Today, we’re revealing the art and science behind cocktail balance—from ethanol’s heat to the nuanced finish of bitters. We define it, describe it, and explain how we experience it, all without getting our togas wet. Then it’s time for the Cocktail of the Week. If Ben hates it so much, why does he drink so many? Oh, and he said he needs to know your robe size and that he’ll meet you inside. So get in here!

Too Long, Didn’t Listen

(00:00) Understanding Cocktail Balance

(03:17) It’s a party, and everyone says you’re the straw that stirs the drink

(09:13) Balance: It’s all in the mouth of the beholder (and no, that’s not a D&D reference)

(13:28) The science of cocktail balance: battling the burn

(14:08) Breaking down the five elements: Spirit, sweet, sour, bitterness, and dilution

(28:51) Honorable mention elements: temperature, mouthfeel, and flavor

(29:00) Cocktail of the Week: Negroni

(37:47) Closing

Recipe

Negroni

1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Garnish: orange twist
In a mixing glass with ice, combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Stir until just chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice chunk, garnish with an orange twist (express the oils over the glass), and enjoy responsibly.

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Books & Equipment Links

The links below that point to Amazon are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase we may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. Links to any other destination are not affiliate links.

Books

We own and recommend these books:

The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails with Just Twelve Bottles by David Solmonson, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson

Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Imbibe! by David Wondrich

Cocktail Codex by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, David Kaplan

Equipment

Products we own, like and use:

Measuring tools
OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, 2 Oz capacity
OXO Metal Angled Measuring Cup
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Shakers
This shaking set is sold as two separate items on Amazon, you will need both
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Small Weighted Shaking Tin
Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Large Weighted Shaking Tin
Mixing Glasses/Tins
Viski Crystal Mixing Glass, 17 oz
Pint glass: you don’t need a link for this do you?
Peelers
OXO Good Grips Y-Peeler
Bar Spoons
Crate & Barrel: Bar Spoon with Muddler
Cork Screw / Bottle Opener
True Truetap Double Hinged Waiters Corkscrew
Bar Towels
White Flour Sack Towels
Glassware
Highball
Strauss 13-Oz. Cooler Glass
Lowball
Crescent 10-Oz. Double Old-Fashioned Glass
Strauss 11-Oz. Double Old-Fashioned Glass
Stemmed
Mercer 10-Oz. Coupe Glass

Products we don’t own but would consider buying:

Measuring Tools
Cocktail Farmer Standard Jigger
Piña Barware Bell/Leopold Style Stainless Steel Jigger 2oz. / 1oz.
Piña Barware Slim/Japanese Style Stainless Steel Jigger 2oz. / 1oz.
Shakers
A Bar Above Weighted Craft Boston Shaker Set (Single set slightly less expensive than the Koriko)
Houdini Boston Cocktail Shaker (a well rated pint glass set)
Barfly Double Wall Diamond Lattice Mixing Tin
Knives
Cocktail Kingdom Buswell Paring Knife
Victorinox 3.25 Inch Swiss Classic Paring Knife (Green - Black seems to be in high demand)
Cutting Board
Jelli Reversible Black Marble 14.5"x11" Cutting Board
Bar Spoons
Cocktail Kingdom Skull (We wouldn’t really buy this but it looks cool)
A metal finger, not a spoon (I could resist linking to this one)
Homestia Gothic Skull Bar Spoon (A cheaper skull)
Viski Stainless Steel Weighted Barspoon
Hawthorne Strainers
Barfly Bar Strainer, Stainless Steel
A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer
Julep Strainers
Cocktail Kingdom Premium Julep Strainer

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