The Joy of Cooking Podcast: A Casual Culinary Chat About Gin Cocktails with Hannah Chamberlain

Release Date: March 5, 2025

Introduction

The Joy of Cooking Podcast, hosted by The Joy of Creation Production House, welcomes listeners to another engaging episode centered around culinary delights and cherished recipes from the iconic Joy of Cooking cookbook. In this episode, titled "A Casual Culinary Chat About Gin Cocktails with Hannah Chamberlain," the hosts—Sarah Marshall, Megan Scott, and Jon Becker—invite special guest Hannah Chamberlain, a renowned home bartender and author, to delve into the world of gin cocktails. The episode intertwines discussions on cooking traditions, cocktail innovations, and the legacy of Irma S. Rombauer, all while highlighting the vibrant food and beverage culture of Portland, Oregon.

Bay Leaves and Bitters: A Culinary Debate

The episode begins with a lively debate among the hosts about the efficacy and significance of bay leaves in cooking and bitters in beverages.

• Jon Becker shares his appreciation for bitters, likening them to the bay leaves of beverages: “Bitters are the bay leaves of beverages, and I love both. I don't know what percentage of our listeners are going to be like, what bay leaves, they're worthless. Well, my suggestion is, is you get a fresh bottle” (01:16).

• Megan Scott concurs, emphasizing her steadfast support for bay leaves despite skepticism from others: “I think we're firmly team bay leaf” (01:48).

• Sarah Marshall elaborates on her unwavering support for bay leaves, integrating them into various recipes: “I actually put bay leaf in everything. So we have pasta that we make that have bay leaves, we have hot sauce that has bay leaves” (01:48).

The conversation highlights differing regional perceptions and the importance of using fresh ingredients to retain flavor, with Jon pointing out the distinction between Pacific Northwest and California bay plants.

Hannah Chamberlain: Savory Cocktails and Culinary Inspiration

The hosts introduce their guest, Hannah Chamberlain, a dynamic home bartender and author known for her innovative cocktail recipes and engaging online presence.

• Sarah Marshall introduces Hannah: “Hannah is a home bartender and author with years of experience developing cocktail recipes, writing about drink history...” (05:43).

Savory Cocktail Series

Hannah discusses her passion for savory cocktails, which she terms “Weirdly Dirty Martinis,” aiming to infuse unconventional flavors into classic drinks.

• Hannah Chamberlain explains: “There are a million sweet cocktails out there, but I feel like in terms of classic cocktails, there are very few savory ones” (07:31).

• Megan Scott praises the concept and inquires about Hannah’s favorite creations.

• Hannah Chamberlain shares her favorite savory cocktail, the “Junk Food Martini,” which incorporates sea salt, vinegar chips, and savory garnishes: “It's extremely a savory overload” (08:41).

Influence of Food on Cocktail Creation

Sarah notes the chef-driven nature of Hannah’s recipes, prompting a discussion on the intersection of food and cocktail crafting.

• Hannah Chamberlain responds: “One thing that I love about using food sort of as a base... you can get a lot of the ingredients at a Piggly Wiggly” (09:40).

The dialogue underscores how culinary techniques and ingredients inspire innovative drink recipes, enhancing the flavor profiles of cocktails.

Tasting Segment: Irma's Gin and Juice

The podcast transitions into a tasting segment centered around a historic cocktail, "Irma's Gin and Juice," the first recipe in the inaugural 1931 edition of Joy of Cooking.

Making Irma's Gin and Juice

• Jon Becker humorously remarks on the cocktail’s placement in the cookbook as a declaration of joviality: “Also a way of declaring that I'm not a prude. This is not like a home economics manual...” (14:41).

• Hannah Chamberlain and Sarah Marshall guide listeners through the preparation, emphasizing the use of fresh ingredients and proper cocktail techniques.

• Notable tips include shaking the cocktail thoroughly to chill and dilute adequately, as Megan Scott advises: “It's really important to shake them until they're well chilled” (16:56).

Historical Context and Serving Suggestions

Jon provides historical insights into Irma Rombauer’s motivations during Prohibition, aiming to transform subpar bathtub gin into a palatable drink: “we conjecture that it was on most people's minds was like, how do I make this questionable gin bathtub gin, like, palatable?” (44:26).

• The serving suggestion includes pairing the cocktail with hot cream cheese canapés, enhancing the overall tasting experience: “You want a good canape with a cocktail like that” (44:07).

Hannah Chamberlain’s Upcoming Book: Etiquette and Better Drinking

Hannah introduces her forthcoming book, How to Be a Better Cocktail Recipes and Boozy Etiquette, which merges cocktail crafting with essential social etiquette.

