The Art of Drinking with Join Jules and Your Favorite Uncle

Welcome back to our January rerun series! For today’s spotlight, I’m thrilled to revisit Episode 17, where we dive into the elegant and effervescent French 75. One of my ALL time favorites and my go to welcome cocktail to serve when hosting parties. 

I chose the French 75 for this rerun because it’s a brilliant riff on the classic Sour cocktail—that timeless combination of spirit, citrus, and sweetener. What makes the French 75 stand out, though, is its use of sparkling wine as a mixer or lengthener. The addition of bubbles transforms the structure of the drink, making it light, festive, and perfect for celebrations or any time you want to elevate your cocktail experience. 

By mastering the French 75, you’re stepping into the world of the Collins family of drinks. The Collins family is all about taking the basic sour template and “lengthening” it with something fizzy—traditionally club soda, but as the French 75 shows, sparkling wine is a fantastic twist. Other drinks in this family include the Tom Collins, John Collins, and Vodka Collins—each swapping out the base spirit or bubbly for different flavors and personalities. 

And while we're here, it's worth tipping our hat to the Mojito. Though technically not a Collins, the Mojito follows a remarkably similar template: spirit (rum), citrus (lime), sweetener (sugar), and a bubbly lengthener (soda), plus the refreshing addition of mint. It’s a great example of how understanding the Collins structure empowers you to spot and create variations across cocktail families—even when they hail from different traditions or use different techniques. 

As you listen (or re-listen) to Episode 17, think about how the French 75 not only showcases the versatility of the sour formula, but also invites you to play with sparkling ingredients in your cocktails. Once you get comfortable with this style, a whole world of bubbly, refreshing drinks is yours to explore. 

Cheers to new adventures in the Collins family, and to a sparkling start to the new year!

Thinking about purchasing a Klaris ice machine? Go to craftKLARIS.com and use the code AOD10 for 10% OFF your purchase. Trust us, you won’t regret it ;-)  

Klaris IG: @craftklaris Website: www.craftklaris.com   

The Art of Drinking 

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Join Jules 

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Uncle Brad  

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Continuing our January return to cocktail fundamentals while Jules and Brad prep for the new year ahead. Last week we mastered the Sour; Spirit (rum), Sour (lime juice), Sweet (simple syrup) - better known as the Daiquiri. This week's Episode 11 introduces the Sidecar, which takes that Sour framework and swaps simple syrup for liqueur. This creates what's known as a Daisy style cocktail: Spirit (Cognac), Sour (lemon juice), Sweet (Cointreau). I always add a touch of simple syrup too, and you'll hear why. 

What's another Daisy you ask? Margarita anyone? Tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec—and yeah, it's better if you add a touch of simple syrup to that one too. 😉  Thinking about purchasing a Klaris ice machine? Go to craftKLARIS.com and use the code AOD10 for 10% OFF your purchase. Trust us, you won’t regret it ;-)  

Klaris IG: @craftklaris Website: www.craftklaris.com   

The Art of Drinking 

IG: @theartofdrinkingpodcast  

Website: www.theartofdrinkingpodcast.com  

 

Join Jules 

IG: @join_jules 

TikTok: @join_jules  

Website: joinjules.com 

 

Uncle Brad  

IG: @favorite_uncle_brad 

 

This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast 

IG: @reddrockmusic 

www.reddrockmusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are kicking off 2026 with a strategic return to cocktail fundamentals. While Jules and Brad plan an exciting year ahead, they're revisiting four essential episodes for new listeners and seasoned fans alike. This week features Episode 2: The Daiquiri - the quintessential Sour cocktail that unlocks the understanding of dozens of other drinks. 

Discover why the Sour formula (spirit + citrus + sweetener) is the backbone of home bartending. From the classic Daiquiri to Whiskey Sours, Lemon Drops, and Pisco Sours, Brad explains how mastering this simple balance of strong, sour, and sweet opens up endless cocktail possibilities. Whether you're new to The Art of Drinking or looking to refresh your fundamentals, this episode provides the essential knowledge every home bartender needs to build their repertoire with confidence. 

