Drinking With The Saints

Mike and Alexandra make a surprising cocktail and discuss a fairly recent saint, including: Don Bosco and his association with magic Don Bosco or Dom Bosco? Priests reading souls Does smoking cigarettes disqualify you from sainthood? Check out the video of Mike mixing this week's cocktail at backrow.fm/dwts/028 The Magic Cotton Candy Daiquiri Cocktail 1 big fluff of cotton candy 2 oz. light rum Ju...

Mike and Alexandra discuss a cocktail that was not in the Drinking with the Saints book for St. Agnes, but perhaps would have been. It involves a unique ingredient that not even they have tried before. They also talk about the life of St. Agnes and then take a look at some fascinating traditions that happen in Rome each year around the feast of St. Agnes. The Lion and the Lamb Cocktail 1½  oz...

Mike and Alexandra discuss St. Antony in the Desert, Antony vs. Anthony. They issue a mea culpa on a recipe from the Drinking with the Saints book and offer a revised version. They also talk about two bonus drinks for St. Antony, including a recipe if you are keeping January dry. Some tidbits about St. Antony include his influence on monasticism, his association with pigs, and how his story influe...

Mike and Alexandra discuss the topsy-turvy traditions of the 12 Days of Christmas and the surprising way that they keep some of these traditions alive today. Drink: The “Duodecimal Drummers be Drumming” Old Fashioned 2 oz. Johnny Drum Bourbon 1 tsp. Simple syrup 1 dash angostura or orange bitters 2 Luxardo cherries, impaled by sticks to resemble drum sticks Pour bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters...

Mike and Alexandra celebrate New Years Eve by taking a look at some of the interesting New Years traditions around the world. They even include a bonus drink for you to entertain your New Years guests with, and it involves fire. Drink: Godly Prosperity ½ oz. cinnamon schnapps with gold flakes ¼ oz. lemon juice 3 oz. chilled brut sparkling wine 1 dash orange bitters Cranberry garnish Build ingredie...

Mike and Alexandra celebrate Christmas Eve by examining the origins of some of our most popular Christmas traditions. They discuss mistletoe, Christmas trees, and holly before turning their attention to the surprising origins of some beloved Christmas songs. Finally, they announce the winner of the naming contest for fans of Drinking with the Saints. Drink: Adam’s Apple 1 oz. apple brandy or apple...

Mike and Alexandra examine the “O Antiphons” and the golden nights. They also announce the finalists for the naming contest for fans of Drinking with the Saints.  Go vote in the poll at drinkingwiththesaints.com Finally, they dig into some Christmastime trivia from Mike’s newest book, “Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe” including their family’s connection to the origins of Silent Night, the str...

Mike and Alexandra talk about what the Immaculate Conception is, what it is not, and why it was defined in 1854 of all times. Also discussed: Why St. Joachim must have been a great kisser. They enjoy one of their favorite cocktails: the White Lady, and talk about its variations. Drink: White Lady 1 egg white 2 tsp. Powdered sugar 1 oz. gin 1 oz. vodka 1 oz. Cointreau 1 tbsp. Fresh lemon juice Lemo...

Mike and Alexandra make some Glühwein and kick off the Advent season with discussion of its origins and the tension of somberness and joy within Advent. They talk about Advent customs such as advent wreaths, Advent calendars, Nativity scenes, and, of course, goblins. Drink: Glühwein 4 oz. Claret or any dry red wine 1 stick cinnamon 1/2 tsp. sugar 1 orange peel 1 lemon peel 1 whole clove Build ingr...

Mike and Alexandra examine all things bourbon with a trivia throwdown. What makes a liquor a bourbon? Why is Kentucky an ideal place to make bourbon? What are the angels’ share and the devil’s cut of bourbon? They end with some trivia on the origins of Thanksgiving in the United States. Drink: Manhattan 1.5 oz. bourbon 0.5 oz. sweet vermouth 1 dash bitters (optional) 1 cherry for garnish Add all i...

