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Mike sits down with soda fountain historian, author, chemist and bartender Darcy O’Neil about his journey from the chemistry lab to the bar and back. Darcy discusses his products Acid Phosphate and Lactart – solutions from the gilded age of soda fountains – and how they can be used to craft tasty beverages. Also discussed: hangover remedies, the crazy carbonation of early sodas, and O’Neil’s revival of the famed Abbott’s Bitters, which lead him to hunting through the rainforests of St. Croix. Kenneth chimes in with a Booze News anecdote about Lebron James switching from Coke to Pepsi. Raise a highly carbonated glass and tune in! Follow Darcy O’Neil on Instagram at @farmfoodfeast. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

This episode contains promotion for an event at Zanie’s Comedy Club. Please be cautious when attending indoor events in respect to the spread of COVID-19. We’re all adults here, so please use your judgment. To start 2021, we come roaring out of the gate with two things you’re going to need: brunch and comedy. Mike begins by sharing a few of his favorite morning cocktails, while Jess chimes in with her Michelada recipe and a shoutout to El Tapatio. Then Mike sits down with Nashville comedian, actor and writer Brad Sativa, whose “Brunch of Laughs” show continues at Zanie’s Comedy Club on Saturday January 16 at 2 pm. Brad discusses his new projects and his love for whiskey, including how he ended up the star of a bourbon commercial. Also discussed: being a comedian covering social issues and Nashville’s racist and progressive past, black-owned whiskey in Tennessee and Brad’s Sativa Mosa, his signature Jack Daniels and pineapple drink. To close, Kenneth brings the Booze News, covering everything from the Supreme Court to The Rock making an energy drink. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

For their annual New Year’s Eve episode, Mike, Kenneth and Jess all pick a favorite lesser-known sparkling wine and talk about why they love it. They also dive into some techniques for making sparkling wine cocktails at home, and share the ultimate pairing for bubbles. Also discussed: the fake origin story of the Seelbach cocktail, wine terms to help the consumer pick out a favorite, and the unlikely story of a fantastic wine made in the deserts of New Mexico. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

For the annual holiday episode, Mike, Kenneth and Jess dive in to the coconut cousin to egg nog: Puerto Rico’s Coquito. Mike is joined by Shamil Velasquez, executive chef of Delaney Oyster House, to discuss Christmas in Puerto Rico and the food and drink traditions of the island. Jess Backhus joins in later for a dairy free recipe for Coquito, and recipes for cocktails that “taste like Christmas.” Kenneth brings it home with Booze News that asks the question: Can Russians stay away from alcohol for 40 days? And why is someone making wine at a water treatment plant in Alabama? Happy holidays from Liquid Gold. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Finally delving into the savory world of drinking chocolate, hosts Mike and Kenneth debate the origins of the flip cocktail and give recipes for the Grasshopper. Jessica drops in for a recipe based on the drinks in the film Chocolat, as well as her own cocktail version. Also discussed: Creme de Cacaó, featuring an old Italian recipe, the chocolate trick played on a case of 18th century Thomas Jefferson wine, and a recipe for Chocolate Chess Pie for the holidays! Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Mike and Kenneth deep dive on all things Fernet, the bitter Italian subcategory of elixirs. Discussed: its popularity in Argentina, the closely held secret ingredients, American versions of Fernet, and plenty of cocktail recipes. They also begin the episode discussing the unlikely resurgence in popularity for the Gibson cocktail, along with a recipe for pickled pearl onions. For Booze News, Kenneth goes over what one creative Napa winery is doing with their smoky grapes, and how PayPal is throwing the longest and wildest remote work Christmas party. The Florida Files also returns with a Trump-induced golf cart crash. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Mike is joined by contributor Jessica Backhus (of Delaney Oyster House) for a discussion about all things Thanksgiving. They discuss some of the pillars of the Thanksgiving table and cover wines that pair well with any side dish — or Turkey, if that’s your thing. They give some helpful cooking tips and advice for making herb oils, cooking stock on the fly and how to start gluten-free gravy. Then Kenneth joins the fun to give some Booze News updates on a beer made for dogs, Elon Musk’s venture into tequila and why Pepsi wants you to screw up your Thanksgiving pie this year. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Mike and Kenneth are joined by cocktail correspondent Jessica Backhus of Delaney Oyster House in Charleston to discuss the crazy history behind the drink that won’t go away, the Espresso Martini. They also discuss some unique recipes and go over their favorite coffee liqueurs. Jessica shares her Hot Toddy preparations for pre-gaming Thanksgiving and the keys to toasting spices. Kenneth dives into Booze News, giving the world a little good news: The 2020 Beaujolais Nouveau reviews are in, and it looks like a stellar crop this year. Finally, why set a Christmas tree on fire when you can just make gin with it? Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

As coffee talk continues, Mike sits down with Nathanael Mehrens, co-founder of Stay Golden Coffee and Matchless Coffee Soda, to discuss the finer points of brewing coffee, the second coming of instant coffee, using espresso in cocktails, and much more. Kenneth checks in with his life advice on the power of the coffee nap, then dives into Booze News covering everything from coffee and OCD to a new book about tequila and tacos. Liquid Gold reminds you to please wear your mask. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Mike and Kenneth get ready for election day with a drinking game perfect for watching the returns on election night. They also snag some interviews with Mitch McConnell, former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and a special appearance from Vice President Mike Pence. Drink it down! Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

