Highball Politics

Latest Episodes:

1.25 Michelin Stars and Stripes with Brandyn Tepper of The Cocktail Academy Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

David and Rob interview traveling bar consultant Brandyn Tepper about the State of the Union and Katie Britt's bizarre response, as well as high-end cocktails and how to spot a high roller.

This week's signature drinks:

"Joe Biden" AKA "Freight Train Swizzle"

Aged rum
Green chartreuse
Falernum
Lime juice

“Katie Britt" AKA "Train Wreck"

Vodka or tequila
Triple sec
Rum
Coke
Lemonade

Make sure all ingredients come from plastic bottles!

Check out Brandyn's Cocktail Academy: https://www.cocktailacademyla.com/

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1.24 Los Angeles, California with David Valdez of Level 8 and The Spare Room Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

David and Rob chat with bartender David Valdez about the wild happenings at the Houston Brothers' Level 8 in DTLA, Hollywood history at The Spare Room in the Hollywood Roosevelt, plus a dash of politics and a potential No Labels ticket.

This week's signature drinks:

"Matcha Picchu"

Housemade Matcha Syrup
Gin
Pisco
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Egg white
Dehydrated flowers

"Steve Garvey" AKA "Blue Hawaiian"

Haku Japanese Vodka
Roku Japanese Gin
Cointreau
Blue Curaçao
Infused with Muskmelon
Topped with Starry (lemon-lime soda)

Garnish with a blue baby baseball and a red straw!

“Adam Schiff" AKA "Pasadena Negroni"

Rittenhouse Rye
Moot Madeira Vermouth
Aperol

Check out Level 8: https://www.level8dtla.com/

Check out The Spare Room: https://www.spareroomhollywood.com/

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1.23 Iowa Caucus Special Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

David and Rob share their own experiences and insights from the 2024 Iowa GOP Caucus, as well as what they learned from the locals.

This week's signature drinks:

"Iowa Toddy"

Cedar Ridge Rye Whiskey
Deal's Orchard Apple Cider
Local Hive Midwest Honey
Steaming hot water

Garnish with a cinnamon stick, steep for 5 minutes, and enjoy!

Ruthie Lager (Exile Brewing Co.)

Check out Ruthie's story: https://untappd.com/b/exile-brewing-company-ruthie/233815

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1.22 Charleston, South Carolina with Chris DiMattia of Recovery Room Tavern Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

David and Rob interview Recovery Room's owner Chris DiMattia about PBR, the 2024 election and why no one should underestimate former SC Governor Nikki Haley.

This week's signature drinks:

Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)

"Nikki Haley" AKA "Gin Bloody Mary"

Bombay Dry Gin
Tomato Juice
Lemon Juice
Hot pepper
Worcestershire
Ground cumin
Dash of black pepper

Garnish with a celery stalk and olives, and enjoy!

“Lindsey Graham" AKA "Hanky Panky"

Sweetgrass vodka
Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Fernet-Branca

Garnish with a peach twist

Check out Recovery Room Tavern: https://www.recoveryroomtavern.com/

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1.21 Special Episode with Tim Miller of The Bulwark and Showtime's The Circus Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

David and Rob interview special guest Tim Miller about his work on The Bulwark and Showtime's The Circus, as well as national politics, 2024 Presidential candidates, and some dangerously funny cocktails.

This week's signature cocktails:

"Mike Johnson's Dinosaur Voodoo"

2 oz Bourbon
1 oz Everclear (sub Vodka or White Rum)
4 oz Grape Juice
1 Cup Crushed Ice

Blend and enjoy!

“The Elderly Pickle" AKA "Pickle Down Economics"

2 oz Tito's Vodka
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
0.5 oz Pickle Juice
Olive

Served straight up like a martini

Check out Tim Miller's work on The Bulwark: https://www.thebulwark.com/author/tim-miller/

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1.20 Cedar Rapids, Iowa with Jaime Jackson of Taco Gato Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

David and Rob interview returning guest Jaime Jackson about Iowa's hot political climate, her latest restaurant in Cedar Rapids, and one very punny cocktail.

This week's specialty drinks:

"House Meowgarita"

Fresh lime juice
Agave syrup
Triple sec
Tequila

Bonus Cocktails:

“Nikki Haley"

1 can American light beer
Roll top of beer can in lime juice and Tajin
Hot sauce on top

"Ron DeSantis"

Layer 1:

Rum
Pineapple
Coconut Cream
Lime

Layer 2:

Rum
Lime
Sugar
Strawberry

Blue Curacao float on top

Check out Taco Gato: https://www.instagram.com/tacogatocr/

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1.19 Richfield, Wisconsin with Supper Club Guy of Johnny Manhattan's Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

David and Rob interview "Supper Club Guy" about Wisconsin's reputation as a crucial swing state, what a supper club is, and a new take on an Old Fashioned.

This week's specialty drinks:

"Wisconsin Old Fashioned" AKA "Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet"

Orange wedge
Maraschino cherry (the chemical red looking ones)
4 dashes of bitters
Sugar cube or half oz simple syrup
1.5 oz of Korbel Brandy
Topped with Ice and Sprite
Fruit is muddled with bitters and sugar, add liquor, ice, and soda

Variations:

"Sweet" = Sprite

"Press" = 1/2 Sprite and 1/2 Club Soda

"Sour" = Squirt

Bonus Cocktails:

“Tammy Baldwin*"

2 oz lemon vodka
half ounce of triple sec
half ounce simple syrup
half ounce of lemon juice
Shaken, strained into a sugar'd rim martini glass

"Ron Johnson*"

2 Oz of bourbon
half ounce of sweet vermouth
1 dash of bitters
Pour over rocks

*To be clear this is solely for the purposes of this podcast; we don't call these drinks these names at Johnny Manhattans.

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1.18 Iowa State Fair with Producer Miranda Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Producer Miranda and Rob interview David about his time at the 2023 Iowa State Fair. The gang talks politics, butter sculptures, Iowa history, Eminem, and Governor Kim Reynolds' efforts to keep the fair "Iowa nice."

This week's signature drink: 27° beer

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1.17 Maupin, Oregon with Stacie Rudolph of Rainbow Tavern Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

David and Rob interview Stacie Rudolph about living in the stoplight-free town of Maupin, how Mt. Hood Brewing's ownership has changed Rainbow Tavern, and why Maupin's largest American flag is currently upside down.

This week's specialty drinks:

"Key Lime 'Kaze"

Whipped cream vodka

Muddle lime juice

Simple syrup

Bonus Cocktails:

“Ron Wyden"

Cascadian Pale Ale

"Tina Kotek"

Ice Axe IPA

Check out Rainbow Tavern and Mt. Hood Brewing Co.:

https://mthoodbrewing.com/

https://mthoodbrewing.com/rainbow-tavern-menu/

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1.16 Highland Park, California with Rebecca Smoyer of Checker Hall Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Rob and David interview Rebecca Smoyer, bar manager and traveling bartender, about her time working on "Bar Rescue," the diverse community of Highland Park in East LA and why "muddle" is our new favorite word.

This week's specialty drinks:

"Carmen #6"

2 oz jalapeño infused blanco tequila

1/2 oz agave

1/2 oz Lime juice

1/2 oz pamplemouse liquor (can sub grapefruit juice)

1/4 oz yuzu juice

Shake and strain into an ice filled glass

Top with angostura bitters and grapefruit peel

Bonus Cocktails:

“George Santos" Mocktail

In shaker

Muddle :5 mint sprigs & 3 slices cucumber

Add:

1/4 oz yuzu juice

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

Shake with Ice

Strain over ice and top with seltzer

Make it a real cocktail by adding the “truth”

1.5 oz vodka or gin

Garnish with cucumber and mint sprig

"Joe Manchin" Sour

In shaker

2 oz Singani 63

.75 oz lemon juice

.75 oz simple syrup

.5 oz aquafaba ( the liquid that comes with canned chickpeas)

Shake and serve up or over ice

Garnish with lemon & Fee Bros old fashioned bitters

Check out Checker Hall and Lodge Room:

https://www.checkerhall.com/

https://www.lodgeroomhlp.com/

Check out Singani63:

https://singani63.com/

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