Hannah Sharman-Cox , Siobhan Payne , and Dan Dove are the co-founders of The Pinnacle Guide ( website , Instagram ). Outside of their work on Pinnacle, Hannah and Siobhan oversee London Cocktail Week and Dan runs an agency called Global Bartending . Pinnacle is an awards program for bars inspired by the Michelin Guide . Rather than win a category, as in many other competitions, like “best hotel bar” or “best bar in [your city], Pinnacle will award an establishment one, two, or three “pins”, rath...
Oct 03, 2023•47 min
This edition came together late and therefore has no written text. I love you and thanks for listening. If you want to know what “Sunday Service” aspires to be read this . Thanks for reading! Keep up with my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com...
Oct 01, 2023•8 min
Julie Figueras oversees National Brand and Trade Advocacy for CNI Brands . Alex Jandernoa is the Director of Brands and Education for CNI. We got together to talk about Banhez Mezcal and the co-op that governs it, UPADEC . Brands/styles : teqpetztate, arroqueño, espadin, barril, tobala, karwinskii, cuishe , NETA Miscellaneous : milpa farming , bagaso , 9 states where mezcal can be made , ensamblé vs. single varietal , Zapotec Thanks for reading Decoding Cocktail’s Substack! Subscribe for free to...
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Hannah Williams is the beverage director of Blue Hill Farm and Donovan Ingram oversees their coffee and grain team programs among other responsibilities. I first became aware of Blue Hill via the Netflix show “Chef’s Table”, in which chef Dan Barber is featured. His book “ The Third Plate ” transformed how I think about agriculture and food. Mentions : Probitas rum , Chartreuse , BUNA coffee , Irving Farm , Real Organic Project , King Grove Blueberries , Kettl Tea , The White Moustache Yogurt , ...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Kristin Pike is the founder of Northern Rose Spirits , which carries products from Canada like Fundy Bay Gin and Strawberry Rhubarb Moonshine by Still Fired Distilleries , Miele Amaretto & Amermelade aperitivo by Les Spiritueux Iberville , Eau-de-vie de petit-lait by Famille Migernon . Thanks for reading. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Kristin and I sat down to chat about her business at products at this year’s Bar Convent Brooklyn. Learn more about the Bay of F...
Aug 15, 2023•38 min
Kami Kenna oversees sales and marketing for Piscologia, a women-owned and produced brand out of Peru. Follow Kami and Piscologia . You can nerd out all the way be getting certified in Pisco for free . For simplicity's sake, the following piece will focus on Peruvian Pisco with occasional notes and comparisons drawn to Chile. Already feeling a case of TL;DR coming on? Let me read it to you . First things first What is Pisco? A grape brandy that can be made in both Peru and Chile. Grape-based bran...
Aug 01, 2023•47 min
Keep up with Bill and Andria's adventures on Instagram at @St.Louis_Taverns Read my reflection on neighborhood bars on my Substack page. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com
Jul 18, 2023•49 min
JSS website , Instagram 10 facts about Shochu Shochu production by region on the island of Kyushu The State of Shochu webinar Hiromi presented in 2023 JSS Powerpoint on Shochu Read about food pairings for Shochu Want to dive all the way in? Pick up Christopher Pellegrini's The Shochu Handbook Want to hear about sake? Listen to my conversation with Andrew Lamb of High Water Sake . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v...
Jul 04, 2023•48 min
Cocktail books I mention: The Book of Cocktail Ratios , The Bartender's Manifesto Upcoming guests mentioned: Blue Hill Farm , Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association Today's conversation is with Jackie Williams of Bar Convent Brooklyn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com...
Jun 20, 2023•24 min
Follow Kevin on Instagram as well as Tullamore D.E.W . Watch Kevin's video tribute to " The Lament of the Irish Pub " See Kevin at The Buena Vista Café in San Francisco. They regularly serve over 2,000 Irish coffees a day. As the number of celebrities aligned with brands grows, Tullamore has adopted the campaign, " Celebrity Free since 1829 " Alcohol consumption in Ireland has decreased by 32% since 2001 In the US, Irish whiskey sales are set to overtake Scotch by 2030 More on why we should not ...
Jun 06, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Get a copy of The Book of Cocktail Ratios Books mentioned: The Bar Book , The Cocktail Codex , The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails We discussed his first book on Ratios focused and his book on the egg ( book page on his site ) People cited: Phil Ward , Thomas Keller , Harold McGee , J. Kenji López-Alt Ingredients noted: Absinthe , Maraschino liqueur , Lustau , Drambuie , home-made lime cordial , lactic acid How Michael takes his martini, 6:1 This is a public episode. If you would like ...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Keep up with Andrew ( @lambdogg ) and High Water Saké ( website ) ( Instagram ). Tippsy's Intro to saké , True Saké on varieties Table rice vs. saké rice (sakamai) More on saké's intertwined nature with Japanese tradition and culture Places and things: Accidental bar in NYC , World Saké Day , Pan-Asia Supermarket , 'Ssippi , Ben's Tune Up , Sunflower Saké NYT piece on saké's rising popularity in the US People referenced: John Gauntner and Michael Tremblay His certifications: Saké Sommelier Assoc...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Check out Maison Premiere ( website )( Instagram ) and follow Will ( Instagram ). Their new book is The Maison Premiere Almanac . " Do Easy " by William S. Burroughs Pastis vs. Absinthe Á La Louisiane is the cocktail Will says embodies Maison Chef Daniel Boulud dropped off an antique bottle of Pernod to the Maison team Will talked about "double jiggering". Watch bartender Tom Macy demonstrate it. The Japanese Hard Shake A blog piece I wrote about Maison This is a public episode. If you would lik...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Thanks for listening. I'd love it if you'd write us a review on your podcast platform or send an episode to a friend. --- Find Phil on Instagram , Twitter , watch his presentation " How the Global Drinks Business Works ", and listen to his podcast conversation about NA spirits , which he says are Veblen goods (aka luxury goods). Old Duff Genever is made at the Herman Jansen distillery, which has operated since 1777. " Delightes for Ladies " by Sir Hugh Plat Phil mentions attending a Beefsteak at...
Apr 04, 2023•2 hr
Give Molly a follow @whiskey.biscuit . Visit Freeland Spirits on their website and Instagram . Molly's still "hell bitch" is made by Kothe Molly uses a rotary evaporator to create fresher flavors Women have more olfactory senses than men Why corn that is less sweet is necessary for whiskey production This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Visit Plantation's website and Instagram . Follow Adrienne on Instagram . Adrienne shared why she thinks the Sazerac is more of a bartender's drink Tiki references: Donn Beach , Trader Vic , and Paul McGee What esters impart upon alcohol Plantation has voluntarily submitted itself to a Bonsucro certification . Per Adrienne: any orientation to rum should start with Barbados. If you want to go lighter from there, try Panama. Want bolder? Try Jamaica. Want to know more about column vs. pot distilla...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Follow Steven ( Instagram ) and keep up with Lustau ( Instagram )( website ) Some sherries are sweet like port but ~95% of what is produced is dry . The style that caught Steven's attention was the driest, Fino . If you're looking for a sherry to begin with, he suggests Amontillado . Yeast, referred to as "Flor" , is used in the production of all wine. In biologically-aged sherries, this yeast is left in for years as the sherry ages, thus removing a greater amount of the wine's sugar, accounting...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Follow Steve on Instagram and check out Quaker City Mercantile . Brands mentioned: Hendrick's Gin , Sailor Jerry Rum , and Fistful of Bourbon , which are owned by William Grant & Sons . He's also worked with existing brands like Miller High Life and Guinness (see Open Gate Brewery ). Steve and Aaron Goldfarb co-authored Brand Mysticism: Cultivate Creativity and Intoxicate Your Audience . Steve's distillery Tamworth created a whiskey for the book called Dunce Whiskey , commemorating John Duns...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Get in touch with MariCarmen here or on Facebook . Tequila-producing states include Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, and Guanajuato. See a map of them . The UNESCO certification for the agave landscape. Dia de Los Muertos (day of the dead) Check out Tequila Matchmaker An examination of ways to cook agave plants : oven v autoclaves v diffusers This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substac...
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Learn more about Edward on his website . Find the book here . He says the two major dangers of the modern era are distillation ( blog article ) and isolation ( blog article ) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr
Ingredients and drinks that surprised me or are worth checking out Cane & Table's Hurricane The Sherry Cobbler Roffignac at Peychaud’s & Maison Premiere Raspberry shrub recipe Bitter gentian liqueurs: Suze and Salers Southpaw @ Lazy Tiger Taped holiday cocktail webinar Need last-minute gear gifts? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com...
