The Big Surprises & Disappointments of 2025

Habeus procurator? Our failed Catholics ponder the possibility of the Giants hiring Tony Vitello as the next San Francisco Giants manager. Is a college coach qualified? What does Buster Posey see in Vitello? Can Buster close the deal?On the cocktails side of things, Matthew is drinking while Ben is drinking Gimletarita Recipes below.Gotham Grog1 oz Planteray 3 Stars1/2 oz Appleton Estate Signature1/4 oz Planteray Xayamaca1/2 Lime Juice1 oz Spiced Demerara Syrup (cinnamon & cloves)1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice1 oz Pomegranate Juice1 oz Hibiscus Tea (Strong)2-3 Dashes Peychaud’s BittersAdd all ingredients to a large rocks glass. Add ice. Stir for 10-20 seconds to chill. Garnish with a bit of freshly grated nutmeg. Gimletarita1 1/2 oz London Dry Gin1/2 oz Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)3/4 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice from limes picked by Greg from his tree3/4 oz Simple syrupAdd all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Seriously. We're asking. Our philosophers ponder the role of the manager: what qualities are the most important? Why have Kaplar and Melvin both failed to get this team over the mediocrity hump? Are they just filling out the the lineup card incorrectly?On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking a Proto-Punch while Matthew is drinking a Pink Flamingo. Recipes below.Proto-Punch1 1/2 oz Congac1 1/2 oz Bourbon1 oz Lemon juice2 oz of Oleo Saccharum syrup (or less, try less)4 oz of club sodaCombine the congac, bourbon, lemon juice and oleo saccharum syrup in a highball with no ice. Stir well to combine. Add ice and top with the club soda. You can also scale this up to larger quantities by keeping the ratios the same, but in that case you should combine and pre-chill the first four ingredients. When you’re ready to serve have guests or your future self add the club soda themselves.Pink Flamingo1 1/2 oz White Rum1/2 oz Dark Rum1 oz Grapefruit Juice1/2 oz Lime Juice1/2 oz Plum Syrup (or Grenadine)1/4 oz Demerara Syrup (if plum syrup is too tart)Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Our new cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Matthew is drinking an Apple of My Eye while Ben is drinking ... It's Just Lemonade ... Surprise! . Recipes below. Apple of My Eye1 1/2 oz Apple Brandy1 oz Bourbon or Rye3/4 oz Apple Spiced Demerara Syrup1/4 oz Lemon Juice3/4 oz Unsweetened Cranberry JuiceShake all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon. It's Just Lemonade ... Surprise!2 oz Gin1 1/2 oz - 2 oz Lemon juice syrup (50/50 lemon juice and water)1 dash Lemon bitters (optional)4-6 oz Club sodaAdd gin and lemon juice syrup, and lemon bitters to a highball glass and stir to combine. Fill the glass with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with floating brandied cherries and lemon wedge if desired.

There can be only one ... Bob. The brothers break down the dismissal of manage Bob Melvin. Were they surprised? Do they agree? What kind of manager do they want to replace him?They took a minute or two to make simple cocktails, Matthew is drinking and Old Fashioned while Ben is drinking a Gin & Ginger Beer. Recipes below.Matthew's Simplified Old Fashioned2 oz bourbon¾ oz demerara gum syrup2 dashes Angostura bittersOrange peel (for garnish)Luxardo cherry (for garnish)Combine bourbon, demerara gum syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express the oil from an orange peel over the drink. Garnish with the orange peel and a Luxardo cherry.Gin & Ginger Beer2 oz London dry gin3-4 oz Ginger beer7 Brandied cherries for garnishAdd gin a four cherries to an empty high ball glass. Fill glass with ice. Top with ginger beer and remaining cherries.#ripgin #youcrankyoldbattleaxe

We'll call it ... the Negroni. Our theme park enthusiasts take stock of the 2025 season: predictions are reviewed, milestones are celebrated, tears of sorrow and tears of relief are shed over a bright red cocktail. Then they ask each other the big questions: Was this season good or bad? Should Bob Melvin be fired or retained? Did Buster make any mistakes? Can he make mistake? One thing is clear, no ERT for these thoosies; one ride on the Negroni was enough. Hit the dispatch music, Bob!Our new cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Ben is drinking a Negroni because he lost the bet while Matthew is drinking The Fitzgerald to taunt Ben. Recipes below.Negroni1 1/2 oz London dry gin1 1/2 oz Sweet vermouth1 1/2 oz CampariOrange twist for garnishCombine the gin, vermouth and Campari in a mixing glass with ice and stir to desired dilution. Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass and carefully add a single large chunk of ice. Express the orange twist over the glass and drop into the glass. Then trick your brother into a bet where he has to drink it. The Fitzgerald2 oz gin1 oz lemon juice1 oz simple syrup2 dashes Angostura bitters2 dashes Peychaud's bitters (Matthew's stamp)Combine all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake 10-12 seconds. Double strain into a coupe glass. #doitforginny

The Giants are playing meaningless games, but the Negroni watch is still on. Our Campari haters break down the Cardinals series in which the old rivals eliminated each other from the playoffs. Then they break down the playoffs and pick who they want to win and who they think will win.Our new cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Matthew is drinking ----- while Ben is drinking ------. Recipes below.Gracias, Adios1 1/2 oz Gracia A Dios Receta Oaxaqueña Gin3/4 oz Oaxacan Hot Honey Syrup (1:1 ratio)3/4 oz Lime JuiceCombine ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake until chilled, and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass.Dumb Punch1 part lime juice2 parts cinnamon & clove syrup3 parts Demerara rum4 parts Cloudy apple ciderCombine all of the ingredients in a vessel and stir to combine. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice.#doitforginny

More liquor! Our mourners manage their grief as they break down the decisive Dodgers series: Eldridge breaks through, the Giants run out of pitching, and McDonald shuts 'em down (wait, who?). Then they discuss the biggest need for next year ... and not it's not offense. Our new cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Ben is drinking a Three Rum Double while Matthew is drinking Lilywhacker. Recipes below.Three Rum Double2 oz Overproof rum (FTD)2 oz Demerara rum0.5 oz 151 rum1 oz mango juice1 oz pineapple juice1 oz lime juice1 oz honey syrup1/2 oz grenadineCombine juices, honey syrup, grenadine and overproof and Demerara rums in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a ice filled hurricane glass. Float the 151 rum on top. Sip with a friend.Lilywhacker2 oz Apple brandy - I am using Ambix Apple Brandy out of Sebastopol3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth1/2 oz Cointreau2 dashes chocolate bittersStir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish is optional but an orange twist would be nice.#doitforginny

High hopes, low expectations. Our inebriates review the underwhelming dbag series and then review the various highs and lows of the 2025 season.Our new cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Matthew is drinking Hibiscus Gin Sour while Ben is drinking Fall on Your Face Nut* Punch. Recipes below.Hibiscus Gin Sour2 oz Gin3/4 oz Lime Juice3/4 oz Hibiscus-Rose SyrupShake all ingredients with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.Fall on Your Face Nut Punch1 part lemon juice2 parts honey syrup3 parts rye whiskey1 part apple juice / cider3 parts chilled black teaCombine ingredients in large vessel, chill, and serve over ice. * No nuts were harmed in the making of this punch.#doitforginny

The Eldridge Knight is free! Our hosts guide their players characters through a breakdown of the disappointing LA series and then discuss what it will take for this team to make a meaningful run in the playoffs, which they will definitely make.Our new cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Ben is drinking a Bitter Blue Blood while Matthew is drinking Cardamom & Banana. Recipes below.Bitter Blue Blood1 oz Empress Indigo gin1 oz Benedictine DOM2-3 oz TonicLime wheel for garnishCombine gin and benedictine in a rocks glass with no ice and stir to combine. Fill with ice and top with tonic water. Drop in a lime wheel for garnish.Cardamom & Banana3/4 oz Rye Whiskey3/4 oz Cognac or Brandy1/4 oz Banana Liqueur1/4 oz Cardamom Syrup2 Dashes Angostura Bitters4 drops Cardamom BittersMix all ingredients with ice until well-chilled. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Twist a lemon peel over drink, rub it around rim of the glass, and drop in as a garnish.#doitforginny

It sure seems like the Mets believe. Our believer and our sourpuss breakdown the dbags series before debating whether the Giants will actually make the playoffs. Matthew brings stats, good vibes and gumption to the debate and Ben brings ... well, himself. Do the Giants have enough starting pitching? Is the bullpen up for the task? Can we trust this offense?Our cocktail podcast, The Perfect Sip, is on hiatus but new episodes are in production. (Yeah, it's taking a long time ... life, you know?) If you haven't listened yet, you can catch up here: https://the-perfect-sip.captivate.fm/listenSpeaking of cocktails, today Matthew is drinking an Apple Sauced while Ben is drinking a Fall Fashioned. Recipes below.Apple Sauced2 oz Bourbon3/4 oz Maple Syrup3/4 oz Lemon Juice2 oz Hard Cider1 pinch CinnamonShake the bourbon, lemon juice, and maple syrup with ice. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and top with cider. Sprinkle with cinnamon and garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple fan/slice (or both!)Fall Fashioned2 1/2 oz Whisky1/4 - 1/2 Cinnamon Clove Simple Syrup2 dashes Paychaud’s (or Angostura) bittersOrage twistA lot of brandied cherriesTo make the cocktail, combine the whisky, syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to you desired dilution. Strain into a rocks glass and add a single large chunk of ice. Express the twist over the glass, and drop in to the glass. Add your cherries on a cocktail pick, or just drop them in the glass too.To make the syrup, combine 1-2 cinnamon sticks and 3-7 cloves with 1 part water and 1 part in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and let it steep until cool.#doitforginny