Highball Politics

David and Rob interview traveling bar consultant Brandyn Tepper about the State of the Union and Katie Britt's bizarre response, as well as high-end cocktails and how to spot a high roller. This week's signature drinks: "Joe Biden" AKA "Freight Train Swizzle" Aged rum Green chartreuse Falernum Lime juice “Katie Britt" AKA "Train Wreck" Vodka or tequila Triple sec Rum Coke Lemonade Make sure all ingredients come from plastic bottles! Check out Brandyn's Cocktail Academy: https://www.cocktailacademyla.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob chat with bartender David Valdez about the wild happenings at the Houston Brothers' Level 8 in DTLA, Hollywood history at The Spare Room in the Hollywood Roosevelt, plus a dash of politics and a potential No Labels ticket. This week's signature drinks: "Matcha Picchu" Housemade Matcha Syrup Gin Pisco Lemon Juice Lime Juice Egg white Dehydrated flowers "Steve Garvey" AKA "Blue Hawaiian" Haku Japanese Vodka Roku Japanese Gin Cointreau Blue Curaçao Infused with Muskmelon Topped with Starry (lemon-lime soda) Garnish with a blue baby baseball and a red straw! “Adam Schiff" AKA "Pasadena Negroni" Rittenhouse Rye Moot Madeira Vermouth Aperol Check out Level 8: https://www.level8dtla.com/ Check out The Spare Room: https://www.spareroomhollywood.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob share their own experiences and insights from the 2024 Iowa GOP Caucus, as well as what they learned from the locals. This week's signature drinks: "Iowa Toddy" Cedar Ridge Rye Whiskey Deal's Orchard Apple Cider Local Hive Midwest Honey Steaming hot water Garnish with a cinnamon stick, steep for 5 minutes, and enjoy! Ruthie Lager (Exile Brewing Co.) Check out Ruthie's story: https://untappd.com/b/exile-brewing-company-ruthie/233815 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob interview Recovery Room's owner Chris DiMattia about PBR, the 2024 election and why no one should underestimate former SC Governor Nikki Haley. This week's signature drinks: Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) "Nikki Haley" AKA "Gin Bloody Mary" Bombay Dry Gin Tomato Juice Lemon Juice Hot pepper Worcestershire Ground cumin Dash of black pepper Garnish with a celery stalk and olives, and enjoy! “Lindsey Graham" AKA "Hanky Panky" Sweetgrass vodka Sweet Vermouth Dash of Fernet-Branca Garnish with a peach twist Check out Recovery Room Tavern: https://www.recoveryroomtavern.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob interview special guest Tim Miller about his work on The Bulwark and Showtime's The Circus, as well as national politics, 2024 Presidential candidates, and some dangerously funny cocktails. This week's signature cocktails: "Mike Johnson's Dinosaur Voodoo" 2 oz Bourbon 1 oz Everclear (sub Vodka or White Rum) 4 oz Grape Juice 1 Cup Crushed Ice Blend and enjoy! “The Elderly Pickle" AKA "Pickle Down Economics" 2 oz Tito's Vodka 1 oz Sweet Vermouth 0.5 oz Pickle Juice Olive Served straight up like a martini Check out Tim Miller's work on The Bulwark: https://www.thebulwark.com/author/tim-miller/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob interview returning guest Jaime Jackson about Iowa's hot political climate, her latest restaurant in Cedar Rapids, and one very punny cocktail. This week's specialty drinks: "House Meowgarita" Fresh lime juice Agave syrup Triple sec Tequila Bonus Cocktails: “Nikki Haley" 1 can American light beer Roll top of beer can in lime juice and Tajin Hot sauce on top "Ron DeSantis" Layer 1: Rum Pineapple Coconut Cream Lime Layer 2: Rum Lime Sugar Strawberry Blue Curacao float on top Check out Taco Gato: https://www.instagram.com/tacogatocr/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob interview "Supper Club Guy" about Wisconsin's reputation as a crucial swing state, what a supper club is, and a new take on an Old Fashioned. This week's specialty drinks: "Wisconsin Old Fashioned" AKA "Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet" Orange wedge Maraschino cherry (the chemical red looking ones)  4 dashes of bitters Sugar cube or half oz simple syrup  1.5 oz of Korbel Brandy  Topped with Ice and Sprite  Fruit is muddled with bitters and sugar, add liquor, ice, and soda  Variations:  "Sweet" = Sprite "Press" = 1/2 Sprite and 1/2 Club Soda  "Sour" = Squirt  Bonus Cocktails: “Tammy Baldwin*" 2 oz lemon vodka half ounce of triple sec half ounce simple syrup  half ounce of lemon juice  Shaken, strained into a sugar'd rim martini glass  "Ron Johnson*" 2 Oz of bourbon half ounce of sweet vermouth  1 dash of bitters  Pour over rocks  *To be clear this is solely for the purposes of this podcast; we don't call these drinks these names at Johnny Manhattans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer Miranda and Rob interview David about his time at the 2023 Iowa State Fair. The gang talks politics, butter sculptures, Iowa history, Eminem, and Governor Kim Reynolds' efforts to keep the fair "Iowa nice." This week's signature drink: 27° beer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and Rob interview Stacie Rudolph about living in the stoplight-free town of Maupin, how Mt. Hood Brewing's ownership has changed Rainbow Tavern, and why Maupin's largest American flag is currently upside down. This week's specialty drinks: "Key Lime 'Kaze" Whipped cream vodka Muddle lime juice Simple syrup Bonus Cocktails: “Ron Wyden" Cascadian Pale Ale "Tina Kotek" Ice Axe IPA Check out Rainbow Tavern and Mt. Hood Brewing Co.: https://mthoodbrewing.com/ https://mthoodbrewing.com/rainbow-tavern-menu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob and David interview Rebecca Smoyer, bar manager and traveling bartender, about her time working on "Bar Rescue," the diverse community of Highland Park in East LA and why "muddle" is our new favorite word. This week's specialty drinks: "Carmen #6" 2 oz jalapeño infused blanco tequila 1/2 oz agave 1/2 oz Lime juice 1/2 oz pamplemouse liquor (can sub grapefruit juice) 1/4 oz yuzu juice Shake and strain into an ice filled glass Top with angostura bitters and grapefruit peel Bonus Cocktails: “George Santos" Mocktail In shaker Muddle :5 mint sprigs & 3 slices cucumber  Add: 1/4 oz yuzu juice 1/2 oz lime juice 1/2 oz simple syrup Shake with Ice  Strain over ice and top with seltzer Make it a real cocktail by adding the “truth” 1.5 oz vodka or gin Garnish with cucumber and mint sprig "Joe Manchin" Sour In shaker 2 oz Singani 63 .75 oz lemon juice .75 oz simple syrup .5 oz aquafaba ( the liquid that comes with canned chickpeas) Shake and serve up or over ice Garnish with lemon & Fee Bros old fashioned bitters Check out Checker Hall and Lodge Room: https://www.checkerhall.com/ https://www.lodgeroomhlp.com/ Check out Singani63: https://singani63.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices