I am Nick Fisher, host and creator of the YouTube webseries Cocktail Chemistry. Let me know your favorite drink, video you'd like to see, or just AMA!

Would your rather drink 100 cocktail-sized horses or 1 horse-sized cocktail? If you were only allowed to drink one kind of liquor for the rest of your life, why would I ask when the only answer is whiskey? Did you have any homoerotic urges when you collaborated with Binging with Babish?

All I read was horse-sized cock. I think that answers your last question too.

Will never forget when our beards touched <3

Best tasting drink you’ve ever had? Not limited to anything you’ve made on the show

Oh man, such a good question. I like simpler cocktails where the flavors really blow you away. Probably the best example of this is something called the Glo Sour from Dave Arnold.

Basically does a rapid infusion of turmeric into gin, then makes a simple sour cocktail of it with lime and simple syrup. It's bright orange and insanely delicious.

So I did a video on it of course, it's the iSi whipper one

Tell him to open a new place already!!!

I hear its coming this year

Is there a certain ingredient you are just obsessed with? I for one will drink just about anything with campari in it!

I love campari too!

I used to answer this question with "ginger", and loved making my own ginger syrup for moscow/kentucky mules.

These days I'd say Mezcal has me really intrigued. I love all the flavor combinations you can do with it, and generally swapping out gin for mezcal in cocktails is an awesome move

Sazerac! What's your go to budget to mid-range whiskey for cocktails? What inspired you to start your webseries?

I try not to spend more than $30 for mixing whiskeys, my go-to is Rittenhouse Rye. Can get it for like $23 at most places, awesome quality, and 100 proof!

What inspired me to start the channel was really to make a video on putting a cocktail inside a ball of ice. I'd serve it to my friends and they'd constantly ask how the hell I did it, figured it was easier to show them in a nicely edited video.

Then that video blew up, and I just kept going :)

What is the most complicated drink you have ever created?

This, hands down

That was beautiful. Before clicking the link I first thought how hard can a drink get, boy was I mistaken. Great skill.

thanks! went through a ton of booze to get that technique right

Whats the easiest to make but tastiest drink you can recommend?

(Also, will there be any more future collabs with bingingwithbabish in the near future? I really enjoyed watching that one haha)

I had a great time collaborating with Andy! Hope to do it again sometime, maybe next time he's in SF (ahem u/oliverbabish)

Easiest tasty drink 2oz of your favorite spirit (bourbon, mezcal, gin, vodka) into a highball glass squeeze half a lime into the glass top with ginger beer and stir

Done, delicious

Have you ever heard of a Kansas City shuffle?

Kansas City shuffle

Just googled it. Mezcal and pineapple? Sign me up

Actually, it was meant to be a reference to the movie Lucky Number Slevin, where the main character spends most of the movie trying to convince people that he is not Nick Fisher. It’s a pretty amazing movie. I didn’t even know there was a drink (though it’s really not that surprising).

ahhhhh got it haha. Yeah when that movie came out I didnt hear the end of it

I like piña coladas! What is the best brand of tequila?

If you're mixing into a piña colada, I wouldn't break the bank! My go-to is Tapatio (yes, same name as the hot sauce). Good price and great quality

What modern cocktails (i.e. made in last 15 years) do you think will be future classics?

oo good one.

I'd bet money on the Paper Plane

Why hide your dad bod? Don't be ashamed of it. Also. How do you prefer your old fashions? I like eagle rare as a base.

Shirts off series?

Eagle rare is a great one. I'm particular to rye old fashioneds, often an aged WhistlePig.

Then I add 2 hits of ango, a barspoon of maple syrup, stir over a big clear ice rock, and finish with a lemon twist.

That might be next...

how about highwest campfire? Idk if my ego can handle a shirtless series. I wouldn't be able to focus on the cocktails...

I love the campfire! Have a bottle in the liquor cabinet as we speak

Loved your collab with Babish! Do you have any plans for another in the future?

Nothing on the books! But I wouldn't be surprised if we did another at some point. He's definitely upped his collab game since we did ours though!

