Three Questions, Three Drinks with Chris Mikolay

LAUGHTER.  Proving they’re no one-hit wonder, Colt and Doug are back in the 3Q3D studio for another entertaining conversation.   Only this time they’re doing shots of crappy rum while pondering where funny comes from in this “Laughter” themed episode.        Drinks in this episode: >> Salty Dog cocktail – 1 ½ oz Tito’s vodka, 3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.  Pour vodka and grapefruit juice in a glass, mix and garnish with a salted rim.  >> Captain Morgan “Cannon Blast” shot >> UFO Big Squeeze Grapefruit Shandy

THE ART OF CONVERSATION.  Small talk is lame.  But how does one push past the superficial and have better conversations?  Chris and Amanda are joined by podcasting guru and “Master Provocateur” Brian Howie (host of the #1 dating and relationship podcast The Great Love Debate), for a fascinating conversation about…conversation.  If a good conversation is like a ping pong warmup, then this is one spirited volley.    Drinks in this episode: >> Lemon Lavender Shandy, Burnt Marshmallow Brewery >> High Noon pineapple vodka and soda >> French 75 Cocktail – 1 oz gin, ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ oz simple syrup, 3 oz Champagne (or other sparkling wine); combine ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake and strain into Champagne flute.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

BECOMING THE BEST DRESSED MAN IN THE ROOM.  JB Dunn, Jack Madda and Joe Paster believe personal style is more important than having no style at all, and for the past decade they’ve been helping men become the most confident version of themselves through their namesake J3 Clothing Company, one of the nicest men’s clothing stores in the nation.  Over good tequila and great bourbon, Chris and his fashion icon Mike Silvestro, CEO of FlexJet, ask Jack and JB why men should care how they dress, how a man can determine his own personal style, and whether pleated pants are indeed making a comeback.  Drinks in this episode: >> CasaMigos Añejo tequila, served neat >> Eagle Rare bourbon whiskey, Buffalo Trace distillery, served neat

TEACH ME SOMETHING. Believing everyone is in the Top 1% in the world at something, Chris challenges his frequent 3Q3D co-hosts, Amanda Adams and Matt Jordan, to teach him something from their respective areas of expertise.  At worst, you’ll learn why a yeasty 3 Philosopher’s Ale is a terrible chaser to a Sloe Gin Fizz, and at best, you’ll learn how to win your next argument, why not everything is relative, and what Julie Roberts and Richard Gere knew about negotiating. Drinks in this episode: >> Sloe Gin Fizz – 2 oz sloe gin, 1 ½ oz fresh lemon juice, ½ oz simple syrup; shake all ingredients in cocktail shaker and strain into a highball glass; top with splash of club soda and garnish with a Maraschino cherry   >> Gin & Tonic – 2 parts Burnett’s gin, 2 parts tonic; pour gin and tonic over ice and garnish with lime wedge >> Ommegang “Three Philosophers” ale

FRIENDSHIP!  In this episode exploring all things “friends”, 3Q3D newcomers Susie Schmitt and Belynda Thomas bond over the “Vacation in a Cup” cocktail and end up questioning their friendship with Chris.  Between sips of Sangria and bites of a Belynda’s Vegemite sandwich (from her native Australia), the group ponders how friendships evolve, whether men and women can truly be “just friends” and what kind of sinister deal Belynda has made with one of her best friends (aka Chris’s wife).    Drinks in this episode: >> “Vacation in a cup” – 2 parts Malibu rum, 1 part pineapple juice; pour over ice and top with a splash of club soda >> Mija Sangria >> The Long Drink (Sugar Free version)

FOOD FIGHT!  For the first time ever, the 3Q3D podcast hits the road, settles into a booth at a local gastropub and – between bites of great calamari and awful bruschetta – orders up a culinarily curious conversation.  Matt, apparently moonlighting as the New York Times food critic, determines he’s too good for Golden Corral and wonders whether it’s okay to be a picky eater.  Meanwhile, Amanda and Chris nearly come to blows over who is truly responsible for Chris being at least 10 pounds overweight.  All drinks in this episode courtesy of Tom the bartender at Lager & Vine: >> Aviation Martini – Hendrick’s gin, Crème de Violette, cherry juice, lemon juice   >> Lemon Martini – Limoncello, Absolut, lemon juice, simple syrup, garnished with a lemon >> “Hudson on Main” cocktail – Hendrick’s gin, St. Germain, mint, simple syrup, splash of fresh lime juice and tonic

