It’s Happy Hour! Ben and Matthew discuss the time and place for jiggers, why the fear of Boston shakers is worth it, and Matthew converts Ben over to the classy stylings of the mixing glass. Later they introduce one shaken and one stirred cocktail. So you can use all that new fancy equipment you just bought. (Affiliate) links below!

Ben’s is shaking up Ben’s Whiskey Sour, a whiskey sour with all the fixin’s. It’s got egg whites, it’s got bitters, it’s got high proof rye whiskey, it’s got Argentinian wine, and it’s got bacon. Wait. No bacon, but that might be something we should try. Anyway, even without the bacon it tastes as good as it looks: decadent and delicious.

Meanwhile Matthew is using his favorite piece of bar equipment, his mixing glass, to make you the Holy Schmitt. It’s a boozy battle between sweet and bitter with a sweet surprise hiding at the bottom. Sit down while you’re drinking this one folks and be prepared to stay a while.

Recipes after all the things below!

Too Long Didn’t Listen:

(00:00) Opening

(02:21) Creepy chanting and measuring device discussion

(05:50) Cobblers should stick to shoes

(07:58) The Boston cocktail massacre

(09:12) A man and his mixing glass

(12:45) Cocktail: Ben’s Whiskey Sour

(20:20) Cocktail: Holy Schmitt

(27:43) Closing

Ben’s Whiskey Sour

• 2 oz High Proof Rye Whiskey
• 1 oz Simple Syrup
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 small Egg White* (1/2 oz)
• Red Wine for float

Combine all ingredients except wine in a shaker with no ice. Shake for 5 seconds. Open shaker and fill with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top off with ride wine float. Add two brandied cherries as garnish.

*When using uncooked egg whites there is a small risk of exposure to foodborne illnesses. Do your own research and act accordingly.

Holy Schmitt

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 1/2 oz Benedictine
• 1/2 oz Amaro Nonino
• 1/4 oz Demerara Syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• Orange Twist for garnish
• Brandied cherry

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass, add ice and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Express orange oils over drink and add garnish to the glass along with a Luxardo cherry.

Optional: Add smoke

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Most of the following links are affiliate links. If you click on them and ultimately make a purchase we may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Products we own, like and use:

• Measuring tools
• OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
• OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
• OXO SteeL Double Jigger

• Shakers
• This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you...

You don’t need a jigger, you definitely need a Boston shaker, and you’ll want a mixing glass. Trust us. Or don’t! We’re talking about the mixing tools you MUST HAVE when you’re just getting started in the hobby. We’ll break down all of the options and then give you advice on what to pick. You don’t have to take the advice, but we’ll definitely say we told you so when the regret sets in. Actually, that sounds fun. Now come on, it’s time to shake things up with measured arguments made with stirring words. Let the pun begin!

Recipes from the show are below, after all the things.

(00:00) Mixing tools for measuring, shaking and stirring

(02:24) Measuring

(03:08) Jiggers: funny word, classy looks, and blazing fast.

(06:42) Angled measuring cups: not funny, not classy, not fast. Just better.

(08:44) Digital scales: for nerds. I like nerds.

(09:35) Shaking

(09:46) Boston Shaker: they almost never explode.

(13:04) Cobbler Shaker: pretty, and your cocktail will mostly come out, eventually.

(15:22) Parisian Shaker: for snooty people. I like snooty people too.

(16:30) Stirring

(18:40) Mixing Glass: you need one

(20:32) Pint Glasses: ok, you don’t need need one

(21:15) Mixing Glass Alternatives: but you look so cool when you use them

(22:23) Cocktail of the Week: Whiskey Sour

(29:45) Closing

• 2 oz whiskey (any whiskey will do but a 40%-45% ABV straight bourbon is recommended)
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Garnish: Lemon wheel and a brandied or maraschino cherry for the garnish
• Prepare a rocks glass or similar sized glass with fresh, clean ice. Combine the whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake aggressively until well chilled, roughly 8-12 seconds. Strain the cocktail into your prepared rocks glass. For the garnish place the cherry in the center of the lemon wheel, folding it around the cherry, and securing with a cocktail pick. Place on top of the drink.

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Most of the following links are affiliate links. If you click on them and ultimately make a purchase we may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Products we own, like and use:

• Measuring tools
• OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
• OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
• OXO SteeL Double Jigger

• Shakers
• This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you will need both
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Small Weighted Shaking Tin
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Large Weighted Shaking Tin
• Mixing Glasses/Tins

It’s Happy Hour! Ben and Matthew discuss the origins of The Perfect Sip, why they love making craft cocktails, and why you will too. They then describe how they want to build a fun and straightforward resource for amateur cocktail crafters old and new. Later they introduce their current favorite original recipes that they have created.

Ben’s Winter Vacation is a kicked up daiquiri with three simple winter flavored embellishments that make it as good as a holiday sojourn. Especially if you drink it while on an actual sojourn. Let us know if you do. Better yet, take us with you and we’ll make one for you!

Matthew’s Sunny Day is a serene gin sour layered with lavender and French liqueur that will have you strolling the sun soaked fields of Sault-en-Provence. Sure beats three laps around the Costco parking lot at lunch. (Get me a hot dog!)

Recipes after all the things below!

(00:00) Opening

(01:55) The Perfect Sip Origin Story

(04:50) Ben’s Journey

(10:05) Matthew’s Journey

(19:10) Cocktail: Winter Vacation

(28:30) Cocktail: Sunny Day

(35:15) Closing

• 2 oz White Rum
• 3/4 oz Lime Juice
• 1 oz Ginger Syrup
• 1 spritz of Rosemary Tincture
• 1 Lime Wheel for Garnish
• 1 Cinnamon Stick or Apple Wood chips for smoking
• Optional: Smoke the glass with a scorched cinnamon stick or smoking kit before shaking cocktail.
• Combine rum, lime juice, and ginger syrup in a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with the lime wheel and top with a spritz of the rosemary tincture.

• 2 oz London Dry Gin
• 3/4 oz chamomile-lavender syrup
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1/4 oz Lillet Blanc
• 2 dashes lavender bitters
• Lemon wheel for garnish (the sun)
• Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim of the glass.

Most of the following links are affiliate links. If you click on them and ultimately make a purchase we may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Products we own, like and use:

• Measuring tools
• OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
• OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
• OXO SteeL Double Jigger

• Shakers
• This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you will need both
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Small Weighted Shaking Tin
• Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Large Weighted Shaking Tin
• Mixing Glasses/Tins

Everything you need to know before getting started in the hobby of home cocktail crafting. We're covering the importance of quality ingredients, how to choose the right bottle of alcohol, and why you don't have enough ice. Oh, and we need to have a serious conversation about your bottles of citrus juice. And throw away that Margarita mix and get in here!

Recipes from the show are below after all the things.

(00:00) Introduction

(01:33) Quality cocktails require quality ingredients

(03:42) How to choose your booze

(08:17) Loose the (citrus) juice

(12:53) Homemade syrups are, well, simple

(16:53) You don't have enough ice

(23:18) It's the Cocktail of the Week: Fresh Ginger Fizz

(30:05) Closing

• 1 part sugar
• 1 part water
• Measure parts by volume or mass. Combine water and sugar in a sauce pan and heat over low heat and stir until sugar is just dissolved. Immediately remove from heat and let syrup cool to room temperature before using. Alternatively, you can combine sugar and water in a sealed container and shake until sugar is dissolved.

• 2 parts sugar
• 1 part water
• Measure parts by volume or mass. Combine water and sugar in a sauce pan and heat over low heat and stir until sugar is just dissolved. Immediately remove from heat and let syrup cool to room temperature before using. Alternatively, you can combine sugar and water in a sealed container and shake until sugar is dissolved though this process will take longer at larger quantities.

• 4 oz fresh ginger, roughly chopped (about 2-3 “thumbs”)
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Once it begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for at least five minutes. For a stronger flavor, simmer longer. Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature before straining out the ginger using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. You can store in the syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in a tightly sealed container.
• Note: You can peel the ginger if you want (a spoon works quite well) but it’s not necessary as the skin will be strained out later.

• 1 1/2 oz Rum
• 3/4 oz Homemade Ginger Syrup
• 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 oz of chilled club soda
• A lime wedge for garnish.
• Combine the rum, ginger syrup, and lime juice to a mixing glass and stir to combine. Add ice to a separate highball or similar glass until nearly full. Then pour the rum mixture into the serving glass over the ice. Add the club soda by pouring the soda against the side of the glass, not over the ice, to help preserve the bubbles. Gently stir with a long spoon by pulling your spoon up the side of the glass. Make a small cross-wise cut into the flesh of the lime wedge and use the cut to place the wedge on the rim of the serving glass.

Most of the following links are affiliate links. If you click on them and ultimately make a purchase we may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.

We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Brothers Ben and Matthew Henry, the creators of the Giant Cocktails podcast, invite you on a new adventure to find the Perfect Sip. This podcast dives into the art of home cocktail crafting for enthusiasts both old and new.

Starting September 17th, 2024, we’ll guide you through the skills, theory, and tools you need to create your own recipes and master the art of balance—one sip at a time. Catch us on Tuesdays for lessons on essential skills and cocktail theory, then join us for Happy Hour on Fridays where we swap recipes, debate the merits of fancy tools and exotic spirits, and share (mostly) good jokes.

Find us on Social Media

Instagram & Threads: @perfectsippodcast

https://www.instagram.com/perfectsippodcast

https://www.threads.net/@perfectsippodcast