About this episode
In this bloody interesting conversation with author, bartender, and bar owner Brian Bartels, some of the topics we discuss include: A little briefing on the state of the industry from Brian's viewpoint, having launched his bar and eatery, Settle Down Madison in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The history of the Bloody Mary Cocktail - including a lengthy discussion of the two key players in its origin story: bartender Ferdinand "Pete" Petiot and vaudevillian George Jessel. How the Bloody Mary spawned various riffs and spinoffs, including the Red Snapper, the Michelada, the Bloody Caesar, and of course, the Red Eye. Why Brian considers the Bloody Mary as a bit of a "moving target" in terms of its formulation - in essence, why it's such a slippery, variable drink, and yet nobody seems to have any problems with the inconsistency of recipes out there. Some thoughts on brunch, and why Brian falls out of step with many professional bartenders by defending it as a bastion of conviviality in today's world. Some pointed and surprisingly optimistic projections on the future of the Bloody Mary, A preview of Brian's newest book project, The United States of Cocktails , And much, much more.