I know you're content is focused on cocktails but, do you have a favorite sipping drink to have neat or on the rocks?

Also, as many other have said, keep up the great work!

WhistlePig Rye or Japanese whiskey is good.

Really getting into the Amaro category these days as well. I love an Amaro Montenegro on the rocks for a lower abv drink

I've been wondering about this when it comes to many YouTubers and streamers. I get to ask it from you as, you sent me a notification on my phone via YouTube and I have nothing better to do at the moment.

What is your endgame in the interwebs, professionally? If everything goes the way you're hoping it does, where does the channel and everything associated with it take you? Do you have a safety net or a backup plan if things go south?

Thanks for taking the time to do an AMA, I wish you all the best and keep producing great content!

I love this question because I think about it a lot. Currently I have a full time job in something completely unrelated (product marketing in cybersecurity). The full time job pays the bills and the YouTube channel serves as a creative outlet for me. It really works a different part of my brain and gives me a lot of satisfaction to interact with the community.

If the channel ever hit a point where the revenue was sustainable, or a crazy opportunity came up to do a show or something, I'd consider trying it full time. But living in SF and paying SF rent, I'm a ways off I think :)

Thanks for the question!

Is there a fictional cocktail you've wanted to tackle but haven't been able to?

Hmm, the hardest one I did was the pan galactic gargle blaster, but that was a fun creative process.

I get asked a lot for Snake Juice from parks & rec, but dont really know where to start with that one!

I think you take whatever is at the bar and dump it in a mop bucket and stir

DONE

I just watched the Pan Glactic Gargle Blaster video, it was awesome. Thank you for making that!

My pleasure!

What do you put in the pan galactic gargle blaster?!

http://www.cocktailchemistrylab.com/home/pan-galactic-gargle-blaster

You must unsubscribe from all but 5 content creators on YouTube. Who stays?

Babish h3h3 Nerdwriter CGP grey How to drink

Why How to Drink? What do you like about that channel?

I love the presentation of cocktails, and Greg's a natural in front of the camera. We were kicking it in NYC last time I was there, good dude, follow him

u/thisishowtodrink

I like oranges and Rum what would be a good cocktail i could try?

The Havana cocktail

• 1 1/2 ounces Gosling’s rum
• 3/4 ounce Cointreau
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• Splash of orange juice
• Dash of orange bitters

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake until cold, and then strain into a cocktail glass

What is the cheapest alcohol that you like?

Smirnoff. I'm not picky when it comes to vodka, so I'd never spend money on it. My go-to vodka is called Gruven though, I think it's from Poland

How big is your bottle collection? Have you ever done a 'cribs' tour of all your stuff?

I just reorganized my liquor cabinet, I think I have around 20 spirits and 20 liqueurs/amari

Trying to not hoard as much as possible, hosting parties helps cut through the stash

Hey Nick! Huge fan. I have a bottle of pepper vodka in the house, what can I make with it that won't suck?

I bet a peppery moscow mule would be awesome

What got you into making cocktails?

Took an intro class in SF, learned the basics and got the confidence to start experimenting on my own. Having friends over for a pre-dinner drinks also helped refine my skills and saved money :)

What's your least favorite cocktail that you've made on the channel?

Also, obligatory: would you rather fight one horse-sized duck, or a hundred duck-sized horses?

My favorite has probably been the glo sour from my iSi whipper video

One hundred duck sized horses. If I'm gonna die, I don't want my legacy to be that I was killed by a duck

Love your channel! Really like how creative and experimental you can get. My question is - Have you used an ingredient that at first glance, you wouldn't expect to work in a cocktail, but surprisingly it does? If so, what was the ingredient and cocktail?

Vinegar. Seems so out of place in a cocktail, but when I made a cocktail with a ginger shrub I fell in love with it. So complex.

Also, salt. Like literally adding a pinch of salt to a cocktail. It really enhances sweetness and tempers bitterness, just like in food.

What are your favorite liquids (not limited to liquors) to break the bank for?

Mezcal is pretty pricey, but I'm loving it.

