Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 15: Covington Vodka

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Olde Mecklenburg Brewing, Sanctuary Vineyards, Morgan Ridge Vineyards, Mystery Brewing Company.

Meet the Maker: Covington Vodka owner Jimbo Eason sits down with Tim and Jordan and talks about why he chose sweet potatoes to make his vodka with and the history of the distillery. Because it’s sweet potatoes and not regular potatoes like traditional vodka, Covington’s Sweet Potato Vodka is “Gluten Free and Putin Free.” And, it’s the “Best Yam Vodka on Earth!”

Food for Drinkin’: Chef Tim Grandinetti sends us some delicious Bison Meat Loaf with tobacco onion straws and creamed spinach from Spring House Restaurant Kitchen & Bar.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink)Snow Hill Paradise
2oz Covington Swt Potato Vodka
2½oz Basil Mango Juice*
½oz lemon vanilla syrup**
Top with tiki two two bitters

*Basil Mango Juice
1 mango char grilled
2 cups mango juice
5 basil leaves
Strain and chill

**Lemon Vanilla Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 whole lemon sliced

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 14: Outer Banks Distillery

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Mystery Brewing, NC Fine Wine Society

Meet the Maker: Scott Smith and Melanie Holdridge are in the studio to talk about the great , its history, plans and we taste several lovely spirits, including Kill Devil Rum.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink)Beach Day Punch
1½oz Kill Devil Rum Silver
3oz Bacon Pineapple Reduction*

*Bacon Pineapple Reduction
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 cups water
1tbsp smoked salt
1tbsp fennel
4 strips cooked bacon
2 cinnamon sticks
8 oz Kiwi

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 13: Childress Vineyards

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Grove Winery & Vineyards, Fonta Flora Brewery

Meet the Maker: Mark Friszolowski and Christine English from Childress Vineyards are in the studio to talk about the history and happenings of Childress and their fantastic wines. We sample and rate 5 different wines from this big-time winery. You should check out their facility, as well, because that is one beautiful setup.

Food for Drinkin’: Chef Tim Grandinetti sends us some delicious Bison Meat Loaf with cheesy grits from Spring House Restaurant Kitchen & Bar.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink)Wild Thing
2oz Sutlers Gin
1½oz Lemon Crack’d Pepper Syrup*
¾oz St-Germain Elderflower
¾oz Hibiscus Tonic**
4 muddled cucumbers

*Lemon Crack’d Pepper Syrup
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Juice of 3 Lemons
4 Sprigs Rosemary
2 Tablespoons fresh cracked pepper
Cook on high until boil

**Hibiscus Tonic
1 cup dried hibiscus flower
12 oz tonic
Let sit overnight

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 12: Copper Barrel Distillery

Proudly recorded from Test Pattern Studios.

In the News: Craft Freedom.org, JOLO Vineyards, Raffaldini Vineyards, Ponysaurus Brewery

Meet the Maker: George Smith and moonshine legend, Buck Nance come down the hill from North Wilkesboro and treats Tim and Jordan with some fantastic moonshine. Not only do we have the “white lightning” but the strawberry, blueberry and black cherry flavors, all available in your local ABC stores and some new stuff, apple pie and espresso flavors that will be soon. Great guys and great stuff.

Food for Drinkin’: Chef Tim sends us two items from his Umami Tsunami ramen pop ups: Turkey Paitan/Tonkotsu Ramen from Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink)Mountain City Day Breeze
1 ½ oz. Copper Barrel White Lightning
2 oz. Caramelized Pineapple Reduction
1 oz. Passionfruit juice
¾ oz. Dark Agave

20oz crushed pineapple
4 oz. turbinado raw sugar
8 oz peach nectar
24 oz pineapple juice
10 basil leaves.

Take pineapple and sugar in a pot on high for 10 minutes until amber color. Add peach and pineapple juice and reduce by half. Steep 10 basil leaves.

 

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 11: Great Wagon Road Distillery

In the News: Raylen Vineyards, Olde Mecklenberg Brewing, Walton’s Distillery, Mystery Brewing, Fortnight Brewing, JOLO Winery, Crude Bitters.

Meet the Maker: Oliver Mulligan from Great Wagon Road Distillery is in and we talk about his fantastic spirits. He gets high marks, especially from his Rua, which has basically made the distillery famous! We try several more, though. A lot of good stuff from Great Wagon Road!

Food for Drinkin’: Chef Tim Grandinetti sends a fantastic Irish-inspired sausage and pasta dish for us to try.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink)Get Down with the Brown.
2oz Rua Single Malt Whiskey
3oz Molasses Black Pepper Sage Reduction¹
¾oz Roses Lime Juice
Top with Crude Rizzo Bitters
Rosemary Lemon Oil²
Two sage leaves (slapped)

¹Molasses, Black Pepper, Sage Reduction
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
3 cups water
1 tbsp coriander seed
2 fresh sage leaves
3 tbsp whole black pepper
Reduce on high heat by half. Refrigerate until cool

²Rosemary Lemon Oil
3 rosemary sprigs
Juice and zest ¼ lemon
1½ cup olive oil
Let set for 24 hours to meld flavors

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 10: Broadslab Distillery

In the News: Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Outer Banks Distilling, Providence Restaurant, Raffaldini Vineyards

Meet the Maker: Jeremy Norris, the owner and distiller of Broadslab Distillery is in the studio to talk about his distillery, its history, his grandfather, where the name of the distillery came from and yes, we tasted a right many of his fantastic spirits.

Also, Brent Lain of Old Southern Moonshine Revival (OSMR) is in the studio to talk about their new album that is coming out soon and we debuted a song from that album. A world-exclusive! And, we must say he has one of the most righteous beards ever seen.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink)Black Magic Woman
Muddle 5 blackberries in the mixing glass
1½ oz Broadslab Legacy Shine
¾ oz Broadslab Carolina Coast Spiced Rum
1½ oz Pomegranate Juice
Juice of ½ lemon.
1½ of honey saffron syrup (recipe below)
Shake and strain

1 part honey
1 part warm water
3 saffron threads
Mix and let set overnight.

 

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 4: Shelton Vineyards

Proudly recorded in the Test Pattern Studios!

In the News: Bombshell Brewing, Mystery Brewing, Wise Man Brewing, Shelton Vineyards

Meet the Maker: Michael Egues and Christina Clark are in the studio to talk about the history of, the cool happenings of, and the delicious wines of Shelton Vineyards. Michael is taking over as the vintner of Shelton and that’s exciting! Tim and Jordan taste several of Shelton Wines.

Mix It Up (the art of the drink): Tropical Breeze (no pic).
1.5 oz Tiny Cat Vodka (Greensboro Distillery)
2 oz Passionfruit
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Pomegranate Juice

Sipping NC: The Art of Drinking Podcast – Episode 1: Old Nick Spirits

Welcome to our inaugural podcast!
You can listen by clicking the embedded link at the bottom of the post.

Tim and Jordan introduce themselves, what we’re doing, why we’re doing it and what to expect from our podcasts.

In the News: Brothers Vilgalys Spirits Company, Fortnight Brewing, Bombshell Brewing, Shelton Vineyards, Greensboro Distilling/Fainting Goat Spirits.

Meet the Maker: Matt and Zeb Williams of Old Nick Spirits of Lewisville, talk about their family’s whiskey history, their Presidential liquor and why their distillery is “America’s most famous forgotten distillery.”

Shake It Up (the art of the drink): Tim’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
1 1/2 oz Old Nick’s Carolina Whiskey
2 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Dark Agave Nectar
1/2 oz Cream of Coconut
1/2 oz Vanilla Extract
1/2 oz Rose’s Lime Juice
Splash of Pomegranate Juice
3 Dashes of Crude™ Vanilla Roasted Pineapple Bitters

Shake over ice. Strain into martini glass.

 

Sipping NC: The Art of the Drink Podcast is proudly recorded at Test Pattern Studios.