Crime and Time on the Rocks: Recent Episodes
Crime and Time on the Rocks
While drinking the Bronx we talk New York. Shelley describes the tragic Happyland nightclub fire while Bekah discusses the origins of Batman and the man behind him.
Drinking: The Bronx
2 oz gin
¼ oz dry vermouth
¼ oz sweet vermouth
1 oz orange juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Orange slice
Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange slice.
While sipping on the smoky cocktail, Bekah examines Winston Churchill's heritage including his parents Jennie Jerome and Lord Randolph. Shelly opens the files of Churchill's spy legacy.
Drinking: Churchill
1.5 oz. scotch whisky
.5 oz. sweet vermouth
.5 oz. orange liqueur
.5 oz. fresh lime juice
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
While sampling this rockin' drink, Shelley examines the "payola" scandal of the 50's and 60's while Bekah describes the original Woodstock Festival.
Drinking: Rock 'n' Rolla
1 ½ oz. high proof bourbon
1 oz. apple juice
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. maple syrup
¼ oz. allspice dram
2 dashes angostura bitters
Ground nutmeg
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a lowball glass with ice. Garnish with ground nutmeg.
While sipping on the fruity, bourbon-forward Capricorn, Shelley examines the high profile Zodiac Killer case. Bekah explores Benjamin Franklin's love of astrology and how it contributed to the date of our nation's independence.
Drinking: Capricorn
1 oz. bourbon
½ oz. apricot brandy
½ oz. lemon juice
2 oz. orange juice
Place all ingredients into shaker filled with ice. Shake to mix and pour into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange slice.
In a clear case of tailoring a drink to a topic we wanted to talk about, Bekah examines the fascinating life of William Randolph Hearst. Shelley details the kidnapping of Patricia "Patty" Hearst and the subsequent events that took place.
Drinking: Hearst Martini
2 oz. dry gin
1 oz. vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
1 dash aromatic bitters
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into chilled glass. Garnish with orange zest twist.
This Creole version of Crime and Time has us talking about the infamous Madame LaLaurie and the fascinating Marie Laveau. Thank you to listener James for the drink suggestion.
Drinking: Creole Scream
1 ⅓ oz. light rum
⅔ oz. dry vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
⅓ oz. grenadine
Mix the rum, grenadine, vermouth, and Angostura. Shake with ice. Strain into martini glass. Add an olive.
After trying this strange cocktail, we talk guillotines. Bekah gives a summary of France's Reign of Terror, while Shelley examines the infamous Vampire of Dusseldorf.
Drinking: The Guillotine
1 oz. Mezcal
¾ oz. Scotch Whisky
¼ oz. Banana Liqueur
¼ oz. Honey Syrup
Lemon Peel
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a snifter with ice. Garnish with a lemon peel.
After a major recording snafu, we talk journalists. Bekah explores the rise of "yellow journalism" while Shelley explains the horrible case of Macedonian journalist Vlado Taneski.
Drinking: The Journalist
¾ oz. gin
¼ oz. dry vermouth
¼ oz. sweet vermouth
¼ oz. orange curacao
¼ oz. lemon
1 dash angostura bitters
Shake all ingredients together with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
Space. The final frontier. That's what we're talking about. Shelley talks about the much covered story of astronaut Lisa Nowak and her obsession gone wrong. Bekah gives a rundown of the Mercury 7 astronauts.
Drinking: The Astronaut
1 oz. Light rum
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. lemon juice
Dash of passion fruit juice
Lemon wedge
Add rum, vodka, lemon juice, and passion fruit juice into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and then strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wheel.
While drinking the famous hurricane cocktail, Bekah talks about five hurricanes that changed history. Shelley retells the account of Rubin "hurricane" Carter and his supposed wrongful convitiction.
Drinking: HURRICANE
2 oz. light rum
2 oz. dark rum
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. orange juice
½ oz. passion fruit puree
½ oz. simple syrup
1 tsp. Grenadine
Add the light and dark rums, lime and orange juices, passion fruit puree, simple syrup, and grenadine into a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a large hurricane glass over ice. Garnish with an orange half-wheel and cherry.
While enjoying a lovely Southside cocktail, Shelley tells the not so lovely story of the Southside Strangler. Bekah explores George Pullman's vision of a utopian company town.
Drinking: The Southside
1.5 oz. Gin infused with butterfly pea flower
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
.75 oz. simple syrup
8-10 fresh mint leaves
Muddle mint leaves gently in mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with mint sprig.
While sipping a luxurious cocktail, the gals talk fashion. Shelley details the downward spiral of Andrew Cunanan culminating in the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace. Bekah takes a look at the fascinating fashion icon Coco Chanel.
Drinking: Coco Chanel Martini
3 oz. coconut vodka
1 oz. elderflower liqueur
Add the coconut vodka and elderflower liqueur into a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass.
