Latest news with #Vollmer
NBC News
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
The best mint julep cups to celebrate the Kentucky Derby in style
When you think of the Kentucky Derby, a few things gallop to mind: thoroughbreds flying down the track, wide-brimmed hats — and, of course, the mint julep. If you're not familiar, the julep is the Derby's drink of choice: a bracing blend of bourbon, mint, sugar and bitters, traditionally served in a frosty silver cup that's as much about style as it is about temperature control. In honor of the most stylish two minutes in sports, we've rounded up the best mint julep cups to help you serve cocktails with panache. Whether you're throwing a full-blown Derby bash or just mixing drinks for one on a breezy spring evening, these cups make it feel like a celebration. What is a mint julep? 'The mint julep is one of the original classic cocktails,' says Charlotte Voisey, executive director at Tales of The Cocktail, which aims to empower the hospitality industry and advance spirits education. 'Perfected and made famous by Black bartenders in the south in the early 1800s.' The mint julep has been the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, according to Louisville Tourism. So, what is in this classic cocktail? 'A mint julep is made with bourbon, fresh mint, sugar, and crushed ice,' says Michael Vollmer, assistant director of food and beverage at the Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago. 'It's simple and refreshing.' According to our experts, the other defining characteristic of a julep is that it is traditionally served in a silver cup — which not only looks fancy but also helps keep the drink cold. How we picked the best mint julep cups When it comes to picking the best mint julep cups, here's what our expert said to look out for: Silver: 'Traditionally a sterling silver or stainless steel Julep cup is used, which frosts up visibly as the ice is churned through the drink before it's served,' says Voisey. The silver is also a nod to the trophy at the Kentucky Derby, says Vollmer. All of the cups below are made from either stainless or sterling silver. Wide opening: The top of a mint julep cup should have a wide opening. 'This can enhance the mint's aromatics and the bourbon's flavor, creating a more immersive sensory experience,' says Vollmer. Price: Because they're made with silver, mint julep cups can get expensive. We focused on finding cups at different price points to suit various budgets. The best mint julep cups Mark & Graham Silver Mint Julep Cup This stainless steel mint julep cup comes in two sizes — 10.5 ounces or 18.5 ounces. The cup features braided detailing at the top and bottom and can be used as a cocktail glass or as a vase. This cup can also be personalized with your initials for an additional $15. Barfly Julep Cup Another stainless steel option, this cup holds 12 ounces. It also has a reinforced lip to keep the opening perfectly round and a footed base for stability, according to the brand. This cup should be hand-washed only. Twine Mint Julep Cup This cup has a slightly matte look that makes it appear vintage. It's made from sterling silver pleated brass and has a 12-ounce capacity. The silver beating around the top and bottom adds visual interest. Flavourd Mint Julep Cups This set comes with four sterling silver mint julep cups and straws. The cups have a mirror finish for shine and a rolled rim. These cups are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Prince of Scots Hammered Mint Julep Cups If you're willing to splurge, consider these cups. They are made from sterling silver-plated copper and have a hammered texture. The set comes with four cups, each holding 12 ounces. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Charlotte Voisey is the executive director at Tales of The Cocktail, an organization that aims to elevate the hospitality industry and advance spirits education. Michael Vollmer is the assistant director of food and beverage at the Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago. Why trust NBC Select? Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Voyeurism Victims Act' signed by Gov. Bill Lee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A bill designed to help victims recorded without their consent has been signed by Gov. Bill Lee. The Voyeurism Victims Act, proposed by Nashville Rep. Bob Freeman, officially bears the governor's signature and will become law as of July 1. The bill was inspired by a case News 2 has been following for months. In November of 2024, 31-year-old Matthew Vollmer was arrested and charged for illegally recording sexual encounters he had with multiple women in Nashville, including his then-girlfriend. ORIGINAL STORY | Man charged for hidden camera recordings, MNPD says According to Metro Nashville police, Vollmer reportedly had a hidden camera disguised as an alarm clock that he used to make the recordings. Currently, unlawful photography is a misdemeanor in Tennessee, and some of the women illegally recorded fall outside of the statute of limitations to bring criminal cases against Vollmer. A Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee carries a penalty of less than a year in jail in most cases. According to detectives involved in the case, there were around 350 separate video files, including some not related to the case, on Vollmer's computer. RELATED: Women victimized advocate for 'Voyeurism Victims Act' on TN Capitol Hill 'There were 14 file folders. Twelve of them were labeled with a first name. One was simply labeled 'REC'—I presume is short for record—the other was labeled 'Hookups,'' Det. Judah Parker with the Metro Nashville Police Department's Special Victims Division said during a March court hearing. Lawmakers told News 2 technology-based laws needed to be updated, especially when crimes like this occur. 'What worries me abut this case is you don't know what he has done with this information or what he's going to do with it,' Rep. Vincent Dixie (D-Nashville) told News 2 in January. 'You just never know, and that's the part that we have not really figured out, because the way that we make laws here in Tennessee, they're more physical laws. We have not adapted our laws to technology and we have to be more forward-thinking about things like this, [which] can happen over and over.' '[This crime] takes the feeling of power away from people,' Freeman told News 2 in March. 'If they feel powerless to make a difference, and if this bill passes, we're going to give these women some power back.' SEE ALSO | Women testify in support of 'Voyeurism Victims Act' to Tennessee lawmakers In addition to the new law, which took effect in part upon receiving the governor's signature, one of the women has also filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of herself and all the other victims. Laura Cantwell, who said she was recorded when she briefly dated Vollmer, is asking a Davidson County court for $1.8 million in damages for violations of federal privacy laws, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. According to the amended version of the bill, the punitive portions of the Voyeurism Victims Act take effect July 1, but the rest of the bill, which makes clarifications in relevant sections of current law, take effect immediately. Something not included in the version that bears the governor's signature is the provision making unlawful photography a Class E felony if the photo was taken using a hidden camera or if there were more than one victim. The originally drafted version of the bill also included a distinction that would have meant unlawful photographs taken of the 'unclothed intimate area' of an individual that was 'engaged in sexual activity' would have been prohibited by law, but that distinction was removed from the amended version of the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Women testify against Nashville man accused of nonconsensually filming them through alarm clock camera
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Davidson County man was in court Thursday facing four women who claimed he filmed them without their permission from a hidden alarm clock camera in his bedroom. The case is moving toward trial. In June 2024, one of the women said she found 'hundreds' of videos with different women recorded through a camera in an alarm clock while engaging in sexual activity — without their knowledge or permission. ORIGINAL STORY: Man charged for hidden camera recordings, police say The owner of the video and alarm clock was 31-year-old Matthew Vollmer. In November 2024, Vollmer was arrested and charged with eight counts of unlawful photography — a misdemeanor in Tennessee. One of the women who testified, Christiana Werner, said she was 'horrified' by the discovery of the videos. 'Within the computer there were about 350 separate video files — not all of them related to this case — but I was able to find an assortment that were clearly relevant,' Detective Judah Parker with the Metro Nashville Police Department's Special Victims Division said. The videos were clipped in 10-minute increments, according to the detective. 'We are not talking about some home security camera that was accidentally placed in the home somewhere and picked up Mr. Vollmer having sex with these women,' Assistant District Attorney General Macy Pesavento argued. 'He had a camera hidden in an alarm clock specifically positioned, facing the bed where he had sex with these women.' 'There were 14 file folders. Twelve of them were labeled with a first name. One was simply labeled 'REC' — I presume is short for record — the other was labeled 'Hookups,'' Parker said. The criminal charges involve four women but several other recordings were allegedly filmed over a year ago, falling outside of the statute of limitations. 'We are working so hard to have our voices heard on a charge that wouldn't even land him a year in jail,' Laura Cantwell, another testifying woman, told News 2. The women answered several questions in the hearing, relating to how they met Vollmer, how long they dated and what their relationship looked like when it came to offering consent for nude or suggestive photos or videos. 'You did not consent to any of these videos?' the defense attorney asked alleged victim Sydney Tasker. She replied: 'Correct.' 'It's really frustrating to deal with arguments that try to undermine our credibility or try to paint us as being dishonest when we're literally just here speaking about something horrible a man did to not just us, but a lot of other women,' Cantwell told News 2 following the hearing. The judge decided the hearing will move to trial. RELATED: Women testify before lawmakers with hope of passing 'Voyeurism Victims Act' 'Which means we are moving towards the next stage of justice,' Cantwell said. Werner told News 2 true justice may never be fully achieved. 'The punishment does not fit the crime,' Werner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘This type of activity is frankly predatory': TN bill would strengthen penalties for nonconsensual camera recordings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two months ago, dozens of women learned a Nashville man, identified as Matthew Vollmer, allegedly recorded their sexual interactions with a hidden camera inside an alarm clock. Many of the women, who said they were being recorded without their knowledge, weren't able to press criminal charges because the videos were more than a year old and the statute of limitations had expired. Now, a new bill filed in the Tennessee legislature called the Voyeurism Victim's Act could allow more victims to pursue justice. PREVIOUS | Women advocate for bill that would extend statute of limitations, increase penalties for unlawful photography 'That type of activity is frankly predatory and it should come with greater punishment than this offense normally does,' said State Senator Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville), the bill's sponsor. If passed, the law would change the statute of limitations for this crime to the time the illegal recordings were discovered, not the time they were made. The law would also strengthen the unlawful photography charge from a misdemeanor to a felony in egregious cases and authorize orders of protection for the victims. 'I feel like our legislators are listening to us and they care, and they're committed to this issue, and so to see that bill being filed is really sort of just the first step in the process, but it's kind of this feeling very loud and clear that our legislators support what we're doing,' said Erika Thomas, who said she was recorded by Vollmer without her knowledge or consent. NOV 2024: Man charged for hidden camera recordings, police say According to State Senator Yarbro, the bill has bipartisan support and would allow state law to keep up with advances in technology. 'A lot of these laws that deal with invasion of privacy and cameras were designed for an era before everyone carried a smartphone in their pockets, before cameras were remarkably cheap and could be made very small and hidden,' Yarbro explained. Thomas is one of the women who could not file a criminal case against Vollmer because the statute of limitations had already expired, but she hopes this proposed law will help future victims seek justice. 'Having conversations about intimate recordings of myself is kind of humiliating and embarrassing, but I'm trying to channel those feelings of distress and those feelings of discomfort into something that's proactive and that will help other people,' Thomas told News 2. Vollmer is facing eight counts of unlawful photography and is set to be in court for his criminal hearing in March. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
