Episodes

This week, we're taking our first look at the wide world of Tiki culture with the wonderful Johnny Iatu! Join us as we start all the way back at the beginning of the cultural movement, as we discuss how exactly Tiki developed and caught on, why California has always been a natural home for the movement, and why Tonga Hut owes every Tongan a free drink! Drink Discussed: Pacifica Sling 1 oz. Las Californias Nativo Gin 1/2 oz. Teeda Okinawan Rum 1/3 oz. Ventura Spirits Pixiecello 1/4 oz. Cutw...

This week, we're joined by Jordan Paley as we keep it simple, and discuss a ubiquitous two ingredient mixed drink - the boilermaker. We talk about how the pairing of a beer and a shot of whiskey got its name, became so wide spread, and what kind of place the boilermaker has as the world of craft beer, craft whiskey, and craft cocktails continues to get ever more complicated! Cocktails Discussed: Surfside 1 1/2 oz. Rod & Hammer's SLO Stills Cask Bourbon Whiskey Leashless Brewing Cheater 5 Bel...

This week, we continue our discussion of caffeine and alcohol with Alex Kyle! Our conversation turns towards more some more modern pairings, as we discuss Four Loko, Buckfast Tonic Wine, Espresso Martinis, and the like, as well as delving into why this potent combination got so popular, and whether it's reputation is entirely deserved. Cocktail Discussed: Yerba Matini 1 1/2 Oz. Principe De Los Apostoles Gin 1/2 oz. Hesperidina Orange Liqueur 1/4 oz. Lemon Juice 1 oz. Guayakí Sparkling Clas...

This week, we're discussing the combination of caffeine and alcohol with Alex Kyle! In the fist part of our discussion, we begin by discussing the historical beginnings of mixing caffeine and alcohol, alongside plenty of more modern anecdotes! Cocktail Discussed: Champagne á la Frederick 1 oz. Stark Spirits Espresso Liqueur 1/4 oz. Omage V.S.O.P. 1 barspoon Rock 12 Distillery Quince Liqueur Pierre Sparr Cremant D'Alsace Brut Reserve Combine the first ingredients in a mixing glass with ice...

This week we take a look at California Gin, and the ever growing New West Gin style! We are joined by Rich Welsh, visiting all the way from the U.K. to discuss the growing boundaries of what gin can be, and how California came to be at the head of that revolution! Cocktails discussed: Nova Albion 1 oz. Junipero Gin 3/4 oz. Starkeeper Gin 1/2 oz. lemon juice 1/4 oz. Sipsmith Sloe Gin 1/4 oz. egg white Combine all ingredients in a shaker without ice and shake for 30 seconds to emulsify. Ad...

This week, we continue our discussion of how drinking and perfume intersect with Brett Thomas! In this part, we take a turn into the darker side of perfume drinking, from swigging eau de violette in French theatres to downing cologne in Soviet states. Cocktail Discussed: Tears of a Drunken Whaleman 3 oz. Gray Whale Gin 1 oz. Breakwater Vodka 1/2 oz. Cocci Americano 1/4 oz. Armorik Whisky de Bretagne Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stir for 35 - 40 seconds, until fu...

This week, we are joined by Brett Thomas to talk about the intersection of drinking, fragrances, and drinking fragrances! From perfume's history as external and internal medicine, to the modern cooperation between perfumers and distillers, join us for part one of this fascinating discussion! Cocktail discussed: Napoleon's Return 1 1/2 oz. Omage VSOP 1/2 oz. Wild Roots Orange & Bergamot Gin 3/4 oz. lemon juice 1/4 oz. Tempus Fugit Créme de Violette Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ...

This week we are joined by the wonderful Lumi to discuss the backbar staple that is amaretto! We dive into the holy origins of this liqueur, talk about how it got so popular in less than reputable cocktails, and much more! Cocktails Discussed: L'entrà de la Flor 1 1/2 oz. Abrikon Black Diamond Apricot Brandy 1/2 oz. Goleta Red Goodland Barrel Aged Gin 3/4 oz. Lazzaroni Amaretto 3/4 oz. lemon juice Peel a long lemon twist and place it in a chilled coupe, lining the glass. Combine all ingre...