While trying to enjoy the Blarney Stone cocktail, Bekah details the history of the Blarney Stone and myths surrounding this iconic rock. Shelley describes the tragic murders of Texas DA Mike Mclelland, his wife Cynthia, and Prosecutor Mark Hasse and their connection to Blarney Stone Way.
Drinking: The Blarney Stone
2 oz. irish whiskey
1 oz. creme de menthe
1 oz. green chartreuse
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
While putting back a few long island iced teas, Shelley explores the origins of the Amityville Horror story with the brutal murders of the Defeo family. Bekah details the bewitching of Elizabeth Gardner and the subsequent witch trial.
Drinking: Long Island Iced Tea
.5 oz. vodka
.5 oz. rum
.5 oz. gin
.5 oz. tequila
.5 oz. triple sec
1 oz. sweet and sour mix
1 oz. cola
1 lemon slice
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and sour mix over ice; cover and shake. Pour cocktail into a Collins or hurricane glass; top with splash of cola for color. Garnish with a lemon slice.
While sipping on a refreshing libation, the gals talk horse. Bekah gives us the definitive (for us) history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. Shelley outlines the successful kidnapping of Secretariat's mother Fanfreluche. Also, we open a fan gift from our awesome listener Justin!!
Drinking: Mint Julep
2.5 oz. kentucky bourbon whiskey
1.5 tsp. Sugar
10 Mint leaves plus sprig for garnish
Seltzer Water
Place the mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and top with the sugar. Muddle these together until the leaves begin to break down. Add a splash of seltzer water, fill the glass 3/4 full with crushed ice, and add the bourbon. Top with another splash of seltzer, stir, and garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.
Shelley enlightens us on the "Soft Drink Beauties" of the Filipino film industry and the sad life of Pepsi Paloma. Bekah examines the life of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and his push for Mexican Independence.
Drinking: The Paloma
2 oz. Tequila
4 oz. Grapefruit Soda
½ oz. Lime Juice
Salt for rim
Rim a collins glass with salt. Begin by wetting the rim with a lime wedge, then roll it in a small dish of salt. Fill the glass with ice and add the tequila and lime juice. Top it off with grapefruit soda and enjoy.
While trying the 2021 drink of the summer, Bekah heads south to talk about the strange and interesting former queen of Mexico while Shelley talks about a hometown serial killer.
Drinking: Corona Sunrise
1 bottle Corona Extra
1.5 oz. Tequila
1.5 oz. Orange Juice
.5 oz. Grenadine
Lime Wedge
Drink or pour out half of the bottle of Corona down to the top of the label. Pour all ingredients into the bottle. Plug the top of the bottle with your thumb, and tip upside down to shake all ingredients.Squeeze the lime and place in the mouth of the bottle
The girls sit back and talk Kentucky. Shelley examines the hilarious Tansy Book Heist as made famous by the motion picture "American Animals," while Bekah takes a look at a dark day in Louisville known as Bloody Monday.
Drinking: The Kentucky Buck
2 Strawberries, hulled
.5 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
3 oz. ginger beer
Gently muddle the strawberries with the Simple Syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters, then fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds. Double strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice and top with the ginger beer. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.
While sipping a classic, Shelley tells us about the heroic and tragic story of Kiki Camarena. Bekah details the fascinating life of starlet Rita Hayworth.
Drinking: MARGARITA
1.5 oz. blanco tequila
1 oz. orange liqueur
.5 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
Salt for rimming
Lime wedge
Salt your glass: Pour some kosher salt into a wide bowl or small dish. Take a wedge of lime and generously rub it around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim into the salt. Fill glass with ice.
Place tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Sipping on a new twist on an island cocktail, we go back to Victorian era Hawaii. Bekah recounts the life and times of Queen Liliuokalani while Shelley describes the last days of Jane Stanford.
Drinking: The Royal Hawaiian
1.5 oz. Empress 1908 Gin
1 oz. pineapple juice
.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. orgeat syrup
Pineapple slice
Shake all ingredients except gin with ice. Strain into collins glass with crushed ice. Layer gin on top. Garnish with pineapple slice.
While sipping on a festive tax day cocktail Shelley enumerates famous tax cheats and illustrates why you shouldn't mess with the IRS. Bekah takes it to another level and explains the reasons and foundation of how the Internal Revenue Service was formed.
Drinking: Income Tax Cocktail
1 1/4 oz.. gin
¾ oz. fresh orange juice
¼ oz. sweet vermouth
¼ oz. dry vermouth
1 dash angostura bitters.
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
We whip up a tasty minty concoction and talk grasshoppers. Bekah, after a short interlude about grasshopper swarms, talks about the author of famed fable The Ant and the Grasshopper. Shelley tells the story of the theft of the famous Golden Grasshopper of Faneuil Hall in Boston.
