What do you get when you combine a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, humanitarian deminer, and wine importer? Meet Sam Lerman, CEO of Spirit Worldwide, whose life reads like a real-world spy thriller. In this episode of The Cocktail Guru Show, hosts Jonathan and Jeffrey Pogash sit down with Sam tohear how a mission in Ukraine led to the discovery of world-class wines — and how he’s now introducing them to the U.S.
➡️ Learn about rare Ukrainian varietals like Saperavi,the humanitarian mission behind the brand, and why Sam’s story is anything but ordinary.
🎧 Listen now and toast to a story of courage, compassion, and craft.

Join Jonathan Pogash, the Cocktail Guru, and his father Jeffrey Pogash as they dive into the fascinating world of spirits and cocktails in this exciting episode of The Cocktail Guru Show! Recorded live from the WSWA Access Live event in Denver, Colorado, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and expert opinions from some of the industry's leading trailblazers and tastemakers.

Join Jonathan and Jeffrey Pogash, the dynamic father-son duo, as they dive into the world of cocktails, spirits, and hospitality trends in this special episode of The Cocktail Guru Show, recorded live at the WSWA Access Live Convention in Denver, Colorado! We had some incredible conversations with industry trailblazers including basketball super start Al Harrington, Morgan Weinstock of Jackson Morgan Southern Cream, Neal Cohen from Tip Top Cocktails and Mariana Quintanar from Tequila Malas Lenguas. Plus, Jonathan whips up a new cocktail with Mad River Revolution Rye in this week's Tipple Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU SHOW, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk generational hospitality with culinary lifer Charles Baum. Watch, listen, and learn how Charles, the son of legendary New York restaurateur Joe Baum, grew up in a notoriously all-consuming industry, became GM at Manhattan's famed Rainbow Room and a partner in the tragically late-great Windows on the World, and founded Cool Culinaria, an online repository that indulges his passion for food and drink history, lore, and ephemera.

All this and much more on this episode of The Cocktail Guru Show!

THE COCKTAIL GURU SHOW is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed in part by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture.

In this episode of The Cocktail Guru Show, Jeffrey Pogash and Jonathan Pogash, had the pleasure of diving deep into the world of wine with a very special guest, Manuel Lozada, CEO of Viña Almaviva. They began by reminiscing about Jeffrey's early career in the wine industry, including his transformative experience in Paris where he met Jonathan's mother and developed a lifelong passion for wine.

Manuel Lozada shared his fascinating journey in the wine industry, starting from his early exposure to wine at the age of five, thanks to his grandfather. He recounted his diverse experiences across the globe, from Portugal to Argentina, and eventually to Chile, where he now oversees the production of some of the world's finest wines at Almaviva.

The three discussed the unique qualities of Almaviva wines, the blend of French savoir-faire with Chilean terroir, and the meticulous process involved in creating these exceptional wines. Manuel also highlighted the importance of precision and humility in wine making, emphasizing that each vintage has its own character shaped by subtle climatic variations.

The conversation was deeply personal and filled with mutual respect and admiration. Manuel's passion for wine making was evident as he described the creative process and the joy of sharing wine with others. We also touched on the differences between the wine and spirits industries, noting the unique life and evolution of wine in the bottle.

Overall, this episode was a heartfelt exploration of the art and passion behind wine making, enriched by the long-standing friendship between my father and Manuel. We hope our listeners enjoyed this intimate look into the world of wine and the stories behind some of its most dedicated artisans.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU SHOW, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash talk hospitality and acclaimed bartender, author, host, and educator Alba Huerta's singular commitment to excellence in it. Watch, listen, and learn how the Mexican-born and Texas-raised entrepreneur has racked up a raft of honors for both herself and Julep, the James Beard Award-winning bar that's played a leading role in transforming Houston's cocktail culture from dive dominated to craft focused.

THE COCKTAIL GURU PODCAST is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever fine podcasts can be heard. The Center for Culinary Culture—Telling the Story of Food & Drink…One Taste at a Time.

On this episode of THE COCKTAIL GURU SHOW, the premiere installment of Season 4, hosts Jonathan & Jeffrey Pogash deep-dive the whiskey world with serial entrepreneur Raj Alva and veteran whiskey maker Ari Sussman, who, together with country music superstar Eric Church, founded JYPSI Whiskey. Watch, listen, and learn how this team of unlikely partners launched a new whiskey brand, formulated an innovative whiskey-making process—including some unique aging techniques—and mastered the art and science of blending whiskeys from across the globe. Plust, enjoy a taste of the fascinating history of punch—it hasn't always been a syrupy concoction served as children's birthday parties—in Papa Pogash's "Cocktail Commentary."

THE COCKTAIL GURU SHOW is produced by 1st Reel Entertainment and distributed by EatsDrinksTV, a service of the Center for Culinary Culture—Home of The Cocktail Collection, and is available wherever you enjoy your favorite shows.

Join us for the exciting second part of our Season 3 finale, recorded high atop New Orleans at Café Amélie, overlooking the vibrant French Quarter. In this special episode, we celebrate the spirit of New Orleans with a fantastic lineup of guests and delve into the world of cocktails, spirits, and hospitality.