Cocktail College

VinePair
  • 4.8 (256)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Want to take your bartending skills to the next level? Join VinePair managing editor Tim McKirdy for a weekly deep-dive into classic cocktails with America’s best bartenders. Cocktail College looks beyond the recipe and explores every aspect of mixology from ingredients and ice to shaking techniques, garnishes, and glassware — elevating your Martinis, Mai Tais, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO

    Introducing VinePair’s Newest Podcast The Buildout

    Introducing The Buildout — launching next week. Every great bar has a story. We’re going behind the scenes with the people who built them: the founders, dreamers, and industry legends shaping the world’s most inspiring drinking destinations. From Maison Premiere to The Dead Rabbit, Long Island Bar, Schmuck, and beyond — this is how the world’s best bars get built. Follow us @buildoutpodcast Hosted by VinePair Co-Founder @adamteeter Produced and edited by @dolldoctor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 min

  2. NOV 6

    The McKirdy Martini

    After hundreds of cocktails, countless techniques, and one unforgettable journey through the art of mixology, Cocktail College is closing the tab. For our final session, we’re doing something a little different: Tim is stepping into the guest seat to share his personal Martini recipe and reflect on what makes the Martini such an iconic cocktail. If you’d like to follow Tim’s next chapter, you can find him on Instagram @timmckirdy. In the meantime, let’s enjoy one last Martini together!   Tim McKirdy's Martini Recipe    - 3 ½ ounces London Dry gin, such Tanqueray or Ford’s  - ½ ounce Dolin dry vermouth  - 2 dashes Regans’ orange bitters  - Garnish: lemon twist    Directions    1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.  2. Stir until well chilled.  3. Strain into a frozen Coupe glass.  4. Express and discard lemon twist to garnish.    📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com    🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min

  3. OCT 30

    The (Re)Gibson

    Is the Gibson a garnish, a riff, or a true standalone cocktail? In this episode, Sother Teague returns to Cocktail College to unpack his favorite pickled-onion Martini. From origins and oddities to the art of pickling itself, we explore what makes the Gibson unique — and why it’s become both a personal and community touchstone for Sother. Listen on (or read below) to discover Sother's Gibson recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!    Sother Teague's Gibson Recipe  - 2 ½ ounces London Dry gin, such as Hayman's - ½ ounce Dolin dry vermouth - 1-2 bar spoons Rakkyo brine - Garnish: 3 pickled rakkyos Directions    1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir until well chilled. 3. Strain into a frozen Nick & Nora or Coupe glass. 4. Garnish with 1-3 pickled and chilled rakkyos.   📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com  🎧 Related episodes:  (7) The Gibson (54) Dirty Martini   🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  - Sother: https://www.instagram.com/creativedrunk/ - Amor y Amargo: https://www.instagram.com/amoryamargo/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m

  4. OCT 23

    The Corpse Reviver No. 1

    Not all Corpse Revivers are created equal. No. 1 is dark, stirred, and elusive — a Cognac, apple brandy, and vermouth build codified in the Savoy but often overshadowed by its brighter sibling. Ben Hopkins of Brooklyn’s Pitts and Agi’s Counter joins Cocktail College to explore lineage, balance, and what it means to revive a drink with no citrus safety net. Listen on (or read below) to discover Ben's Corpse Reviver No. 1 recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!    Ben Hopkins' Corpse Reviver No. 1 Recipe  - 4 dashes Regans' orange bitters - 1 ounce Method sweet vermouth - 1 ounce Distillerie La Monnerie Calvados - 1 ounce D'Ussé XO Cognac (or Hennessy VSOP) - Garnish: grapefruit twist   Directions    1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir until well chilled. 3. Double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass or brandy snifter. 4. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.   📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com  🎧 Related episodes:  (48) Corpse Reviver No. 2   🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  - Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benhopkinsbenhopkins/ - Pitts: https://www.instagram.com/pitts_bk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 14m

  5. OCT 16

    Techniques: Solubility

    Solubility sounds wonky, but it’s really the bartender’s key to moving flavor, color, texture, and aroma with purpose. In this Techniques episode, Eamon Rockey joins Cocktail College to turn it into a toolkit: choosing the right solvent (water, acid, alcohol, fat), when to use time/temperature/pressure (sous vide, vac machine, iSi whipper), and real-world cases (herbs, berry “consommé,” and chocolate) — plus how Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur embodies all of these ideas. Listen on to learn more — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!    📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com  🎧 Related episodes:  (136) Techniques: Preservation   🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  - Eamon: https://www.instagram.com/eamonrockey/ - Rockey's Liqueur: https://www.instagram.com/rockeysliqueur/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 23m

  6. OCT 9

    The Amaro Shakerato

    Can a cocktail really be made from just one ingredient? The Amaro Shakerato says yes — and proves it in this episode. Robby Dow of Wilmington’s Bespoke joins Cocktail College to explore how amari check every classic cocktail box, and why shaking different expressions side by side can lead to wildly different — and delicious — results. Listen on (or read below) to discover Robby's Amaro Shakerato recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!    Robby Dow's Amaro Shakerato Recipe  - 2 ounces Bràulio   Directions    1. Add Bràulio into a shaker tin with ice. 2. Shake until chilled with Kold Draft cubes — about 7 seconds. 3. Strain into the other side of the tin. Discard ice and reverse dry shake until you hear no more ice chips. 4. Strain into a frozen Nick & Nora or Coupe glass. 5. Rest for a moment before serving or drinking.   📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com  🤓 Read more: Why You Should Know About Bràulio, the Insider’s Amaro 🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  - Robby: https://www.instagram.com/thevodkaartist/ - Bespoke: https://www.instagram.com/bespoke.nc/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 7m

  7. OCT 2

    The Air Mail

    Born in the golden age of aviation, the Air Mail combines rum, lime, honey, and Champagne into a twinkling mix of glamour and effervescence. In this episode, Leanne Favre of Brooklyn’s Dolores joins Cocktail College to explore the drink’s Cuban roots, its place between the French 75 and Old Cuban, and how to reimagine it today. Listen on (or read below) to discover Leanne's Air Mail recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!    Leanne Favre's Air Mail Recipe  - ¾ ounce honey syrup - ¾ ounce fresh lime juice - 1 ½ ounces Probitas rum - 1 ½ ounces Champagne - Garnish: lime twist Directions    1. Add honey syrup, lime, and rum to a cocktail shaker with ice. 2. Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled Highball glass with Kold Draft ice. 3. Top with Champagne. 4. Express a lime twist and lean on the rim to garnish.   📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com  🤓 Read more: The Acid Test: What’s the Best Version of Lime Juice for Cocktails? 🎧 Related episodes:  (16) French 75 (13) Daiquiri   🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  - Leanne: https://www.instagram.com/love_le/ - Dolores: https://www.instagram.com/dolores.bk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  8. SEP 25

    The Miami Vice

    Half Piña Colada, half Strawberry Daiquiri, the Miami Vice is a frozen classic that became a symbol of resort culture and blender-fueled excess. Bold, colorful, and built for poolside drinking, it’s also a drink with surprising craft potential. Joining us to explore it is Miranda Midler, head bartender at NYC’s soon-to-open Oriana. Listen on (or read below) to discover Mirandas's Miami Vice recipe — and don't forget to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts!    Miranda Midlers's Miami Vice Recipe  (Half Strawberry Daiquiri / Half Piña Colada) Strawberry Daiquiri Ingredients - 2 ounces white rum, such as Denizen 5 year, Pa’lante Rum, or Bacardí - 1 ounce fresh lime juice - ¾ ounce simple syrup - Handful frozen strawberries, straight from the freezer, pulverized to a puree Directions - Blend all ingredients with ice or add to a frozen drinks machine Piña Colada Ingredients - 1 ounce Cruzan Black Strap rum - 1 ounce Appleton Estate - ½ ounce Rhum J.M. Agricole - 2 ounces Coco Lopez - 3 ounces pineapple juice, frozen to slushee consistency (Dole or fresh squeezed) - ¾ ounce fresh lime juice - 45 milliliters water (to dilute) Directions - Blend all ingredients with ice or add to a frozen drinks machine Miami Vice Assembly   - Layer in a chilled Hurricane or Poco Grande glass, with Strawberry Daiquiri on the bottom and Piña Colada on top. - Garnish with an umbrella, pineapple fronds, toasted coconut, Angostura bitters, or nothing. 📧Get in touch: cocktailcollege@vinepair.com    🍸Follow us:    - VinePair: https://www.instagram.com/vinepair/  - Tim: https://www.instagram.com/timmckirdy/  - Miranda: https://www.instagram.com/mirandamidler/ - Oriana: https://www.instagram.com/oriana.nyc/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
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out of 5
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About

Want to take your bartending skills to the next level? Join VinePair managing editor Tim McKirdy for a weekly deep-dive into classic cocktails with America’s best bartenders. Cocktail College looks beyond the recipe and explores every aspect of mixology from ingredients and ice to shaking techniques, garnishes, and glassware — elevating your Martinis, Mai Tais, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    VinePair
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    218
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © VinePair
  • Show Website
    Cocktail College

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