Episodes
The season is already a month old, so the brothers are taking the time to reflect and give out the coveted Giant Cocktails Awards: MVPS! Unsung Heroes! Future Most Improved! (They sucked, might be called the Blake Snell award.) On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking a Gin Basil Smash while Ben is drinking a Spring Flowers Spritz. Recipes below. Gin Basil Smash 2 oz Gin1 oz Lemon Juice2/3 oz Simple Syrup10 Basil LeavesExtra basil leaf or two for garnish Muddle basil, syrup and...
Published 04/29/24
Just when you think you're about to sweep a series, you pull a groin. The boys are talking the Mets series win, what the Blake Snell injury means for the rotation, and ponder if the fixed bullpen is already broken again. On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking a Cherries on the Side and Matthew is drinking a Juniperotivo Cherries on the Side 2 oz Congac1 oz Cherry Liqueur1 oz Lemon JuiceCherries for Garnish Combine congac, cherry liqueur and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake...
Published 04/25/24
17-1? No problem. Really! The brothers break down the Diamondbacks series and discuss why it shows that this team is better than its record. Then they discuss the slowly improving bullpen. Is this the final piece the Giants need to reach the lofty heights of 86 wins? On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking a Kentucky Buck while Ben is drinking a Margarita (returning to the show for this first time since episode 1). Recipes below. Kentucky Buck 1 hulled strawberry2 oz Bourbon3/4 oz...
Published 04/22/24
The Giants bats have scratched out some runs but should winning be this hard? The brothers break down the Marlins series: The hidden closer trick! Keaton Winn with a lead! A clutch double play ... on offense?! Also, Ben gives Matthew a shoulder to cry one before shoving him in the proverbial mud. On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking Gilda (that's the name of the cocktail, he's not a vampire) while Ben is drinking a Drunken Monkey (again, a cocktail). Recipes below. Gilda 2 oz...
Published 04/18/24
Well, Snell had another rough outing. That's ok, it's only his second start of spring. The brothers discuss this fallacy and exactly when fans are "allowed" to be frustrated by his non-competitive outings. They also discuss the up and down nature of the lineup and how no one is coming to save it. They also check in on the front end of the bullpen. How do we feel about Avila, Miller, and Teng? On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking a Giant Hit while Ben is choking down a Nevermind....
Published 04/15/24
We almost got swept by the Nationals. But we didn't! So everything's fine right? Uh, no. The brothers break down the good (Hicks! Fitzgerald!) and the bad (RISP. Snell.) of the series. And we promise there are no mentions of chicken strips at all in this episode. On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking a Gimlet while Ben is drinking a Fitzgerald. Recipes below. Gimlet 2 oz Gin3/4 oz Lime Juice3/4 oz Simple Syrup Put all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake 10-12 seconds....
Published 04/11/24
The brothers break down their first 2024 game at the park: Cocktails! Food! Vibes! A two hour anemic loss! This experience prompts them to break down the offensive woes and what it might mean for the roster. On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking a Ben's Buck while Matthew is drinking a Cinnamon Daiquiri. Recipes below. Ben's Buck 2 oz Rye Whiskey3/4 oz Ginger Syrup3-4 oz Club Soda Add rye whiskey and ginger syrup in highball glass and stir to combine. Add ice. Top with club soda....
Published 04/08/24
OK, look, we all knew this could happen. And it did. So we're going to talk about it. While drinking. The boys are discussing the Dodgers series and if it matters as much as it hurts. Also, they're checking in on the bullpen. Were the reports of a dumpster fire just a bunch of smoke? In the lightning round: Should Soler be hitting lower in the line up? Should the Giants and Dodgers brawl? Do the Giants need to run more? On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking a Rum Old Fashioned he's...
Published 04/04/24
The Good, the bad, and the ugly: the boys are discussing everything about the opening weekend. First they discuss which players impressed them the most. (Chapman! Lee! Hicks! Conforto?!) Then they wallow in the less impressive outings. (Soler. Jackson. Jeffries?!) Then they discuss the ugly ending to the Joey Bart saga. Also, should Soler be hitting second? Do we have a bullpen problem? On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking a Negroni ... his last one while Matthew enjoys a Bennet....
Published 04/01/24
It's opening day! That means predictions! But first we need to talk about the still unknown roster. Who's in and who's out on the 40-man? Will the Giants carry 3 catchers?! Will any of the young guys make it? We don't know! But we're talking about it. As for those predictions. How many games will the Giants win? Will they make the playoffs? Will Camilo Doval save 162 games? Things get ridiculous. But in a good way. On the cocktail side of things Matthew is taking us out to the ballgame with...
Published 03/28/24
Opening Day is nigh! It's time for one last review of the off season. Matthew and Ben give their final grades and discuss which players they are most excited about. They also discuss the upgrades to the stadium experience. The big question, will they be buying tickets early this year? Also, apparently there was some Dodgers news? On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking the Sweet Goodbye #2 while Matthew is drinking the Mixed Feelings. New YouTube Channel:...
Published 03/25/24
For the last time on Giant Cocktails, it's Happy Hour! Yes it's true, Happy Hour is moving to a new podcast all about cocktails that will be launching soon. It will make way for a new baseball focused episode starting on Opening Day. In this last episode Matthew presents his original Mixed Feelings. It's an adventurous mix of large flavors tamed by the bubbles of a spritz. Meanwhile Ben is coming with not one, not two, but three(!) original cocktails: The Banana Republic, Sweet Goodbye #1 and...
