The Buildout

Pip Hanson, beverage director at O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. and seasoned bartender with international stints, walks through the hot toddy’s simple template: spirit, hot liquid, and sweetener. Short takes on historical origins, spirit and sweetener choices, ratios and service tips. Pip shares his neoclassical recipe and inventive riffs for modern toddies.

For many, the Blue Hawaii may conjure images of kitschy Hawaiian shirts and Jimmy Buffet concerts, but rest assured this cocktail has a rich, complex history that reaches far beyond its novel, neon blue color and elaborate garnishes. Garret Richard, chief cocktail officer at New York’s Sunken Harbor Club and author of the upcoming book, “Tropical Standard,” takes the hot seat today to discuss the Blue Hawaii’s history and lead us in remembering its creator, the late Harry Yee. Listen on to discover Richard’s Blue Hawaii recipe — and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!  Garret Richard’s Blue Hawaii Recipe  Ingredients  - 1 ounce sour mix (recipe follows) - 1 ½ ounces fresh pineapple juice - ¾ ounce Denizen white rum - ¾ ounce vodka or coconut-oil-washed Plymouth gin - ½ ounce Giffard blue curaçao- 1 tsp of gum syrup (or cane syrup)- 5 drops of saltwater solution (8 parts water, 2 parts salt) - 12 ounces of crushed ice - Garnish: pineapple leaf and wedge, orchid, and blue cocktail umbrella Sour Mix - ½ ounce fresh lemon juice - ½ ounce of lime punch syrup (lime juice, oleo saccharum sugar, citric, and malic acid, all to taste)  Directions  1. Combine sour mix, pineapple juice, rum, vodka (or gin), blue curaçao, gum syrup, saltwater solution, and 8 ounces of crushed ice in a large tin. 2. Flash blend for 3-5 seconds. 3. Put remaining 4 ounces of crushed ice into a Hurricane glass. 4. Pour blended mixture into glass. 5. Garnish with a pineapple leaf, pineapple wedge, orchid, and blue cocktail umbrella.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than just an evocative name, the Sex on the Beach is brimming with ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia, and arrives topped with a fun (if questionable) backstory. Leading us on a vibrant trip down memory lane is Houston’s Alba Huerta, owner of the James Beard Award winning Julep. Listen on to discover Huerta’s Sex on the Beach recipe —  and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!  Alba Huerta’s Sex on the Beach Recipe  Ingredients  - ¾ ounce Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom - ¾ ounce vodka - 1 ounce fresh lemon juice - ¾ ounce cranberry juice - ½ ounce crème de pêche - ½ ounce orange juice - ¼ ounce simple syrup - Garnish: dehydrated lemon wheel   Directions  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. 2. Shake until well chilled. 3. Strain into a Double Old Fashioned glass filled with ice. 4. Garnish with dehydrated lemon wheel.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned bartender Jillian Vose discusses the history and popularization of Irish coffee, the challenges faced in perfecting the drink, and the process of making it at the Dead Rabbit. She provides tips for choosing the right whiskey and achieving the desired result, as well as advice for making Irish coffees. The chapter also includes a discussion on favorite bars and last cocktail choices.

Melissa Brooke, bar director at New York’s PS and partner in Divine Spirits, dives into the storied history of the Sherry Cobbler, once a darling of the cocktail world. She highlights its revival amid the trend for lower-ABV drinks and the cultural shifts that led to its current status. The conversation also covers the evolution of ice in cocktails, how fresh ingredients update classics, and the artistry behind crafting the perfect Sherry Cobbler. Melissa even shares her go-to recipe, blending tradition with modern mixology.

Join Amanda Gunderson, CEO of Another Round Another Rally, as she explores the history and flavors of The Boulevardier cocktail. Discussing whiskey variations, cocktail culture trends, and the impact of ingredients like Campari and Carpano Antica formula sweet vermouth on creating a delicious drink experience.

The Bloody Mary is a boozy meal in a glass; a vehicle for a range of elaborate and occasionally wacky garnishes; and a hangover cure, if only by means of placebo. In today’s episode, we sit down with Eric “ET” Tecosky, an LA-based former bartender, founder, and owner of Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice, and national brand ambassador of Jack Daniel’s. Listen on to discover everything you need to know about the Bloody Mary and learn ET’s recipe —  and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!  ET’s Bloody Mary Recipe  Ingredients  - ½ ounce ET’s spice mix (recipe follows) - 3 ½ ounces tomato juice - 1 ½ ounces vodka- Lemon juice, to taste Directions  1. Add all ingredients to a pint glass with ice. 2. Roll shake between that and a separate glass of sufficient size until chilled. 3. Pour Bloody Mary and ice into a chilled Collins glass or goblet.  4. Garnish with a celery stalk, lemon wedge, a few olives, bacon, and pickled vegetables of your choice. ET’s Spice Mix Ingredients- 6 ounces Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice - 4 flat teaspoons black pepper - 3 flat teaspoons celery salt - 3 flat teaspoons Lawry’s Seasoned Salt - 6 flat teaspoons prepared horseradish - 3 ounces Worcestershire sauce - ½  ounce Tabasco   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we in the midst of a bonafide Martini renaissance? What are the limits for garnishes, riffs, and ingredients? And when does a Martini cease to be a Martini? These are all questions we should keep top of mind as we revisit one of the earliest recordings of Cocktail College: The Martini, with John Clark-Ginnetti, owner of 116 Crown in New Haven. Tune in — or read below — to learn how to make John’s Martini, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe!John Clark-Ginnetti's MartiniIngredients3 parts Plymouth Gin2 parts Boissière Dry VermouthGarnish: Lemon peelDirectionsAdd all ingredients to a mixing glass.Add ice and stir until chilled.Strain into a chilled Martini glass.Garnish with a lemon peel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this Thanksgiving Thursday, we show appreciation for the American Trilogy, a distinctly American riff on the Old Fashioned. We’re joined by returning friend of the show Richie Boccato, the drink’s co-creator and owner of New York’s Dutch Kills bar and Hundredweight Ice company. Listen on to learn the story behind the American Trilogy and to learn Boccato’s recipe —  and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!  Richie Boccato’s American Triology Recipe  Ingredients  - 1 ounce applejack, such as Laird’s Bottled in Bond - 1 ounce rye whiskey, such as Michter’s - 1 cube Demerara sugar - 2 dashes orange bitters (1:1 mix of Fee Brothers and Regans’) - 1 splash soda water  Directions  1. Add sugar cube to a chilled Old Fashioned glass and saturate with bitters and a splash of soda water. 2. Crush cube using a muddler and work to form a rough paste. 3. Add applejack, rye, and a large, single cube of ice. Stir gently, 15 times to incorporate the sugar paste.  4. Garnish with an orange twist.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cocktail College takes a trip to Ireland this week as we’re joined by Jack McGarry, owner of the Dead Rabbit. He’s here to discuss a rare Irish whiskey classic cocktail, the Tipperary, and to dive into the history of the category in general. Tune in to learn more. Listen on to discover McGarry’s Tipperary recipe —  and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!  Jack McGarry’s Tipperary Recipe  Ingredients  - 1 ½ ounces Irish whiskey - 1 ½ ounces sweet vermouth - ½ ounce green chartreuse - 2 dashes absinthe - 2 dashes Angostura bitters  Directions  1. Add two dashes of Angostura bitters, two dashes of absinthe, green chartreuse, sweet vermouth, and Irish whiskey into a mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir until chilled. 3. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. 4. Garnish with a lemon twist.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.