Bartender at Large

For too many bartenders, sake remains one of the most intimidating sections of the back bar, with confusing labels and endless categories making it hard to know where to even begin. Luckily, this week we are joined by Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori, co-founders of the beloved Japanese beverage shop Umami Mart and authors of Everyday Sake: The Go-To Guide for Choosing, Pairing, and Serving. Together they ha...

This week we are joined by acclaimed spirits professional Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, to talk all things Tales going into this year's gathering in New Orleans. With over 400 events packed into six days, Tales of the Cocktail has grown into the premier destination for industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts alike, and Charlotte gives us an inside look at what to expect. In ad...

This week we are joined by Academy Award-nominated actor William H. Macy, who many of you know from his iconic roles in Fargo and Shameless, and co-founder of Colorado's own Woody Creek Distillers, along with Denver bartender Sean Kenyon, the man behind the legendary Williams & Graham. While most celebrity spirit brands are little more than a licensing deal, Macy has been hands-on with Woody Creek sinc...

As bartenders, we have a front-row seat to the modern dating scene — every night, we watch hopeful patrons shoot their shot, and most of them could use some coaching. Which is why this week we are joined by Dani Brand, writer and New York City bartender whose recent InsideHook article, "How to Hit on a Woman at a Bar," has been making the rounds across the industry. So tu...

The creator of RumChata, Tom Maas, sits down with us to reflect on his remarkable journey from brand builder to published author. Tom shares the story behind his new book, Tastes like Money, offering an inside look at the business of building a beloved beverage brand from the ground up. He pulls back the curtain on the wins, the lessons, and the grit it takes to turn a dream in...

Join us for a new perspective on the art of dining out with Adam Reiner, a James Beard Award-winning journalist who spent over two decades working in some of New York City's most celebrated restaurants, including Babbo, Carbone, and The Grill. Adam joins the show to discuss his new book, The New Rules of Dining Out, a book that offers practical, step-by-step advice on everything from soliciting recommendations from your server and ...

On this week's show, we sit down with Paul Clarke, Editor-in-Chief of Imbibe Magazine, to celebrate the publication's 20th anniversary. Paul explains how Imbibe has thrived for two decades by rejecting rapid expansion in favor of independent, intentional growth. Together, they trace the evolution of the craft cocktail movement—from hazy IPAs to mezcal Negronis—and unpack industry challenges lik...

Join us for a conversation with the James Beard Award-winning duo behind the new book, The Cocktail Sessions: Toby Maloney, award-winning bartender, and acclaimed author Emma Janzen. Toby draws on decades behind the bar to break down the fundamentals of classic cocktails, from the Daiquiri and Old Fashioned to the Negroni and beyond, revealing how small adjustments in balance, texture, temperature, and tec...

Join us for a conversation with Chuck Cerankosky, the restaurateur and visionary founder behind New York State's only annual weeklong spirits festival, the Rochester Cocktail Revival. Chuck takes us inside the festival's remarkable 13-year journey, from its 2014 launch with 2,000 attendees to a powerhouse event drawing more than 21,000 guests and featuring over 75 events across the city. He shares the stor...

Join us for a deep dive into the frothy, fragrant world of one of cocktail culture's most legendary creations as author John Shelton Reed joins the show to discuss his book, The Ramos Gin Fizz. John traces the fascinating history of this iconic New Orleans libation, from its invention at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon in 1888 to its reign as a Crescent City institution requiring the synchronized effort of "a ...

Join us for a conversation with Zane Lamprey, TV host, spirits expert and author once dubbed by The Washington Post as having "the greatest job in America." Zane takes us behind the scenes of his career journey, from traveling the world drinking with locals on his hit shows like, "Three Sheets," and "Chug", to performing stand-up in over 100 cities a year at breweries across the country. He also opens up a...

Join us this week as we chat with Irene Yoo, author of the celebrated cookbook Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean, which was recently named one of Wired's Best Cookbooks of 2025. In the episode, Yoo welcomes us into the traditions of Korean hospitality, from the ritual of never pouring your own drink to the three distinct stages of a proper Korean drinking session. As co-owner of Brooklyn's ...

Join us for one of the most extraordinary career journeys you will ever hear as Roberto Nuñez, National Brand Ambassador for Patrón Tequila, shares how he left the priesthood to become a bartender. Roberto opens up about his 15 years in the seminary, including working at the Vatican as a tour guide and ceremonier, before realizing that his true calling lay behind the bar. He also draws historical connectio...

Join us for a conversation with Philip Greene, acclaimed spirits historian and author of Sours: A History of the World's Most Storied Cocktail Style. Philip traces the time-tested combination of citrus and sugar when paired with spirits, from the humble Whiskey Sour to the Daiquiri, Sidecar, Margarita, and Cosmopolitan. He unpacks the fascinating history and lore behind these universally beloved beverages, revealing how a simple fo...

Join us for a conversation through the high-energy world of flair bartending with Tom Dyer, two-time World Champion, co-founder of the World Flair Association, and an educator with over 80 international competition wins to his name. Tom discusses his new book, Flair Bartending: The Origin, The Golden Era, The Untold, a stunning 500-page collector's edition co-authored with Marco Canova. He traces the art f...

Join us for a deep dive into the world of whiskey with Matt Klette, Head of Advocacy at Proximo Spirits, as we do a 101 introducory class on their whiskey portfolio. On the show, he walks us through the distinct stories and production methods behind Great Jones Distilling Co., Tin Cup, Stranahan's, Pendleton Whiskey, and the legendary Bushmills. He makes a compelling case for why American single malts and Irish whiskeys deserve a b...

Join us for a conversation with Michael and Zara Madrusan, the bartending power couple behind one of the most comprehensive new cocktail books in years: The Madrusan Cocktail Companion.

Drawing from their own extensive library of drink books dating back to 1862, they have crafted a spectacular compendium that traces the stories behind the cocktail canon alongside every imaginable twist on classics like the...

Join us for a candid and revealing conversation with acclaimed bartender, Will Pasternak, whose resume includes time at the Dead Rabbit and BlackTail in New York. Will shares the story behind BlackTail's recent pop-up and the invaluable insights it provided about how hospitality concepts must evolve to meet today's economic realities. He reflects on the delicate balance between creative ambition and operat...

Join us for a deep dive into the mindful drinking movement with acclaimed bartender and cocktail consultant, Camille Vidal, a leading voice in the world of non-alcoholic beverages. Camille shares how the category has evolved from basic soda water and juice into sophisticated, spirit-free cocktails that hold their own alongside traditional drinks. She breaks down the best practices for elevating the non-alc...