The Cocktail Academy

In this episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian Cole takes a deep dive into one of the most beloved cocktail recipes in the world: the Bramble cocktail. Created in 1989 by the legendary Dick Bradsell, the Bramble has become a staple in bars and restaurants globally. Damian explores the history of this modern classic cocktail, shares the original recipe, and discusses his own variations that make this drink even more versatile and delicious. Whether you’re a professional bartender or a home mixologist, this episode is packed with insights into making the perfect Bramble and experimenting with its ingredients.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Origin of the Bramble Cocktail:

• The story behind the creation of the Bramble by Dick Bradsell in London’s Soho at Fred’s Bar.
• The inspiration for the Bramble’s name, rooted in Bradsell’s childhood memories of picking blackberries on the Isle of Wight.

1. Original Bramble Cocktail Recipe:

• A detailed breakdown of the classic Bramble recipe, including London Dry Gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, rich simple syrup, and creme de mure (blackberry liqueur).
• Step-by-step instructions on how to create the original Bramble, complete with tips on garnishing and presentation.

1. Modern Variations of the Bramble:

• Damian’s personal twist on the Bramble, including the use of lime juice instead of lemon juice for a slightly more aggressive flavor.
• The benefits of using cube dice instead of crushed ice in professional bar settings and how it affects the drink’s balance and texture.
• Incorporating fresh blackberries into the shaker for a deeper color and more robust flavor.

1. Creative Alternatives and Riffs:

• Suggestions for substituting gin with other spirits like tequila or rum to create unique Bramble variations.
• Exploring different liqueurs such as creme de cassis or even apricot liqueur to put a new spin on the classic.

1. Expert Tips for Bartenders and Cocktail Enthusiasts:

• The importance of selecting the right gin and liqueur brands for the Bramble.
• Advice on using fresh versus dehydrated garnishes and the impact of these choices on the final drink.

Quotable Moments:

• "The Bramble is essentially a gin sour with a quintessentially British twist—simple, delicious, and timeless." – Damian Cole
• "Whether you’re sticking to tradition or adding your own flair, the Bramble’s versatility makes it a favorite for bartenders and cocktail lovers alike." – Damian Cole

Host Contact Information:

• Instagram: @WeLoveCocktails
• TikTok: @WeLoveCocktailsx

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Cocktail Academy Podcast on your favorite platform. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with your friends who love cocktails and mixology. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more cocktail recipes and inspiration!

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In this episode of The Cocktail Academy, host Damian sits down with Laura Bonner, founder of The Muff Liquor Company, for a deep dive into how a Donegal girl with a bold dream turned her family roots (and potatoes!) into a premium international spirits brand.

Laura shares the very real ups and downs of building a business—from an idea sparked by her grandfather’s poitin to launching a spirits range that's now taking the U.S. by storm. You’ll hear the unfiltered story behind the cheeky brand name, the fight to be taken seriously, and how she landed global investors like Russell Crowe and Ed Sheeran.

Whether you're into Irish spirits, brand-building, or just a sucker for a great origin story, this one is packed with lessons, laughs, and serious hustle.

🥃 WHAT WE COVER:

• 🥔 Why Laura swapped law books for potatoes
• 🚀 The 12-year journey from idea to first bottle
• 🏭 Building a brand (before building a distillery)
• 🔥 The power of persistence and ignoring the naysayers
• 🍸 Why her gin isn’t juniper-heavy (and that’s the point)
• 🥃 Creating one of Ireland’s few peated whiskeys—and why it’s flying in the U.S.
• 🤝 How a shot of hustle landed her celebrity investors
• 📦 What cocktails and COVID taught her about consumer connection
• 🌍 Her mission to bring four Irish spirits to all 50 U.S. states

🔗 CONNECT WITH LAURA / THE MUFF LIQUOR COMPANY:

• Website: muffliquorcompany.com
• Instagram: @muffliquorcompany

🎙️ FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE:

If you loved this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’d appreciate a behind-the-scenes look at one of Ireland’s boldest spirits brands.

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🍸 Welcome to another flavorful episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast! Host Damian Cole dives into one of the most exciting trends shaking up the cocktail scene: savory cocktails. Forget the sugary, citrus-forward classics—this is all about bold umami, salty surprises, and earthy delights. From mushrooms and miso to parmesan and seaweed, bartenders are breaking new ground.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• What Are Savory Cocktails? How bartenders are redefining cocktail boundaries by incorporating unexpected ingredients like broth, cheese, and fermented elements.
• Key Ingredients:
• Mushrooms: Earthy and versatile for infusions and syrups.
• Cheese: From parmesan to Pecorino, adding depth and intrigue.
• Seaweed & Kelp: Oceanic flavors that bring a unique salinity.
• Miso: Sweet, salty, and umami-packed syrup inspiration.
• Brines: Beyond olive juice, homemade pickled vegetable brines are the new essential.
• Techniques You Can Try:
• Fat-Washing: From smoky bacon bourbon to coconut oil Campari, this technique adds texture and flavor.
• Infusions: Master simple methods to unlock the flavor potential of savory ingredients.
• Savory Cocktails Around the Globe: Discover standout drinks like the MSG Martini, Smoky Maria, Mole Negroni, and even a hot dog-inspired Weenie Martini.

