Cocktail College returns with a bang this week, as we explore the Champagne-spiked, artillery-inspired French 75. Cognac expert Ms. Franky Marshall is on hand to share expert advice on navigating the drink’s base spirits, build, and ideal glassware. Listen on (or read below) to discover Franky’s French 75 recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!   Ms. Franky Marshall’s French 75 Recipe  Ingredients ½ ounce fresh lemon juice ½ ounce simple syrup 1 ounce of gin or Cognac 1 ½ - 2 ounces sparkling wine (ideally Champagne) Garnish: lemon twist  Directions Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and base spirit to a cocktail shaker with ice. Lightly shake until chilled. Fine-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Top with sparkling wine. Express lemon twist over the cocktail from at least 6-8 inches above the glass and discard.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, Tim digs deep into the Margarita with award-winning bartender and podcast host, Erick Castro. Prepare to learn all about Erick’s favorite Margarita riffs, why he thinks fresh lime juice can be even more important than tequila, and how integral the Margarita has been in his journey as a bartender. Listen on (or read below) to discover Erick’s Classic Margarita recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe!   Erick Castro’s Classic Margarita Recipe  Ingredients 1 ½ ounces blanco tequila, such as Olmeca Altos ¾ ounce Cointreau ¾ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce agave syrup (3 parts agave nectar to 2 parts water) Directions Add all ingredients to a shaker with Kold Draft ice cubes. Shake until cold. Dump cocktail and ice into a cold, salt-rimmed rocks glass.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a century old cocktail, many aspects of The Bamboo make it a decidedly on-trend drink in today’s landscape. The Bamboo eschews a base spirit in favor of industry darling sherry, which also allows it to arrive with a lower alcohol content. To walk us through the complex, stirred blend of Spanish wine, vermouth, and bitters, we’re joined today by Alex Day, one of the partners of Death & Co. Listen on (or read below) to discover Alex’s Bamboo recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe!  Alex Day’s Bamboo Recipe  Ingredients 1 ½ ounces Amontillado sherry ¾ ounce blanc vermouth ¾ ounce dry vermouth 1 dash of orange bitters Garnish: lemon twist Directions Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Ideally the sherry and vermouths will be fridge cold prior to mixing, and stirring should take around two-thirds of the amount used to mix higher-ABV cocktails, such as the Martini. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Daiquiri is a drink so revered by bartenders, and one whose deceptively simple preparation requires such fine attention to detail, it’s gained a reputation as being the acid test of a mixologist’s skills. To learn how to pass that exam, Tim sits down with William Elliott, the managing partner of New York’s Maison Premiere, and an individual who’s spent over a decade perfecting his Daiquiri. Listen on (or read below) to discover William’s Daiquiri recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe!   William Elliott’s Daiquiri Recipe Ingredients 1 ounce Neisson Rhum Agricole Blanc 1 ounce Santa Teresa 1796 1 ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce simple syrup (2:1 ratio of sugar to water)  Directions Add all ingredients to a Cobbler shaker with eight Kold Draft cubes. Shake until cold. Strain into a chilled coupe glass (but don’t fine-strain). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this mid-season special, Tim looks back at some of the most important lessons our bartenders have shared so far, and includes some of his highlights from season one to-date. Please leave a rating and review, and don’t forget to subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Devised hundreds of years ago for medicinal purposes, the G&T has gone from strength to strength in recent years, thanks to a proliferation of new gin brands and higher quality tonic waters. As the founder of one of those brands, Simon Ford knows more than a thing or two about the Gin & Tonic, and in this episode waxes lyrical about the drink’s history, preparation, and modern-day elevation. Listen on (or read below) to discover Simon’s G&T recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe! Simon Ford’s Gin & Tonic Recipe  Ingredients 1 part gin, such as Fords London Dry 3 parts tonic water Garnish: lemon wedge  Directions In a highball glass, combine gin and tonic over lots of fresh ice. Garnish with lemon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite being drenched in history and arriving with an attractive rose hue, Pink Gin — the cocktail — remains an outsider in the bartending world. After spending a great deal of time tracing the cocktail’s roots, Sebastian Hamilton-Mudge wants to change that. And he’s here today how and why you should also embrace this simple, historic creation. Listen on to learn his tips and don’t forget to subscribe!  Sebastian Hamilton-Mudge Pink Gin Recipe Ingredients  2 ounces gin, preferably PlymouthAngostura bitters to tasteLemon or orange twist Directions  Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir until cold. Strain into a Coupe or Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with an optional lemon or orange twist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Tim explores the sweet, fragrant fusion of rum, lime, sugar, and mint, best known as the Mojito. Los-Angeles-based Yael Vengroff teaches us how to perfect the drink (without overthinking it) and also sheds light on where life leads beyond the bar, and what it’s like to launch a canned Mojito. Listen on and don’t forget to subscribe!  The Mojito Recipe w/ Yael Vengroff  Ingredients  2 ounces white rum, such as Casa Magdalena 1 ounce fresh lime juice 1 ounce simple syrup ½ dash Angostura bitters 6 - 8 mint leaves  Directions  Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add a small amount of crushed ice and shake until cold. Dump into a cold Collins glass. Top with crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh citrus was a vital ingredient in America’s cocktail renaissance but in the instance of The Gimlet, using fresh citrus — or only fresh citrus — yields neither a historically accurate version of the drink, nor the best example of it. Tim speaks with Toby Cecchini to learn all about lime cordial, and how he resurrected The Gimlet by formulating his own version of the ingredient. Listen on (or read below) to discover Toby’s Gimlet recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe!  