Drinking: The Grasshopper
1.5 oz. heavy cream
1 oz. creme de menthe
1 oz. creme de cacao
Chocolate for garnish
In a cocktail shaker half full of ice, combine cream, creme de menthe, and creme de cacao. Shake until shaker is frosty. Strain into martini glass. Grate chocolate over one side of cocktail with fine grater. Optional, blend first three ingredients and garnish with grated chocolate.
We sip on a delightful cocktail named after a delightful woman. Shelley recounts the horrendous murder committed at the hands of star Spade Cooley. Bekah brings us back to the lighter side with the life of remarkable Dale Evans and her life married to cowboy Roy Rogers.
Drinking: Dale Evans
2 oz. grapefruit and rose vodka
2 oz. grapefruit juice
1 oz. lime juice
Soda water
In cocktail shaker mix the first three ingredients. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with soda water. Add honey in the shaker if you prefer a sweeter sip.
We get gritty and talk about "the City." Bekah describes Manhattan's most disastrous decade. Shelley talks about the deaths of Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious.
Drinking: The Manhattan
2 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
½ ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry
Combine whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass. Add ice and stir until chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
Kicking it Ivy League style with the Yale Cocktail! Shelley talks about John Hinkley Jr. and his connection to Yale through actress Jodie Foster. Bekah digs deep into the either fraternal order or secret cabal known as the infamous Skull & Bones Society.
Drinking: The Yale Cocktail
2 oz. dry gin
¾ oz creme de violette
¼ oz maraschino liqueur
¼ oz dry vermouth
Dash of orange bitters
Lemon twist
Place all ingredients in a mixing glass half-filled with ice. Stir briskly until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
While sipping on this lively citrus and botanical cocktail we talk all things lavender. Shelley explores the fascinating story of "Lavender Doe" and how a group of web sleuths ultimately identified her. Bekah takes on the women's lib movement with the important and interesting tale of the Lavender Menace.
Drinking: Lavender Lemon Drop
Lavender Lemon Drop
2 oz. lemon vodka
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
Lavender sprigs
1 tsp. Simple syrup
In cocktail shaker, lightly muddle lavender and simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice, add vodka and lemon juice. Shake well and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lavender sprig.
We drink Shelley's favorite sandwich. Bekah talks about the fascinating and inspiring George Washington Carver. Shelley gives us the zany tale of a jailbreak that happened with the help of peanut butter.
Drinking: Peanut Butter & Jelly Martini
2 oz. Skrewball Whiskey
1 oz. Chambord
Shake the Skrewball with ice. Pour into cocktail glass over large ice cube. Float Chambord on top.
Brrr...we are frosty! Drinking a frozen Rose and talking about cold days and cold hearts. Bekah describes the winter of 1880-1881, one of the harshest in recorded history. Shelley tells the story of Kristin Rossum and the American Beauty style murder.
Drinking: Frozen Rose
We are exploring Cape Cod. Apparently most Americans are within driving distance, so Bekah recounts the history of the cape. Shelley talks about the unsolved Lady of the Dunes case. We snack on some Cape Cod brand chips.
Drinking: Cape Cod
Vodka
Cranberry Juice
Squeeze of Lime
Mix according to your preferred proportions over ice. Enjoy!
While sipping on the rising sun, we both harkened back to Japan. Bekah talks about the decadent, poetic, and emo court of Japan. Shelley gives us another heist with the 300 Million Yen incident.
Drinking: Rising Sun
1.5 oz mezcal
¾ oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz maraschino liqueur
Pinch of salt
Lime wheel to garnish
Combine mezcal, juices, and maraschino in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with lime wheel.
Bekah wraps up her in-depth two part story on Catherine the Great. Shelley tells the story of a very brazen heist of the Empress Sisi Star.
Drinking: Empress Gin & Tonic
It's a gin and tonic, use Empress Gin and add your tonic of choice.
After getting numerous targeted ads for Empress Gin, we dive head first into some fascinating ladies. Shelley talks about the mysterious disappearance of actress Marie Empress while Bekah gives us part 1 of her examination into the incredible life of Catherine the Great.
Drinking: Empress Gin Sour
2 oz. Empress Gin
¾ oz. lemon juice
¾ oz. simple syrup
¾ oz. egg white
Place all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice and shake to combine. Double strain into a coupe glass. Suggested garnish: purple pea flower.
Dragon's are one of the most common mythological creatures. Shelley tells the tales of murders that have been attributed to the popular role playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. Bekah examines the many myths surrounding dragons and their possible explanations.
