Paris Cocktail Talk: Recent Episodes
52 Martinis
In-depth coverage of Paris Cocktail Culture including French spirits, liqueurs, cocktail ingredients, bars and trends
In this month’s episode of Paris Cocktail Talk, we chat with Frédéric Revol, founder of Domaine des Hautes Glaces, France’s first organic whisky distillery. Frédéric, a farmer and agronomist, discusses […]
In this month’s episode, we talk to whiskey enthusiast and super fan Martine, who has been regularly attending Whisky Live Paris since 2016 to better understand the salon from a […]
In this month’s episode, we speak with Jérôme Delord of Delord Armagnac, a fourth generation business, that takes their spirit from the vineyard to the cocktail. He gives a speedy […]
In this month’s episode, we interview Nicola Le Brun of La Maison du Whisky about this year’s 20th edition of Whisky Live Paris coming up on 28 – 30 September […]
In this month’s episode, we chat with Juilette Lerouy, one of the well-known French bartenders abroad, about how she ended up working in bars, moving to different countries, what it’s […]
In this month’s episode, we talk to Aurélie Duboé about the state of cocktail journalism in France and how she researches and crafts a story. She shares her take on […]
This month we talked with Meryll Cawn, co-owner of Ginger Phœnix, about Marseille cocktails, opening her own bar and restaurant, and moving from the US to France to work in hospitality.
This month we talk about the culture around French aperitifs with Lutèce founder, Joshua Fontaine, and how his Parisian apéritif is responding to modern day demands for taste, quality, and sustainability.
The latest Danico cocktail menu ‘Japan’ launched in February and is the third in the bar’s conceptual series ‘Xplorer’. The Xplorer menu series launched in 2023 and the drinks evolve […]
Learn all about France's lesser known apple brandy with Lord Le Lay of Distillery des Menhirs
In this episode, we dive into the world of Freimeisterkollektiv , where tradition meets innovation in the realm of artisanal spirits. Founder Theo Ligthart and his collective of small distilleries and […]
We have a special treat to kick off 2024 with guest Kevin Rigualt talking about what it’s like managing in Paris palace hotel bars, the creation of his new seasonal […]
In this month’s episode of Paris Cocktail Talk, I talk about my newly published book: Drink Like a Local: Paris. It’s a field guide to Parisian’s favorite beer, wine and […]
On this month’s episode we venture into the exotic world of rum with Richard D’Offay, the co-founder of Seychelles rum distillery, Takamaka. Richard shares the captivating story behind the creation […]
In this month’s episode, we embark on a unique and aromatic journey through the world of alcohol-washed cheeses with Jennifer Greco, from Chez Loulou France, who will enlighten us on […]
Get the lowdown on clear ice from the expert himself and author of The Ice Book, Camper English
In this month’s episode about wine shopping in France, we talk to owner of Cavewoman wines, Alison Eastaway, about how she creates a comfortable space for enthusiastic beginners to explore, […]
Ajiri Aki, founder of lifestyle brand Madame de la Maison, (and curator of my favorite collections of vintage french glassware) offers suggestions for living like the French by finding joy in the everyday from her new book JOIE: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life
Learn more about the only whisky that is made from 100% buckwheat in the latest episode of Paris Cocktail Talk.
We are starting 2023 right with a chat with guest David Lebovitz about Paris drinking culture to kick off this year's Tour de France for which I'll export a different region of the country every month.
ecoSPIRITS is reducing single glass use in the spirits industry with the world’s first low carbon, low waste, closed loop spirits distribution technology
Avallen Calvados co-founders, Tim Etherington-Judge and Stefanie Jordan, talk about the environmental impacts of the drinks industry, how they settled on the production of Calvados to work towards a healthier planet, and their other sustainable approaches from packaging to blockchain technology.
This month’s episode, Bee to Bottle, covers the importance of bees to the agricultural landscape in France (and elsewhere) and how one small beekeeper at Erika highlights honey with a gin, vodka and mead.
Learn about the agricultural landscape in France and why small farmers are turning to spirits to sustain their businesses.
This month we learn about elderflower in cocktails and its evolution as an ingredient and flavour, how it was historically used beyond cocktails and cuisine and how it’s being used today with founder of SurO, Lucinda Prior. SurO is a homemade, natural non-alcoholic sparkling elderflower drink, which can also be used as a mixer. Products, […]
House Garden bar showcases low ABV cocktails in Paris in a fresh way that make it worth a visit.
This month we learn about Hard Seltzer’s growth in France with Steve Veytia of French brand Two Palms. Steve explains how hard seltzer is made and what it’s like to build an artisanal brand with a team of lifelong friends with backgrounds in the wine and surf industries. Products, places and people mentioned in the […]
This month we learn about Non-Alcoholic beer in France from Paolo Bouquin of Athletic Brewing Co. We talk about how you make NA beer, who’s drinking it, the ways in which the trend is growing and how the French market is reacting to it. Products, places and people mentioned in the episode Athletic Brewing Co […]
This month we learn about Japanese Spirits in France, their increasing visibility in Paris and how the two cultures are coming together to create something more than the sum of their parts for culinary/cocktail experiences.
Want the inside scoop in tipping in France? Heather Stimmler of Secrets of Paris breaks down the customs and traditions including a bit on their political and ideological roots.
This month I’m being interviewed by Oliver Gee about speakeasies and hidden Paris bars for his show, the Earful Tower. We talk about secret places, CBD cocktails and the changing landscape of the Parisian speakeasy.
Belleville has a rich and interesting history, including how, where and what its residents - including some now legendary singers - drank. Allison Zinder spills all about it on this month's Paris Cocktail Talk episode.
NFT Cocktails This month we get geeky and learn about NFT cocktails and how these non-fungible tokens running on blockchain technology and are being used in all kinds of industries – including bars & spirits. Guests Tim Ward, Monkey Shoulder France Brand Ambassador, and Paul Aguilar, former flavour developer at Oslo cocktail bar Himkok, share […]
This month we interview Ashley Donahey to learn more about French versus American whiskey drinkers, the French roots of Bourbon and how she crafted an American whiskey to appeal to a French market.
This month we talk to Allison Kave about her seasonal approach to creating cocktails for her Paris-based delivery service Izzy's.
While you may have heard of D'USSÉ because of its connection to Jay-Z, I talk to D'USSÉ Global Brand Ambassador Sullivan Doh to find out why there's more of interest to this modern day cognac than just its celebrity connections.
Vermouth is not only on-trend and great for cocktails, it's worth trying on its own as well. This month I had a great chat with aperitif culture expert Francois Monti for this month's episode of Paris Cocktail Talk all about French vermouth.
Love conceptual cocktail menus or want to learn more about them? I had a great interview with Remy Savage for this month's episode of Paris Cocktail Talk all about his experience creating world class conceptual menus both in Paris and London.
What makes French cocktail bars working with 100% domestic ingredients so special? This month on Paris Cocktail Talk, I get a little insight on that from my guest Giovanni Allaria, Head Bartender/Manager at Le Syndicat
One of the best food and drink traditions in France is the Apero Dinatoire. We talked to author Ann Mah about her favorite food and drinks to serve, etiquette around it and more on this month's Paris Cocktail Talk!
This month we get philosophical about wine as we talk to celebrated cookbook author, Susan Herrmann Loomis, about her feelings and experience with wine after nearly thirty years of living in France.
Ever wonder what it would be like to move to Provence from America and start distilling a gin-style spirit with the local ingredients?
What's it like to run a cooking school in Paris before and during a pandemic? We talk to Jane Bertch of La Cuisine Paris to find out that and more....
Cool weather months are perfect for some Calvados cocktails! This month we talk with Maxime Potfer about how to enjoy this French spirit alone and in cocktails.
This episode covers France’s traditional apple brandy, Calvados. It’s a tasty spirit with a long history and Alex Mermillod from the distillery Christian Drouin joins us to provide a primer on the product: how and where it’s made and drank and even how they get those apples inside the bottles! Alex Mermillod has a true […]
Love them or love to loathe them, ‘best of lists’ always get a lot of attention. This month, I talked to Mark Sansom of World’s 50 Best Bars to dig a bit deeper on how their list is compiled, what makes it different and get more ‘behind the scenes’ details.
Preeti Gill joins me on Paris Cocktail Talk to discuss social media around food & drink, and how it differs in France.
Spirits Education in the Industry with Didier Ghorbanzadeh How do the pros learn about spirits and what does that mean for industry players and for the final consumer? Industry education is a growing practice and for this episode we talk to Didier Ghorbanzadeh, Expertise and Education Manager at La Maison du Whisky. Born in France, […]
What's it like to live a foodie and drinkie life between the US and France? Chef/Author Lisa Baker Morgan dishes on just that for Paris Cocktail Talk!
Hello Cocktail Lovers! We continue to explore how the COVID-19 virus and travel restrictions have affected France. For this episode we are taking a lighter approach and asking fellow Parisians what they plan on doing once confinement is lifted and some of their favorite bars and restaurants they will want to visit as soon as […]
Hello Cocktail Lovers! You might be surprised to find out just how crucial ice is to cocktails and about its many different interesting aspects. I’ve invited a couple of friends onto the show to talk about just that, Brittini Rae and Joseph Biolatto of The Nice Company. Brittini and Joseph were well established on the […]
In my continued extra episodes of Paris Cocktail Talk discussing the effects of COVID-19 on food and drinks in France, I’m speaking with Emily Dilling author of the Paris Paysanne blog and My Paris Market Cookbook for some anecdotal chat about life in the country and how the virus is affecting her and local winemakers and farmers in rural France.
In Part 2 of this bonus episode of Paris Cocktail Talk, we explore how COVID-19 has affected the drinks and food industry in France with a dozen interviews from cocktail, spirits and gastronomy professionsl
How is COVID-19 affected the food and drinks industry in France. Listen to Part 1 of a two part segment where I interview a dozen different food and drink professionals to find out.
This month I was joined by DAvid Lebovitz as cohost and we chatted with Paris-trained chef Ruba Khoury, chef/owner of Dirty Lemon. She has worked in some big name Michelin starred spots like Frenchie, Septime, and Yam’Tcha. But I am loving her latest project, which is a restaurant and bar with a modern Mediterranean menu plus cocktails. She came into the studio to talk about women’s bars in Paris, her new venture, and what her cultural and geographic background bring to the mix for Dirty Lemon.
This month we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th, a great occasion to bring together two fabulous topics: Women & Champagne. To take a deeper dive into these two subjects, I invited Cynthia Coutu, founder of Delectabulles, a champagne networking club for women into the studio to talk about her experience with women as champagne drinkers and champagne makers.
We had him in the studio this month to discuss latest book, which is on a topic close to my heart. Drinking French is an exploration of French drinking culture, including cafe drinks, aperitifs, liqueurs and infusions, cocktails and snacks.
I recently went to a wine tasting with Ramon Bilbao, a Spanish company responsible for a large portion of the rioja wine that is consumed around the world. It got me thinking about how hard it can be to find a large selection of foreign wine in France. France has a lot of great domestic […]
Cocktails are global business. They are in every capital city and are thriving in second cities around the world. I travel when I can both internationally and within France and it’s always interesting to me to see how different cities approach cocktails. So, this month, I’ve invited friends and fellow bloggers, Mel and Anthony, into […]
Sébastien Burel was so much fun to have in the studio this month to share his thoughts and observations on how technology is changing the world of wine and talk about his popup wine shop events and his application that makes it possible: Fermynt. Sébastien is 50 years old (but doesn’t look it!) and was […]
We talk a lot about cocktails, spirits, wine and other alcoholic drinks here on the show. But, none of us (well hopefully none of us) spend our time drinking alone in dark rooms, thinking only about the liquid in the glass. There is more to the experience than just the drink. That’s why we drink […]
Welcome to the rentree (that’s what those of us in France call September/back-to-school/back-to-business) It’s a time where you are catching back up with ‘Real Life” so you might not have time to faff around with cocktails and recipes. So, this month we are talking about something simple: Craft Beer. All you have to do is […]
This month we are chatting with Emily Dilling, author of My Paris Market Cookbook, which was released last month as an updated and revised edition. The new version of the book contains updated information and added content on the Paris food and beverage scene, as well as seasonal recipes for the home cook. Emily is […]
After the last few month’s episodes on wine, we’re cracking back into cocktails – specifically how the French drink them at home and new technologies designed to help with your DIY drinks. To unpack all that, we invited Philippe-Alexandre Bernatchez of Opn into the studio. Philippe-Alexandre is the Senior Marketing Project Manager at Opn. Born […]
This month we invite Preston Mohr of Paris By The Glass and Château de Pommard into the studio to talk about French wine. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Preston first came to Paris to complete his studies in art history. As of now he has now lived in France for over 15 years and holds a […]
This month we invite Preston Mohr of Paris By The Glass and Château de Pommard into the studio to talk about two of our favorite things: wine and cheese. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Preston first came to Paris to complete his studies in art history. As of now he has now lived in France for […]
Hello Cocktail Lovers. Welcome to Paris Cocktail Talk, the show brought to you by the 52 Martinis guide to Paris Cocktail Bars. I’m Forest Collins and I’m here to talk to you about cocktailing in the French capital and bring you other small batch spirits news from France and beyond. We’re excited because this month […]
This month we invite wine educator Tanisha Townsend of Girls Meets Glass into the studio to hear about what it’s like to be black, female and American in the booze industry here in France. “Tanisha’s zeal for education is evident in her professional, enthusiastic teaching style that ensures each student leaves her class with valuable […]
Happy New Year, Cocktail Lovers! To kick off 2019, we have a special treat with guest David Lebovitz on the show. We talk to David about cocktails, aperitifs and the general state of the French drinking scene.
With December being such a festive month, we decided to focus on Champagne for this episode. Specifically, we are talking about Grower Champagne which seems to be getting more and more attention both in France and from abroad. We invited Thierry Givone from Wine Tasting in Paris to talk us through the topic.
This month we’re talking French whisky! Did you know that whisky is not only the most popular spirit in France, but that the French drink more whisky than any other country?! (about 2.2 litres per capita annually as opposed to, for example, about 1.5 litres per capita in the US!)
Hello Cocktail Lovers. This month is the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau! And to celebrate the occasion, I invited Aaron Ayscough of Not Drinking Poison in Paris to discuss the region.
This month we’ve invited Julien Maingraud into the studio. Julien is the founder of Balbine Spirits, makers of artisanal cocktails and spirits. Julien also started extraterrien.com, a blog around gin and cocktails when very few people in Paris were doing it (except maybe 52martinis.com)!
This month my producer Thomas Shamuyarira and I decided to take a break from the studio and headed to Shake N’Smash bar to check out their summer musical menu cocktails and talk a little about conceptual cocktails.
With the fifth annual Paris Beer Week happening in June, we take the occasion to dive a little deeper into the Paris craft beer scene, compare and contrast it to the cocktail scene and take a bit about mixing beer into cocktails.
This month we take a look at French cider - or cidre - to learn about the new wave of interest and brands we’re seeing in France, how it differs from its Anglo counterparts, and how a younger French generation is consuming it. To learn this and more, we invited Anne Paillou of Sassy Cider into the studio to chat.
This month Paris hosts its annual Rhum Fest and for the occasion we've dedicated April's episode to getting to know Rhum Agricole. We speak with Alexandre Vingtier, a French spirits consultant and author about Rhum distilleries, cocktails, and more!
This month's guest is Georgette Moger-Petraske, a spirits and style writer whose work has appeared in Imbibe, Edible, Departures, and The Wine Enthusiast magazines.