Toby Cecchini’s Gimlet Recipe  Ingredients  2 ounces gin, such as Tanqueray or Fords 1 ounce homemade lime cordial 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice Garnish: 1 lime wheel  Directions  Add gin, lime cordial, and lime juice to a shaking tin with ice. Shake until cold. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Add lime wheel garnish.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the Gibson the best bonafide Martini riff? And is describing this cocktail as a “riff” selling it short? In today’s episode, Tim chats with Meaghan Dorman of New York’s Raines Law Room, Dear Irving, and Dear Irving on Hudson to find out. Listen on (or read below) to discover Meaghan’s Gibson recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!  Meaghan Dorman’s Gibson Recipe  Ingredients  2 ounces Tanqueray No. 10 gin 1 ounce Carpano bianco vermouth 2 tablespoons pickling liquid Garnish: 1 pickled onion  Directions  Add gin, vermouth, and pickling liquid to a cold mixing glass with four whole Kold Draft cubes and three cracked ones. Stir until cold (around 10 seconds). Strain into a cold coupe glass. Garnish with chilled pickled onion on a toothpick.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mai Tai is perhaps the best known Tiki cocktail in the world. Without a doubt, it’s also the one drink within that category that so often gets made incorrectly. Thankfully, help is at hand in today’s episode, as Tim sits down with Brian Miller, a tropical drinks enthusiast with an extensive knowledge of bartending. Years in the making, he shares his recipe — and technique — for perfecting the Mai Tai. Listen on (or read below) to learn more — and don’t forget to subscribe!Brian Miller’s Mai TaiIngredients1 lime shell¾ ounce fresh lime juice¾ ounce orgeat (Orgeat Works)½ ounce Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre½ ounce El Dorado 15 year rum½ ounce Neisson 52.5% ABV rhum½ ounce Hampden Estate 46% rum½ ounce Plantation Jamaica 2005 rumDirectionsDrop lime shell in shaker without pinching. Add all ingredients and four Kold Draft cubes. Shake until cold.Dump into a Roly Poly (or Double Old Fashioned) glass. Top with crushed ice.Garnish with mint sprigs, an orchid, and a skull swizzle stick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ramos Gin Fizz is best known for its bicep-straining preparation and the chain of shaker boys historically employed to ensure a perfect, frothy, towering foam. In today’s episode, Tim breaks down this New Orleans classic with Lucinda Sterling, managing partner at New York bars Middle Branch and Seaborne. Tune in to learn how to make Lucinda’s Ramos Gin Fizz — recipe also listed below — and don't forget to subscribe!Ingredients2 ounces gin, such as Ford’s or Beefeater½ ounce lemon juice½ ounce lime juice1 ounce simple syrup1 ounce heavy cream1 medium egg white1 small drop orange blossom waterDirectionsAdd heavy cream to a shaker filled with ice, and egg white to a separate shaker without ice. Shake both at the same time until the tin with cream is well chilled. Shake the egg white for a little longer then combine the two in the egg white tin (without ice).Add lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and gin. Add a small handful of pellet ice and shake for as long as you can stand (at least three minutes).Strain it into a cold fizz glass (or a highball glass).Place in the fridge for a minute or two.Top with soda water and finish with orange blossom water. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you even begin to describe The Martini? A star of the big and small screen, and countless works of literature; it has its own iconic glass and even lays claim to the cocktail emoji 🍸. The Martini also happens to be the world’s best cocktail — at least, that’s what Tim thinks. So, for this episode, he spoke with the man who mixed him the finest Martini he’s ever tasted: John Clark-Ginetti, owner of 116 Crown in New Haven. Tune in to learn how to make John’s Martini — recipe also listed below — and don't forget to subscribe!John Clark-Ginetti’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.

Neal Bodenheimer and his team at Cure in New Orleans have a simple philosophy: “Nothing’s sacred except maybe the Sazerac.” In this episode, we go deep on that drink’s history, and Neal explains how he and his team came up with their version of the beloved NOLA cocktail. Learn how to make Neal’s Sazerac below — and don’t forget to subscribe!Neal Bodenheimer’s SazeracIngredients2 ounces rye, such as Sazerac 6 Year¼ ounce Demerara syrup (2:1 ratio of sugar and water, lightly cooked)3 dashes (or 21-23 drops) Peychaud's bittersHerbsaint Original 100 proof, in an atomizerLemon peelDirectionsSpray the inside (specifically) of a chilled double Old Fashioned glass with 4 atomizer sprays of Herbsaint.In a mixing glass, stir the rye, Demerara syrup, and Peychaud's bitters over ice until chilled.Carefully strain into the seasoned glass. From a distance of 3 to 4 inches, express the lemon peel on the outside (specifically) of the glass, then dab lightly on the glass to add further citrus oil.Roll up the lemon peel and place it on the side of the glass to garnish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abigail Gullo, director of Bartender's Circle, is passionate about the Manhattan. Not only did she grow up on New York's most storied island, she first learned how to make the drink as a seven year old, and has been honing her technique ever since. Tune in to hear Abigail Gullo's perfected Manhattan recipe — also listed below — and don't forget to subscribe!Abigail Gullo’s ManhattanIngredients2 ounces rye whiskey1/2 ounce sweet vermouth1/2 ounce dry vermouth1 dash Angostura bitters1 dash orange bitters1 dash other bitters, such as bergamot (optional)1 lemon twist1 brandied cocktail cherryDirectionsCombine all wet ingredients in a mixing glass.Add ice and stir to chill.Strain into a chilled Manhattan glass (or Nic & Nora as an alternative).Lightly express lemon twist over the cocktail then discard.Garnish with cocktail cherry and serve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.