Six months after recording, weâ€re finally releasing our lone “Lost Episode” with Andy Wedge of Momofuku in New York City. As a continuation of last weekâ€s theme, hosts Mike and Kenneth explore the traditions of apertivo hour with Wedge, along with wine correspondent Alex Burch from Bastion. This is the last time the whole group was together in the studio going back to March 1, 2020.

Also covered: the legendary Garibaldi cocktail, pairing wine with spicy food, the difficulties of categorizing food, pairing wines with hip hop, and what sommeliers really think of white claw. To close, Mike follows up with Andy in the present time to discuss all the adversity he has faced since their chat in March.

Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon.

Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify.

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For a very special episode 50 (!) hosts Mike and Kenneth cover one of their favorite drinks, the Negroni. They go over the history of the drink, the fascinating rise of apertivo culture in America, as well as a few of the secret ingredients that make Campari so special. They also discuss a few recipes and how using salt in cocktails at home can transform your drinks. Other topics explored: was Count Negroni cool? Is Campari and soda the drink of futurism? Is there a cricket in the room? An enjoyable cap to Negroni Week indeed!

Be sure to read this Nashville Scene interview with Mike Wolf about his new book and the announcement of another wonderful surprise: Liquid Gold: The Book.

Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon.

Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify.

Music by Upright T-Rex Music.
Logo by Jess Machen

Agave month (extended) concludes with a discussion about the fascinating world of Sotol, a wild desert spirit from Central Mexico that is currently seeing a lot of interest in cocktail and drinking culture. Mike and Kenneth are joined by the head bartender of Husk Nashville, Adam Morgan, a big fan of Sotol whoâ€s been using it in cocktails for the last few years.

Also covered: cocktails with rhubarb amaro, the terroir of Sotol, and the difficulties of sustainability with desert plants. Booze Newsâ„¢ covers everything from Snoop Doggâ€s new gin to Nicolas Cage playing a vodka drinking, fire-breathing dragon. Adam shares a recipe from the new book to benefit TN Action for Hospitality, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis.

Order Mike’s new book, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon.

Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify.

Music by Upright T-Rex Music.
Logo by Jess Machen

Wild agaves are toasted as Mike dives into the varied world of Mezcal, Bacanora, and Raicilla before handing things off to Jessica Backhus of Delaney Oyster House in Charleston, South Carolina who reads a passage from the new ebook, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis. Patrick Goodspeed talks about his playlist to go along with the book as well as his delicious drink. Then Mike interviews Gabe Fuenmayor of Bar Sovereign about running a bar through a pandemic and his love for mezcal. Co-host Kenneth calls in with Booze News, discussing the wildfires in California and something we all need more of, boozy ice cream.

Order Mike’s new book, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon.

Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify.

Music by Upright T-Rex Music.
Logo by Jess Machen

Hosts Mike and Kenneth talk about a few of their favorite ingredients to mix with tequila, some of which may be growing in your yard. Mike reads an excerpt from Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis, the new eBook to benefit Tennessee hospitality workers, recipes are given for frozen cucumber Paloma’s and Kenneth talks about the magic of prickly pears.

Booze news makes a triumphant return in a land where no Hollywood heartthrobs are spared.

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Agave month meets the Summer of Shots as host Mike Wolf covers the nearly 100 hundred year history of Sangrita. The first non alcoholic shot in the world? The first next-level incarnation of grenadine? The reason Mike didn’t spend a night in Mexican jail? Those answers and more, with plenty of recipes!

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Hosts Mike and Kenneth kick off “Agave Month” on Liquid Gold, discussing the rock n’ roll history behind the Tequila Sunrise. They discuss the origins and seedy heyday of the drink, along with the film and songs that bear the drink’s name. Kenneth breaks out an unlikely Kurt Russel story, recipes are given and an exclusive quote from the Rolling Stones former tour manager is provided.

Later, they cover the Nashville Fashion House story and discuss the recent lawsuit involving downtown bachelorettes at Mockingbird Nashville. Darkest before the dawn, indeed.

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Mike and Kenneth continue the “Summer of Shots” series with a double dose of discourse. First they run down the origins of the class of drinks known as “Rickeys,” followed up by the incredible story of the jazz club in New Jersey where the Kamikaze was born. Plenty of recipes are thrown in, along with a new feature from Kenneth: Dog History. Also, Mike announces a special new book project.

Cited in this episode:

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Mike sits down with old friend and Creative Director of Standard Proof Whiskey, Robert Longhurst to talk about his signature Red Eye Rye Coffee Whiskey, trying to open a tasting room in a pandemic, and the secret to an amazing Mezcal Old Fashioned. Then Kenneth joins in for Booze News, discussing scotch in paper bottles, and the future of bottled cocktails.

Find Standard Proof Whiskey on Instagram @standardproof

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As summertime sets in, Mike and Kenneth debate some of the best thirst-quenching pilsners, covering locally brewed stalwarts, macro gas station tall boys and imports from across the pond. They also discuss some of their favorite black owned businesses to support in Nashville, Mike brings back “Gardentined” to discuss compost tea and enjoying blossoms from the garden, while Kenneth heads to Kentucky for a whiskey-soaked booze news.

Cheers!

Music by Upright T-Rex Music.
Logo by Jess Machen