Required Drinking

Explore the Mojito, Cuba's national cocktail that masterfully transforms fresh herbs and spirits into a deceptively refreshing drink. This episode reveals the drink's legendary 16th-century origins in Havana and the muddling technique essential to its success, proving why this spirit-forward cocktail deserves its place in mixology history.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explores the art of crafting the perfect martini, debunking the myth that dry means vermouth-free. Emphasizes that temperature and balance are key to creating a quality drink, and that even a dry martini requires vermouth to achieve its magical flavor profile.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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This episode examines the whiskey sour, cocktail bartending's great divider. The difference between amateur and professional bartenders comes down to one technique: the dry shake with egg white. Learn how three simple ingredients transform into liquid velvet when prepared correctly.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the true origins of the daiquiri, a cocktail far older and more elegant than popular belief suggests. Created in Cuba around 1898 by American mining engineer Jennings Cox, the daiquiri invented the sour formula that every citrus cocktail owes rent to. Discover how this classic drink came from a simple mix of white rum, lime juice, and sugar.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the Espresso Martini, a sophisticated yet stimulating cocktail that defies its martini name. This Required Drinking episode traces the drink's invention in 1980s London by Dick Bradsell, revealing how vodka, fresh espresso, and coffee liqueur unexpectedly combined to create a perfect late-night libation.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explore the iconic Negroni cocktail in this episode of Required Drinking. Learn the classic origin story of Count Camillo Negroni's 1919 invention at Café Casoni in Florence, and discover why most bartenders make the common mistake of shaking instead of stirring this deceptively simple equal-parts drink.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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The Old Fashioned is a three-ingredient whiskey cocktail that sparked a debate about simplicity in bartending. Born in the 1880s as a pushback against over-complicated drinks, it remains a essential classic often made incorrectly with too much sugar and insufficient stirring.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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Explores the history and proper technique for making a margarita, revealing why most versions are wrong. Discusses how the classic 1940s Mexican cocktail uses the sour formula with a genius salt rim that blocks bitter flavors and amplifies lime brightness. Emphasizes the importance of fresh lime juice and perfect salt rim execution.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
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There are hundreds of cocktails out there -- but only a hundred you actually need to know. Required Drinking breaks down one essential cocktail per episode in about three minutes: the recipe, the history, the technique, and the right glass. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

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More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
stickynotepodcasts.com