Featured Drinks & Inspirations

1. MSG Martini - A gin martini elevated with MSG and brine, redefining umami elegance.
2. Mushroom Margarita - A tequila classic infused with earthy shiitake mushrooms.
3. Cold Pizza Cocktail (Double Chicken Please, NYC) - Tomato, parmesan, and mushroom combine for a liquid pizza experience.
4. Smoky Maria (Scarfes Bar, London) - Tequila, marmite, and smoked Clamato juice for a bold Bloody Mary twist.
5. Weenie Martini (Art in the Age, Philadelphia) - A hot dog-inspired vodka cocktail with all the savory garnishes.

Why Savory Cocktails Matter

• Culinary Crossovers: The blurred lines between food and drink are opening up limitless creativity.
• Elevated Palates: Today’s drinkers are more adventurous, embracing new flavor profiles.
• Bartender Innovation: As mixologists explore savory flavors, they’re setting new standards for cocktail menus worldwide.

Try This at Home

• Experiment with miso syrup in a margarita or sour.
• Infuse your favorite spirit with seaweed or mushrooms.
• Attempt a simple fat-wash using bacon or sesame oil.

Where Are Savory Cocktails Headed?

Damian predicts an even deeper integration of food and drink, with more chefs and bartenders collaborating to create bold, unexpected pairings. The possibilities for savory cocktails are endless, and this trend is here to stay!

Follow us for updates and cocktail inspiration

If you love the show, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Cheers! 🥂

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

In this episode of the Cocktail Academy Podcast, Damian welcomes the inspiring Emily Doherty, winner of World Class Ireland 2023, and newly appointed cocktail bar manager at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. Emily takes us through her remarkable journey from starting as a waitress at 16 to representing Ireland on the global stage in Shanghai. With insights into her challenges, triumphs, and a peek behind the curtain of the competitive world of mixology, this episode is a must-listen for cocktail enthusiasts and aspiring bartenders alike.

Key Takeaways:

Emily’s Early Beginnings:

Emily shares how her passion for hospitality started young, transitioning from breakfast service to bartending at Belfast’s iconic Burt’s Jazz Bar.

World Class Journey:

Emily details her two-year journey with the prestigious World Class competition, the lessons she learned, and how perseverance paid off when she became Ireland’s champion.

Breaking Barriers:

As one of the few female bartenders in such a high-profile competition, Emily emphasizes the importance of representation and building a supportive community in the industry.

Innovative Mixology:

Discover the creative cocktails Emily crafted for the competition, including a Ramos flip inspired by Irish traditions and a Mai Tai-inspired stirred martini with marmalade bitters.

Future of Belfast’s Cocktail Scene:

As the newly appointed manager of the Merchant Hotel’s cocktail bar, Emily shares her plans to inspire her team, launch a new menu, and mentor budding bartenders in competitions.

📸 Follow Emily for mixology magic:

Highlights from the Episode:

• World Class Challenges: Insight into the intense rounds, including a speed cocktail challenge and a sustainable mixology initiative.
• Community Impact: Emily’s project, "Bar whispers" fostering camaraderie in Belfast’s bar scene.
• Global Stage: Emily’s experiences in Shanghai, from unexpected challenges to competing alongside the world’s best bartenders.
• Bartending Techniques: Tips for innovative cocktails like fat washing, syrups, and using local ingredients.

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In this captivating episode, Damian sits down with Barry Chandler, a prominent figure in the Irish whiskey industry and the founder of the Stories & Sips Whiskey Club. Barry shares his journey from the United States to becoming a globally recognized Irish whiskey expert. He discusses the growth of Irish whiskey, the significance of storytelling in whiskey culture, and the importance of building a global community of whiskey enthusiasts. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in the history of Irish whiskey, whiskey tasting, and the craft of distillation.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Barry's Introduction to Irish Whiskey:

• How a charity event led Barry to discover his passion for Irish whiskey tasting.
• The role of storytelling in connecting people with whiskey brands.

1. Founding Stories & Sips Whiskey Club:

• The origins and growth of a global whiskey community.
• Challenges and successes in launching exclusive whiskey releases.

1. Navigating the Irish Whiskey Industry:

• Insights into the production of Irish whiskey and the different styles such as single malt and pot still whiskey.
• The impact of historical events on the development of whiskey styles in Ireland.

1. Building a Global Whiskey Community:

• Barry’s strategies for engaging whiskey enthusiasts around the world.
• Leveraging online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic to grow the whiskey community.

1. Future of Irish Whiskey:

• Barry’s vision for the future of Stories & Sips and the ongoing mission to share the joy of Irish whiskey globally.

Quotable Moments:

• "We don’t distill red breast; we distill whiskey, and it doesn’t yet know what it’s going to be."
• "This is not any process or whiskey that any one of us owns or has to defend vigorously. Rather it’s another tool for us to have a bit of crack and some chats." – Barry Chandler

Guest Contact Information:

• Website: Stories & Sips
• Instagram: @IrishWhiskeyBarry

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Cocktail Academy Podcast for more inspiring stories from the world of cocktails and spirits. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with fellow whiskey/cocktail enthusiasts!

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