The Buildout

Latest Episodes:

Techniques: Acid Adjusting Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

The importance of technique is one of the major foundations of Cocktail College. So, in today’s episode, we’re going to focus on one aspect of bartending that’s grown in prominence and gained a lot of attention in recent years: acid adjusting. We do so with a master of that technique — and friend of the show — Jack Schramm. Listen on to learn everything you need to know about altering the acidity of fresh citrus and how to deploy those ingredients in cocktails — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pornstar Martini Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

The Pornstar Martini seems custom designed to grab our attention, with its gaudy name, striking appearance, and dessert-inspired ingredients. And this drink is deserving of our attention — especially with other cocktails from a similar era now seeing a revival. In today’s episode, Pornstar Martini expert Laura Newman breaks down the cocktail in fine detail and offers multiple solutions for some of its trickier-to-obtain ingredients. Listen on (or read below) to discover Newman’s Pornstar Martini recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Laura Newman’s (Classic) Pornstar Martini Recipe

Ingredients

- 1 1⁄2 ounces vanilla vodka, such as Grey Goose La Vanille

- 1⁄2 ounce passion fruit liqueur

- 2 ounces passion fruit puree

- 2 barspoons vanilla sugar

- 2 ounces sparkling wine, ideally Champagne

Garnish:

- 1⁄2 fresh passion fruit

Directions

1. Add all ingredients except sparkling wine to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously until well-chilled and aerated.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Garnish with fresh passion fruit and a demi tasse spoon.

5. Serve with sparkling wine sidecar.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Piña Colada Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Rum blends, juicing pineapples, late 70’s pop music, and a special little something called “coco biz” — these are all on the menu in this week’s episode, which focuses on the Piña Colada. Leading our tropical escape is Ivy Mix, owner of Brooklyn’s Leyenda, author of Spirits of Latin America, and co-founder of the Speed Rack competition. Listen on (or read below) to discover Mix’s Piña Colada recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Ivy Mix’s Piña Colada Recipe

Ingredients

- 1 ounce Novo Fogo Cachaça

- ¾ ounce Don Q rum

- ¼ ounce El Dorado 3 Year Old

- ¾ ounce fresh pineapple juice

- 1 ounce “Coco Biz” (equal parts Coco Lopez and full fat coconut milk)

- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice

- 1 tsp simple syrup

Garnish:

- Freshly grated nutmeg

- Pineapple frond

- Jamaican dark rum float

Directions

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

2. Shake vigorously until well-chilled and aerated.

3. Strain into a crushed-ice-filled collins glass.

4. Float a small amount of Jamaican dark rum on top and garnish with nutmeg and pineapple fronds.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Long Island Iced Tea Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

Traditional Long Island Iced Teas break all the rules that have since defined the craft cocktail

movement. But that doesn’t mean that — when made to more exacting standards — we should

discount its merits as a quality cocktail. In today’s episode, Porchlight beverage director

Nicholas Bennett teaches us how to upgrade the LIIT. Listen on (or read below) to discover

Bennett’s Long Island Iced Tea recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Nicholas Bennett’s Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

Ingredients

- 1⁄2 ounce vodka

- 1⁄2 ounce London Dry gin

- 1⁄2 ounce white rum

- 1⁄2 ounce blanco tequila

- 1⁄2 ounce Cointreau

- 3⁄4 ounce fresh lemon juice

- 1/2 ounce simple syrup

- Coca Cola, to top

- 4 dashes Angostura bitters

Directions

1. Add vodka, gin, rum, tequila, Cointreau, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Shake until chilled.

3. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass.

4. Top with Coca Cola.

5. Finish with 4 dashes Angostura bitters and garnish with an optional orange or lemon wedge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Paloma Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

Among the world’s most refreshing and flavorful two-ingredient highballs, the Paloma is a simple composition that combines just tequila and grapefruit soda. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be treated like a “proper” cocktail, nor that you can’t apply some of the most advanced mixology techniques to take the drink to the next level. In this week’s episode, Jack Schramm teaches us how to do just that. Listen on (or read below) to discover Schramms’s Paloma recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Jack Schramm’s Paloma Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 ounces tequila, preferably Siete Leguas Blanco

- 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice

- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice

- ½ ounce simple syrup

- 5 drops 20 percent saline solution

- Club soda, to top

Directions

1. Build all ingredients except soda in a shaking tin.

2. Fill with ice and shake until chilled.

3. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass.

4. Top with soda.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sidecar Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

In today’s episode, we sit down with Joaquín Simó of New York’s Pouring Ribbons for a special Cognac tasting, all with the aim of exploring how bartenders select ingredients for specific cocktails and why. The cocktail in question is the Sidecar, and Joaquín shares a wealth of knowledge on how to make your version live up to the drink's rich heritage. Listen on (or read below) to discover Joaquín’s Sidecar recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Joaquín Simó’s Sidecar Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 ounces Cognac, preferably Pierre Ferrand 1840

- ¾ ounce Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao

- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

- 1 teaspoon rich demerara sugar syrup (2:1)

- Garnish: lemon twist

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice.

2. Shake until chilled.

3. Strain using a Hawthorne strainer into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pisco Sour Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

The Pisco Sour offers a velvet, refreshing intro to the stunningly complex world of Pisco. Lynnette Marrero leads us on an exploration of both spirit and drink in today’s episode, and shares her tips on how to master the iconic cocktail. Listen on (or read below) to discover Lynnette’s Pisco Sour recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Lynnette Marrero’s Pisco Sour Recipe

Ingredients

- 1 ounce cane simple syrup (2:1)

- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice

- ½ ounce fresh lime juice

- 2 ounces pisco, ideally acholado or quebranta

- 1 egg white

- Garnish: Angostura bitters

Directions

1. Add all ingredients (minus Angostura) to a Boston shaker and dry shake without ice until all ingredients are well incorporated.

2. Add ice and shake until chilled.

3. Strain half of the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass. Allow to settle for a moment, then slowly top with the rest of the drink.

4. Garnish with a few dashes of Angostura bitters.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The French 75 Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

Cocktail College returns with a bang this week, as we explore the Champagne-spiked, artillery-inspired French 75. Cognac expert Ms. Franky Marshall is on hand to share expert advice on navigating the drink’s base spirits, build, and ideal glassware. Listen on (or read below) to discover Franky’s French 75 recipe — and don’t forget to subscribe!

Ms. Franky Marshall’s French 75 Recipe

Ingredients

½ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
1 ounce of gin or Cognac
1 ½ - 2 ounces sparkling wine (ideally Champagne)
Garnish: lemon twist

Directions

Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and base spirit to a cocktail shaker with ice.
Lightly shake until chilled.
Fine-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Top with sparkling wine.
Express lemon twist over the cocktail from at least 6-8 inches above the glass and discard.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Margarita Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Tim digs deep into the Margarita with award-winning bartender and podcast host, Erick Castro. Prepare to learn all about Erick’s favorite Margarita riffs, why he thinks fresh lime juice can be even more important than tequila, and how integral the Margarita has been in his journey as a bartender. Listen on (or read below) to discover Erick’s Classic Margarita recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe!

Erick Castro’s Classic Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces blanco tequila, such as Olmeca Altos
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce agave syrup (3 parts agave nectar to 2 parts water)

Directions

Add all ingredients to a shaker with Kold Draft ice cubes.
Shake until cold.
Dump cocktail and ice into a cold, salt-rimmed rocks glass.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bamboo Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

For a century old cocktail, many aspects of The Bamboo make it a decidedly on-trend drink in today’s landscape. The Bamboo eschews a base spirit in favor of industry darling sherry, which also allows it to arrive with a lower alcohol content. To walk us through the complex, stirred blend of Spanish wine, vermouth, and bitters, we’re joined today by Alex Day, one of the partners of Death & Co. Listen on (or read below) to discover Alex’s Bamboo recipe. And don’t forget to subscribe!

Alex Day’s Bamboo Recipe

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces Amontillado sherry
¾ ounce blanc vermouth
¾ ounce dry vermouth
1 dash of orange bitters
Garnish: lemon twist

Directions

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Ideally the sherry and vermouths will be fridge cold prior to mixing, and stirring should take around two-thirds of the amount used to mix higher-ABV cocktails, such as the Martini.
Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected