Ep. 119: A Most Dangerous Spectacle – The Blue Blazer

STOP! Before you try to make this drink, you will need to purchase Blue Blazer mugs  Where do I get Blue Blazer mugs you ask? Golden Age Bartending has a set of 2 you can purchase for about $50. www.goldenagebartending.com. Then go research fire safety!     In this episode we are turning up the heat—literally—with one of cocktail story's most spectacular and dangerous drinks: the Blue Blazer. This flaming whiskey cocktail isn't just mixed, it's performed, as blazing liquid cascades between two metal mugs in a fiery arc that's as mesmerizing as it is risky. In fact, make this drink at your own risk – things can go sideways easy. We talk about what we did to keep things safe, but you need to do your homework too if you decide to try to make this one.   Of course, we dive into the story of Jerry Thomas, the legendary 19th-century bartender who created this showstopper and quite literally wrote the book on bartending. His Blue Blazer became the grandfather of flaming cocktails and established the art of theatrical bartending that still captivates audiences today.  Jules and I walk you through the technique, the proper equipment (those specialized Blue Blazer mugs exist for a reason), and—most importantly—the safety precautions you absolutely need to know before attempting this at home. Because while the Blue Blazer is undeniably impressive, it demands respect and caution.  Whether you're a cocktail historian, a pyro enthusiast, or just curious about the drinks that pushed bartending into performance art, this episode illuminates the legacy of Jerry Thomas and the drink that proved cocktails could be both craft and spectacle.  Blue Blazer recipe: You’ll need 2 Blue Blazer mugs to make the drink and 2 different mugs (or Brandy snifters) to serve the drink.    Ingredients (makes 2):  4 oz cask strength scotch  2 tsp of sugar  3 oz boiling water    Steps  Warm the scotch – it lights and stays lit easier  Warm a separate brandy snifter or ceramic mug  Lay down a damp towel and clear your area of any flammable materials  Place your Blue Blazer mugs on the towel – this is your workspace  In 1 of the METAL mugs, pour in your ingredients – leaving the other mug empty for now  Light the drink on fire   Carefully roll the mix between the Blue Blazer mugs 5 times. Keeping your hands away from the top of the handle (it’ gets hot over the receiving mug).  Place the empty mug over the flaming mug to put out the fire – once the fire is out you can continue to roll the drink between mugs to dissolve the sugar  IMPORTANT: pour your cocktail into a new vessel – either a warmed brandy snifter or a ceramic mug. Otherwise, you WILL burn your lips on the Blue Blazer mugs  Garnish with a lemon twist    TIP: Fire and alcohol     Thinking about purchasing a Klaris ice machine? You might need it for today’s episode. 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