Mike and Alexandra discuss St. Elizabeth of Hungary and her bittersweet life. Using inspiration from her story, they construct a new cocktail in her honor named the “Leper in My Bed.” Other topics include what to look for in good grenadine, and what is Chambord? St. Elizabeth of Hungary: November 17th Drink: Leper in My Bed 1.5 oz. vodka 1 splash grenadine ½ oz. Chambord brandy ¾ oz. lemon juice 1...

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Martin of Tours and some interesting stories, including how he was betrayed by a flock of geese. Did you know the words “chapel” and “chaplain” derive from his legacy? They also discuss the king of cocktails, the Martini, how to make it well, and several of its variations. St. Martin of Tours: November 11th Drink: Martini 2 oz. gin 1 splash vermouth 2 olives Stir...

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. They even offer a way to win a signed copy of the Drinking with the Saints book! 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 m...

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 Pou...

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 learn about St. Edward the Confessor and his father’s bizarre nickname, and then invent a drink on the spot in honor of St. Edward. Will it turn out to be any good? They also get to the bottom of what exactly a confessor even is, and throw in a bonus drink for another saint who is celebrated today. St. Edward the Confessor: October 13th Drink: The Royal Touch 1 ½ oz. London Dry...

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: The Last Word ¾ oz. gin ¾ oz. green Chartreuse ¾ oz. Maraschino liqueur ¾ oz. lime juice Pour all ingredients into a shaker fi...

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Michael, the devil’s spit, and the connection of both to blackberries. They also share some trivia about St. Michael and the angels, and finish off the five part series on how to drink like a saint. Happy Devil’s Spit Day! St. Michael: September 29th (Feast of the Archangels) Drink: St. Michael’s Sword 1 ½ oz. Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Bourbon ¾ oz. blackberry brandy 2...

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Padre Pio and share stories of some of the miracles he performed and the struggles he dealt with. They also continue their five-part series on drinking like a saint. St. Pius of Pietrelcina: September 23rd Drink: The Black Devil 2 oz. Light Rum ½ oz. Sweet Vermouth 1 black olive (for garnish) Mix the rum and vermouth over ice and mix 40 times. Strain into a cockta...

Mike and Alexandra talk about St. Hildegard of Bingen, her interest in food as medicine, and the influence of strong women like her in the Church and society. They also continue their five-part series on drinking like a saint. The Nativity of Mary : September 8th Drink: The Rhine Wine Cobbler 1 tsp. Simple syrup ½ oz. Lemon juice Rhine wine, such as a Blue Nun Riesling 1 Lemon twist and mint sprin...

Mike and Alexandra discuss the Nativity of Mary and the tradition of blessing seeds for fall gardens on this day, as well as the feast’s connection to wine making.. They also discuss the celebration of name days and then continue their five-part series on drinking like a saint. The Nativity of Mary : September 8th Drink: The Sazerac 1 splash of  Absinthe ½ tsp. Simple Syrup 2 oz. Rye Whiskey...

Mike and Alexandra discuss St. Giles, the incredible story of how he got his sustenance, and the unfortunate results of poor hunter’s safety training in France in the 600’s. They also open their five-part series on drinking like a saint by talking about a virtue that Mike refers to as “sexy,” although Alexandra finds that description a stretch. St. Giles : September 1st Drink: The Arrowhead 1 Egg...

Mike and Alexandra discuss St. Augustine, the pronunciation of his name, and Mike’s special connection to him. Mike shares stories from his professional work on St. Augustine, and also explains why Augustine is a patron saint of brewers even though he likely never encountered beer in his life. The discussion then turns to the origin of patronages for saints. St. Augustine : August 28th Drink: Lady...

Mike and Alexandra discuss St. Bernard of Clairvaux and his connection to a tradition of art that is sure to raise a few eyebrows. Then they debate the question of how one should stock their home bar, and what the four most essential liquors for the home bar would be. Alexandra also mentions her favorite cocktail cherries,Toschi Amarena Black Cherries, which can be found here: https://a.co/d/3ezj6...

Mike and Alexandra discuss St. Clare of Assisi and her various patronages. They also discuss St. Clare as the world’s first television viewer of sorts. Then the discussion continues on the different types of cocktail drinkware that you should consider having stocked in your cupboards. Today the discussion centers on brandy snifters, wine and champagne glasses, and beer glasses. St. Clare of Assisi...