To kickoff Season 3, Mike gets jacked on cold brew with none other than Nashville renaissance man Chris Crofton. They discuss his breakthrough 2018 album, the gift of sobriety and how a primitive form of cold brew lead to the Renaissance Era in Europe. Then they discuss the state of comedy and pairing coffee drink orders with B and C list celebrities. Kenneth checks in with a Booze News covering everything from KISS making their own rum in Sweden, another check-in with the royal family, and how marijuana grown in Napa Valley might affect the taste of wine in the region. Finally, Matt Campbell, formerly of Robert’s Western World, reads an excerpt from Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis, the ebook to benefit TN Action for Hospitality. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

To close out an epic season 2, Mike sits down with Liquid Gold contributor Jessica Backhus of Delaney Oyster House to discuss cider cocktails, pairing cider with food, the differences of Spanish cider culture and California style sangria. Then we head to Southeastern Tennessee farm country and talk to Chris Haston of C Haston Cider, a new operation making dry, English-style cider and Perry from apples and pears located on his farm. Finally, Kenneth Dedmon brings a raucous Booze News, covering everything from bobbing for apples, making wine entirely in the dark, and cheating science with Derek Jeter. Possibly included: a fake commercial for Glenn Danzig’s Blood Sausage. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

For the season 2 finale, Liquid Gold dives into all things cider. In part one, Mike sits down with cider and orchard legend Diane Flynt, from Virginia’s famed Foggy Ridge Ciders. They talk about the terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the different varieties of apples that are so crucial to American cider. Diane also drops some news about a new book she’s working on about apples in the south. Mike gives a few cider cocktail recipes, while Kenneth checks in with a wide-ranging Booze News that has our hosts worried they’re actually going crazy. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Six months after recording, we’re finally releasing our lone “Lost Episode” with Andy Wedge of Momofuku in New York City. As a continuation of last week’s theme, hosts Mike and Kenneth explore the traditions of apertivo hour with Wedge, along with wine correspondent Alex Burch from Bastion. This is the last time the whole group was together in the studio going back to March 1, 2020. Also covered: the legendary Garibaldi cocktail, pairing wine with spicy food, the difficulties of categorizing food, pairing wines with hip hop, and what sommeliers really think of white claw. To close, Mike follows up with Andy in the present time to discuss all the adversity he has faced since their chat in March. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

For a very special episode 50 (!) hosts Mike and Kenneth cover one of their favorite drinks, the Negroni. They go over the history of the drink, the fascinating rise of apertivo culture in America, as well as a few of the secret ingredients that make Campari so special. They also discuss a few recipes and how using salt in cocktails at home can transform your drinks. Other topics explored: was Count Negroni cool? Is Campari and soda the drink of futurism? Is there a cricket in the room? An enjoyable cap to Negroni Week indeed! Be sure to read this Nashville Scene interview with Mike Wolf about his new book and the announcement of another wonderful surprise: Liquid Gold: The Book. Order Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Agave month (extended) concludes with a discussion about the fascinating world of Sotol, a wild desert spirit from Central Mexico that is currently seeing a lot of interest in cocktail and drinking culture. Mike and Kenneth are joined by the head bartender of Husk Nashville, Adam Morgan, a big fan of Sotol who’s been using it in cocktails for the last few years. Also covered: cocktails with rhubarb amaro, the terroir of Sotol, and the difficulties of sustainability with desert plants. Booze News covers everything from Snoop Dogg’s new gin to Nicolas Cage playing a vodka drinking, fire-breathing dragon. Adam shares a recipe from the new book to benefit TN Action for Hospitality, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis. Order Mike’s new book, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Wild agaves are toasted as Mike dives into the varied world of Mezcal, Bacanora, and Raicilla before handing things off to Jessica Backhus of Delaney Oyster House in Charleston, South Carolina who reads a passage from the new ebook, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis. Patrick Goodspeed talks about his playlist to go along with the book as well as his delicious drink. Then Mike interviews Gabe Fuenmayor of Bar Sovereign about running a bar through a pandemic and his love for mezcal. Co-host Kenneth calls in with Booze News, discussing the wildfires in California and something we all need more of, boozy ice cream. Order Mike’s new book, Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis on Amazon. Hear the companion playlist over on Spotify. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Hosts Mike and Kenneth talk about a few of their favorite ingredients to mix with tequila, some of which may be growing in your yard. Mike reads an excerpt from Lost Spring: How We Cocktailed Through Crisis, the new eBook to benefit Tennessee hospitality workers, recipes are given for frozen cucumber Paloma’s and Kenneth talks about the magic of prickly pears. Booze news makes a triumphant return in a land where no Hollywood heartthrobs are spared. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Agave month meets the Summer of Shots as host Mike Wolf covers the nearly 100 hundred year history of Sangrita. The first non alcoholic shot in the world? The first next-level incarnation of grenadine? The reason Mike didn’t spend a night in Mexican jail? Those answers and more, with plenty of recipes! Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen

Hosts Mike and Kenneth kick off “Agave Month” on Liquid Gold, discussing the rock n’ roll history behind the Tequila Sunrise. They discuss the origins and seedy heyday of the drink, along with the film and songs that bear the drink’s name. Kenneth breaks out an unlikely Kurt Russel story, recipes are given and an exclusive quote from the Rolling Stones former tour manager is provided. Later, they cover the Nashville Fashion House story and discuss the recent lawsuit involving downtown bachelorettes at Mockingbird Nashville. Darkest before the dawn, indeed. Music by Upright T-Rex Music. Logo by Jess Machen