Episodes

  • #4: Espresso Martini

    #4: Espresso Martini
    Apr 16 2026
    Explore the Espresso Martini, a sophisticated yet stimulating cocktail that defies its martini name. This Required Drinking episode traces the drink's invention in 1980s London by Dick Bradsell, revealing how vodka, fresh espresso, and coffee liqueur unexpectedly combined to create a perfect late-night libation.

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    More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
    Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
    stickynotepodcasts.com
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    3 mins
  • #3: Negroni

    #3: Negroni
    Apr 14 2026
    Explore the iconic Negroni cocktail in this episode of Required Drinking. Learn the classic origin story of Count Camillo Negroni's 1919 invention at Café Casoni in Florence, and discover why most bartenders make the common mistake of shaking instead of stirring this deceptively simple equal-parts drink.

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    More from Sticky Note Podcasts:
    Deep in the Stacks (daily jazz vinyl) | The Why of Words (daily etymology) | Photography Knowledge (daily photo tips)
    stickynotepodcasts.com
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • #2: Old Fashioned

    #2: Old Fashioned
    Apr 9 2026
    The Old Fashioned is a three-ingredient whiskey cocktail that sparked a debate about simplicity in bartending. Born in the 1880s as a pushback against over-complicated drinks, it remains a essential classic often made incorrectly with too much sugar and insufficient stirring.
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    3 mins
  • #1: Margarita

    #1: Margarita
    Apr 7 2026
    Explores the history and proper technique for making a margarita, revealing why most versions are wrong. Discusses how the classic 1940s Mexican cocktail uses the sour formula with a genius salt rim that blocks bitter flavors and amplifies lime brightness. Emphasizes the importance of fresh lime juice and perfect salt rim execution.
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    3 mins