This week, we're joined by Heather Noel as we slow down for a moment and take a look at the ever growing world of Non-Alcoholic cocktails and spirits! We talk about the ups and downs of the neo-temperance movement, the difficulty of figuring out to call N/A Cocktails/ Mocktails/ Virgin Cocktails, and whether or not alcohol free cocktails are actually such a new innovation! N/A Cocktails Discussed: Nectar of a Few Flowers 1 oz. Optimist Botanicals Fresh 1 oz. fresh orange juice 1 oz. fresh g...

This week, due to some lingering sickness, we were unable to bring you a regular episode, so we are instead releasing one of our vaunted nightcaps! Join us and Calixto Hernandez as we continue discussing all things Bloody Mary, and its savory cousin, the Bull Shot! Cocktail discussed: Bull Shark 2 oz. Kamejikomi Awamori 4 oz. Dashi Broth 1/2 oz. Fresh lemon juice 1/8 oz. White miso Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, and shake vigorously until the shaker is frosted on the outsid...

This week we are joined by Michael Monarrez from Shadow Grove Brewing to talk about craft beer, and what makes California such a hotbed of brewing activity! We discuss a short history of brewing in California, and talk more about what's going on at the cutting edge, including at Shadow Grove! Cocktails Discussed: Negroni Francisco 1 oz. St. George Bruto Americano 1 oz. Anchor Distilling Genevieve Genever Style Gin Anchor Brewing Steam Beer Combine the first two ingredients in a mixing glas...

This week we are rejoined by the wonderful Calixto Hernandez to discuss all things Bloody Mary, from the drink's murky past, to Calixto's own efforts in reintroducing the Bloody Mary bar to a Los Angeles audience! Sangre Roja: 1 1/2 oz. Portuguese Bend Breakwater Vodka 4 oz. Salmoroja mix (recipe to follow) 1/4 oz. Lemon juice 1/4 oz. Lustau Manzanilla Sherry Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, and pour the mixture between the two halves of the shaker, using a julip strainer or s...

This week, we are again joined by the wonderful Michael Craig of Goleta Red Spirits to talk about botanicals - what they are, why they're so important to the world of spirits, and the infinite range of things you can do with them. In addition, we talk about the new projects that are in the works at Goleta Red, try Michael's brand new aquavit, and encounter some random business park disruptions! Cocktails Discussed: Asklepios: 1 1/2 oz. Fred Jerbis Gin 1 oz. Bordiga Rosso Vermut Di Torino 1 ...

This week, we take a look at what exactly makes a dive bar with Casey's bartender Kirk McPherson! What distinguishes a dive bar from a neighborhood bar? Can you ever intentionally open a dive bar? And why is some of the best live music found in dive bars? We attempt to answer all these questions and more on this week's episode! Cocktails discussed: Foxfire Fizz 1 oz. Figueroa Mountain Brewing Danish Red Lager 1 1/2 oz. Surf City Still Works Bourbon 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz. Amaro S...

This week, we continue our discussion of saké with certified sommelier Michael Achach. We move into discussing the savory side of saké, along with talking about the various types of koji, the role of lactic acids in sake, and much more! Cocktail Discussed Tio Anjirō 1 oz. Nova Brewing 'Eclipse' 1 oz. Yuu Baal Pechuga Mezcal 3/4 oz. lime juice 1/2 oz. Hesperidina 1/2 oz. Murai Family Nigori Genshu Sake 2 dashes El Guapo Polynesian Kiss Bitters Inspired by the Tia Mija, as published in Sp...

This week we are joined by certified sommelier Michael Achach to discuss all things saké! In the first half of our two part special, we discuss how to taste sake, what defines a daiginjo saké, and start to discuss what goes into brewing saké. Cocktail & Saké Discussed: Rising Star 1/2 oz. Etsu Japanese Gin 1/2 oz. Misadventure & Co. Vodka 1 oz. Saké Bermutto 1 oz. Nova Brewing Co. Gravity Saké Inspired by the Evening Star by Julia Momosé, as published in The Way Of The Cocktail Combine a...

