Cocktails With Friends

S3 E21 Use Your Egg-Noggin

S3 E21 Use Your Egg-Noggin In this holiday special, Bob Cutler crashes the George Hale Ric Tyler Show with mason jars and a mission: help hosts survive the entertaining season without being trapped behind the bar. Bob introduces his ultimate holiday "cheat code"—pre-batching cocktails, especially eggnog, so hosts can spend time with family and friends instead of mixing drinks all night. He explains that time is the one gift you can't buy, but you can give it back to yourself with smart prep. Key Topics Pre-Batching as Holiday Survival By batching eggnog and cocktails ahead of time, hosts reclaim their evenings and stay present for the moments that actually matter. Eggnog as a Living Cocktail Homemade eggnog improves with age, becoming silkier and more integrated, proving that patience can be a powerful ingredient. Hospitality Through Intention From ice choice to glassware to flavor balance, Bob frames cocktails as part of a full sensory experience—not just something to drink. Episode Index (0:00–2:53) Bob introduces the holiday "cheat code": pre-batching cocktails so hosts aren't stuck behind the bar. (2:53–6:43) Deep dive into homemade eggnog—ingredients, refrigeration, and why aging makes it smoother and better over time. (6:43–8:04) Cocktail one: a green eggnog Grasshopper using crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and pebble ice in a mason jar. (8:04–10:25) Cocktail two: an eggnog espresso martini with coffee liqueur, chocolate notes, and optional tiramisu liqueur. (10:25–12:37) Ice, dilution, and hospitality philosophy—why thoughtful drinks matter as much as food, music, and atmosphere. Egg Nog (Props to Alton Brown) * 4 large eggs, separated * 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar * 1 pint whole milk * 1 cup heavy cream * 1 1/4 fluid ounces bourbon * 1 1/4 fluid ounces dark rum * 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Grasshopper Eggnog 2 oz eggnog .5 ounce crème de menthe .5 ounces white crème de cacao Shake with pebble ice and strain into a coupe glass (or Mason Jar!) Eggnog Espresso Martini 2 oz eggnog .5 ounces chilled espresso .5 ounces chocolate liquor Shake with pebble ice and strain into a coupe glass (or Mason Jar!)

S3 E20 Jack Flash The Geologist Episode

S3 E20 Jack Flash The Geologist Episode Bob Cutler closes out the year by welcoming his SIX-year-old son Jack into the studio for a candid, funny, and deeply personal conversation about school, gems, birds, golf carts, lemonade stands, and big dreams—reminding listeners that the best conversations don't need cocktails, just curiosity and love. Key Topics Curiosity as a Superpower Jack's endless questions, love of nonfiction, and fascination with rocks, birds, and history show how curiosity shapes learning and confidence at a young age. Family, Work, and Play Intertwined From golf courses to lemonade stands, Jack's world blends family businesses, shared experiences, and lessons about effort, kindness, and responsibility. Fatherhood and Legacy Bob reflects on the privilege of being called "Dad," realizing that the legacy he's building isn't in restaurants or podcasts—but in raising thoughtful, curious humans. Episode Index (0:00–1:32) Bob introduces the episode and explains why his son Jack is the most important guest he's ever had. (2:35–3:36) Jack shares his age, school life, love of reading, favorite teacher, and growing confidence as a kindergartener. (4:34–6:54) Hobbies galore: golf, gem collecting, arrowhead hunting, crayfish catching, and running a multi-flavor lemonade stand. (9:02–10:25) Jack talks about working the beverage cart, picking range balls, and earning money at the golf course. (12:04–14:29) Jack reveals his dream of becoming a geologist and bird watcher; Bob closes with reflection on fatherhood and gratitude.

S3 E19 Quirky Dogs Need A Home | Kathryn Ravenscraft

S3 E19 Quirky Dogs Need A Home In this warm, whimsical, and deeply human episode, Bob Cutler sits down with Bangor Humane Society's Kathryn Ravenscraft for a "fun-filled," "pun-filled" chat about cocktails, laughs, and quirky rescue animals. The two touch on responsible pet ownership, generosity, and how compassion, prevention, and community support keep families—and pets—together. Key Topics 1. Quirky Animals Need the Right People Not every dog or cat -- or donkey -- fits a traditional household. Kathryn explains how no-kill shelters commit to animals with anxiety, trauma, or special needs—sometimes for years—while waiting for the right match. 2. Prevention Over Surrender The Humane Society's food pantry and community partnerships focus on keeping animals out of shelters altogether by supporting families before crisis forces surrender. 3. Responsibility, Not Romance From emotional-support animals to holiday adoptions, the episode stresses that pets are lifelong commitments—not gifts or impulse decisions. Episode Index (0:00–2:30) Bob introduces Kathryn Ravenscraft and opens with a seasonal Grasshopper cocktail using eggnog. (6:45–10:30) Kathryn details her SIX years at Bangor Humane Society and the shelter's renovated, odor-free, education-focused facility. (18:40–24:30) Discussion of long-term and "quirky" dogs like Mandy, and what unicorn adopters look like in real life. (33:00–40:00) The economics of rescue: adoption prep costs, fees, and why puppies and kittens require more resources. (44:30–50:30) The free pet food pantry and the philosophy of keeping pets with their families during financial hardship.

S3 E18 Bob's Holiday Top Ten

S3 E18 Bob's Holiday Top Ten In this festive holiday edition of Cocktails with Friends, Bob Cutler slides up to the mic with a jolly "ho ho ho," ready to make gift-buying easier for friends, family, and cocktail lovers alike. Bob is making a list and checking it twice then counting down his Top Ten Holiday Gifts—the items he'd give listeners if they were invited to his house for Christmas -- or the eighth night of Hanukkah. Key Topics Building the Perfect Home Bar Bob's list breaks down the essential tools—from glassware to jiggers to ice molds—that turn a casual drinker into a confident home bartender. Flavor Enhancers & Creative Ingredients Holiday maple syrups, bitters, and cocktail decks help listeners explore new recipes, deepen flavor profiles, and add festive flair to classics. Gifts That Bring People Together Whether it's a Novio's gift card or a well-stocked cocktail kit, Bob focuses on gifts that create shared experiences—drinks, conversations, and celebrations. Links 10. Proper Glass Wear at https://sunburys.com/#enter 9. https://runamokmaple.com/products/holiday-spice-infused-maple-syrup [https://runamokmaple.com/products/holiday-spice-infused-maple-syrup] 8. Bitters at https://highcampflasks.com/products/high-camp-bitters [https://highcampflasks.com/products/high-camp-bitters] 7. https://www.deathandcompanymarket.com/products/death-co-bartenders-choice-cocktail-cards [https://www.deathandcompanymarket.com/products/death-co-bartenders-choice-cocktail-cards] 6. https://cocktailkingdom.com/products/leopold-jigger-1oz-2oz-stainless-steel-banded [https://cocktailkingdom.com/products/leopold-jigger-1oz-2oz-stainless-steel-banded] 5. https://cocktailkingdom.com/products/2in-square-ice-cube-tray-food-grade-rubber-gray [https://cocktailkingdom.com/products/2in-square-ice-cube-tray-food-grade-rubber-gray] 4. https://www.deathandcompanymarket.com/products/cocktail-codex [https://www.deathandcompanymarket.com/products/cocktail-codex] 3. Novio's Bistro Gift Cards from https://noviosbistro.com/ 2. https://highcampflasks.com/products/torch-flask?variant=49491641532692 [https://highcampflasks.com/products/torch-flask?variant=49491641532692] 1. https://cocktailkingdom.com/products/essential-cocktail-set-stainless-steel [https://cocktailkingdom.com/products/essential-cocktail-set-stainless-steel]

S3 E17 Novio's Radio | Bob's Birthday Broadcast

S3 E17 Novio's Radio Bob's Birthday Broadcast Bob Cutler celebrates his final day as a FORTY-NINE-year-old with eggnog prep tips, a year-old barrel-aged Boulevardier, and a clarified chocolate-orange Boulevardier—mixing laughter, chemistry, whiskey lore, and birthday joy live on the George Hale–Ric Tyler Show. Key Topics Aging and Transformation From eggnog that develops depth over weeks to a Boulevardier mellowed for a full year in oak, the episode explores how time, temperature, and chemistry reshape flavor, texture, and aroma. Creativity in Cocktail Building Bob breaks down how to manipulate sweetness, bitterness, and aromatic structure—using clarified milk, orange liqueur, and barrel influence—to construct both traditional and playful holiday drinks. Celebration and Connection This broadcast is as much about friendship and milestone moments as cocktails. Turning FIFTY becomes the backdrop for laughter, storytelling, and sincere appreciation for shared rituals. Episode Index (0:29–0:55) Bob opens the birthday broadcast, arriving at the station with bottles and bar gear and teasing his two-drink celebration. (2:23–3:07) Eggnog "prep season" explained—rum, cognac, bourbon, eggs, cream—and why aging transforms the drink into something silky and smooth. (5:58–7:32) First cocktail: a one-year barrel-aged Boulevardier pulled from Bob's basement, mellowed by oak and darker in color. (9:05–10:11) Second cocktail: a chocolate-orange Boulevardier clarified with chocolate milk, leaving bright flavor and a clear appearance. (12:15–12:37) A discussion of whiskey palates—how women often detect deeper notes in rye and why Annie out-noses Bob on certain spirits.