The Buildout
Episodes
The Benton’s Old Fashioned
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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” spirit...
Ti' Punch
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 comp...
The Cosmopolitan
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Cec...
The Whiskey Sour
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 cock...
The Rob Roy
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In an exploration of the world’s most famous Scotch whisky cocktail — The Rob Roy — Adam Montgomerie, a Scottish native and bar manager at Hawks...
The Caipirinha
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’re exploring Brazil’s most iconic cocktail today — the Caipirinha — with Gui Jaroschy, the Miami-based co-founder of Unfiltered Hospitality...
The Vieux Carré
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of multiple iconic New Orleans cocktails, the Vieux Carré pays particular homage to the city and its inhabitants via its ingredients. Familiarizi...
The Espresso Martini
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode of Cocktail College, we tackle the decidedly trending Espresso Martini with Lauren Paylor. Have you ever questioned whether vodka i...
Techniques: Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the second installment of our "techniques" episodes, we sit down with Derek Brown, author of Mindful Mixology, to learn how to craft better non-alc...
The Vesper
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’re breaking all the Martini purists’ rules today, as we shake up some Vespers with Patrick Smith, the manager of bar openings for Union Square ...
The Bee's Knees
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stepping away from the bar (and the bee hives) for a quick chat today, Caledonia Spirits’ Sam Nelis checks into Cocktail College to dive into the Be...
The Grasshopper
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hopping into your feed today we have New York's Pamela Wiznitzer talking all about The Grasshopper — a cocktail she counts in her top-five drinks, a...
The Jungle Bird
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A curious concoction that brings Campari to the tiki sphere, the Jungle Bird has soared in popularity over the last decade. Richard Boccato, owner of ...
The Zombie
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A boozy Tiki classic, the Zombie’s reputation has benefitted from ample helpings of marketing and mysticism. With a lengthy list of ingredients, it’...
Techniques: Acid Adjusting
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The importance of technique is one of the major foundations of Cocktail College. So, in today’s episode, we’re going to focus on one aspect of bar...
The Pornstar Martini
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Pornstar Martini seems custom designed to grab our attention, with its gaudy name, striking appearance, and dessert-inspired ingredients. And this...
The Piña Colada
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rum blends, juicing pineapples, late 70’s pop music, and a special little something called “coco biz” — these are all on the menu in this week...
The Long Island Iced Tea
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Traditional Long Island Iced Teas break all the rules that have since defined the craft cocktailmovement. But that doesn’t mean that — when made t...
The Paloma
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Among the world’s most refreshing and flavorful two-ingredient highballs, the Paloma is a simple composition that combines just tequila and grapefru...
The Sidecar
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we sit down with Joaquín Simó of New York’s Pouring Ribbons for a special Cognac tasting, all with the aim of exploring how ...
The Pisco Sour
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Pisco Sour offers a velvet, refreshing intro to the stunningly complex world of Pisco. Lynnette Marrero leads us on an exploration of both spirit ...
The French 75
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cocktail College returns with a bang this week, as we explore the Champagne-spiked, artillery-inspired French 75. Cognac expert Ms. Franky Marshall is...
The Margarita
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 Eri...
The Bamboo
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Daiquiri
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Mid-Season Special
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 highlight...
The Gin & Tonic
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Pink Gin
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being drenched in history and arriving with an attractive rose hue, Pink Gin — the cocktail — remains an outsider in the bartending world....
The Mojito
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Gimlet
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Gibson
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 M...
The Mai Tai
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
The Ramos Gin Fizz
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, t...
The Martini
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Sazerac
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Manhattan
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 firs...
The Old Fashioned
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Tim speaks with Eric Alperin, co-owner of The Varnish in Los Angeles, to dissect one of the world’s most iconic cocktails: The Old Fashioned. Eric l...
Introducing Cocktail College
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing the latest podcast from VinePair. Each week, managing editor Tim McKirdy sits down with America's best bartenders to learn how to perfect ...