Japanese whiskey is way over priced since it's so in demand, but I love it and will still fork over the $$ for a nice Nikka or Suntory

Hi. I follow your videos over on r/cocktails. Great work.

Favorite drink is a Sazerac. What's your recipe for one?

Nice! That's a great community over there.

I like the PDT recipe

• 2 oz Rittenhouse bonded rye whiskey
• 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 demerara sugar cube

Muddle the sugar and bitters, then add the whiskey and ice. Stir and strain into a chilled, Vieux Pontarlier Absinthe-rinsed rocks glass. Twist a lemon peel over the surface and discard.

Oddly enough, that's pretty much my own recipe as well, but I often dash absinthe right into the mixing glass. Sometimes I add a dash of my homemade orange bitters.

oh nice, how do you make your bitters?

Any superhero themed cocktails you recommend?

Jokers revenge. Jalepeño mezcal margarita served on a playing card

I dunno I'm just spitballing here

Do you add a cayenne salt rim or is that too much spice?

do it!

Hey! First of all I wanted to thank you for your awesome content on YT, I really enjoy watching it :) I want to ask you if you enjoy other (simpler) beverages too, like beer or wine? Btw my favourite cocktail is Tequila Sunrise - I know very easy and simple :D, but do you have any suggestions which kind of Tequila one should use for it? Or how you could pimp it up a little bit? Sry for any grammatical errors and greetings from Germany! :))

I'm more a wine guy, but I like a weisse beer on a hot day!

As for the tequila sunrise, I might suggest a riff on the bees knees

• 2 oz tequila
• 0.75 oz honey syrup (2 parts honey, 1 part water)
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 0.5 oz orange juice

Hi nick, first of all great work and love your channel! Here's my question: out of all the videos you made, which was the most fun to make and film? Keep up the great work!

The most fun I have is with collaborations probably. The one with Andy from Binging with Babish was a lot of fun since we were on the same page with everything, plus he's a rad dude.

The Fog Burner was a lot of fun too, I was really happy with the presentation in the end

Hi Nick! I'm a big fan of your channel.

I'm doing a low carb diet and many cocktails are off limits because of the sugar. I've been enjoying vodka and soda water with lime at bars, and when I'm at home I use various flavored seltzers. Got any ideas to get something more interesting when I'm at a bar or for making drinks at home?

My go-to for low cal is a japanese highball (though they can be pricey).

A tom collins is a good choice as well! Can tell them to go light on the sugar

I saw your video awhile back showing a good starter bar but, for someone on a budget, is there a top 5 you recommend starting with to break in a bit slower?

If it were me, I'd budget $100-120 and get

• bourbon
• light rum
• gin
• sweet vermouth
• ango bitters

Potato or grain-based vodka?

I have both in my cabinet, I can't tell the difference. Maybe my vodka palate is off but I'd just go with a decent $15-20 bottle

How would you make an eggnog? I love making it from scratch using brandy.

Also, I think I invented a drink using Milagro tequila, lime juice, Boylan ginger ale, and a whipped egg white. Served in a highball glass with ice. Is this already a thing?

that sounds tasty!

Here's my eggnog recipe: http://www.cocktailchemistrylab.com/home/eggnog?rq=eggnog

Thanks! Might have to make it a summertime-in-the-a/c drink!

EDIT: Do you have a brandy preference?

I usually go with an armagnac since it's more reasonably priced than most cognacs

Hey Nick, you're by far one of my favourite web series! A little while ago I ordered a Gin Old Fashioned in a bar but haven't been able to replicate it. Any suggestions what I might be missing?

Thanks! Man I've actually never seen a gin old fashioned before! What country was this in?

There is such a think as a gin sazerac, try that and see how you like it

Love the vids! In one of them, I suggested using vapor instead of smoke to make the presentation last longer. Did you try it? No real aromatics but it dissipates less.

Hmm, not tried it!

The smoke is both for visual and aromatic effect though, I love that applewood flavor

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yep, I have a younger sister

I Seem to only know of Southern Comfort drinks plain mixed with Cola or Dry.
What other drinks would you suggest trying with Southern as the star of the show?

To be honest, I haven't had SoCo since college :(

I might throw it in a whiskey sour but pare back the simple syrup

Hi Nick! Thanks for doing the AMA. My question is, besides your channel, what are other good YouTube channels for us cocktail nerds? Thanks!

How to drink

the morgenthaler series on the Small Screen Drinks channel

Distinguished spirits does some great stuff as well

Is it possible to make a good penicilin using the ingwer syrup from your moscow mule recipe? If so, which measurements should I use?

Thank you for your great content and for introducing me to the world of cocktails, which has become my new passion.

I'd try

• 2 oz blended Scotch whiskey
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 0.75oz ginger syrup

I am turning 21 this summer. What do you recommend for my first legal drink?

moscow mule is a nice gateway cocktail, then have a glass of water, then a kentucky mule

Hi Nick! I've recently turned 21 and even more recently fallen into your channel. You've taught me how to make a killer Old Fashioned, what should be the next on my list?

Thanks for the awesome videos. Keep up the good work!

Thanks! Next up go for manhattan if you like spirit forward cocktails, or a daiquiri if you want to try a sour cocktail

Favorite rum based cocktail?

Btw huge fan! Keep up the good work :)

dark and story with ginger syrup, or a daiquiri

Thanks for the AMA, I'll definitely pull up your channel today!

Question: what is the best amount of muddling when creating a Mojito? I know some mixologists that prefer slapping the mint to express oils before simply adding to sugar, and others will muddle until bitter. Thoughts?

Also- is there an easy way to make mojitos for a crowd (or honestly ust a giant one for mahself at home)

I'm in the slapping camp (sounds dirty)

You're really getting it for the aroma as well, so need a big bouquet slapped and placed on the top of the drink as well.

No idea how you'd batch those, especially since the mint flavor tends to dissipate

What is the most traditional way of preparing a French 75? And if you have one, what variation of it is your favorite?

I believe this is the traditional way

I bet swapping the gin for mezcal would be tasty

Sorry to tack on, but I see some establishments utilizing cognac instead of gin, what are your thoughts on that?

Probably pretty tasty! Definitely keeps with the french theme

Hi, lately I've been making Irish mules, but instead of limes/lime juice I use apple slices, apple juice, dash of cinnamon and spoon of honey. It's become one of my favorites. Does this have a name so when I go out I can order it?

Edit: I just have to say this is my first time hearing of you, but your channel is mind blowing.

Wow that sounds good! Is there enough citrus though? You could add a touch of citric acid to balance it

No idea if that already exists. I'd call it the irish american pie

Hi! I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for your channel! After watching couple of your videos I started making cocktails at home. Right now my favorite is Smokey Grove by Jonathan Pogash. I recently bought some white dog whiskey and in plan to age it at home, but before that I am thinking of infusion with some aromatic tobacco. Do you think that it is a good idea?

hey thanks!

You know I haven't gotten into tobacco infusions, they can be dangerous if not done properly.

Maybe someone in r/cocktails can answer that one

Know any good drinks with Root Beer in them? Love me some good sodas.

Also, the best mocktail you’ve ever had?

Hmm, not with root beer. Rum would probably pair well.

If I were tasked with creating a cocktail I might make a boozy rootbeer float by reducing the rootbeer 6x into a syrup, and shaking it with cream and rum into a rocks glass.

edit: as for best mocktail, all of these ones are awesome

Or use boozy ice cream. http://prohibitioncreamery.com/flavors/

woah, sounds amazing and dangerous

Great! Thanks. Is there any way that you can think of to substitute the 5 big boozes for non-alcoholics? (Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Whiskey, & Rum) [So, basically anything that goes reliably well with each one so that it pairs with the other things in the cocktail too?]

hmm, to be honest it's not an easy swap. The cop out answer is water (still or sparkling), but a good mocktail should be designed without alcohol.

I have a large bottle of Bulliet rye. I've been making pretty decent old fashionds with it. Do you had any kind of special take on this old school classic?

use maple syrup as the sweetener, and black walnut bitters

About how long ago did you start to have an interest in creating, researching, and mixing drinks? What lead you to it?

