Art of the Drink was the first weekly video podcast focusing exclusively on instructional bartending. It was created by Anthony Caporale and David McCoy as an extension of Caporale's Art of the Drink Instructional Bartending DVD, and premiered in May 2005. The series was produced by Caporale's Lion's Cathedral Productions company, with the final episode released on YouTube on July 31, 2019.
Podcast format Each episode followed a two-act format: Caporale prepared a cocktail, then a co-host replicated the process based on his instructions. Many installments included a trivia contest referencing prior episodes and concluded with outtakes from the filming process. Caporale's five-to-fifteen-minute videos focused on concise demonstrations behind a bar. He covered everything from the correct glassware and ice to the right liquors, often using multiple camera angles. Except for occasional interviews or On the Road segments, he mixed original and classic cocktails like The Samuels or the Sazerac on set, while an accompanying blog expanded on topics such as "proof" and the difference between shaking and stirring.
Reception Zach Jones of Tubefilter, wrote in his review that he found the podcast "incredibly informative" and the instructions "are easy to understand." Art of the Drink was a featured How-To Podcast on iTunes. The series was also featured in The News & Observer and commended as a Best of 2006 in The New York Times.
Notable episodes Art of the Drink was invited to cover a number of notable events, including the 2009 White House Press Dinner, and the launches of Maker's 46 Bourbon and Pisco Porton. Leading beverage industry guests included Bill Samuels Jr., Johnny Schuler, Charlotte Voisey, and Junior Merino.
Sponsors Months after its launch, Art of the Drink received a multi-year sponsorship from Maker's Mark Bourbon in one of the earliest social media influencer programs. Later sponsors included Truvia Natural Sweetener, Pisco Porton, and Tanteo Tequila.
Awards and recognition Art of the Drink received the Lulu TV Award for Best Instructional Vlog in 2006 and was featured as a How-To Podcast on iTunes. It was a Taste Award Finalist in 2010 and 2012 for Best Drink or Beverage Program: Web.
Episodes Episode Title Released 1 Mexican Mojito 25 April 2006 2 Ginger Julep 5 May 2006 3 Mimosa Royale 9 May 2006 4 Holy Grail 16 May 2006 5 Beach Bellini 22 May 2006 6 White Chocolate Martini 30 May 2006 7 World Cup 6 June 2006 8 Godfather 13 June 2006 9 Sunset Pousse-Café 20 June 2006 10 Kryptini 25 June 2006 11 Bourbon & Branch 3 July 2006 12 Planter's Punch 9 July 2006 13 Wine Presentation 17 July 2006 14 Lynchburg Lemonade 24 July 2006 15 Cosmopolitan 31 July 2006 16 Blue Motorcycle 7 August 2006 17 Snake Bite 15 August 2006 18 Metropolitan 23 August 2006 19 Whisky Flip 30 August 2006 20 Hurricane 7 September 2006 21 First Down 13 September 2006 22 Applejack Rabbit 20 September 2006 23 Presbyterian 26 September 2006 24 Season 1 Highlights 23 October 2006 25 Zombie 27 October 2006 26 Mai Tai 3 November 2006 27 Rick Lyke Interview 8 November 2006 28 Hot Buttered Cider 23 November 2006 29 Rose Petal 30 November 2006 30 Candy Cane Martini 13 December 2006 31 Ginger Green Tea Toddy 18 December 2006 32 Anthony's Syllabub 21 December 2006 33 Champagne Cocktail 28 December 2006 34 Bill Samuels Jr. Interview 20 January 2007 35 His‑n‑Hers 7 February 2007 36 Sazerac 13 February 2007 37 Negroni 21 February 2007 38 Maker's Mark Distillery Tour 1 March 2007 39 Season 2 Outtakes 9 March 2007 40 St. Patrick's Day Irish Coffee 16 March 2007 41 Bourbon Tasting Class 23 March 2007 42 Espresso Martini 29 March 2007 43 Easter Ascension 5 April 2007 44 Classic Caipirinha 12 April 2007 45 The Samuels 20 April 2007 46 Yakety Yak 14 April 2007 47 Labor Day Master Steak 28 August 2007 48 Sidecar 24 October 2007 49 Thanksgiving Vanilla Martini 17 November 2007 50 Singapore Sling! 19 December 2007 51 Maker's Mark Egg Nog 24 December 2007 52 New Year's Eve Cocktail 30 December 2007 53 St. Patrick's Day Nutty Irishman 12 March 2008 54 Easter Spring Awakening 19 March 2008 55 Lychee Martini 20 April 2008 56 Classic Cocktails: Manhattan 15 May 2008 57 Memorial Day Sex On The Beach 21 May 2008 58 Absinthe 24 June 2008 59 July 4th Piña Colada 1 July 2008 60 Classic Cocktails: Margarita 16 July 2008 61 Fresh Sour 30 July 2008 62 Maker's Mark Old Fashioned 13 August 2008 63 Rosie Lee 27 August 2008 64 Daddy‑O 10 September 2008 65 Baracktail – Election Special 1 15 October 2008 66 Maverick – Election Special 2 17 October 2008 67 Shark Ice 5 November 2008 68 Passion Fruit Paloma 1 April 2009 69 Root Beer Float 20 May 2009 70 White House Press Dinner, Part 1 5 July 2009 71 White House Press Dinner, Part 2 21 September 2009 72 White House Press Dinner, Part 3 29 October 2009 73 Classic Mint Julep 5 May 2010 74 Maker's 46 25 July 2010 75 Pisco Portón Sour 7 June 2011 Samuels Redux – On the Road 11 February 2010 76 Science of Mixology: Craft Ice 24 August 2011 77 Science of Mixology: Chilled Glassware 7 September 2011 78 Science of Mixology: Shaking vs Stirring 21 September 2011 79 Science of Mixology: Physics of Flair 5 October 2011 80 Science of Mixology: Vodka Flash 17 February 2013 81 Talking Pisco with Junior Merino 23 February 2014 82 Earth Day Cocktail 20 March 2014 83 For Your Island 23 April 2014 84 The Truvia Bar/Tea Package 31 May 2014 85 Flavored Truvia Syrups 10 June 2014 86 Fit‑n‑Fresh Margaritas 17 June 2014 87 Ginger‑Mint Margaritas 23 June 2014 88 Fit‑n‑Fresh Cocktails 1 July 2014 89 The Truvia Bar/Tea Package 22 July 2014 90 Nicole DiMattei (ACSM‑PT) on Truvia 31 October 2014 91 The Anatomy of a Cocktail 7 November 2014 92 Video thumbnail: Batches, Bottles and Bowls, Part 1: Batching Cocktails 14 November 2014 93 Batches, Bottles and Bowls, Part 2: Bottling Cocktails 16 December 2014 94 Batches, Bottles and Bowls, Part 3: Punch Bowl Cocktails 23 December 2014 95 Non‑Alcoholic Vodka 30 July 2019
References
External links
"A Cape Cod" by Jim Kirks, The Clip Show, August 15, 2006, retrieved January 9, 2007