The Buildout

Today we are joined by the inimitable Jared Brown, founder of Sipsmith gin, to discuss the Bramble, a modern classic created by his friend and contemporary Dick Bradsell. Listen on or read below to discover Brown’s Bramble recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Jared Brown’s Bramble Recipe  Ingredients - 50 milliliters London dry gin - 25 milliliters lemon - 10 milliliters simple syrup - 20 milliliters crème de mûre Garnish: - blackberries - powder sugarDirections 1. Combine gin, lemon, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.2. Shake until cold and strain into a double Old Fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. 3. Top up with more crushed ice and top with crème de mûre, ideally pouring around the edges of the glass. 4. Garnish with two blackberries and a dusting of powder sugar.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Industry legend Dale Degroff joins us today for a wide-ranging exploration of the 50/50 Martini. We discuss the evolution of this cocktail over the course of the last 150 years, and examine the evolution of the spirits category at large. Listen on or read below to discover Degroff’s 50/50 Martini recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Dale Degroff’s 50/50 Martini Recipe  Ingredients - 1 ½ ounce Old Tom Gin or Old Duff Genever - 1 ounce Cocchi Vermouth di Torino - ½ ounce Dolin Dry vermouth - 1 dash Dale Degroff’s Aromatic Bitters Garnish: orange twist (optional)  Preparation 1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir until well chilled and strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. 3. Garnish with an optional orange twist.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the history of the Scofflaw cocktail not only leads to a deep dive on ingredients such as grenadine, but also delves into the unexpected origins of the word. Sharing this wonderful tale with us today is Kansas City’s Jill Cockson, owner of Drastic Measures, Swordfish Tom’s, Chartreuse Saloon, and Anna’s Place (Omaha). Listen on or read below to discover Cockson’s Scofflaw recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Jill Cockson’s Scofflaw Recipe  Ingredients - 2 ounces rye whiskey, such as Rittenhouse - ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice - ¾ ounce grenadine, homemade or high quality - ¾ ounces dry vermouth, such as Dolin Blanc Garnish: orange twist  Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. 2. Shake until cold and double strain into a chilled Coupe glass. 3. Express an orange twist over the cocktail and drop in the drink as a garnish.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Schramm, a mixology expert known for his cocktail hacks, shares invaluable tips to elevate everyday drinks. Discover how the right carbonation and acid adjustments can transform your cocktails, as well as the secret technique called "the sink." He also dives into reimagining classics like the Dirty Shirley and Long Island iced tea with standout ingredients. Plus, learn the art of crafting homemade ginger syrup to enhance cocktails like the Dark and Stormy. Get ready to impress your friends with these creative bartender techniques!

Today’s is an intriguing tale involving a daisy, a 1920s American socialite (reputedly), two Harrys, and one Hardy (for good measure). The cocktail is the White Lady, and leading us on our exploration is VinePair’s very own Emily Arseneau. Listen on or read below to discover Arseneau’s White Lady recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Emily Arseneau’s White Lady Recipe  Ingredients - ½ bar spoon simple syrup - 1 ounce fresh lemon juice  - 1 ounce Cointreau - 2 ounces London Dry Gin, such as Beefeater or Tanqueray  Garnish: lemon disc (optional) Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. 2. Shake until cold and strain into a chilled Coupe glass. 3. Garnish with and optional lemon disc or express and discard.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jeff Bell, owner of New York’s PDT, to discuss the allure of speakeasies, the genesis of “fat-washing” spirits, and the iconic modern classic that ties both topics together: The Benton’s Old Fashioned. Listen on (or read below) to discover Bell’s Benton’s Old Fashioned recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  The Benton’s Old Fashioned Recipe  Ingredients - 2 ounces bacon-infused Four Roses bourbon - ¼ ounce maple syrup, such as Deep Mountain Maple - 2 dashes Angostura bitters Garnish: orange twist  Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir until cold and strain into a chilled rocks glass with a large, clear cube of ice. 3. Garnish with a small orange twist.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're revisiting that tried and true trinity of rum, lime, and sugar but the outcome may be far from familiar for some. Simple to make yet complex in profile, the drink is the Ti' Punch, and our teacher today is Christian Favier of Charleston's The Ordinary. Listen on (or read below) to discover Favier's Ti' Punch recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Christian Favier’s Ti' Punch Recipe  Ingredients - 1 quarter-sized dollop of cane syrup - 1 lime coin - 2 ounces Rhum Agricole, such as Neisson Blanc  Directions 1. Add all ingredients to a rocks glass. 2. Mix using a swizzle stick. 3. Enjoy.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the midst of what some people (namely host Tim McKirdy) are describing as a “Cosmopolissance,” we sit down with the drink’s inventor Toby Cecchini to discuss how he developed the cocktail, its changing status over time, and — of course — how to perfect its preparation. Listen on (or read below) to discover Cecchini’s Cosmopolitan recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Toby Cecchini’s Cosmopolitan Recipe  Ingredients - 1 ½ ounces Absolut Citron - ¾ ounce Cointreau - ¾ ounce fresh lime juice - ¾ ounce Ocean Spray Cranberry Garnish: lemon twist  Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. 2. Shake until cold and strain into a chilled Coupe glass. 3. Garnish with lemon twist.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The base spirit is whiskey, the flavor profile is sour, and it’s called the Whiskey Sour. Of course, there’s so much more to learn about this cocktail than those two factors, and today we’re doing so under the guidance of the venerable H. Joseph Ehrmann. Listen on (or read below) to discover Ehrmann’s Whiskey Sour recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  H. Joseph Ehrmann’s Whiskey Sour Recipe  Ingredients - 1 ounce fresh lemon juice - ¾ ounce simple syrup (1:1) - 2 ounces 100 proof rye whiskey or high rye bourbon - ¾ ounce egg white - Garnish: 1 Maraschino cherry  Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice and dry shake. 2. Shake until well incorporated. 3. Add ice and shake until chilled. 4. Strain into a chilled rocks glass without ice. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an exploration of the world’s most famous Scotch whisky cocktail — The Rob Roy — Adam Montgomerie, a Scottish native and bar manager at Hawksmoor New York, takes us on a whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters deep dive. Listen on (or read below) to discover Montgomerie’s Rob Roy recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Adam Montgomerie’s Rob Roy Recipe  Ingredients - 2 ounces single malt Scotch, such as Clynelish 14 Year Old - 1 ounce sweet vermouth, such as Martini Rosso - 2 dashes Angostura bitters Garnish: 1 brandied cherry  Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir until cold and strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. 3. Garnish with cherry. (Optional: express and discard a lemon or orange twist.)   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.