Probably about 5 years ago. The initial reason was just to save money (drinks are expensive in SF!) but after taking an intro cocktail class and learning some basics, I got really into the science behind balancing a cocktail

Thanks for advice, I will be causeous with tobacco infusion. I have one more question, last week I bought italian Limoncello and had made some cocktails with it, but nothing impressive. Can you suggest a good cocktail recipe for it?

Huh, never seen a cocktail with limoncello!

Maybe just a little of it with some prosecco would be tasty

I've recently got into making flavoured syrups. My Earl Grey gimlet is currently going down a storm with my group of friends, but I'd like to branch out a bit. Are there any flavoured syrups that you'd particularly recommend, and how would you use them?

(Also, Long Island Iced Tea. I don't know if you've done a video on them yet, but I'd love that.)

Ah nice, I've been meaning to do a tea video (probably with some fat washing).

You can make flavored syrups from almost anything! Try a raspberry syrup and a clover club cocktail, it's one of my faves

I don't know what fat washing is, but that sounds great. I'd love to see it! People always seem to shit on the Long Island as a way of just getting hammered quickly, but a good Long Island is a joy forever -- especially when you start getting into different mixers and syrups.

I love raspberries, so I'm all in on that. I guess it's just boil up the raspberries, strain out the pulp and seeds and add sugar?

got you covered fam

When did you first discover your proclivity towards cocktails? Have you ever drank too much while recording a video?

Love your videos by the way!

Once I took a class at a bar called Bourbon and Branch in SF. They taught me the fundamentals and history of cocktails and something just clicked. I love the cocktail renaissance happening now and I wanted to be a part of it. Plus it's cheaper to make cocktails at home than go out in SF :)

Last Friday I shot four videos at once, I was pretty lit afterwards

I love a good old fashion, but I wanted to switch it up so you got any recommendations?

Try a rum old fashioned, or a sazerac

Have any old fashioned tips?

Use high quality whiskey, since it's 90% of the drink. A lemon twist goes a long way too

Are Luxardo cherries really worth it?

Yes, yes they are. Wish they weren't so pricey but they will last forever in your cabinet

Have you ever had Allen’s Coffee Brandy?

never seen it, what's it like? Just bought a leopold bros coffee liqueur that is excellent

Any horror stories about peoples’ drinks of choice? I work in a liquor store and had a guy once buy southern comfort, simple syrup, and sweet vermouth and insist this was the components of a manhattan.

Also, I’ve learned a lot from your videos that have helped me help people at work so thank you for putting out quality content!

Hey thanks!

Occasionally one of my home guests will ask if I can use splenda instead of sugar. Not really a horror story but it makes me sad

What is the best cocktail with Gin&Tonic that you know?

A cocktail with gin AND tonic? Not sure one exists beyond the original g&t!

I am planning to do a video on the perfect G&T at some point in the future

Looking to make a cocktail on tap for my personal kegerator. What sort of cocktail would you recommend for longevity in a keg? I'm more of a whiskey guy if that makes a difference.

I'd go with a boulevardier, good for batching. Make sure to account for the dilution you'd get from stirring by adding water!

edit: this is assuming you don't find negronis to be unpalatable

Regional whiskies seem to have become increasingly popular in the states. Do you have a favorite American whisky distillery?

I'm partial to whistlepig and high west!

Favorite Campari based cocktails (other than a Negroni)?

Um, a mezcal negroni? :)

I really like the paper plane (though campari is often subbed for aperol)

I'm torn at the moment between Kahlua and my old neighbours homemade Damsin Gin. Sadly, I've yet to find a way to mix the two.

Any suggestions?

uhh, a white dutch? Poor attempt at a white russian spinoff...

What's the most expensive drink you have ever made/had?

hmm, good question. Probably a vodka soda in a vegas club!

Most expensive I've made was definitely my song of ice and fire cocktail since it took so many damn tries to make it work. Used probably $40 of spirits just in the process.

Most high end cocktails bars in SF and NYC are pushing $16-18 dollars for cocktails now, which is crazy