Giant Cocktails: A San Francisco Giants Baseball Podcast

Let's not kid ourselves; this has been a crazy season. It's time to take a step back and take stock of where we are. With cocktails of course. Matthew is pondering things over his Summer Daze. While Ben is pontificating over his Wild Pink Gin & Tonic. On the baseball side of things the boys discuss the early draft picks of the Giants, the Giants two(!) All Stars, the state of the team at the b...

It's Happy Hour! In this episode Matthew presents his mesmerizing Summer Daze, a gin and Amaro tipple tempered with lavender. Meanwhile Ben enjoys the fruits of his recent voyage to Iceland with a Wild Pink Gin & Tonic. They also discuss the bittersweet feelings of returning from vacation and present a sweet and sticky way to improve your cocktails. Recipes below. Summer Daze 2 oz Gin 1/2 oz A...

How do you celebrate a new iconic rookie? With cocktails of course! Ben is rejoicing with a Monkey Gland. Matthew is lauding the lad with a Frisco Sour. On the baseball side of things our bruised bartenders discuss the state of the starting pitching (opener games versus bullpen games, where is Kyle Harrison, and why the heck do the Giants keep using their starters so weirdly). Also, they anoint Pa...

It's Happy Hour! In this episode Matthew is making native San Franciscans pucker with a classic Frisco Sour. Ben is getting into old time elixirs with the forgotten classic, the Monkey Gland. They also debate which spirit they would keep above all others and then advise on how a master of one cocktail is really the master of many. Recipes below. Frisco Sour 1 2/3 oz Bourbon 1/2 oz Benedictine D.O....

Matthew goes solo on this one! Or did he? This episode delves into how the Padres keep Padre-ing and answers questions from listeners that dig deep - or not. You be the judge. On the cocktail side, Matthew is drinking a Toasted Ginger Godfather while Ben's Sidecar is back. The good news is that Ben is back from Iceland next week - or is he? Listen and find out!

It's Happy Hour! In this episode Ben pulls up with a classic Sidecar. Meanwhile Matthew saunters in with his Toasted Ginger Godfather. They also forget their swim suits while diving into when to buy large bottles vs small small bottles. Recipes below. Sidecar 2 oz. Cognac 1 oz. Orange Liqueur (Cointreau) 1 oz. Lemon Juice Lemon peel for garnish Sugar for rim Sugar the rim of a chilled coupe glass....

Ben is in Iceland and sounds like he's in space but that doesn't stop the boys from celebrating a perfect week of Giants baseball. Matthew is drinking his Paper Plane while Ben pretends to drink his Bloody Mary. The guys talk about sweeping the Dodgers, how Luis Matos has done and how the youth infusion might play out into next year. They also talk about the injuries and isn't time to bring up Kyl...

Ben's in Iceland and Matthew can't do anything when Ben is gone so this episode is a couple days late. Sorry! But it's Happy Hour now and in this episode Matthew is flying in on a modern classic, the perfect Paper Plane. Ben is nursing his hangover and battered ego with a Bloody Mary. They also discuss the merits of everyone's favorite vegetable, celery! Also, tips on how to keep your bar space cl...

Luis Matos is absolutely raking in Sacramento. Surely his debut must be imminent? Probably not, but we can dream. And drink cocktails. Ben is dreaming of the future while trying to stomach his Bad Breakfast. Matthew is eagerly awaiting his Matos jersey while enjoying The Elder Flores. On the baseball side of things [the brothers] discuss the most 2023 week so far, the Joey Bart saga, and who the G...

It's Happy Hour! This week Ben is not too proud to present the perfect way to start a Monday: with a Bad Breakfast. Thankfully Matthew is content with his complex hot gin based bouquet of flavors, The Elder Flores. The brothers also discuss their distant smokey past and give advice on the best first five bottles to put in your bar. Recipes below. Bad Breakfast 1 1/2 oz Gin 1/2 oz Apricot Brandy 3/...

This episode is for Roger Craig, one of the greats. We'll remember you fondly. Matthew is toasting the old skipper with an original, an Holy Schmitt. Ben is raising a glass of his original, an Orange Zephyr. On the present day baseball side of things, the boys discuss whether seven(!?) rookies is enough, can they adjust to the league figuring them out, and how many of them should be sent back down...

It's Happy Hour! In the episode Matthew gets bitter and a little bit apocryphal with his original cocktail (Un)Holy Schmitt. Meanwhile Ben breezes in with his Orange Zephyr, a cocktail built from the hidden fruits of his bar to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. They also discuss the flexible power of bitters and forget what day it is. Recipes below. (Un)Holy Schmitt 2 oz Bourbon 1/2 oz Ben...

The optimists were right! This team is kind of good. Matthew is rejoicing with his cocktail, a Psycho Killer. Ben is pouting (optimistically) over his oddly named Red Headed Farmer. On the baseball side of things, our idealists discuss the changing of the guard at shortstop, how Giants are a good baseball team after an infusion of youth, and finish with a review of the ever impending roster crunch...