Thinking about purchasing a Klaris ice machine? Go to craftKLARIS.com and use the code AOD10 for 10% OFF your purchase. Trust us, you won’t regret it ;-) 

 Klaris 

IG: @craftklaris 

Website: www.craftklaris.com   

The Art of Drinking 

IG: @theartofdrinkingpodcast  

Website: www.theartofdrinkingpodcast.com  

 

Join Jules 

IG: @join_jules 

TikTok: @join_jules  

Website: joinjules.com 

 

Uncle Brad  

IG: @favorite_uncle_brad 

 

This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast 

IG: @reddrockmusic 

www.reddrockmusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Uncle Brad and Jules as they explore the sophisticated French Martini, a modern classic that's more Manhattan than Paris. Brad guides you through the traditional recipe featuring vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice—super-sized for maximum enjoyment—while diving into the fascinating history of Chambord liqueur and its royal French origins. Discover how this elegant cocktail earned its name and learn the techniques for crafting this beautiful drink. Jules then puts a creative spin on the classic before wrapping up with an invaluable tip: how to craft your own fruit-flavored liqueurs at home, opening up endless possibilities for custom cocktail creations. Whether you're a vodka enthusiast or a DIY spirits maker, this episode delivers both history and hands-on knowledge you can use behind your own bar. 

 

Did Santa forget something? Treat yourself to a Klaris Ice machine – you deserve it. I mean, who doesn’t love clear ice (without the hassle of those clunky, never works, ice molds)? Go to craftKLARIS.com and use the code AOD10 for 10% OFF your purchase. Trust us, you won’t regret it ;-) 

 

TIP: DIY Liqueur

 Klaris 

IG: @craftklaris 

Website: www.craftklaris.com   

 The Art of Drinking 

IG: @theartofdrinkingpodcast  

Website: www.theartofdrinkingpodcast.com  

 

Join Jules 

IG: @join_jules 

TikTok: @join_jules  

Website: joinjules.com 

 

Uncle Brad  

IG: @favorite_uncle_brad 

 

This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast 

IG: @reddrockmusic 

www.reddrockmusic.com
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Raise your flute for France's most elegant aperitif! Uncle Brad and Jules explore the Kir Royal, a sparkling symphony of crème de cassis and champagne that transforms any moment into a celebration. Brad walks listeners through the classic recipe and its surprisingly political origins - from a pragmatic Burgundian mayor's clever marketing to Parisian cafe culture. Jules shakes things up with Tia Barrett's inventive riff, marrying blueberry pomegranate juice, vodka, vanilla, and St.-Germain for a modern twist on the blackcurrant classic. Whether you're toasting with vintage Bollinger or smart-shopping at your local wine shop, Jules wraps the episode with essential champagne-buying tips that'll help you navigate labels, prices, and styles with confidence. Pop the cork and discover why this French favorite has enchanted drinkers for generations. 

 

Thinking about purchasing a Klaris ice machine? Go to craftKLARIS.com and use the code AOD10 for 10% OFF your purchase. Trust us, you won’t regret it ;-) 

 

Kir Royal 

Glass: Chilled flute glass 

Garnish: raspberry / blackberry / currant berries 

Directions & Ingredients 

In chilled flute glass add: 


Chilled champagne (halfway) 


½ oz of creme de cassis 


Top off with champagne 

Add garnish raspberry, blackberry, or current berries 

 

Tia Barrett’s Riff 

Glass: Chilled flute glass 

Garnish: raspberry / blackberry / currant berries 

Directions & Ingredients 

In chilled flute glass add: 


1 oz. Pom blueberry pomegranate juice 


½ oz. Vodka 


½ oz. Giffard Vanille de Madagascar 


¼ oz. St-Germain 


Top off with champagne 

Add garnish raspberry, blackberry, or current berries 

 

TIP: Buying champagne  

 Klaris 

IG: @craftklaris 

Website: www.craftklaris.com   

 The Art of Drinking 

IG: @theartofdrinkingpodcast  

Website: www.theartofdrinkingpodcast.com  

 

Join Jules 

IG: @join_jules 

TikTok: @join_jules  

Website: joinjules.com 

 

Uncle Brad  

IG: @favorite_uncle_brad 

 

This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast 

IG: @reddrockmusic 

www.reddrockmusic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices