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Breaking Spirits

Every bottle contains a history, and Sofi and Vesta are going to get to the bottom of each, figuratively and literally. In this series we explore the cultural histories that spirits, liquors, distillers, and cocktails carry with them and into our own imbibing experiences. Why is Fernet the bartender’s shot? Why are Corpse Revivers #1-3 seemingly unrelated drinks? How does Campari secretly own everything? We don’t necessarily have the answers, but we’re going to BS about it and break some spir…

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A Masterclass on Kvass (Part 1) - With Terran Schackor
Aug. 8, 2025

A Masterclass on Kvass (Part 1) - With Terran Schackor

This week, we're diving deep on a subject that we've briefly touched on before - kvass! We are joined by the wonderful Terran Schackor to talk about this half soda, half beer, all unique drink! In addition, we talk about homebrewing, cultural traditions, and how this relates back to the vikings and homemade mead! Join us for all of this and more!Petit Maître½ Belvedere Vodka1 oz. AKB6 Cognac¾ Kvas Taras Dark Kvas¼ Riga Black Basalm2 dashes Angostura Bitters2 dashes Peychaud's Bitte
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Beyond and Acronym: The History of the IPA - (With Jordan Paley)
July 2, 2025

Beyond and Acronym: The History of the IPA - (With Jordan Paley)

We return from our brief hiatus with the second part of our IPA discussion! We are still with the irrepressible Jordan Paley as we move into the modern era of IPAs. What's the difference between a Hazy and a Double IPA? What is a Milkshake IPA? And how exactly do you have a Black Imperial Pale Ale? Find out all of this and more on this week's Breaking Spirits!Drink Discussed:Black Craft1 ½ oz. Do the Rye Thing Rye Whiskey1/4 oz. Throw Back Fernet4 dashes orange bittersFairfield Brewi
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Beyond An Acronym: The History of the IPA - (With Jordan Paley)
May 29, 2025

Beyond An Acronym: The History of the IPA - (With Jordan Paley)

This week we are once again joined by the wonderful Jordan Paley as we dive into perhaps the most divisive beer style -the IPA! Where did IPA's originally come from? Why are they so popular? And what do those three letters actually mean? We talk about all of this and more on this week's episode of Breaking Spirits!Cocktail Discussed:Calcutta Cutter:1 oz. Darjeeling Barrel Aged Gin½ oz. Calisaya Liqueur¼ oz. Hamilton 86 Demerara Rum3 dashes Polynesian Kiss BittersPizza Port Brewing'
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Put That In My Horn: Drinking Culture and the Renaissance Faire - Part 2 (With Marilynn and Renee Hendrie)
May 16, 2025

Put That In My Horn: Drinking Culture and the Renaissance Faire - Part 2 (With Marilynn and Renee Hendrie)

This week on Breaking Spirits, we are still discussing all things Faire with the wonderful Marilynn and Renee sisters! On this episode, we move into how the Faire has become a culture unto itself, and how that spirit still echoes through craft brewing, and the modern craft movement in general. How are modern mead makers pushing the limits of the style? Why does Hawai'i need a Renaissance Faire? We answer these questions and many more on this week's episode of Breaking Spirits!Cocktail Discusse
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Put That In My Horn: Drinking Culture and the Renaissance Faire - Part 1 (With Marilynn and Renee Hendrie)
May 7, 2025

Put That In My Horn: Drinking Culture and the Renaissance Faire - Part 1 (With Marilynn and Renee Hendrie)

This week on Breaking Spirits, we are joined by the wonderful Hendrie sisters to discuss the world of the Renaissance Faire, and its deep connections to drinking culture! How did the Faire get started? Is there more to drink there than simple mead? And what does all of this have to do with the rise of craft brewing? Find out all of this and more this week on Breaking Spirits!Cocktail Discussed:Purl of the Canyon1 ½ oz. Anchor Distilling Co. Geneviève Genever Style Gin½ oz. Shelter Distil
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From Cadiz to Aberdeen: A History of Sherry Finishes- Part 2 (With Arkonn)
April 23, 2025

From Cadiz to Aberdeen: A History of Sherry Finishes- Part 2 (With Arkonn)

This week on Breaking Spirits, we are still with the wonderful Arkonn as we discuss the history of sherry finished spirits! In this second part, we go global as we talk about how sherry finishing spread beyond just the Scotch industry, and has become the darling of spirits producers around the world! Join us as we explore all of this and more!Cocktail discussed:Link of Inspiration1 ½ oz. Omar Sherry Cask Finished Whisky1 oz. Ron Zacapa No. 23 Centenario1/2 oz. lemon juice1/2 oz. hibi
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From Cádiz to Aberdeen: A History of Sherry Finishes - Part 1 (With Arkonn)
April 16, 2025

From Cádiz to Aberdeen: A History of Sherry Finishes - Part 1 (With Arkonn)

This week, we're joined by the wonderful Arkonn as we explore the history of "sherry-finished" spirits! What exactly does sherry finished mean? What qualities does it impart on a spirit? And why exactly did distillers all across the world start finishing their products in this way in the first place! Find out all of this and more on the first part of this episode of Breaking Spirits!Cocktail Discussed:Mutchlin1 1/2 oz. Sexton Irish Single Malt Whiskey1/2 oz. The Sassenach Wild Foraged Sc
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What's So American About American Single Malt (Part 2) - With Chris Rickabaugh
April 3, 2025

What's So American About American Single Malt (Part 2) - With Chris Rickabaugh

This week, we continue our discussion about all things American Single Malt with the wonderful Chris Rickabaugh! In this second part, we're focusing on what makes these whiskies so different from their single malt counterparts in Scotland or elsewhere around the world. Join us as we talk about barrel finishes, bespoke smokes, native peats, and much more on this episode of Breaking Spirits!Drink discussed:California Winter1 ½ oz. St. George Single Baller Single Malt Whiskey½ oz. Golden Be
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What's So American About American Single Malt (Part 1) - With Chris Rickabaugh
March 20, 2025

What's So American About American Single Malt (Part 1) - With Chris Rickabaugh

This week we are joined by Chris Rickabaugh as we start a dive into America' newest legally defined whiskey category- American Single Malts! We talk about how and why American distillers began to make single malts, what makes them different from traditional single malts, and how they still stay true to their inspiriations. Join us as we talk about all of this and much more on this week's Breaking Spirits.Cocktail Discussed:Bridge of the Gods2 oz. Willow Creek American Single Malt1/3 oz.
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Drinking in the Taiwanese Wave (Part 2) - Featuring Ariel Chu
March 14, 2025

Drinking in the Taiwanese Wave (Part 2) - Featuring Ariel Chu

This week, we continue our discussion about the breadth of Taiwanese spirits with the wonderful Ariel Chu! In this part, we dive into the burgeoning world of Taiwanese whisky! Join us as we discover why whisky has grown so popular on the island, where the first Taiwanese whisky distillers have taken their inspiration from, and how they're making the category their own.Cocktail Discussed:Ilha Formosa2 oz. Formosa 12 Year Single Malt½ oz. fresh lime juice½ oz. fresh lemon juice¼ oz. Pe
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Drinking In the Taiwanese Wave (Part 1) - With Ariel Chu
March 5, 2025

Drinking In the Taiwanese Wave (Part 1) - With Ariel Chu

This week, we are joined by Ariel Chu as we dive into the history and diversity of Taiwanese spirits! In this first part, we look at the diverse influences that have shaped the island's history, and how they laid the foundations of what spirits that are being made there today! Join us as we explore the history of the world's first luxury spirit, communally chewing rice for fun and profit, and distilleries born out of homesickness- and much more on this week's Breaking Spirits!Cocktail Discusse
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Golden State of Bourbon (Part 2) - With Rocky Slaughter
Feb. 19, 2025

Golden State of Bourbon (Part 2) - With Rocky Slaughter

This week, we are still with the wonderful Rocky Slaughter as we explore the world of California made bourbon! We dig into some of the unique twists that Californian distillers are adding to their spirits, discuss the difference between a Kentucky and Californian hug, and much more on this episode of Breaking Spirits!Cocktail Discussed:Fisherman’s Wharf2 oz. Georgetown Port Barrel Finished Bourbon¾ oz. Fernet Francisco½ oz. lime juiceGinger beerCombine the first three ingredients i
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