Bourbon Bottles and Mind Boggles

This Bourbon Bottle episode might leave a bitter taste in your mouth, mostly because the vinegar in this mocktail needs to be balanced just right. But fear not, a dash of sugar goes a long way. Join the ladies as they raise a glass perfectly suited for their special guest today, Katie Spotz, endurance athlete and all-around Good Samaritan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon (or bourbon substitute)
• 1 ounce sherry (or sherry substitute)
• 1 ounce banana liqueur (or banana syrup)
• 1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

• Add ice to a shaker and combine all the ingredients.
• Shake until chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
• Garnish with a slice of lemon.

In this episode, Katy and Erin tackle the age-old question: Are you your role, or is your role just something you do? They dive into the messy ways Identity and Role can become tangled together, share their own experiences, and offer practical insights on untangling the knot. Expect honest conversation, a few lightbulb moments, and maybe a gentle reminder that you're more than what's on your business card.

Back by popular demand (and because we couldn't stop thinking about the cocktail), we're replaying this fan-favorite episode featuring guest bartender Court DeLuca. Armed with a shaker, a whiskey sour, and a collection of heartwarming stories, Court whisks Katy and Erin, and listeners away on a memorable journey. Pour yourself a drink and join us for laughs, good conversation, and a reminder that the best stories are often served over ice.

How to make The Whiskey Sour

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of Bourbon
• 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 ounces of simple syrup
• 1 egg
• Dash of bitters

Instructions

• Combine bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white (no yolk) into a cocktail shaker without ice.
• Shake vigorously until egg white creates a foam.
• Add and handful of ice to the shaker and shake to chill the cocktail.
• Strain into a rocks glass.
• Garnish with a couple drops of bitters.

Katy and Erin dive headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of adult friendships. The kind where you love your friends deeply while realized at the same time you haven’t seen them in months.   They candidly unpack how we make new friends without feeling like we’re awkwardly auditioning, how we keep the old ones, and why these relationships matter more than ever in our later years. 

Katy and Erin kick off this episode by belting out a classic song — and yes, they absolutely commit to keeping it going throughout the episode.  Layering in fun facts and delightfully obscure trivia about the tune, they almost forget their making a cocktail.  It’s simple, dangerously delicious and perfect to sip while sitting on your front porch swing.  Please enjoy the Bourbon Summer Breeze.

Ingredients

·     2 1/2 ounces of Bourbon

·      3 1/2 ounces of apple juice
·      8 ounces of ginger ale
·      All spice

·      3-4 dashes of bitters
·      1/2 pear, thinly sliced

·      Garnish: sprigs of thyme

Instructions

o   In a large pitcher of jug, add a large handful of ice.

o   Pour in the apple juice, ginger ale, and bourbon.

o   Add the pear slices, all spice and bitters.

o   Stir until well mixed.

o   Pour into rocks glasses.

o   Garnish with a springs of thyme.

Today we're bringing back a fan favorite when Katy and Erin were joined by Erin’s cousin Helen for a heartfelt conversation about the lasting impact of 4-H and the programs that help young people build confidence, leadership, and life skills that stick with them for years to come. The trio also shared stories about the mentors who shaped their lives, and explore the simple, meaningful ways we can all show up as mentors for others.

Today we’re bringing back a classic from the early days of the show when Katy and Erin were joined by guest bartender Marc, Katy’s husband.   He shook things up with a bold twist on a timeless favorite: the Tequila Old Fashioned. Expect great stories, strong pours, and a fresh take on the traditional cocktail.

This episode is packed with girl power, as Katy and Erin dive into the serious, and not-so-serious realities of living in an all-female household. From emotional support chats to stealing clothes and bathroom schedules, they debate whether growing up in a house full of women was really all that different. Expect plenty of stories, lots of laughter, and an education on folding towels.

In this episode, Erin once again fearlessly experiments with getting the recipe right.  Joining Katy at the bar are Erin’s daughters, Caitlyn and Mikayla, for a spirited chat about cocktail favorites, questionable drink choices, and the occasional bartender confidence crisis. By the end of the episode, everyone agrees on one important truth: the Cowgirl Espresso Martini absolutely deserves a spot at the top of the favorites list.

How to make the Cowgirl Espresso Martini

Ingredients

·        1 1/2 ounces of Bourbon
·        1 1/2 ounces of chocolate cream liqueur
·        1 ounce of espresso or cold brew coffee

·        Garnish:  cocoa powder or ground coffee

Instructions

o   Fill shaker halfway with ice.

o   Pour in the espresso/coffee, bourbon and chocolate cream liqueur.

o   Shake vigorously.
o   With a strainer, pour into a chilled martini glass.

o   Garnish with cocoa powder or ground coffee.

In this episode, Katy and Erin try to figure out what “retirement” actually means (besides weekday naps). They’re joined by “Mother” Mary Gensler, who shares her 35-year career journey and how she finally decided it was time to clock out for good. Bonus: Mary reveals her exciting plans for a retirement that sounds busier than most full-time jobs.