#011: Interview with Fellow Home Bartender, Matt Knutson - a podcast by Speaking Easy: Makers of Cocktails and Lovers of Home Entertaining

We’re very excited to start a new series for the podcast, where we’ll be meeting with friends, listeners, professionals, and all sorts or people in between. Our goal—share more of what makes “a better drinker”. Think of them less like interviews, and more like those conversations you hear at a cocktail party.

Conversation #1: Matt, Hobbyist Bartender

Our friend and fellow home bartender Matt Knutson was kind enough to lend his voice to our podcast—both in terms of his actual voice, and the drinks he’s made during one of our parties. We talk first cocktails, favorite cocktails, and some of the mistakes that Alex has made (which Matt likes to point out). We also do our best to find out the difference between an enthusiast and a snob.

Things We Talk About:

Fiscal New Year—In Washington, D.C., it’s common for people to throw a party on or around October 1 each year—the beginning of the U.S. federal fiscal calendar. (**NERD ALERT**)

Recipes We Talk About:

Alex’s Magic Fanta:



* 1 part orange vodka

* 2 parts orange Fanta

* ½ part magic



Actually, don’t make this drink. Alex is a real jerk for continually bringing this up.

Matt’s Whiskey Smash:



* Half Lemon, cut into wedges

* 4 Mint leaves

* .75 oz Simple syrup

* 2 oz Bourbon

* ‘A little bit of wisdom’



Muddle the mint into the lemon in the bottle of a shaker, add the ingredients, shake, and strain into an Old Fashioned glass.

Kentucky Buck:



* 2 oz. bourbon (Something a little less spicy would probably be preferred because of the fruit, like a Four Roses Yellow Label or Maker’s Mark)

* ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

* ½ oz. simple syrup

* 1 medium strawberry

* 2 dashes Angostura bitters

* Chilled ginger beer



Muddle the fruit into a shaker, add the other ingredients, shake, and strain into a Collins or highball glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

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