Drinking With The Saints

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Hubert, how he became the patron saint of hunters, and some of the strange traditions and strong liqueurs connected to him. St. Hubert: November 3rd Drink: The Hunter 1 ½ oz. rye whiskey ¾ oz. cherry brandy (kirsch) 1 Maraschino cherry (optional) Pour rye and kirsch into a shaker or mixing glass filled with ice and stir until very cold. Strain into a cocktail glas...

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Jude and the surprising origins of his devotion, the well-known hospital named after him, and his also-overlooked companion St. Simon. They also mix a cocktail with a very unusual list of ingredients. St. Jude: October 28th Drink: The Desperado 2 oz. Patron Añejo tequila ¾ oz. sweet vermouth ½  oz. amontillado sherry ¼ oz. Cynar 1 orange twist for garnish Pour all...

Mike and Alexandra talk about two and a half saints. They talk about St. John Paul II, some of the many records he broke, why he does not have a cocktail assigned in the Drinking with the Saints book, and what it was like to meet him. St. John Paul II: October 22nd Drink: The Salomé Cocktail 1 oz. gin ¾ oz. dry vermouth ¾ oz. red Dubonnet Stir ingredients in a shaker or mixing glass filled with ic...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: St. Theresa of Avila and her search for holiness from childhood Doctors of the Church Bernini’s “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa” Book: “Divine Intimacy” - sophiainstitute.com/product/divine-intimacy Mike’s appearance on massoftheages.org Drink of the Week: I’ll Avila Mojito 6 mint leaves, plus more for garnish 1 oz. lime juice 1 oz. simple syrup 2 oz. Santa Teresa rum 2 oz. sp...

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Bruno, the Carthusian order, and the Chartreuse liqueur that the order makes. This week’s drink is the Last Word, and it quickly becomes apparent that this is the most potent drink that Mike has mixed so far! St. Bruno: October 6th Drink of the Week : The Last Word ¾ oz. gin ¾ oz. green Chartreuse ¾ oz. Maraschino liqueur ¾ oz. lime juice Pour all ingredients into...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: How to make your own simple syrup The translation of the Bible into Latin from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek St. Jerome’s struggle to learn Hebrew The different forms of the Latin translation over the centuries Jerome’s feuds with Origen, St. Ambrose, and St. Augustine Drink of the Week: Whiskey Sour 2 oz. whiskey, usually rye or bourbon 2 tsp simple syrup or ½ tsp. powder...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: What is St. Michael’s Lent? Labor Day and International Workers’ Day St. Joseph the Worker Alexandra’s surprise cocktail The scandalous background of Benedictine liqueur The theology of work Drink of the Week: Birra Nursia Extra Abbey Ale    Bonus Cocktail: Monte Cassino Cocktail ¾ oz. rye whisky ¾ oz. Benedictine liqueur ¾ oz. yellow Chartreuse ¾ oz. lemon juice Twist...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: The tie between Martinis and St. Helen Helen as consort as opposed to wife Evelyn Waugh’s novel “Helena” The finding of the True Cross Cocktail of the Week: Martini with a Twist 2 oz. London dry gin 1 splash dry vermouth A twist of lemon Olives to garnish   Add gin and vermouth into a shaker filled with ice. Stir 40 times. Strain into a cocktail glass. Add a twist of le...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: Color-changing cocktails  Butterfly pea blossom The timing of the Feast of the Transfiguration The purpose of the Transfiguration The four qualities of the risen body Mike as the Mosaic law and Alexandra as the “Spirit of the law” The significance of the witnesses Cocktail of the Week: Transfiguring Gin and Tonic (technically, an Empress & Tonic) 2 oz. Empress 1908...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: Recapping their trip to Alaska Listener feedback connecting St. Peter’s mother-in-law with The Brothers Karamazov   What we know and don’t know about Mary Magdalene  Which of the Marys in the Bible are, or may be, Mary Magdalene Did Mary Magdalene end up in France? St. Anselm’s prayer to Mary Magdalene Cocktail of the Week : The Slutty Mary 1 ½ oz. tequila 3 oz. tomato...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: Is the Gibson cocktail a martini? St. Peter’s mother-in-law  What “fishers of men” means Explaining the various fishing miracles involving Peter Cocktail of the Week : The Gibson 2 oz. gin 1 dash dry vermouth 1 dash lemon bitters Pearl onions for garnish   Pour gin, vermouth, and bitters into a glass filled with ice and stir  forty times. Strain into a cocktail glass an...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: The Kir Cocktail, its allegories with Christ, and its background How to use Kir to keep from wasting wine going bad The origins of devotion to the Sacred Heart Devotion to the Sacred Heart as a response to Jansenism  Trying a dusty bottle of La Grande Passion Liqueur, which was discontinued in the mid-1990’s Cocktail of the Week : Kir 1 glass white wine ¼-¾ oz. creme de...