• Hannah Chamberlain explains the book’s focus on making social interactions during cocktail hours more respectful and enjoyable: “Etiquette for her was more about making people feel comfortable, respected, and valued” (22:37).

• Megan Scott highlights the importance of etiquette in preventing and handling post-drink regrets, to which Hannah responds with practical advice on recovery and apology strategies: “Her name is Molly McPherson. She has an amazing TikTok and Instagram...” (24:15).

The conversation underscores the book’s intent to foster positive social environments during cocktail gatherings, blending practical bartender tips with interpersonal skills.

Listener Interaction: Making Irma's Gin and Juice

The podcast addresses a listener's query about replicating Irma's Gin and Juice due to a packed cookbook edition.

• Sarah Marshall relays the question: “My aunt had a New Year's party and made Irma's gin and juice...” (39:28).

• Hannah Chamberlain provides a step-by-step recipe, advocating for fresh grapefruit juice over orange for a more vibrant flavor: “2 ounces of this gin... add 2 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice, and then add 3/4 of an ounce of the lemon juice” (39:44).

• Megan Scott and Hannah Chamberlain discuss ingredient substitutions and the importance of proper tools, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to accessibility in home bartending.

Home Bartending Tips and Bar Tools

Hannah shares valuable insights on setting up a home bar, emphasizing simplicity and functionality over overwhelming variety.

• Hannah Chamberlain outlines four home bar approaches:

  1. Signature Cocktail: Maintaining ingredients for a go-to drink, such as a Negroni: “Negroni is a great example” (30:07).
  2. Basic Cocktails: Stocking essentials to craft classic cocktails, recommended by the book 12 Bottle Bar.
  3. Seasonal Additions: Introducing seasonal elements like elderflower liqueur to enhance basic cocktails.
  4. Showstopper Bar: An extensive collection of ingredients and glassware for diverse cocktail creations: “I'm a big booze collector” (32:35).

• Sarah Marshall and Megan Scott contribute their home bartending experiences, highlighting practical approaches to cocktail preparation and equipment improvisation.

Fat Washing Techniques

Hannah introduces the concept of fat washing—a method to infuse spirits with savory flavors using fats like olive oil or bacon:

• Hannah Chamberlain explains the process: “You use a fat. Like olive oil is a very common one... let it infuse for about five hours” (35:25).

This technique broadens the flavor profiles of cocktails, offering a unique twist to traditional drink-making methods.

Cooking and Eating Plans

The hosts share their culinary plans, reflecting their passion for diverse and flavorful cooking.

• Sarah Marshall discusses her recent venture into creating a hot sauce recipe with tart cherry juice and plans to attend the Cherry Bomb Jubilee, alongside cooking mushroom barley burgers using their habanero carrot curry sauce.

• Megan Scott reveals excitement about using fresh tatsoi and Savoy cabbage from their CSA, as well as installing built-in bookshelves for their extensive cookbook collection: “I love organizing things” (52:51).

• Jon Becker mentions being in recovery mode from recent social gatherings, balancing dining out with cooking rich meals at home.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with warm farewells and encouragement for listeners to engage with the podcast and guest.

• Sarah Marshall invites listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and follow the podcast on various platforms: “Subscribe to the show and leave us a review...” (50:58).

• Hannah Chamberlain shares her upcoming book launch party details and future cocktail endeavors, cementing her role as a vibrant addition to the podcast’s culinary conversations.

• The hosts express gratitude to their production team and guest, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that drives the podcast’s success.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Becker: “Bitters are the bay leaves of beverages, and I love both” (01:16).
• Hannah Chamberlain: “There are a million sweet cocktails out there, but I feel like in terms of classic cocktails, there are very few savory ones” (07:31).
• Hannah Chamberlain: “Etiquette for her was more about making people feel comfortable, respected, and valued” (22:37).
• Sarah Marshall: “I think bay is like, our theme should have maybe been bay instead of gin today” (40:44).

Key Takeaways

• The integration of bay leaves and bitters is pivotal in enhancing both culinary and beverage recipes, with a strong emphasis on using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Hannah Chamberlain’s innovative approach to savory cocktails broadens the traditional cocktail spectrum, offering unique and flavorful alternatives to sweet drinks.
• The episode underscores the importance of proper cocktail preparation techniques and the value of essential bar tools in home bartending.
• Social etiquette during cocktail hours is crucial for fostering positive interactions and preventing regrettable behavior, as highlighted by Hannah’s upcoming book.
• Listener engagement and practical recipe guidance make the podcast a valuable resource for both novice and experienced home cooks and bartenders.

Timestamp References:

• 00:00 to 55:35 cover the entirety of the episode’s content, with specific sections highlighted above.