Radio Imbibe

Giuseppe González built his bartending reputation at bars including Flatiron Lounge, Clover Club, PKNY, and Suffolk Arms. Now working in Las Vegas, he’s made it his mission every December to share his love of coquito, a spiced rum-and-coconut drink from Puerto Rico that’s essential for celebrating the holidays. For this episode, González talks with us about coquito’s history and shares his recipe (below) and tips for making a batch to share with friends and family.Radio Imbibe is the audio home of Imbibe magazine. In each episode, we dive into liquid culture, exploring the people, places, and flavors of the drinkscape through conversations about cocktails, coffee, beer, spirits, and wine. Keep up with us at imbibemagazine.com, and on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and if you're not already a subscriber, we'd love to have you join us—click here to subscribe.  Coquito TradicionalMakes about 5 ½ liters60 oz. / 5 cans evaporated milk60 oz. / 4 cans cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)2 Tbsp. good-quality vanilla extract6 long cinnamon sticks (preferably Mexican cinnamon)3 Tbsp. ground nutmeg4 whole star anise6 whole cloves2 liters aged Puerto Rican rumAdd all of the ingredients, except the rum, to a large pot and bring to a boil, stirring to combine. Immediately remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Add the rum and stir, then strain out the solids, saving the cinnamon sticks and discarding the rest. Using an immersion blender (or a blender, working in batches), blend for at least 90 seconds. Bottle for use or for gifting, adding a cinnamon stick to each bottle. Keep refrigerated. To serve, pour chilled into a small cup or glass (or add to coffee), and grate fresh nutmeg or cinnamon on top, if desired.

What’s an ideal Thanksgiving cocktail? And how do you make the perfect eggnog? In our November/December 2024 issue, Imbibe contributing editor Wayne Curtis explores the former topic, and Portland bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler contemplates the latter. For this episode, we talk with Wayne and Jeff about Thanksgiving cocktails, other holiday drinks (good and bad), and how to prepare for the festive season.Radio Imbibe is the audio home of Imbibe magazine. In each episode, we dive into liquid culture, exploring the people, places, and flavors of the drinkscape through conversations about cocktails, coffee, beer, spirits, and wine. Keep up with us at imbibemagazine.com, and on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and if you're not already a subscriber, we'd love to have you join us—click here to subscribe. 

Boston has long been a beacon of cocktail culture in America, and Jackson Cannon is a big reason behind that. For this episode, we talk with the longtime Boston bartender about the evolution of the city’s cocktail scene over the past couple of decades, and about the reopening of Eastern Standard, one of the city’s landmark establishments.Radio Imbibe is the audio home of Imbibe magazine. In each episode, we dive into liquid culture, exploring the people, places, and flavors of the drinkscape through conversations about cocktails, coffee, beer, spirits, and wine. Keep up with us at imbibemagazine.com, and on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and if you're not already a subscriber, we'd love to have you join us—click here to subscribe. 

The Brandy Crusta isn’t only an essential New Orleans cocktail, it’s a key part of cocktail history, too. New Orleans bartender Chris Hannah first refined his approach to the Crusta while working at Arnaud’s French 75, and today the cocktail is a central part of the story at Jewel of the South, the French Quarter bar and restaurant where he’s a partner. For this episode, Chris Hannah shares the significance of the Brandy Crusta, and talks us through the Jewel of the South approach to the cocktail today.Radio Imbibe is the audio home of Imbibe magazine. In each episode, we dive into liquid culture, exploring the people, places, and flavors of the drinkscape through conversations about cocktails, coffee, beer, spirits, and wine. Keep up with us at imbibemagazine.com, and on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, and if you're not already a subscriber, we'd love to have you join us—click here to subscribe.