Drinking: Dragon's Heart
3 lime wedges
¾ oz. elderflower liqueur
5 dashes Angostura bitters
1.5 oz. rum
3.4 oz. mezcal
½ oz. ginger liqueur
1.5 oz. blood orange juice
Garnish: blood orange slice
In cocktail shaker, add lime wedges, elderflower liqueur, and 3 drops of bitters, muddle well. Fill the shaker with ice, and add the rum, mezcal, ginger liqueur, and blood orange juice. Shake vigorously. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with 2 drops of Angostura bitters and a blood orange slice.
While fancy-sipping some French 75 in beautiful Waterford Crystal Flutes, Shelley describes the life and times of infamous terrorist Carlos the Jackal. As a bonus she also recounts the time famed cyclist Eddy Merckx was punched during the Tour de France. Bekah talks about one of the lesser-known stories of pre-revolution France, The Flour War of 1775.
Drinking: The French 75
1 oz gin
½ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
3 oz champagne or sparkling wine
Add all ingredients except champagne into shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with lemon twist.
We talk boxing and mafia in this episode while sipping on Champagne Citrus Punch. Bekah explores the history of Cassius Clay and his evolution into Muhammad Ali. Shelley explains how the lemon industry gave rise to the mafia in Sicily. Drinking: Champagne Citrus Punch 1/2 oz. ruby red grapefruit juice 1/2 oz. orange juice 1/2 oz. simple syrup 3 oz. champagne Splash of grenadine Combine grapefruit juice, orange juice, and simple syrup in glass. Stir to combine. Top with champagne and a splash of grenadine. Garnish with citrus slice or fresh edible flowers.
The drink is a little bitter and so are our stories. Shelley tells the harrowing tale of the Chowchilla bus kidnapping which changed the lives of dozens of children forever. Bekah explores the history of the greyhound as a dog breed and examines the legacy of racing and betting that the dog is known for.
Drinking: The Greyhound
Vodka
Grapefruit Juice
Combine in an ice filled glass. The ratio is up to you!
On this last weekend of summer we drink the Endless Summer we talk heatwaves. Bekah recounts some historic heat waves that shaped how we deal with excessive heat to this day. Shelley tells the story of Jack Roland Murphy, or 'Murf the Surf.'
Drinking: ENDLESS SUMMER
1 oz gin
1 oz pineapple juice
¾ oz sweet vermouth
¾ oz campari
Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a lowball glass with ice.
While sipping on this sea plane inspired cocktail, Bekah talks about Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose. Shelley details the elaborate scheme to forge an autobiography of Hughes by writer Clifford Irving.
Drinking: Spruce Goose
1 ½ oz gin
¾ oz honey
¾ oz lime juice
¼ oz angostura bitters
2 oz tonic water
Combine all ingredients but tonic water into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain and pour over ice into a collins glass. Top with tonic water.
We go dark with the Dark and Stormy cocktail. Bekah gives us a brief history of the island of Bermuda, ghost ships, shipwrecks, and the Bermuda Triangle mystery. Shelley examines the timeline of events that led to Natalie Wood's death and the aftermath including naming Robert Wagner a person of interest.
Drinking: Dark and Stormy
2 oz. dark rum
1/2 tbsp ginger syrup or simple syrup
3 to 4 oz. ginger beer
2 lime wedges
1 or 2 slices fresh ginger (optional)
Fill an old fashioned glass with ice. Add fresh ginger. Add the rum and simple syrup and stir. Top with ginger beer. Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink and drop it in.
It's summer, we're drinking Spaghett. Shelley talks about London's infamous Spaghetti House Siege while Bekah examines the fascinating life of Lucrezia Borgia.
Drinking: Spaghett
1 bottle of Miller High Life (The Champagne of Beers)
1 oz. Campari
1 oz. Lemon Juice
Pour out approximately two ounces of beer from the bottle. Add an ounce of Campari and an ounce of lemon juice. Drink.
While enjoying the refreshingly blue concoction, we talk toilets. Shelley recounts the strange story of the gold toilet heist and other lesser known toilet heists, while Bekah examines the very important history of the toilet.
Drinking: Toilet Water
2 oz. vodka
1 tsp. Triple Sec
1 oz. blue Powerade
3 oz. lemon lime soda
pour first three ingredients into a highball glass with ice. Top with lemon lime soda.
While drinking the Smith & Wesson Cocktail, the girls talk guns. Bekah discusses infamous Smith & Wesson gunslingers including the famed James-Younger gang. Shelley describes the hidden past of former Smith & Wesson CEO James Minder.
Drinking: Smith & Wesson Cocktail
1 oz vodka
1 oz kahlua
2 oz half and half
Club soda or pepsi
Pour vodka, kahlua,and cream into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top the drink with club soda or pepsi. Make sure the top is full of bubbles.
