The Buildout

Latest Episodes:

The (Re)Espresso Martini Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

In the two years since we first covered the Espresso Martini, precious little has changed on the drink’s popularity front. In fact, it’s probably more popular now than ever. On reflection, this should come as no surprise, and today we’re joined by Stephen Kurpinsky — Mr. Black’s long-time U.S. brand ambassador — to learn exactly why that’s the case. Listen on (or read below) to discover Stephen’s Espresso Martini recipe — and don’t forget to like, review and subscribe!

Stephen Kurpinsky’s Espresso Martini Recipe

Ingredients

- 1 ½ ounces Mr. Black Cold Brew coffee liqueur

- 1 ounce vodka

- 1 ounce fresh espresso or cold brew concentrate

- ¼ ounce rich simple syrup (2:1)

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake until chilled.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Garnish with three coffee beans.

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The Vesper (re-run) Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

We’re stepping into the time machine today and digging deep into the Cocktail College vaults, as we resurface our conversation on the Vesper. Little did we know it when we first recorded this episode, but the Vesper has been on something of a quiet tear in recent times, with bartenders building on the Martini trend and lending their interpretations of this version of the cocktail to their menus. Join us for that chat was Patrick Smith, the then manager of bar openings for, and now senior beverage manager of, Union Square Hospitality Group. Listen on (or read below) to discover Smith’s Vesper recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Patrick Smith’s Vesper Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 ounces London Dry gin

- 1 ounce vodka

- 1 ounce of Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aéro d'Or

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until cold and strain into a chilled coupe glass.

3. Garnish with an expressed, manicured lemon twist.

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The Tuxedo Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

The Tuxedo is a complex cocktail in many different ways, but primarily because it has a number of… well, numbered variations, the most well-known of which contains sherry, which is a whole different category of variations itself. Luckily enough for us, we’re joined by the wonderful tutor (and bartender!) Kat Foster, an EMP alum and bar manager of Brooklyn’s Margot. Listen on (or read below) to discover Kat’s Tuxedo recipe — and don’t forget to like, review and subscribe!

Kat Foster’s Tuxedo Recipe

Ingredients

- 1 ½ ounces Old Tom Gin, such as Hayman’s or Ransom

- 1 ½ ounces Manzanilla sherry, such as Lustau or Valdespino

- 2 dashes orange bitters

- 2 dashes absinthe

- Splash (⅛ ounce) Maraschino liqueur

- Garnish: lemon twist

Directions

1. Add ingredients to a mixing glass, fill with ice, and stir for 30-40 seconds until chilled.

2. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.

3. Garnish with lemon twist.

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The 20th Century Cocktail Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

Named after "the most famous train in the world," today's drink sees us head to London with significant stops in New York and Chicago, as we explore the 20th Century Cocktail. Joining us to do so is Meredith Barry, the co-owner and operator of Platypus and New Society in St. Louis. Listen on (or read below) to discover Meredith’s 20th Century Cocktail recipe, and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!

Meredith Barry’s 20th Century Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces gin, such as Hayman’s or Plymouth
3/4 ounce Cocchi Americano
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/4 ounce creme de cacao, such as Tempus Fugit
2 dashes (1 dropper) saline solution

Directions

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled.
Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.

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The Saturn Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

In this planetary edition of Cocktail College, we’re joined by Ray Sakover to embark on a deep space exploration of The Saturn. Ray is the co-owner of New York’s recently opened Paradise Lost, and the cocktail in question is a lesser-known, gin-based blended tiki concoction. Listen on (or read below) to discover Ray’s Saturn recipe, and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!

Ray Sakover’s Saturn Recipe

Ingredients

5 drops 25% saline solution
½ ounce fresh lime Juice
½ ounce fresh lemon Juice
¼ ounce Boiron passion fruit puree
¼ ounce Orgeat Works Latitude 29 Orgeat
½ ounce Orgeat Works Toasted Orgeat
¼ ounce Thai Spice Falernum
½ ounce Hayman's Old Tom Gin
½ ounce Bimini Gin
1 ¼ ounces Perry's Tot Navy Strength Gin

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin.
Flash-blend with 8 ounces (1 cup) pebble ice for 5 seconds or until the tin is frosty.
Dump into a double rocks glass with 4 ounces of pebble ice.
Garnish with a lemon wheel, lime wheel, round rosette paper cocktail fan, and alien toys.

