click to listenThe Mikes go deep undercover and play both sides in a battle to discover the merits of Tim Powers's Cold War/Arabian Nights novel of intrigue and lots and lots of gin/djinn. It's Cocktail Time! Spirits of the Air In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour1 shot British gin1/2 shot apple juice (not cider)1/2 shot lemon juice1/4 shot orgeatShake and strain into coupe glass. Float a bit of prosecco on top, along with a dash of Angostura bitters. Garnish with a mint leaf. Take flight.

click to listen The Two Mike's rip out their charred hearts and shove them into a paper bag as they read The Stress Of Her Regard by Tim Powers.  Can they free themselves of this everything-plus-the-kitchen-sink-blood-sucking-Nephilim novel by climbing the Swiss Alps or do they just need to down a few hundred cocktails? It's Cocktail Time! Maid of the Mountain 2 shot German Brandy like Ashbach 1/2 shot Kirschwasser Shake with ice. Pour into a tall glass and top with club soda and cherry bitters. Song: %Origin of Love% by Mika

click to listen The Mikes' journey with Cormac McCarthy comes to an end, but they're still stuck on the road. They poke around the ashes and find some canned peaches of beauty nevertheless. It's Cocktail Time! Carrying the Fire Take two espresso cups. In one, pour a shot of cognac or overproof rum and add a sugar cube. Ignite (be CAREFUL!). In a second, make a shot of espresso. Douse the flames in the first cup with the espresso from the second. Garnish with a cocoa nib. Be sure the flame is extinguished, then enjoy. Chin chin! Closing music: "Water and Ash" by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis

Click to Listen The Two Mike's wish you a Happy Holidays and trim the tree with all sorts of viscera from the true American horror of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian. Hey, it is better than watching the news. It's Cocktail Time! Blood Orange Meridian  1 1/2  shots of brown Mescal  1 shot of Campari  1/2 shot dry sherry Shake with ice and pour over ice with a pinch of flake salt and bitters. Garnish with a blood orange.

click to listen The Mikes read some hi-falutin' literature about down-and-out folks. We tackle the first of our Cormac McCarthy books and find out the world is a nasty place. We're sure things will lighten up in the next books. It's Cocktail Time! The Cussed Mule In a jar muddle a quarter of a ripe peach with some mint. Add a two shots moonshine or white whiskey. Add ice and fill with ginger beer or ginger ale.  Closing Music: "Flop-eared Mule" The Skillet Lickers

 Click Here To Listen The Mikes finally finish reading and are ready to conclude their foray into the mind of R. R Ryan in the Echo of a Curse.  Is it Tom or Terry? Is it Vin or Vic?  Do mother and daughter have the same name?  And what about Don? WHAT ABOUT DON? It's Cocktail Time! "Don-Grow-A-Pair-Anon" Into an iced shaker and shake well : 2 shots of good English gin1 TB of Golden Syrup1/2 lemon squeezed Pour into a fluted glass and top with middling champagne.Chin Chin.

click to listen Our second foray into the forgotten fiction of R. R. Ryan. The Mikes rummage around the museum and find a few oddities, but nothing really to get excited about. Except that maybe people shouldn't keep big pools of acid under their floors, but that stands to reason. It's Cocktail Time! The Antidote In a cocktail shaker, muddle 12 strawberries15 blueberries15 fresh mint leaves1 tbsp. sugar1 tbsp. grated fresh gingerthen add4 shots vodka2 shots CointreauStir and decant into two glasses (you may strain it first or just dump it in).Garnish with lime wedge. Chin chin! closing music: "Superfreak" by Big Daddy 

Listen Here. The Two Mikes lock themselves in some creepy ass castle and swear not to move until they finish reading R.R. Ryan's  The Subjugated Beast.  Maybe it will release the murderous beasts hidden within their DNA or maybe after a few weeks, they will pretty much forget everything about what they read.  Let's celebrate and eat raw meat! IT'S COCKTAIL TIME! High Tea aka I Can't Feel My Legs 1/2 shot of Returner ( Earl Grey Liquor) 1/2 shot of Gin 1/2 shot of Rum 1/2 shot of Tequila 1/2 shot of Triple Sec 1 shot of Sour Mix Mix and pour into a tall glass of ice and top with a splash of cola. Chin Chin.

click to listen Mike and Mike round out their tour of Ray Russell's horror career with his 1974 skeeze classic of sexual liberation and ickiness. Gallons of ickiness. It's Cocktail Time! Screamin' Demon Semen In a shot glass layer, 1/3 shot butterscotch schnapps1/3 shot Irish cream1/3 shot rumadd a few drops green Midori liqueur on top.Shoot it (in the head). closing music: "Electric Demons in Love" by Electric Six

Click To Listen The Mike's serpentine the sorely segmented stories of Sardonicus, Sagittarius and Sanguinarus and simply simultaneously squeak sophomoric silliness. Sneaky Ss strike stridently - start screaming straightaway.  So sorry. It's Cocktail Time The Lock Jaw 2 shots blended Scotch1/2 shot Apple Jack1/2  shot Fernet-Branca Bitter Liquor  Put in shaker of ice. Shack until frothy. Decant in a martini glass and garnish with a 10 penny nail.