The Cocktail Guru Podcast

On this edition of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, live from Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip, Jonathan Pogash talks organizing bartenders—no, it's not like herding cats—bar designing, beverage engineering, and more with Livio Lauro, the living hospitality legend responsible for reviving and expanding the United States Bartenders' Guild, designing the EuroBar Station, and authoring or co-authoring several celebrated cocktail books. Plus Jeffrey Pogash dives deep into the Mai Tai on this episode's Cocktail Commentary, brought to you by Monin Gourmet Flavored Syrups, while Jonathan whips up a Whiskey Sour featuring Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky during our Tipple Time segment.

THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this edition of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, live from The Vault, the ultra-exclusive bar inside the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, host Jonathan Pogash talks bartending, chasing challenges, and embracing opportunities—plus a fair bit of whiskey wonkery—with Duane Fernandez Jr. and Pamela "The Wiz" Wiznitzer, two leading hospitality professionals who personify the episode's themes. All brought to you by Emilio Lustau, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, as featured in our Cocktail Commentaries and Tipple Time segments. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard.

Join Jonathan Pogash, the Cocktail Guru, and his father Jeffrey as they delve into the fascinating history of Smirnoff vodka and the iconic Moscow Mule in this episode of the Cocktail Guru Podcast. Special guest Rachel Kling from Diageo discusses the educational programming and partnership with the US Bartenders Guild. Discover the evolution of vodka in the US, the marketing genius behind Smirnoff, and the creation of the Moscow Mule. Learn about the Diageo Bar Academy, the World Class bartending competition, and the impact of Diageo's support during the pandemic. Plus, get insights into the use of copper mugs in cocktails and a special offer from Moscow Copper. Cheers to cocktail history and innovation!

Don't miss out on this engaging episode filled with cocktail history, industry insights, and educational initiatives in the world of spirits and mixology. Subscribe to the Cocktail Guru Podcast for more entertaining and informative episodes with leading experts in the hospitality industry. Cheers!

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, host Jonathan Pogash talks film, television, and tequila with acting great Joe Mantegna, co-owner of Señor Rio, a very special agave spirit born of business, love, and shared passion—and created by fellow guest Debbie Medina—in the Mexican state of Jalisco. We will also speak with Paul Imbesi about his roll at Barritt's Ginger Beer. All brought to you by Monin Gourmet Flavored Syrups, Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, and Señor Rio and Tequila Barritt's Ginger Beer. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash go behind-the-scenes at some of the world's legendary restaurants and bars with intrepid foodie and world traveler Shari Bayer, founder of Bayer Public Relations, host and producer of All in the Industry, and author of Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World. All brought to you by Cierto Tequila and The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk cocktails, spirits—including, of course, agave spirits!—and a whole lot more with Milagro Tequila Ambassador Luis Lopez, a literal "miracle-working" Los Angeles native and West Hollywood resident who's long drawn upon his deep Guatemalan roots for mixological inspiration. All brought to you by Emilio Lustau and Milagro Tequila.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk with SAG Award-winning actor Joel Johnstone about his journey from the American heartland to Hollywood and, in the process, realizing the dream of every screen thespian—becoming a working actor, in Joel's case including a five-year run on Amazon's Emmy Award- winning THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL. Believe us, it's a living, and it's sexier than it sounds! All brought to you by Barritt's Ginger Beer and Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk winning speed, style, and substance with Speed Rack bartending champion and award-winning bar program director and consultant extraordinaire Yael Stormborn. Hear what propelled this now master of hospitality from her native Houston, Texas, to Los Angeles, California, via New York City and a long list of establishments large, small, fine, and dive. All brought to you by Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Lustau and Monin Premium Gourmet Syrups.

THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk acting for stage, screen, and television, some of it soapy—plus his penchant for prestidigitation and playing the skins—with John-Paul Lavoisier, the daytime TV star whose passions propelled him from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to Los Angeles, California. All brought to you by Emilio Lustau, Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and Monin Premium Gourmet Syrups. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk drinks—and a fair bit of food—with award-winning NEW YORK TIMES cocktail and spirits writer Robert Simonson, author of seven books, including THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COCKTAILS, new from Ten Speed Press. All brought to you by Emilio Lustau and Monin Premium Gourmet Syrups.
THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash scream, you scream—hell, we all scream!—for liquor-infused ice cream with Melissa Tavss, Founder & CEO of Tasty Scoop, a fast-growing chain of ice cream parlors with a adult twist. Join us for a velvety and quick-melting journey through an array of flavors your palate won't soon forget. All brought to you by Monin Premium Gourmet Syrups. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

Breaking news from the Baltimore Hotel in Phoenix Arizona!

The United States Bartenders Guild Conference in Phoenix brought together some of the industry' s most influential, members. And did somebody say Jennifer Lopez???

The United States Bartenders Guild Conference in Phoenix AZ brought together some of the industry' s most influential, members. More to come...........

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, East meets West with hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash and global Japanophile—and Manchester, England resident—Jamie Ryder, certified sake sommelier, international drinks champion extraordinaire, and founder of Japanese culture magazine Yamato and spirits newsletter Drink to That. All brought to you by Emilio Lustau and The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk all things wine with An American in Florence, US native-turned-Italian national Ernest Ifkovitz, founder of PortoVino, about his unquenchable thirst for putting the small family wineries of Italy, Germany, and Austria on the world stage! All brought to you by The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley and Unleashed Coffee. THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, we strike up the brandmaster—Tim Master, that is—Senior Director of Spirits at Frederick Wildman & Sons, the global wine and spirits portfolio perhaps best known for distinctive and storied cocktail standard Chartreuse French herbal liqueur. Watch and listen as hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash follow the beat of a career that, measure for measure, features more breadth of hospitality experience and more depth of spirits expertise than any other bartender-turned-brand ambassador. All brought to you by Marie Brizard Chocolate Royale Liqueur and Monin Premium Gourmet Strawberry Syrup.

THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

GUEST BIO

Tim Master has more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality and beverage industry. Currently the Senior Director of Spirits at Frederick Wildman & Sons, he oversees numerous brands, with emphasis on industry staple Chartreuse Liqueur. Tim’s skills and experience were honed in London, New York, and his hometown of Philadelphia, where he worked behind the stick at some of the top restaurant bars in these cities. After a career in bartending, Tim began his new journey of working with brands by representing Plymouth Gin and Absolut Vodka, where he remained for six years before moving to Wildman.

In his travels throughout the US and Europe, Tim was mentored by some of the industry’s top professionals and now enjoys the opportunity to enlighten and educate his industry peers. In 2006, he was fortunate to be in the first graduating class of Beverage Alcohol Resource's now-renowned training program, which allowed him to further fine-tune his skills.

While drinking his way across the country, Tim shares his knowledge with local media and industry members in each city he visits.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, prolific cocktail and spirits writer Camper English—consistently voted one of the 100 most influential people in the global drinks industry—talks nerding out on craft mixology, from the history of carbonation to the merits of clear ice cubes, with hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash. Plus enjoy the show's two new spirited features: Tipple Time and Top Off! All brought to you by Plantation 5-Star Rum, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, and Unleashed Coffee.  

THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST, celebrated actor Kelsey Grammer chats about life as—and life beyond—comedy television's beloved and longest-running character, Dr. Frasier Crane, and transforming a property in upstate New York's Catskill Mountains into Faith American Brewing Company with hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash. This episode was sponsored in part by Bodega Lustau and introduces Kelsey's new venture, Faith American Brewing company. Plus two new spirited segments—Tipple Time and Top Off—make their series debut! brought to you by the Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, and Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao.

THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

Check out the Cocktail Guru's official season 1 trailer.