TRAVEL!  3Q3D listeners, please put your seatbacks and tray tables in their upright and locked position and let your 3Q3D captains take you on an exotic adventure (or at least pour you an exotic drink).  Amanda hikes across England with an old school Cosmo in her canteen, Chris defends the “proper women” of Singapore and stirs up their local punch, and Matt heads to the Bayou, serves up a classic Vieux Carré and poses the show’s first “Would You Rather”.    Drinks in this Episode: >> Cosmopolitan cocktail (made the old fashioned way): 1 ½ oz Citron Vodka, 1 ½ oz Cointreau, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 1-2 dashes cranberry juice; pour ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously and serve in a martini glass.  >> Singapore Sling cocktail: ¾ oz Tangueray gin, ¼ oz Bénédictine, ¼ oz Grenadine, ¼ oz Cheery Heering, 1 oz pineapple juice, ½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice, 1 dash angostura bitters; pour ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously, serve in a chilled glass and garnish with orange slice and Maraschino cherry >> Vieux Carré cocktail: ¾ oz rye whiskey, ¾ oz cognac, ½ oz sweet vermouth, 2 teaspoons Bénédictine liqueur, a few dashes of aromatic bitters; pour into a cocktail glass over a large ice cube, stir and garnish with a Maraschino cherry

GIRL POWER!  How do you raise a strong daughter in the age of social media?  Each raising sets of teen and tween girls, Sally Kuss and Thad Meese share their perspective on navigating today’s often dangerous and uncharted parenting waters.  If you’re raising a child, and in particular a daughter, don’t miss this important and insightful conversation. Drinks in this Episode: >> Domaine des Cotes Blanches Sancerre >> Sho Chiku Bai, Junmai Saké >> Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA, Athletic Brewing Co.

DUMB QUESTIONS, ROUND 2.  3Q3D newcomers Colt McCutcheon and Doug Harvey bring just the right amount of wrong while contemplating several rounds of stupid questions.  Fueled by a random assortment of awful beer, incredible wine and a cocktail that will make you run into a wall, the show quickly falls off the rails as Colt envisions a world where Mr. T plays a starring role in the Green Mile and Doug theorizes Big Bird is abusing Snuffalufagus.  If prior episodes of 3Q3D were thoughtful and smart, well, this one feels like an 8th grade boys slumber party.  Drinks in this Episode: Harvey Wallbanger cocktail:  1 ½ oz Tito’s Vodka; 4 oz orange juice; mix vodka and OJ, pour over ice, and top with ½ oz Galliano L'Autentico Liqueur floater.  Garnish with orange slice and Maraschino cherry. Spottswoode 2017 Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, Napa Valley Natural Light 16 oz “Naturdays” Strawberry Lemonade beer Gennessee 16 oz beer

AGE & WISDOM!  As they contemplate what they’ve learned at life’s halfway point, Amanda mixes up a big girl Vodka Martini, Chris celebrates his birthday (and soothes a mid-life crisis) with a Birthday Cake Martini, and Matt argues we’re all just a few decisions away from a life of crime.  Oh, and stay tuned for the mystery guest who crashes the party and joins the conversation at the 33 minute mark.  Drinks in this Episode: Vodka martini, shaken – fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 ½ oz vodka and ½ oz dry vermouth and shake until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with 2 large blue cheese stuffed olives Birthday Cake Martini – 2 oz Smirnoff Whipped vodka, 1 ½ oz amaretto, 1 oz Godiva white chocolate liqueur, 2 oz heavy whipping cream; mix ingredients with ice in cocktail shaker, strain, and pour into martini glass.  Garnish with birthday cake sprinkles.  Old Fashioned – 2 oz Wild Turkey bourbon, ¼ oz simple syrup, a few dashes of angostura bitters.  Pour ingredients in a bourbon glass over one large ice cube, garnish with a Luxardo cherry and an orange peel.