Podcast Summary: All Of It – "A Holiday Cocktail Hour"

Host: Alison Stewart
Guests: Ray Isle (Executive Wine Editor, Food and Wine) and Prairie Rose (Senior Drinks Editor, Food and Wine)
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Introduction

In the festive episode titled "A Holiday Cocktail Hour," Alison Stewart welcomes listeners to All Of It, a WNYC show dedicated to exploring culture and its myriad expressions. As the holiday season envelops New York City, Alison sets the stage for a cozy hour filled with expert advice on holiday entertaining, featuring discussions on wines, cocktails, and entertaining tips from Food and Wine editors Ray Isle and Prairie Rose.

Holiday Entertaining with Wine and Cocktails

Wine Recommendations by Ray Isle [01:24 – 11:00]

Alison initiates the conversation by inviting Ray and Prairie to share their top holiday wine picks. Ray enthusiastically discusses his favorites across four categories:

1. Favorite Red Wine:

   • 1945 Dalles Port: "Pretty remarkable to taste something that was made the year World War II ended. And whites, you know…" [02:32]

2. Favorite White Wine:

   • Tiberio Cristiana Pecorino from Abruzzo, Italy: An affordable and versatile white that pairs effortlessly with various dishes. [03:00]

3. Favorite Sparkling Wine:

   • 2015 Bollinger Grand A Champagne: A high-end option praised for its spectacular quality. [03:30]

4. Favorite Natural Wine:

   • La Grange Tiffane from Loire Valley, France: Ray highlights Damien Delechenot's zero-intervention approach, producing pristine and biodynamic wines like Cot and Nouveau Nez Pet Nat. [04:17]

Ray emphasizes value without compromising quality, recommending wines that cater to diverse budgets and palates, ideal for holiday gatherings.

Cocktail Trends with Prairie Rose [04:27 – 12:18]

Prairie Rose delves into the latest cocktail trends dominating 2024:

• Espresso Martinis and Porn Star Martinis: Both cocktails continue to gain popularity, offering rich and sophisticated flavors. [04:27]

• Lemon-Based Beverages: With a surge in lemon-flavored drinks, Prairie mentions the resurgence of the classic lemon drop, a 1970s disco-era cocktail making a stylish comeback. [05:14]

• Canned Cocktails: Recognizing the convenience factor, Prairie notes the rise of high-quality canned cocktails like Tip Top's espresso martini, marking the "golden age of canned cocktails." [05:39]

Alison engages with callers to explore these trends further, enhancing the interactive experience.

Listener Call-ins and Suggestions

The episode features several listener contributions, offering personal recipes and questions about holiday beverages.

Tom’s Rum Cow Recipe [05:45 – 07:09]

• Tom from Brooklyn shares his family favorite, the Rum Cow, a dairy-free take on eggnog using oat milk and Jamaican rum, finished with fresh grated nutmeg. [05:45]
• Prairie’s Response: Praises the simplicity and flavor balance. [06:22]

Karen’s Lychee Martini Story [13:04 – 15:05]

• Karen from Montclair, NJ recounts her successful holiday party where the Lychee Martini became the signature drink, delighting guests with its refreshing and visually appealing presentation. [13:04]
• Ray and Prairie: Commend the choice and its elegant simplicity. [14:04]

Sarah’s Wine Pairing Question [14:13 – 20:23]

• Sarah seeks advice on pairing wine with a fresh ham glazed with balsamic and Dijon. [14:13]
• Ray’s Recommendations:
  • White Options: Tiberio Pecorino or a dry Riesling for their versatility and balance with savory flavors. [14:30]
  • Red Option: Pinot Noir from Cloudline, Oregon for a lighter, structured choice that complements the glaze. [15:39]
• Prairie’s Agreement: Echoes the suitability of Riesling. [09:54]

Adam’s Mocktail Inquiry [17:37 – 20:42]

• Adam asks for non-alcoholic options suitable for a dinner with friends, including a Palestinian Muslim best friend. [17:37]
• Prairie’s Suggestions: Recommends non-alcoholic spirits like Phony Negroni from St. Augustus and sparkling options like French Bloom. [18:05]
• Ray’s Insights: Highlights excellent non-alcoholic wines from brands like Missing Thorn and Dr. Low Riesling, which taste remarkably similar to their alcoholic counterparts. [18:50 – 20:23]

Laura’s Ready-to-Drink Cocktails Recommendation [20:47 – 21:42]

• Laura from Westchester, NY introduces Straightaway Cocktails, a ready-to-drink brand offering a wide variety of high-quality, convenient cocktails perfect for holiday entertaining. [20:47]
• Prairie’s Addition: Mentions Bee’s Knees as another great option. [21:36]
• Ray’s Endorsement: Affirms the quality and versatility of the Bee's Knees cocktail. [21:45]

Lynette’s Liqueur Utilization Tips [24:12 – 25:05]

• Lynette from Beacon, NY shares her tradition of repurposing leftover liqueurs to create mulled wines and set up a cordial bar, promoting sustainability and creativity in holiday cocktail making. [24:12]
• Prairie’s Approval: Appreciates the smart approach. [25:05]

Bubbles and Sparkling Wines

Affordable Bubbles [25:19 – 26:17]

• Ray recommends Prosecco as an affordable and versatile choice, specifically highlighting Adami Prosecco for its quality and reasonable pricing. [25:19]
• Alison’s Note: Affirms the accessibility of Prosecco for festive occasions. [25:19]

Premium Champagne Picks [26:17 – 26:42]

• Ray singles out Billacart Simon Champagne, particularly their Brut Soubois, praised for its depth and richness, aged in wood to enhance complexity. [26:17]
• Prairie’s Favorite: Agrees with Billacart Simon as her top champagne choice. [26:19]

Sparkling Wine Cocktails [26:42 – 30:39]

• Prairie’s Favorites: Discusses classic sparkling cocktails like the French 75 and Champagne Cocktail, as well as the Kir Royale, encouraging customizable bubbly bars for personalized celebrations. [26:47]
• Ray’s Anecdote: Shares the historical inspiration behind the French 75, linking it to the powerful French 75mm cannon from World War I. [28:04]
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Ray introduces Dr. Fisher’s Steinbach sparkling and Bole as excellent non-alcoholic alternatives, perfect for dry January or guests preferring non-alcoholic beverages. [28:25 – 29:07]
• Special Mention – Aperol Schwitz for Hanukkah: A unique twist on the Aperol Spritz incorporating Manischewitz sparkling wine, creating a festive drink suitable for Hanukkah celebrations falling on the same day as Christmas. [29:37 – 30:27]

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Alison thanks Ray Isle and Prairie Rose for their invaluable insights into holiday wines and cocktails. The discussion highlights the importance of selecting versatile and crowd-pleasing beverages, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to accommodate diverse guest preferences. The episode underscores the joy of creating memorable holiday experiences through thoughtful beverage choices, whether hosting an intimate gathering or a festive party.

Notable Quotes:

• Ray Isle [02:32]: "Pretty remarkable to taste something that was made the year World War II ended."
• Prairie Rose [05:14]: "There's some cocktails that you can batch and it will be fine."
• Tom [05:45]: "It's a world of an eggnog, but it's not eggy and thick and it's easy to make dairy free."
• Karen [13:04]: "The Lychee Martini went over so well. They were fantastic. They were refreshing..."
• Alison Stewart [29:24]: "I have to ask about this one because I can't tell if it's a joke or it's real. Hanukkah is the same day as Christmas."

This episode of All Of It serves as a comprehensive guide for holiday entertaining, blending expert recommendations with listener interactions to create a rich tapestry of festive beverage ideas.