article at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#pitchyourpeers #hamptons #nonprofits #local #sharetheharvest
  • What began as a shared dream between two young farming apprentices has grown into a year-round nonprofit that feeds, teaches, and welcomes thousands of people each season. Today, co-founders Amanda Merrow and Katie Baldwin continue to nurture the land while carrying out their mission to educate and inspire through food and farming.⁠
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From securing ownership of their farmland to expanding their programs, opening a year-round market, and welcoming visitors to explore the property, Amber Waves has become an essential piece of the East End’s agricultural and cultural landscape. Amanda and Katie spoke about their journey, the mission that continues to guide them, and the vision behind one of the most meaningful community-driven farms on Long Island.⁠
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What core mission drives the farm today, and how has that mission evolved since the beginning?⁠
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Amanda & Katie: We met in 2008 while completing a farming apprenticeship at Quail Hill Farm where we both discovered our shared love of farming. By that July, we were already dreaming up ways to continue farming together in Amagansett. When we founded Amber Waves Farm, our vision was to build something greater than ourselves—something that would outlive us. Our original idea, the “Amagansett Wheat Project,” grew out of a daydream to create a “pizza farm,” and our name, Amber Waves, pays homage to grain production—a line from the song “America the Beautiful”. From the beginning, we chose to be a nonprofit because our mission—to teach and connect people through food and farming—has always been at the heart of what we do.⁠
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Read the full interview at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#amberwavesfarm #amagansett #community #local
  • Philanthropist, TV host, author and longtime supporter and chairwoman of the Viennese Opera Ball Jean Shafiroff hosted and underwrote a reception with over 100 guests at her New York residence to officially kick off the 70th Annual Viennese Opera Ball, one of New York’s oldest and most prestigious white-tie galas celebrating Austrian culture, diplomacy, and the enduring friendship between Austria and the United States.⁠
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“The Viennese Opera Ball represents elegance, culture, and the timeless beauty of the arts,” said Jean Shafiroff. “It is a privilege to host this gathering in celebration of its 70th year as we honor tradition while supporting the next generation of artistic excellence. As a past honoree and chairwoman, I look forward to the 70th Anniversary Gala and am excited to chair it once again.”⁠
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📸: BFA / Kevin Czopek⁠
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Read the full article at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#vienneseopera #newyork
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