The Banterists

The Banterists
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The Banterists is a brand-new podcast where three friends dive into big ideas, small obsessions and everything in between. Expect lively conversations, plenty of laughs, and honest opinions on everything from books, theatre, TV and fashion to music, art, exhibitions and whatever else grabs their attention that week. Thought-provoking, entertaining and full of personality, it’s like eavesdropping on your funniest friends over a drink. Coming soon to wherever you get your podcasts — tune in, join the conversation, and become one of The Banterists.

  1. 1d ago

    The Banterists - Kocktail Kev - Vodka Cocktails

    Vodka Cocktails: History, Production, and a Porn Star Martini The episode focuses on vodka-based cocktails, covering vodka’s origins, production methods, and a guided recipe for a Porn Star (Passion Fruit) Martini. It notes vodka’s strong association with northern Europe—especially Russia, Poland, Finland, and Sweden—along with disputed Russian and Polish claims to its invention, early medical uses, and early references in 1751 and 1405. The script describes early frozen distillation, the rise of home distilling, charcoal filtration, and the Smirnoff story from its 1864 founding through nationalization, the family’s emigration after the 1918 revolution, and U.S. expansion culminating in the Moscow Mule’s 1941 popularity. It explains modern vodka fermentation, distillation, dilution, and filtration, lists classic vodka cocktails, and gives step-by-step Porn Star Martini instructions topped with prosecco and passion fruit. Kevin enjoys his drink listening to Harry Styles busking on the street in Paxos, singing Treat People With Kindness. Kocktail Kev Music is called Velvet shadows full version by Kaazoom on Pixabay The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    The Banterists - Kocktail Kev - Vodka Cocktails

  2. Jul 17

    SE01 - E17 - Kocktail Kev - Sours

    Sours Explained: History, Egg Whites, and an Amaretto Sour Recipe In this Banterists cocktail segment,  Kev explores sour cocktails—drinks balancing spirit, acidity, and sweetness with acidity taking center stage—linking them to punches and tracing origins to British naval voyages where rum was mixed with lime or lemon to prevent scurvy, creating “grog.” The first menu-listed sour appeared in Toronto in 1856, and by 1860 sours were widely documented, with the whiskey sour becoming dominant in North America using bourbon or rye. The episode discusses egg white in Jerry Thomas’s 1862 recipe, shaking methods, and aquafaba as a vegan alternative. Kev then explains amaretto’s origins and production (almonds/apricot kernels, spices, aging) and demonstrates an Amaretto Sour with amaretto, lemon juice, a reduced amount of sugar syrup, optional bitters, egg white or aquafaba, shaken with ice and strained into a coupe, listening to Jessie Ware singing Remember Where You Are on top of the Dolomites; and a tease for vodka cocktails next time.   Kocktail Kev Music is called Velvet shadows full version by Kaazoom on Pixabay The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    SE01 - E17 - Kocktail Kev - Sours

  3. Jul 10

    Complimentary Therapies, interview with Jenny Harris

    Heatwaves, Homeopathy, and Weird Expressions: Jenny Harris on Complementary Therapies Phill, Jo, and guest Jenny Harris open with updates on a severe heatwave in France and Jo’s visit to the Fresh Air sculpture exhibition in Quenington, Cotswolds, then discuss a viral but fabricated Instagram story about a fake museum guide. They share “word of the week” terms tied to homeopathy (succussion, trituration, dynamization) and trade unusual British and French expressions. Jenny recounts growing up in Brazil where homeopathy is common, her training in reflexology, aromatherapy, reiki, and a degree in homeopathy, and her work supporting wellbeing in a cancer day center, hospice, and a UK primary-school “quiet place” project. She emphasises prevention, listening to the body, and complementary therapies alongside conventional medicine. The episode ends with light questions, recommendations (Madonna’s latest dance album, an Evonne Goolagong documentary, The Invite, a musical-theatre podcast), and closing remarks. Links Talk Musicals to me podcast  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-musicals-to-me-with-caroline-sheen/id1809880953 French Idioms Website https://www.theintrepidguide.com/funny-french-idioms/ The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    Complimentary Therapies, interview with Jenny Harris

  4. Jul 3

    Kocktail Kev - Spritzes

    Spritzes: From Aperol to the Hugo Spritz Kevin returns to the Banterists podcast cocktail segment,He introduces spritzes as alcoholic drinks diluted with sparkling wine or soda water, tracing the term to the German “spritzen” and the origin to Austrian soldiers in 1800s Veneto who added still water to strong wine, later evolving to sparkling water. He explains how adding bitters led to competing brands, highlighting Aperol, created by Luigi and Sylvia Barbieri and launched in 1919, with the Aperol Spritz popularised in the 1950s as the Venetian Spritz using the 3-2-1 ratio (Prosecco, Aperol, soda) plus orange. He lists spritz variations, then focuses on the Hugo Spritz (invented 2007), giving a recipe using mint, elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, soda, and citrus garnish, and closes with a Lake Iseo setting, listening to Mario Biondi singing This Is What You Are, and a teaser for sours next episode Links  Mario Biondi - This Is What You Are https://open.spotify.com/track/7KPUNvu6Vvh3FBsWU2HjeD?si=e967324d240e4024 Kocktail Kev Music is called Velvet shadows full version by Kaazoom on Pixabay The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    Kocktail Kev - Spritzes

  5. Jun 26

    History & Interview with Rachel Parton.

    Time Travel, Victorian Slang, and Medieval Reenactment with Rachel Parton Phil and Jo open The Banterists with a history theme inspired by rewatching Midnight in Paris and the idea that people romanticize other eras. They discuss a Swiss startup turning human urine into certified fertilizer approved in Switzerland and France, then share Victorian slang including “giggle mug,” “bitch the pot,” “tight as a boiled owl,” “not up to dick,” and “Cupid’s kettle drums.” Guest Rachel Parton explains moving to the Tarn-et-Garonne for the climate, rural medieval ambiance, and friendly locals, and shares childhood memories of growing up in Uganda. She describes medieval historical reenactment: authentic, hand-finished costumes, researching materials and sumptuary laws, cooking from The Forme of Cury, and the immersive break from modern life. Rachel would time travel, wants to meet Joan of Arc, and recommends Apple TV+’s Slow Horses; Phil recommends Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay, and Jo recommends a National Theatre cinema production and M&S Emperor’s teabags. Links National Theatre Live TV https://www.ntlive.com/plays/the-playboy-of-the-western-world/ Apple TV Slow Horses https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/slow-horses/umc.cmc.2szz3fdt71tl1ulnbp8utgq5o Apple TV Widows Bay  https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/widows-bay/umc.cmc.1zzly0vah46bnvnwf0qkrjhh2 Our podcast music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    History & Interview with Rachel Parton.

  6. Jun 19

    Kocktail Kev - Sparkling Wine Cocktails and the Venetian Sgroppino

    Sparkling Wine Cocktails and the Venetian Sgroppino Kevin discusses sparkling wine in cocktails, explaining Champagne’s strict French production rules and suggesting less expensive alternatives such a Prosecco and Cava. He outlines how bubbles are captured and compares three main production methods—ancestral (fruit-driven), tank/charmat (used for Prosecco), and traditional (used for champagne, cava, crémant, and English sparkling wine, producing a complex biscuity flavour). He also compares perceived sweetness: champagne’s acidity masking added sugar, cava’s drier style with no added sugar, and Prosecco’s sweeter, floral profile. After noting classic champagne cocktails (Champagne Cocktail, Kir Royale, Bellini/Rossini, French 75) and spritzes, he focuses on the 16th-century Venetian sgroppino (iced lemon and Prosecco), sharing a modern version using lemon sorbet, St-Germain (or elderflower syrup), and sparkling wine, plus non-alcoholic options. He then listens to Sunday Best by Surfaces at an English summer garden party. Link to Sunday Best by Surfaces https://open.spotify.com/album/2duDpY4Uajd6AeeFK7bW77?si=7l1X6bisSFG7tQHWhc6x4w Kocktail Kev Music is called Velvet shadows full version by Kaazoom on Pixabay The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    Kocktail Kev - Sparkling Wine Cocktails and the Venetian Sgroppino

  7. Jun 12

    Literature

    Phil and Jo host The Banterists without Lily, share a listener recommendation for Tuscany’s Tarot Garden by Niki de Saint Phalle, and discuss literature. Jo highlights spoof/parody books, including the 2014 self-published Ladybird-style Go to the Gallery that inspired Penguin’s 2015 grown-up Ladybird spoofs (over five million sold) and mentions legal action, plus Sean Lock’s The Tiger Who Came for a Pint. They share words and origins: “petrichor,” “apricity,” and “Svengali” from George du Maurier’s Trilby. Jo recommends biographies, focusing on war correspondent Martha Gellhorn and her links to Lee Miller, and they discuss actor autobiographies and adaptations. Quick-fire questions cover favorite books/authors and trivia (Shakespeare’s coined words; Guardian’s top novel Middlemarch; Lily’s favorite, Daphne du Maurier’s The House on the Strand). Recommendations include The Christopher’s, Two Weeks in August, The Playboy of the Western World, Netflix’s The Boroughs, and a Kylie documentary. Links Guardian Top 100 Novels: https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/may/12/the-100-best-novels-of-all-time Great essay on Martha Gellhorn: https://granta.com/products/granta-62-what-young-men-do/ And an old article on Martha Gellhorn from the Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/a-life-less-ordinary-1168141.html Phills Authors  Patrick Gale  https://galewarning.org Armistead Maupin https://www.armisteadmaupin.com Jo’s books she has read and recommends  Autobiography – Travels with myself and another - Martha Gellhorn Biography - Martha Gellhorn: A Life by Caroline Moorehead Lily’s favourite book: House on the Strand – Daphne Du Maurier Recomendings  The Boroughs - on Netflix Two Weeks in August - BBC I Player Our podcast music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    Literature

  8. Jun 5

    Kocktail Kev - Negronis

    Kevin thanks listeners who contacted the Banter Trust email and answers Charlotte in Boston’s question about what music and places he associates with each cocktail, pairing a whisky mac with a Scottish ceilidh and Wolfstone, and a margarita with an elegant oceanfront bar in Tijuana and Catrell and Paco Amoroso. This week’s drink is the Negroni, which he describes as a balanced sweet-bitter cocktail made with gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, sharing a favored origin story involving Count Camillo Negroni and the evolution from the Milano-Torino to the Americano. He explains Campari and vermouth backgrounds, then gives his recipe (2 gin, 2 Campari, 1 sweet vermouth, stirring and serving over a large ice cube with orange peel), plus variations like Americano, sbagliato, or using Aperol. He would enjoy the Negroni in a dim, velvet underground New York bar with trumpet jazz, previews champagne and Prosecco cocktails next, credits “Guilford’s Guide,” and shares contact and rating details. 00:00 Welcome and Listener Question 00:46 Cocktail Vibes Whiskey Mac 01:12 Margarita Travel Daydream 01:40 Meet the Negroni 02:08 Negroni Origin Story 03:07 Ingredients Deep Dive 04:41 Mixing the Classic Recipe 05:18 Garnish Tips and Variations 06:12 Where to Drink It 06:31 Wrap Up and Next Episode 06:49 Podcast Outro and Contact Kevs music recomending Ibrahim maalouf playing True Sorry  https://open.spotify.com/track/5EzGOkUwkRUXYAyvjlEHah?si=ecbd8a49028a4946 Kocktail Kev Music is called Velvet shadows full version by Kaazoom on Pixabay The Banterists music is called  ‘The best jazz club in New Orleans’ Music by Paolo Argento from Pixabay

    Kocktail Kev - Negronis
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About

The Banterists is a brand-new podcast where three friends dive into big ideas, small obsessions and everything in between. Expect lively conversations, plenty of laughs, and honest opinions on everything from books, theatre, TV and fashion to music, art, exhibitions and whatever else grabs their attention that week. Thought-provoking, entertaining and full of personality, it’s like eavesdropping on your funniest friends over a drink. Coming soon to wherever you get your podcasts — tune in, join the conversation, and become one of The Banterists.

Information

  • Creator
    The Banterists
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Banterists
  • Show Website
    The Banterists

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