Mike and Alexandra discuss: The anniversary of the conception of Drinking with the Saints How the Trinity Cocktail represents the Holy Trinity “Begotten” vs. “Spirited” Why are liquors called “spirits?” The feast of the Holy Trinity Portals to God the Father Mary as Mediatrix of all graces Cocktail of the Week : Trinity Cocktail 1 oz. gin 1 oz. sweet vermouth 1 oz. dry vermouth Pour all ingredient...

Mike and Alexandra discuss the Ascension: Versicles 3 reasons to be happy about the Ascension  Foods and drinks associated with Ascension Superstitions tied to Ascension A brief poetry session The 6 “leaps” of Christ A report on their pilgrimage to Portugal More details: The Eucharistic Miracle at Santarem Cocktail of the Week : The Phoenix 1 oz. Bourbon ½ oz. Creme de Banana ½ oz. triplesec 1 oz....

Mike and Alexandra discuss: The “Forbidden feasts” May 4 - Feast of St. Monica May 5 - The Conversion of St. Augustine May 6 - St. John at the Latin Gate The Universal Calendar of the Church versus other calendars Cocktail of the Week: The Boilermaker 1 pint beer 1 oz. whiskey Pour the beer into a pint glass. Pour whiskey into a shot glass. Drop the shot glass of whiskey into the beer, and serve....

Mike and Alexandra discuss the long-lost Catholic tradition of Rogation Days: What are Rogation days Customs of the rogation days What happened to Rogationtide? Why is Rogation important to bring back? Cocktail of the Week: Cherry-Heavy Old Fashioned 1 tsp. Cherry juice 1 ½ oz. bourbon 1 dash orange bitters  1 cherry for garnish Mix the ingredients in an old fashioned glass and swirl. Add ice. Add...

Mike and Alexandra prepare for Easter, with an Easter cocktail and tips on pairing the right wine with your Easter dinner! Other topics include: Easter traditions Origins of the Easter Bunny The ties between Easter and eggs Bizarre old Easter traditions, including “switching,” “drenching,” and “heaving” The Easter Walk The Emmaus Walk Cocktail of the Week : The Easter Bunny 1 1/2 oz. dark crème de...

Mike and Alexandra continue with the Lenten beer series. Topics include: Lenten Beer: Belgian Tripel 7 Reasons to like Lady Day 7 Customs Associated with Lady Day, including the “Holy Ghost Hole”?? Beer of the Week: Chimay Trippel Exciting News! Mike has teamed up with Fr. Leo Patalinghug to create a cookbook of recipes paired with saint stories. “Dining with the Saints” is available NOW! We would...

For the next couple months we will be switching to releasing episodes every other week.  We'll see you back next Thursday with a new episode!

Mike and Alexandra continue with the Lenten beer series as well as an alcohol-free mocktail series. Topics include: Trappist breweries Dark Lent customs Jack-o-lent Herring Pinatas Trastevere and its incredible church Station Church: Santa Maria in Trastevere Beer of the Week: Westmalle Dubbel Trastevere Mocktail 2-3 sliced fresh strawberries 2-3 mint leaves 1 oz simple syrup 1 oz fresh lemon juic...

Mike and Alexandra continue with the Lenten beer series as well as an alcohol-free mocktail series. Topics include: St. Francis of Paolo and the Paulaner monks Doppelbock and its origin with Paulaner Salvatore Pretzels and their origin as a Lenten snack St. Lawrence in Panisperna, and the 3 other Roman churches for St. Lawrence Station Church: San Lorenzo in Panisperna Beer of the Week: Paulaner D...

Mike and Alexandra welcome Lent by introducing a Lenten beer series, as well as an alcohol-free mocktail series. Topics include: Happy Lent? Beer series for Lent: Bock The connection between bock beer and goats Station Days and their historical inclusion in the Missal Mocktails for Lent Beer of the Week: Shiner Bock The Dragon Slayer Mocktail ½ oz. fresh lemon juice 1 oz. dragonfruit syrup Sparkli...

Mike and Alexandra make a classic New Orleans cocktail in anticipation of Mardi Gras, and then discuss various customs and traditions of Carnival, leading up to Lent, around the world. Topics include: Carnival and its meaning Shrovetide What are packzi? Collup Monday Nickanan night Other names for Fat Tuesday Foley household Fat Tuesday traditions The Ramos Gin Fizz 2 oz. gin ½ oz. lime juice ½ oz...

Mike and Alexandra make a different version of the White Lady cocktail than in December, but it all goes awry when Mike attempts a metaphor to describe how the versions differ. Topics include: The Apparitions at Lourdes The Immaculate Conception and St. Maximilian Kolbe Mike’s embarrassing story about visiting Lourdes The “dark side” of the Lourdes apparitions The White Lady (easier version) 2 oz....

Mike and Alexandra opt not to make a cocktail that can burn your hand, and instead make one that ends up all over the floor. They discuss the many feasts that fall on February 2. Topics include: Where did turtledoves get their name? The Byzantine tradition of St. Simeon’s death Ritual purification - The evil, the bad, and the icky Did Mary need ritual purification after birth? Church ceremony that...