Celebrated crime author-slash-entrepreneur Marcus Sakey joins me this week to talk about Ritual Zero Proof, the new company he launched in September. Ritual Zero Proof makes totally delicious alcohol-free whiskey and gin, perfect for mixing into your favorite cocktail recipes! We sampled Old Fashioneds and Gin & Tonics as were parked outside Ritual HQ on Irving Park Road. Discussed this week: The four months since Ritual launch, and the insane speed everything's been moving at. Bespoke Box's role in my Ritual discovery. The birth of Ritual... in Marcus's kitchen. We dared police to ask what we were doing. Can you drink Ritual beverages "neat?" Traditionally, creative people make terrible businessmen. I give an unpaid plug to Trader Joe's Quinoa Cowboy veggie burgers. How did Marcus know when to stop iterating the initial versions of Ritual whiskey and gin? If you like fried chicken, you'll love Ritual Zero Proof. When did Marcus know he had a legit business idea with Ritual? Millennials are totally down with the zero proof idea. The opportunity the "spirit alternative" category provides. Marcus's literary career, and whether it runs in conflict with Ritual's efforts. What does Marcus's writing schedule look like? The future of Marcus's books in Hollywood: "Will Smith is still interested." Car Con Carne is sponsored by C&H Financial Services