It's Happy Hour! In this episode Ben finally returns to rum and his ancestral farmer roots with a delightfully delicate Red Headed Farmer. Matthew goes crazy with an all spirit cacoa and banana infused Psyco Killer. They also different ways to relax without a cocktail and just what to do with bottle of liqueur that just won't leave. Recipes below. Red Headed Farmer 1 1/2 oz Rhum Agricole 1 oz Ging...

The youth movement is finally here! It has our hosts crying like babies after a home run. Matthew's tears of joy are falling into his Banana PB&J. Ben is bawling around gulps of his Porto Flip. On the baseball side of things our weepers talk promotions of prospects, including Bailey, Matos, and Brown. Also, the Padres, Mets and Cardinals are Padre-ing, the veteran hitters are hitting, and the...

It's Happy Hour! In this episode we're serving our first dessert cocktails. Matthew presents the Banana PB&J. It's sweet, decadent and crust free! Ben is breaking his diet with a Porto Flip. Heavy on the cream, heavy on the port and heavy on the calories. Also, the discuss tips on how to shake your shaker and what Matthew does behind closed doors. Banana PB&J 1.5 oz Peanut Butter Whiskey 1...

Can Casey Schmitt pitch? Asking for some friends. It's been a unkind first quarter of the season. Ben is taking solace in his "diet" cocktail he's called the Fuzzy Mint. (Fuzzy?) Matthew is staring into a Banana Old Fashioned, looking for any sign of optimism. On the baseball side of things the boys discuss the state of the team after a quarter of the season, the wisdom of the 7 man "rotation", th...

It's Happy Hour! In this episode a hangry Ben keeps it light with a refreshing Fuzzy Mint that is perfect for a liquid diet. Matthew presents a rich and robust Banana Old Fashioned perfect for cheat day. In honor of Mothers Day, they discuss the most memorable advice they received from their mother. Spoiler alert: memorable does not mean good. Recipes below. Fuzzy Mint 2 oz gin 1/4 oz simple syrup...

Thairo Estrada, Michael Conforto, Cal Stevenson. What do they have in common? They're all Giants and that's about it. Matthew is celebrating the diversity while drinking a Bronarmy Navy. Ben is appreciating the balance while drinking a Charlotte's Web. On the baseball side of things they discuss the great starts of Estrada & Wade, the horrific starts of Conforto & Haniger, and then lift th...

It's Happy Hour! The brothers are recreating (and improving?) restaurant cocktails. Matthew chokes on a Cynar and Orgeat cocktail called Bronarmy Navy. While Ben get’s tangled in the smoke of a Charlotte's Web. Come along as they shamelessly steal from their betters. Cocktail recipes below. BronArmy Navy 2 oz Bourbon 1 oz Lemon Juice 3/4 oz Cynar 3/4 oz Orgeat Pinch of Salt Add all ingredients to...

And yes, Ben is wrong. Matthew is celebrating his victory by drinking his Matcha Made in Heaven. Ben is brooding into his Long French Kiss. On the baseball side of things, the brothers have a big debate about Rule 5 Draftee Blake Sabol, ponder just when we'll know how good the 2023 Giants are, and make casual jokes about baseball at 7200 feet elevation. Cocktail recipes can be found in the show no...

It's Happy Hour. Matthew is blesses us with the Matcha Made in Heaven, a divine blend of matcha and gin. Ben gets passionate with a Long French Kiss, a refreshing spin on the French Connection. They also discuss prom night for some reason. Ben solves all your problems, simply by adding water. You're welcome. Cocktail recipes below. Matcha Made in Heaven 2 oz Gin 1 oz Lime Juice 3/4 oz Agave Syrup...

We've got a winning streak! Bring in the overly optimistic sloshcastlers. Ben is singing the Giants praises while drinking Just a Peach. Matthew scoffs at the naysayers with a Scofflaw. On the baseball side of things our mic-soakers ask if Saturday and Sunday were signs of things to come, the improving bullpen, and the rehab stints of Mitch Haniger and Austin Slater. Cocktail recipes can be found...

It's Happy Hour! In this episode Ben presents a bourbon and creme de peche cocktail while trying to convince us that sometimes a peach is Just A Peach. Matthew takes direct aim at the U.S. constitution with the classic Scofflaw. Also, Ben and ChatGPT coin news words for a growing class of sinfluencer. Just A Peach 1 1/2 oz Bourbon 1/2 Creme de Peche 3/4 oz Lemon Juice 1/2 oz Simple Syrup Combine a...

Can anyone hit the lefties?! Never fear, the boys are practicing their swings but it's thirsty work. Matthew is slaking his thirst with a Blake Sabol inspired Fernet Sour. Ben is chugging a Vesper Martini while icing his shoulders. On the baseball side of things our season citizens discuss the ineptitude against left handed pitching, the faltering bullpen, and ponder just how bad is the defense. F...