The Modern Bar Cart Podcast

In this episode, we provide a special rundown of the best holiday cocktail gifts for 2018. We cover gifts in the low budget range ($100). And we segment our recommendations for cocktail novices, enthusiasts, and experts. In the end, we have great cocktail gift recommendations for one and all.

This episode is all about homemade liqueurs, which are becoming a more and more popular hobby and gift item as people learn more about home bartending. As it happens, we were able to furnish a case study on the subject. In this interview with Eric's Mom, Sue Rose, some of the topics we discuss include: How we picked our homemade liqueur project and sourced the initial ingredients What logistical steps to take to ensure that you produce a delicious and shelf stable liqueur. How to determine which online recipes are legit, and which are just in it for the Insta. Thoughts on assorted topics like Armagnac, brix, bottle design, and long-distance collaborations And much, much more.

This episode has two important updates: We just launched two cocktail scented soaps in collaboration with our partners over at Savage Soaps in Frederick, MD. So, first we’re going to have a chat with Misti Morningstar, who partnered with us to create our awesome new Shower Negroni & Shower Mule body bars - available now on ModernBarCart.com. We give podcast listeners a special sneak peak into The Essential Tasting Journal for Spirits & Cocktails - which is a great tool for anyone looking to train their palate and improve their flavor lexicon. As an update to our Kickstarter campaign, we created a video where I read the introduction to The Essential Tasting Journal, so we’ll share that audio with you to help you understand why we were drawn to this project.

In this episode, we talk about the various incarnations of Milk Punch, both historical and contemporary. Some of the topics we discuss include: The earliest proto-milk punch: Scailtin, and the historical and cultural forces responsible for this beverage being created in medieval Ireland. How milk punch came to be clarified when citrus became available due to the sudden availability of citrus in the 16- and 1700s. How to re-create Ben Franklin's famous milk punch recipe using ingredients and tools available today. A few notes on New Orleans-style milk punch. And much, much more.

This time around, we had the pleasure of speaking with Hakim Hamid, who’s the beverage director of a really excellent speakeasy-style cocktail bar called “Nocturne” here in DC. We spoke about a new, globe-trotting menu he’s recently developed, really taking our time to explore that process. So whether you’re contemplating creating a menu for an event you’re hosting at your home, or if you’re just curious to peer behind the curtain and develop a better understanding about what it takes to develop a spectacular menu, this episode is for you. Some of the topics we cover in this really fun conversation include: How to think about the difference between bartenders, mixologists, and beverage directors, and how Hakim’s curiosity and insatiable imagination propelled him into the role of “Beverage Director” at Nocturne. The roles that bar design, vision, and leadership all play in the execution and ultimate success or failure of a cocktail menu. How Hakim started this menu with a single, crucial cocktail that then led him around the world and even permeated his dreams as the menu took shape. The relationship between food and drinks on a cocktail menu and how to go about pairing them with balance and delight. How to think about guests as renewable resources, capitalizing on relationships, rather than volume and high profit margins. Which member of the Expendables to grab a drink with in London And much, much more.

This episode, we talk with my friend Nikki Blank about one of the world’s most ubiquitous and time-tested drinks: switchel. This is a cocktail mixer and functional beverage that falls somewhere between a shrub and a tea, and we learn all about the wonders of switchel as we explore its history, its various incarnations around the world, and how to use it in cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. In this interview, some of the topics we cover include: Where to place switchel on the spectrum of sweet and acidified beverages and teas How switchel spread across the world and became popular as “Haymaker’s punch” - literally an early version of Gatorade for all those farmer-athletes in colonial America. The potential health benefits and life-enhancing attributes of switchel, balanced by a healthy dose of skepticism about certain claims you’ll find floating around the internet. How to incorporate switchel into your cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages Some thoughts on No-booze November and Dry January The definition of an “EANAB” And much, much more.

Author and historian Garrett Peck dives into the evolution of Prohibition, exploring its causes, loopholes, and impact on American society. Topics include medicinal whiskey, speakeasies, and the lasting influence on spirits and cocktails in the U.S.

In this episode, we sit down with Halloween cocktail connoiseuse, Carolyn Kozlik. She and Eric go back and forth to assess your best options for both crafty and classic halloween cocktail options. Some of the topics discussed include: Fall-themed ingredients for your autumnal cocktail pursuits Service methods and creative garnishes for Halloween cocktail parties of all sorts - including how to make an eyeball out of a lychee. Which ingredients to use if you want to create ghoulish colors in your drinks - and perhaps more importantly - which ingredients to avoid. A whole list of classic cocktails with spooky names (and one creepily recurring ingredient) And much, much more

This episode is all about the art and science of fat washed spirits and how to use them in cocktails. First, we walk you through what fat washing is, and how it’s different from other types of “washing” you can do with spirits. Next, we go over the steps you should take to effectively complete a cool DIY fat washing project at home, as well as the tools you’ll need. Then we identify some of the most commonly used fats and try to give you some pairing advice based on their various flavor profiles. And round out the episode with a rundown of some of the more creative or aspirational fat washed spirits and cocktails we’ve come across to give you some inspiration for your next experiment.

In this episode, we examine three iconic 20th century films through the lens of the cocktail with film buff Eric Holtzman. They are: Casablanca (French 75) The Big Lebowski (White Russian) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Singamore Sling) This is a great episode for cocktail nerds and film buffs alike!