Published 03/21/24
Matthew knew it all along and now Ben has to pay up. In this emergency pod, the guys make sure Ben drinks a Negroni and they discuss the Blake Snell signing, it's impact on the rotation, and we say goodbye to Renel Brooks-Moon. Join us! Recipes: Negroni 1 oz Gin 1 oz Sweet Vermouth 1 oz Campari Garnish: Orange Peel Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with a large chunk of ice and express orange peel oil over the glass and...
Published 03/19/24
Somebody's got to go. Who's it going to be? The brothers discuss the 40-man roster crunch. Who's in and who's out? They also revisit and revise their original declaration that Spring Training stats don't matter. Before all of that they make a big announcement. Giant Cocktails is growing. Shows are moving. If you like more, it's coming. On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking an original called the Gin Blossom while Ben is reliving his college years with a Long Island Iced Tea.
Published 03/18/24
It's Happy Hour! In this episode Ben drinks like it's the very first time with his upscale Long Island Iced Tea. It gets the job done but is it too many good things? Meanwhile Matthew is taking the high road with his fancy original the Gin Blossom. It's a floral delight perfect spring time sipping. They also discuss the joys of roadside car maintenance and turn to the legendary Bob Ross for advice. Recipes below. Long Island Iced Tea 3/4 oz Vodka3/4 oz White Rum3/4 oz Gin3/4 oz Blanco...
Published 03/14/24
We NEED to trade players right now! Or do we? Our befuddled hosts start off trying to unpack the JD Davis situation before diving into the constant demand for trades. Why hasn't Joey Bart been traded? Why didn't the Giants trade for a veteran shortstop? Why do Giants fans not want the prospects to become major league players? They finish with a dive into the where the 26-man stands today. On the cocktail side of things Ben is drinking a Golden Cadillac and Matthew is drinking a New Horizons....
Published 03/11/24
It's Happy Hour! It's our 200th episode and we're flooring it towards the horizon. Matthew is celebrating with his original bourbon cocktail New Horizon. It's a sweet sipper built on salt and bitterness, just like life. Meanwhile Ben is still stuck in the 80's with the classic Golden Cadillac. It's a sweet creamy punch in the face fueled by an over powered liqueur. Also, they question the reality of "proof" and give advice on how salt and bitterness can make your life better too. Recipes...
Published 03/07/24
The Giants have their man and the Negroni has been cast. Once the gloating and crying dies down, the brothers discuss if the roster is truly complete or if it needs Blake Snell. Then they dive deep into the Chapman signing, discuss the uncomfortable parting words of Brandon Crawford. Also, Jung Hoo Lee, the shortstop battle and Luis Matos. On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking a Bloom County while Ben is ... not ... drinking a Mudslide. Recipes can be found in the previous...
Published 03/04/24
It's Happy Hour! In this episode Ben is diving into a Mudslide. It's a sweet and creamy and almost makes Ben cry. Meanwhile Matthew is hopping over to (drink a) Bloom County. This simple recipe from the Educated Barfly is a surprisingly complex concoction. They also discuss what to do on your extra day this year and give advice on how to jump up your cocktails. Recipes below. Mudslide 1 oz Vodka1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream1 oz Coffee Liqueur1 1/2 oz Heavy CreamChocolate shavings for...
Published 02/29/24
It's time to talk about the players who are Giants rather than the players we want to be Giants. Which means the brothers are of course talking about Cody Bellinger's contract with the Cubs and what it means for the remaining Boras clients. Then they talk about the young starting rotation including the expectations for Kyle Harrison. Also, the return of Pablo Sandoval and the top two players to watch this Spring. On the cocktail side Ben is drinking a Hay Fever while Matthew is drinking The...
Published 02/26/24
It's Happy Hour! In this episode Matthew presents a whiskey backed aperitif called The Ninth Inning. This is the adult cocktail the kid in you will love. Meanwhile Ben is presenting herbal and spring focused Hay Fever. It's warm and bright with a touch of absinthe earthiness. They also discuss walking and wunning in the wain and discuss the finer points of shaking versus stirring. Stirring stuff indeed. Recipes below. The Ninth Inning 2 oz Rye Whiskey3/4 oz Cherry Heering1/2 oz Creme de...
Published 02/22/24
And the Giants off season is over. Is the season over too? Even with Jorge Soler? Our hosts discuss Soler’s signing, the quote from Zaidi that additions are “unlikely”, and give advice to Farhan on how to better connect with the fans. Oh, and Matthew is very upset about drinking a Negroni. Very very upset. On the cocktail side of things Matthew is drinking An Orange Spring while Ben is drinking a Bit of Spring.
Published 02/19/24
It's Happy Hour! It's the first day of Spring Training and we're celebrating. Ben is rejoicing with his original Bit of Spring. It's a Whiskey Daisy balanced with hope and old grudges. Meanwhile Matthew is sighing with relief while he also presents his Orange Spring. It's a field of bright flowery flavors on a bed of Gin. They also discuss what truly evokes the beginning of Spring and give tips on how make your cocktails just a little bit more emotionally upsetting. Recipes below. A Bit of...
Published 02/15/24
It's time to evaluate the off season ... from the bottom of a well ... (we apologize for the audio). Matthew and Ben begin by evaluating the off season now that the off season is over. They then review the Giants computer projections, analyze the 40 man roster, and finish by discussing exciting non-roster invitees. On the cocktail side of things they are both drinking rum and coke zero due to a deflating end to NFL season. Spring Training cocktails next week though!
Published 02/12/24