Grab yourself a cup of joe and have a listen. Shelley recounts the murder of Mirna Salihin in which her friend Jessica Wongso was convicted. Bekah gives us an early history of coffee and the origins of coffee houses.
Drinking: a Coffee Cocktail
Add your favorite libation to a hot or iced coffee and enjoy!
After suffering a technical issue, we decided to release our super late x-mas gift exchange. So grab yourself a boozy eggnog and give it a listen.
While sipping on a classic whisky sour, Bekah talks about the 1811 German Coast Slave Uprising, which was born out of the sugar industry. Shelley recounts the fanciful true story of Attila Ambrus, the Hungarian Whisky Robber.
Drinking: Whisky Sour (Bekah's special recipe)
Whisky
Powdered Sugar
Lemon Juice
Club Soda
Over crushed ice, put a heaping teaspoon of powdered sugar on top of the ice. Pour a shot (or more) of whisky. Add lemon juice until the glass is about 3/4 full. Top with club soda and mix.
Sipping on the classic Screwdriver, the girls delve into the tragic murder of Dawnia Dacosta by likely serial killer Lucious Boyd. They also discuss the fascinating history of one of the world's most versatile fasteners...the screw (and the screwdriver).
Drinking: Screwdriver
Vodka
Orange Juice
You choose your ratio of the above ingredients. Fill a glass with ice, add vodka and orange juice. Stir with a screwdriver if you dare.
We record remotely during the stay-at-home order. This time we are talking about the Coors Family. Bekah discusses the fascinating family history, while Shelley describes the tragic kidnapping of Adolph Coors III.
Drinking: Coors, The Original Banquet Beer
While drinking the Call Me a Cab cocktail, the girls discuss the murders of two Houston cab drivers by killer couple Danielle Hudson and Chaz Blackshear, then detail some history of the cab industry.
Drinking: Call Me a Cab
6 oz. lemonade
1 oz. vodka
2-3 oz Cabernet Sauvignon
Pour vodka into ice filled glass, add lemonade. Stir gently. Slowly pour on the Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy!
While under shelter-in-place orders, we talk quarantine. Shelley talks about the rampage killing by Elliot Rodger, while Bekah goes classic and details the infamous Typhoid Mary.
Drinking: Quarantini
Just a regular martini but you drink it alone at home
2.5 oz. gin or vodka
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
garnish
Rinse cocktail glass with dry vermouth, discard any extra. Stir or shake (your preference) the gin or vodka with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with your choice of garnish; olives, pearl onions, twist of lemon.
For the first time ever, we take a shot (well kinda). Bekah talks about the development of the workhorse B52 bomber. Shelley recounts tales of lost and exploded nukes throughout the Cold War and beyond.
We drink the Kurant Affair...ish. After striking out in locatin Absolut Kurant vodka, we sip on what is basically a raspberry martini and talk about the Dreyfus Affair as previewed in our previous episode on the Tour de France. Then we discuss the little known story of Suzanna Gubasheva.
Drinking: Kurant Affair
2 1/4 oz. Absolut Kurant vodka
3/4 oz. Chambord
Chill over ice and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
We get all classy and drink the classic Cosmopolitan. Shelley recounts the murders of Cosmo DiNardo on his family's farm while Bekah talks about eminent socialite 'The' Mrs. Astor.
Drinking: Cosmopolitan
2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. triple sec
1/2 oz. cranberry juice
splash of lime juice
Add all ingredients into shaker. Shake, and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
While drinking the last frontier, we talk about the Corps of Discovery Expedition lead by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. We also discuss the deaths of David Sharp and Nils Antezana, two Everest climbers who met their fates on the mountain.
Drinking: Last Frontier
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Kahlua
1 oz. espresso
1/2 oz. chocolate syrup
Chill over ice and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a coffee bean.
We're talking about two big men today. One who almost got made and one who made others. It probably would not be a surprise to discover that our cocktail is "Made Man."
Drinking: Made Man
1 1/2 oz. Rye
1/2 oz. yellow chartreuse
1/2 oz. cherry heering liqueur
1/6 oz. fernet branca
1/2 oz. chilled water
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into chilled martini glass.
We're making bets and drinking the Casino cocktail. Shelley examines the infamous Harvey's hotel bombing in Lake Tahoe, while Bekah talks about the history of the gambling mecca of Monaco.
Drinking: Casino
4 oz. gin
1/4 oz. Maraschino liqueur
1/4 oz. lemon juice
4 dashes orange bitters
Maraschino Cherry for garnish
- Add your gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and orange bitters to your mixing glass with ice. 2. Stir. 3. Pour into your coupe. 4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. 5. Look for evil villians with vile plots to foil. 6. Always bet on black. 7. Smile knowing you're doing good work while drinking a good cocktail.