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The (Re)Margarita Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

We’re revisiting one of the world’s (and certainly America’s) most beloved cocktails with Maxwell Reis, beverage director at Los Angeles’ Mírate, and VinePair 50 and VinePair Next Wave Awards winner. Prepare to learn all about his distinct approach to the Margarita, and get ready to reconsider all things agave, from syrup to spirits. Listen on (or read below) to discover Max’s Margarita recipe, and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!

Maxwell Reis’ Mírate Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

1 ounce fresh lime juice
¾ ounce No-gave syrup**
2 ounces blanco tequila or mezcal
Garnish: orange- or sal-de-gusano-salted rim

Directions

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with 4 cubes of Hoshizaki ice.
Hard shake until cold.
Strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass over ice.

*No-gave Syrup Ingredients

2 parts water
2 parts demerara sugar
1 part honey, ideally single variety orange blossom

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Season’s Greetings! Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

During this holiday week, a quick season’s greetings from everyone here at Cocktail College and the VinePair HQ. See you next year, as we return to our regular programming on Jan 4th!

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The Martinez Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

A bonafide West Coast classic — one whose history is pretty agreed upon — the Martinez holds a very important place in cocktail history, as many believe it to be the bridge between the Manhattan and the Martini. But it’s so much more than that, and a drink deserving of a standalone episode. So here we are! Joining us is San Francisco local Nicolas Torres, the bar director of True Laurel. The Martinez is a drink Nico’s made countless times in its classic guise throughout his 15+ year career. It also offered the inspiration for one of the most popular proprietary drinks at True Laurel — one that’s been on the menu since day one. Listen on (or read below) to discover both of those recipes — and don’t forget to like, review and subscribe!

Nicolas Torres’ Martinez Recipe

Ingredients

- 1 ¾ ounces Old Tom gin

- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth, ideally French

- ¼ ounce (scant) Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

- 1 dash orange bitters

- 1 dash Angostura bitters

- Garnish: orange twist

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until chilled.

3. Strain into a petite coupe glass.

4. Garnish with orange twist.

In the Pines, Under the Palms Recipe (simplified)

Ingredients

- ¾ ounce coconut-washed rye

- ¾ ounce St. George Terroir gin

- ¾ ounce sweet vermouth

- ¼ ounce (scant) Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

- 1 dash Angostura bitters

- Garnish: pine tips, Arak

Directions

1. Mist a rocks glass with Arak.

2. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

3. Stir until chilled.

4. Strain into misted rocks glass over one large cube of ice.

4. Garnish with pine tips.

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The Gin Rickey Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

In Washington D.C., the Gin Rickey is not so much a preferred drink but part of the city’s cultural fabric. It is here, history and booze historians tell us, that gin cemented its status as the signature spirit of lime-scented highballs, before winning the hearts and palates of the social and political elite. Here to tell us how it did so, and why the Gin Rickey is so revered, is Andra “AJ” Johnson. A longtime D.C. resident and hospitality veteran, AJ is the managing partner of Serenata, in the city’s Union Market District, and founder of the Back to Black pop-up. Listen on (or read below) to discover AJ’s Gin Rickey recipe — and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!

Andra “AJ” Johnson’s Gin Rickey Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 ounces London Dry-style gin

- ½ ounce fresh lime juice

- 5 ounces club soda

- Garnish: fresh lime wedge

Directions

1. Add gin and lime to a chilled highball glass and stir slightly.

2. Top with club soda poured down a spiral bar spoon.

3. Carefully add ice.

4. Garnish with lime wedge.

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El Capitán Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

In simple terms, El Capitán is a Manhattan made with Pisco and garnished with an olive. As is so often the case, though, it’s worth noting that this drink is also so much more than that. El Capitán is a snapshot of Peruvian history — a celebration of the country’s iconic national spirit. Here to divulge more and dive deeper into all of the above, is Chicago-based Mike Ryan, the corporate director of beverage for Acurio International. Listen on (or read below) to discover Mike's El Capitán recipe — and don’t forget to like, review, and subscribe!

Mike Ryan’s El Capitán Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 ounces Acholado Pisco

- 1 ounce sweet vermouth

- 2 dashes Angostura bitters

- Garnish: green olive

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until chilled.

3. Strain into a chilled Coupe glass.

4. Garnish with a green olive.

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