This week we are joined by the wonderful Cat DeCuir, bartender at the Hollywood landmark Boardner's, to take a deep dive into the connection between gender and whiskey! Was whiskey always a "man's drink?" Why is whiskey the stereotypical Wild West drink? And what exactly is "soft whiskey?" Find out the answer to most of these questions, and many more! Note: This episode is peppered with descriptions of various vintage whiskey advertisements - we highly encourage you to follow us over to our Inst...

This week, we are joined again by the wonderful Lydia Neeley to discuss the world of Kentucky Moonshine, and her recently discovered connection to it! Cocktails Discussed: Fusaichi Pegasus 1 1/2 oz. Glendalough Poitin 3/4 oz. St. Agrestis Paradiso Apertivo 1/2 oz. Tempus Fugit Cremé de Menthe Combine the ingredients in a julip cup or rocks glass, and fill halfway with pebble ice. Stir until well chilled, then top with more ice to form a dome over the rim. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint...

This week, we are again joined by Jordan Paley to discuss the most maligned type of cocktail - the dreaded Blue Drink. How did these drinks come into vogue? Why were they blue in the first place? And is there any salvaging the reputation of blue drinks? We attempt to answer all these questions and more on this episode! Blue Okinawan: 1 oz. Kiyomi White Rum 1/2 oz. Locals Only Vodka 1 1/2 oz. Murai Family Nigori Genshu Sake 3/4 oz. Vedrenne Blue Curaçao 2 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice 1/...

We kick off the new year with a more casual chat with Sean Stentz, bar manager at Edendale, about the ins and outs of naming cocktails. From the history of naming drinks, to the existential question of when does a drink need a new name, we chat about the process and importance of finding a good name for a cocktail, and share some of our favorites in the process! Cocktails Discussed: Knickerbocker 3/4 oz. lime juice 2 oz. Cutwater Three Sheets White Rum 1/4 oz. St. George Rasberry Liqueur 1...

In our final episode of Repeal month, and the year, we are once again joined by Jake Faulkner to talk about bathtub gin, persistent misconceptions about prohibition, and fancy lightbulb bars! Drinks Discussed: Haori 1 dash absinthe 2 oz. Akori Cherry Blossom Gin 1 1/2 oz. Oka Kura Japanese Bermutto 1 barspoon Yuzuri Liqueur 2 dashes pomelo bitters Rinse a chilled coupe glass with the absinthe and set aside. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, and stir until we...

We are joined by our wonderful producer Jenz as we continue our Repeal month special this week with a look at bootlegging in our own Los Angeles! We look at the Rum War, sugar rings, and all the reasons why you never think of Prohibition and L.A. in the same way as other cities! Cocktails Discussed: South Shore Special 1 3/4 oz. Queen's Passage O.G. Rum 1/4 oz. Malahat Spirits Single Malt 2 oz. fresh orange juice 1/2 oz. lemon juice 1/2 oz. lemon infused simple syrup Club soda Combine a...

This week, we continue Repeal Month by diving into the stories of Jewish bootleggers with returning guests Deb and Jessie! Join us as we take a deeper look at the surprisingly large role that the Jewish community played in resisting Prohibition, both before it became the law of the land, and during! Cocktails Discusssed: The Jewish-German Friendship Alliance 1 oz. The Burning Chair Bourbon 3/4 oz. lemon juice 1/2 oz. Schladerer Kirschwasser 4 oz. Brewery X Festbier Ja! Combine the first 3...

This week, we kick off our first themed month! In honor of Repeal Day, we've decided to center our discussions this month around bootlegging, in it's many different forms. And to start that conversation, we are joined by Stephen Ebrey to expand on his topic from our recent Drunk History show- the export of bartenders and patrons to France! Recipes Discussed: I.B.F. Pick Me Up 2 oz. Cognac Leyrat VS 1/2 oz. Marian Farms Curaçao 1/4 oz. Contratto Fernet 4 oz. Crémant Du Jura Adapted from th...