While sipping on the Toronto Cocktail, we explore the great white north. Shelley talks about the infamous Boyd Gang, while Bekah explores the iconic Gooderham and Warts empire.
Drinking: The Toronto Cocktail
2 oz. Canadian Whiskey
1/4 oz. Fernet Branca
1/4 oz. simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange Peel
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
While drinking the Old Cuban what else would we talk about than the old Cuban himself, Fidel Castro! Bekah talks about the life and rise of Fidel Castro, while Shelley explores the many ways people (including the US Government) had tried to kill Fidel.
Drinking: The Old Cuban
1 1/2 oz. Rum
3/4 oz. lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
mint leaves
2 oz. Champagne
Muddle mint leaves with lime juice in cocktail shaker. Add rum, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. Shake well with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.
While sipping on the Lusty Lady, Shelley talks about one of the first female lust killers, Jane Toppan. Bekah talks about another lusty lady, Gypsy Rose Lee.
Drinking: Lusty Lady
2 oz. gin
1/2 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1/8 oz. cranberry juice
1 egg white
2-3 dashes Scrappy's Lavender Bitters
Shake all ingredients until frothy. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with brandied cherries.
While drinking the Ohio Cocktail, Shelley recounts the tragic Kent State shootings while Bekah gives us a brief history of the Presidents of the United States that hailed from Ohio.
Drinking: The Ohio Cocktail
3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
3/4 oz Canadian Whisky
Dash of Triple Sec
Dash of Angostura Bitters
3 to 5 oz Chilled Champagne
Pour all ingredients besides Champagne into a chilled champagne flute. Slowly top with Champagne.
We're playing doctor. Okay, not really, but we are talking doctor. Shelley talks about the not-so-good Dr. James Kauffman while Bekah discusses the history of medicine.
Drinking: The Good Doctor
2 parts Kraken Rum
1 part lime juice
1 part simple syrup
ice
Mix all ingredients in a rocks glass and enjoy! (or blend)
The gals switch things up a bit this episode. Bekah talks about the unbelievable crime history of Ronald and Donald Anderson. Shelley electrifies us with Tesla vs. Edison and their war of the currents.
Drinking: The Old Switcheroo
1 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
1 oz. Calvados
1/2 oz. Maraschino
Dashes of Extinct Chemical Co. Acid Phosphate
Top with Switchel
Build over ice and stir. Garnish with a mint sprig and an orange wheel.
In a twisted love tale, Shelley details the so-called San Francisco Witch Killers, Suzan and Michael Bear Carson. Bekah, on the other hand gives us the landmark case of Loving v. Virginia.
Drinking: Modern Love
2 oz. Reposado Tequila
3/4 oz. Campari
3/4 oz. Giffard Pamplemousse Rose
1 pinch Himalayan sea salt
Grapefruit peel
Stir ingredients with ice in a mixing glass and strain. Flame grapefruit peel into the drink, rub the peel on the side of the glass, and discard. Add one large ice cube and a pinch of salt on top of the cube.
We're drinking the Hemingway, so of course we're talking Ernest. Bekah talks about Ernest Hemingway's life during the war years. Shelley gives us the story of Lee Israel and the counterfeiting that lead to her arrest.
Drinking: The Hemingway Daiquiri
2 oz light rum
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
We're drinking wine today and talking panties! Shelley retells the story of Talhotblond (and a dramatic reenactment ensues). Bekah gives us a comprehensive history of underwear.
Drinking: Purple Line Urban Winery, Little Red Panties http://www.purplelinewinery.com/wines
After cracking open a nice cold Sol Cerveza, Bekah goes Norse with the story of Sol and Mani. Shelley relates her trip to Whole Foods, a nudist resort, and the story of Cary Stayner Drinking: Sol Cerveza
While drinking the decadent From Russia With Love cocktail, Shelley tells us the disturbing story of Anatoly Moskvin who collected "dolls." Bekah gives us another bad-ass woman tale with the story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, one of the top military snipers of all time.
Drinking: From Russia With Love
1/2 oz. Dark Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1/2 oz. Chambord
Champagne
In champagne flute, pour the Godiva and the Chambord. Top with chilled champagne.
While drinking the herb-infused Prime Thyme cocktail, Bekah tells us about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and their innovations to the world of prime time TV with the I Love Lucy show. Shelley recounts the brutal murders of TV anchor Alison Parker and Cameraman Adam Ward that was captured live on TV at the hands of disgruntled former employee Vester Lee Flanagan III.
Drinking: Prime Thyme Cocktail
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
peeled ginger (roughly chopped)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
3/4 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 oz. gin or vodka (according to taste)
1 dash Yuzu bitters or other citrus bitters
In shaker, muddle 3 sprigs of thyme, ginger, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour gin or vodka into the mixture, add ice, shake until well chilled. Double strain into coupe glass. Garnish with a sprig of thyme and lemon chip. Finish with a dash of bitters.