Dec 20, 2022•13 min
Fratelli Branca is the parent company of Fernet Branca, Carpano Antica, Punt e Mes , and other notable brands. You can find Nicola here on Instagram . Learn about Fernet coins . "Fernet-Branca coins rapidly came to symbolize bartender community membership. They traveled across oceans and continents to the most remote corners of the world. They not only represented a momentary achievement but an authentic collectible, jealously guarded as a status symbol and a privilege." Amari have between 30 &a...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Check out The Botanist's website and on Instagram .Follow Jeff at @fatherofcups Equipment Jeff mentions: vacuum sealer , centrifuge , rotary evaporator ("it looks like science"), dehydrator , pocket refractometer (for measuring sweetness) Jeff's house martini is a freezer martini .What in the heck is Lacto-fermentation ? Learn more about genever This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingcocktails.substack.com...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Join Nicole Gilbert of J. Rieger & Co and me on November 7th for a virtual class on Thanksgiving and batching . Register here . ----- Learn about Jackie and Sorel . Follow Jackie & Sorel on Instagram. What's in Sorel ? North African hibiscus, Nigerian ginger, Indonesian cassia (cinnamon), Brazilian cloves, Indonesian nutmeg, Pure cane sugar, Neutral wheat grain spirits, and deionized water. An NA version of Sorrel Check out Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest and the Nearest Green Foundation . ...
Nov 01, 2022•59 min
Emma got her start with David Alan, aka " The Tipsy Texan " The first cocktail Emma remembers taking an interest in is the Dark and Stormy She mentioned Mayahuel by Phil Ward as one of the pioneer mezcal bars in the US Agave varietals mentioned: Cupreata , Tepeztate , Cuishe , Madrecuishe , Salmiana Emma's website , Instagram , and Twitter The articles I referenced: " The Great Mezcal Heist " and " Mindful Mezcal " This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Keep up with Decoding Cocktails via our newsletter or on Instagram . --- Beyond the cocktail recipe and technique books I've read, Robert's book A Proper Drink transformed my understanding of how cocktails arrived at where they are. Robert recalled a (potentially illegal) seminar conducted by Ted Breaux about Absinthe Drinks and bottles that were big in San Francisco : Mojito, Pisco Punch, and Pisco Sour, and Fernet Branca Drinks and bottles that were big in New Orleans : Pimm's Cup, French 75, ...
Oct 04, 2022•1 hr
Check out Kiowa on Instagram . Before working for Spiribam , she was at The Eveleigh. She is on the board of Another Round Another Rally . Kiowa's boss is Ben Jones , a descendant of Homere Clément , who founded Rhum Clément. During Clément's lifetime, Mount Pelée erupted , one of the largest eruptions in recorded history, wiping out an entire city. Hopefully, we can chat again and discuss another product she was very proud of, Chairman's Reserve from St. Lucia. Learn more about the Appellation ...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Thanks to my monthly patrons! Check out my page and become one today. Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes are the co-founders of Black Lagoon . Kelsey co-founded Trash Collective , which in part focuses on sustainability in hospitality. Check out their sustainability recipe tips. She's also worked at bars like Supernova Ballroom and Dandelyan Erin is currently the beverage director at Fairmont Century Plaza and has worked at bars like Lost Lake and Three Dots and a Dash . Check out Erin's ready-to-drin...
Sep 06, 2022•55 min
Today's episode is brought to you by a handful of my patrons: Drew, Jenine, and Leslie. You can read more about the benefits they're enjoying here . Follow Ryan and J. Rieger & Co. The first place Ryan mentions working is Pierpont's . This is where he had both a terrible and life-changing Sazerac . He mentions ingredients like Peychaud's , Old Overholt , and Grand Absenté . He mentions Mr. Boston cocktail books as well as Dale Degroff's The Craft of the Cocktail . Ryan talks about visiting b...
Aug 16, 2022•56 min
Thanks to my guest stars Arianna Hone and Marshall Minaya . Tales of the Cocktail Foundation , Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP), Spirited Awards Marshall mentioned Normindia gin, which employs Calvados I discussed a wonderful session on clarifying milk featuring Garreth Howells We discussed the increased wellness push at Tales involving Seedlip , Arianna's Espresso Martini courtesy of Lyre's, and Livener by Three Spirit . Bars : Peychaud's , Arnaud's , Two Schmuck's , Clover Club , Leyenda Peop...
Aug 02, 2022•46 min
