Episode 120

Neuromixology

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Neuromixology

Episode 120

What’s shakin, cocktail fans!

Welcome to Episode 120 of The Modern Bar Cart Podcast!

This time around, we are graced with the presence of a bona fide aroma expert: Kevin Peterson of
Castalia – a cocktail bar in Detroit that specializes in pairing drinks with natural fragrances to enhance and expand their guests’ sensory experience of the cocktail.

In our conversation, some of the topics we discuss with Kevin include:

How Kevin and his wife Jane transformed the bottom level of an old mansion in Detroit into a scent shop by day that converts into an intimate 20-seat cocktail bar by night.
Some of the differences between people who approach cocktails from a service industry background and those who come at the subject from a completely different area of specialization.
What it’s like to pair fragrances and cocktails, and how Kevin thinks about “hacking the signal” of the drink to give guests a truly memorable experience.
We also talk about lots of nerdy physiology stuff, including how the brain processes aroma, the difference between orthonasal and retronasal smell, and a whole lot of other things you probably didn’t know about aroma and flavor.
We talk about our favorite flavor and aroma books, we trade theories about the Platonic ideal of baking spice, and we even find time to grab drinks with the man who changed the Spaghetti Sauce industry forever.

You can visit Castalia and enjoy their drinks and aromas by using their call-ahead booking number: (313) 305-1442.

FEATURED COCKTAIL: THE MAN ABOUT TOWN

This episode’s featured cocktail is the Man About Town. During the lightning round, Eric mistakenly assumes that this negroni riff includes an ingredient called Sfumato Rabarbaro – so, we figured we’d go ahead and correct that error while sharing this delicious recipe.

To make the Man About Town, you’ll need:

1 oz Rye Whiskey
1 oz Cynar (an earthy, artichoke based amaro)
1 oz Sweet Vermouth (here, we like a dark one like Punt e Mes)

Combine these three boozy ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 15-20 seconds until it’s well chilled and properly diluted, and strain into a coupe glass. For a garnish, really any citrus twist will do, but I’d try and tailor it to the rye and vermouth you select, which can help you decide between lemon, orange, or even grapefruit.

Probably the thing we enjoy most about this cocktail is how it’s almost as enjoyable to smell as it is to drink. You’ve got the polyphenols, vanillins, and other barrel-driven notes from the rye, the grapey, herbal notes from the vermouth, and the earthy, stemmy quality of the Cynar all working together to create a cloud of flavor and aroma that really is greater than the sum of its parts.

So, next time you’re at the liquor store, grab a bottle of Cynar and impress your friends with this negroni riff they’ve probably never heard of.

Lightning Round

Favorite Cocktail

I love the Boulevardier

If You Were a Cocktail Ingredient, What Would You Be?

Wormwood

Cocktail With Anyone, Past or Present

Howard Moskowitz, a food scientist and psychophysicist who did a famous study on Spaghetti Sauce. We’d drink at Existing Conditions – Dave Arnold’s Bar in Manhattan.

Influential Cocktail/Aroma Book

Liquid Intelligence – Dave Arnold
Neurogastronomy – Gordon Shepherd
Essence and Alchemy – Mandy Aftel

Featured Cocktail: The Man About Town

This episode’s featured cocktail is the Man About Town. During the lightning round, Eric mistakenly assumes that this negroni riff includes an ingredient called Sfumato Rabarbaro - so, we figured we’d go ahead and correct that error while sharing this delicious recipe.

To make the Man About Town, you’ll need:

1 oz Rye Whiskey
1 oz Cynar (an earthy, artichoke based amaro)
1 oz Sweet Vermouth (here, we like a dark one like Punt e Mes)

So, next time you’re at the liquor store, grab a bottle of Cynar and impress your friends with this negroni riff they’ve probably never heard of.

Advice for New Home Bartenders

PIck one drink and explore many variations. It’s the same advice I got when I was learning to play chess. By going deep into one cocktail is really how you start to understand what these different nuances bring to the drink.

Neuromixology

FEATURED COCKTAIL: THE MAN ABOUT TOWN

LINKS

Lightning Round

Favorite Cocktail

If You Were a Cocktail Ingredient, What Would You Be?

Cocktail With Anyone, Past or Present

Influential Cocktail/Aroma Book

Featured Cocktail: The Man About Town

Advice for New Home Bartenders

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