Just in time for the start of the 2019 Tour de France, we drink the Yellow Bicycle and talk cycling. Bekah examines the history of the Tour de France which started out as a ploy to sell more newspapers. Shelley tells the story of Olympic-hopeful cyclist Tom Justice who turned to a career of crime after failing to make the cut.
Drinking: The Yellow Bicycle
1/2 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz Yellow Chartreuse
4 oz Prosecco or Champagne
Lemon wheel for garnish
Combine St. Germain and Yellow Chartreuse in shaker with ice. Strain into coupe glass. Top with Prosecco or Champagne. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Scotch...its what's for breakfast! We talk the disappearance of notable Scottish hillwalker Fiona Torbet and William Wallace of Braveheart fame. Be prepared for a frank discussion of execution techniques (maybe another scotch will make it more palatable)
Drinking: The Scottish Breakfast Cocktail
1 oz. 10 year old scotch
1.5 oz spiced blood orange liqueur
.5 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz apple butter
3 dashes Aztec chocolate bitters
dehydrated lime wheel
combine all ingredients (except lime wheel) in a shaker with ice. Shake and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with the dehydrated lime wheel.
Shelley talks about the Marco Polo Task force that was formed to bring down the Silk Road Founder, Ross Ulbricht (aka the "Dread Pirate Roberts"); and the two law enforcement officers that were brought down with him. Bekah talks about the original Silk Road, the trade route that opened Asia up to the Western World.
Drinking: The Silk Road Cocktail
2 oz. Gin
4 oz. Grapefruit Juice
1 tsp. ginger infused simple syrup
juice of half a lime
1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
2 star anise
rhubarb bitters
champagne or sparkling wine
Place all ingredients except for champagne into ice-filled shaker. Shake and double strain into cocktail glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with a star anise.
Bekah details the life of actress Hedy Lamarr; a woman who was known for her beauty but influenced our daily lives with her brain. Shelley tells of the murder of Irene Garza, an elementary school teacher who was also a beauty queen.
Drinking: Brains & Beauty Cocktail
1 oz. gin
1/2 oz. apricot liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
3 dashes apple bitters
1 oz. champagne
Combine all ingredients except champagne in a shaker with ice. Strain into chilled coupe glass. Top with champagne and garnish with an edible flower.
In this episode, Bekah talks about Ruth Handler, the inventor of the Barbie Doll while Shelley describes the wine counterfeiting scandal involving Rudy Kurniawan.
Drinking: 2016 New Clairvaux Barbera
After the anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, we drink the Earthquake cocktail while discussing the SF Earthquake including first-hand accounts and also Herbert Mullin, the man who thought he could prevent an earthquake by killing people.
Drinking: The Earthquake
1 oz Dry Gin
1 oz Absinthe
1 oz Rye Whiskey
Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake, strain, into stemmed cocktail glass.
Inspired by a social media post from Mike Rowe talking about retired Secret Service Agent Clint Hill, the gals drink "The Clint," while pretending to be presidential scholars. Bekah talks about the life of William Jefferson Blythe Jr., the biological father of President Bill Clinton. Shelley recounts the numerous failed assassination attempts on United States Presidents.
Drinking: The Clint
2 shots of Campari
1 shot of Vodka
Orange slice
Soda Water
in a tall glass with ice
Braving the Champagne and Irish Whiskey drink, the gals talk about two Graces. Shelley recounts the story of accused murderess Grace Marks, the inspiration for the series "Alias Grace;" while Bekah tales the tale of Grace O'Malley, badass Pirate queen of Ireland. Drinking: The Irish C#$T Champagne Irish Whiskey In flute, rocks glass, or plastic cup mix together any combination of Irish Whiskey and (hopefully) chilled Champagne
After sampling some St. Patrick's themed Jello shots, Shelley and Bekah talk about St. Patrick's Day. Also, true to form, we exchange Christmas gifts a little after Christmas. Child 1 and 2 receive their first appliances.
While drinking the Queen Elizabeth Wine cocktail, we talk all things Elizabeth. Shelley talks about several assassination attempts on QE2 and Rebekah details the story of Elizabeth Woodville.
Drinking: Queen Elizabeth Wine
1 1/2 oz. Benedictine
3/4 oz. Dry Vermouth
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
Lemon Twist
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Rim lemon peel around rim. Twist peel, drop into glass.
Thanks to a listener submission from Kevin C., we drink the absinthe laced Inside Job cocktail while talking about the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon heist and the Trojan Horse legend.
Drinking: The Inside Job
2 oz. Bourbon
1/2 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Absinthe
Add all ingredients to mixing glass filled with ice. Stir, and strain into an old fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and an orange twist.
After getting a killer listener submission the gals drink the Fitzgerald cocktail while musing about the life of Zelda Fitzgerald and the related Hall-Mills Murders.
Drinking: The Fitzgerald
1 1/2 oz. Dry Gin
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
2 dashed Angostura Bitters
Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake, then strain into chilled cocktail glass.
The gals drink the obscure Washington Cocktail while discussing the DC Snipers case and the historic Whitman Massacre.
Drinking: The Washington Cocktail
1 1/2 oz. Dark Rum
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
1 dash Gin
1 dash Cointreau
1 dash Orange Juice
Maraschino Cherry for Garnish
Mix rum, lemon juice, Cointreau, gin, and orange juice. Serve on the rocks. Garnish with cherry.
The girls drink the Casablanca, a rum based cocktail, while hearing the unbelievable story of Samuel Pallache and the murder of Lucie Blackman.
Drinking: The Casablanca
2 1/2 oz. Light Rum
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1/2 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
While sampling the Silver Bullet Cocktail, we discuss the murder of Aristos Constantinou, also known as the "Silver Bullet" murder, then explore Greek mythology and the origins of vampires.
Drinking: The Silver Bullet
1 1/2 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Kummel
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake, and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
In a fascinating episode, we drink an old favorite; the Orange Blossom while Shelley talks about the Fatty Arbuckle scandal and Bekah recounts the interesting history of the Orange industry in California.
Drinking: The Orange Blossom
1 Can Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
1 Can Milk
1 Can Vodka
In a blender filled with ice, pour entire can of frozen orange juice concentrate. Using empty can, add 1 can of milk, and 1 can of vodka. Blend thoroughly. Serve.
While sipping on a delicious Painkiller cocktail made with Pusser's Rum, we talk about the Opium Epidemic and discuss the Excedrine Murders.
Drinking: The Painkiller
2 oz. Pusser's Rum
4 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Coconut Cream
1 oz. Orange Juice
Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into cocktail glass filled with ice. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
Bekah and Shelley talk about the devastating impact of the #campfire on the local community. If you want to help you can do so by going to https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/WildcatsRise or the organization of your choice. This week we are drinking beer! Firestone Walker 805 Blonde Ale is on tap. Shelley describes the terrible murder of Elyse Pahler while Bekah talks about the mysterious death of movie star Thelma Todd.
Drinking: Firestone Walker 805 Blonde Ale
The Russian Bear Cocktail. While sipping on two of these delicious cocktails, Shelley discusses the mysterious death of Mikhail Lesin while Bekah explores the life of Rasputin.
Drinking: The Russian Bear
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Brown Crème de Cacao
1 1/2 oz. Heavy Cream
1 tsp. Sugar
Shake all ingredients vigorously in shaker. Strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with shaved chocolate.
Child 1 and 2 take over the podcast. They sip on some butterbeer while talking about crime and history from the Potter-verse.
The Millionaire Cocktail. Bekah talks about Charles Crocker, banking and railroad mogul, while Shelley describes the horrific story of Issei Sagawa.
Drinking: The Millionaire Cocktail
2 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Grand Marnier
1/2 oz. Pastis Ricard
1/2 oz. Grenadine
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
1 Egg White
Fresh Nutmeg for Garnish
Shake all ingredients vigorously in cocktail shaker. Double strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
The Golden Glove Cocktail. Shelley describes the life of baseballer and criminal Denny Mclain, while Bekah tells us the history of the Rawlings Golden Glove Award. Also, a special guest story from Child #1
Drinking: The Golden Glove Cocktail
2 oz. Rum
1 tsp. Cointreau
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
1 tsp. Sugar
Mix all ingredients in shaker, strain into rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with lime
While sipping on the Gold Rush cocktail, Bekah tells us about the life of John Sutter while Shelley recounts the 1797 San Miguel Massacre.
Drinking: The Gold Rush Cocktail
2 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
3/4 oz. Honey Syrup
Put all ingredients into shaker, shake, strain into ice-filled old fashioned glass
The Aviation Cocktail. Shelley tells us about the hijacking of TWA Flight 847, while Bekah takes it back to the beginning with the Wright Brothers.
Drinking: The Aviation Cocktail
2 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz. Crème de Violette
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
Maraschino Cherry for Garnish
Add all ingredients into shaker, shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry
Have a Heart Cocktail. Shelley tells the story of the murder of James Schlosser while Bekah details the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Drinking: Have a Heart Cocktail
1.5 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Swedish Punsch
3/4 oz. Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Pomegranate Grenadine
Lime Wedge for Garnish
Shake all ingredients in shaker, strain into chilled cocktail glass, garnish with lime
On this inaugural episode, Bekah gives us the history of champagne while Shelley tells us about the murder of Steve Hricko all while sipping on Domain Chandon.
Drinking: Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs