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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #30

Firstborn leads an attack on the city morgue. After seeing her husband murdered in front of her, San Francisco police chief Amy Zou tries to get her twins back. Suspended San Francisco homicide detective Bryan Clauser, along with Alder and Adam Jessup, head to the hospital to rescue Jebediah Erikson, also known as “The Saviour.” Things do not go according to plan.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-30.mp3″

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Siglocktail 08-25-2020: Italian Lemon Drop (Plus bonus variation at the end!)

Changing things up a bit this week with a video tutorial! I’m still on my vodka kick, since it’s still hot and now humid as well in Southern California.

Our SIGLERinPLACE Siglocktails this week is an Italian Lemon Drop. This is similar to the ever popular lemon drop martini from the 80s/90s cocktail craze.

Recipe below in case you want the quickest route to this tasty drink! If you have a bit more time, watch the video until the end to learn a bit more about the 19th Century variation — the crusta. Fun presentation for a yummy drink!

As ever, livestream is tomorrow night at 6pm PST and this week we’re going to try not making the drink on the live stream since we’ve got this video. Feel free to make this one (send us pics here if you do!) but as ever, you drink whatever you like best, or nothing at all, no worries!

ITALIAN LEMON DROP RECIPE:
Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Triple Sec
  • 1/2 oz limoncello
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • Ice

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™:

  • Combine and shake all ingredients together with ice
  • Strain into a martini glass

Yummy variations:

If you want to try the crusta (seen in the picture above!):

  • Make a wide sugar crust on the rim of a champagne flute, using a lemon wedge to prime the rim, and superfine sugar. Allow to dry completely.
  • Fill sugar rimmed glass two thirds full with your cocktail.
  • Add two drops of orange or aromatic bitters
  • Take extra-wide section of lemon peel (1.5 inches wide and 5 inches long) and set inside the rim of the glass so it’s half inside the rim and half protruding above it.
  • Serve. The drinker should push the rind into the flute to access the sugar rim.

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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #29

Bryan Clauser, Alder Jessup, and Adam Jessup are driving towards the hospital to rescue Jebediah Erikson, also known as “The Saviour.” On the way to the hospital, the Jessups get Bry-Bry all geared up for the gun show. Bryan refuses to don the cloak of the Saviours, but Adam had something else for him to wear…

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-29.mp3″

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Siglocktail 08-18-2020: Mint-Ginger Caipiroska … spritzer? (Plus variations!)

Continuing our vodka recipes this month, and the heat of summer has finally come to Southern California, so now I’m all about a summery, refreshing cocktail.

Our SIGLERinPLACE Siglocktails this week is a Caipiroska! This is a spiritual sister to Brazil’s national drink, the Caipirinha. Where the caipirinha is made with cachaça (a Brazilian rum variant) our caipiroska is made with vodka. Traditionally, it’s made with fresh lime, sugar and vodka, but I’m adding fresh ginger and mint to brighten things up. I’m also adding some ginger beer to make this a bit less alcoholic, and perfect for sipping during the hottest part of the day.

As ever, livestream is tomorrow night at 6pm PST and I’ll make this drink just as our show starts. Feel free to make this one (send us pics here if you do!) but as ever, you drink whatever you like best, or nothing at all, no worries!

MINT GINGER CAIPIROSKA RECIPE:
Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons superfine sugar
  • 5 mint sprigs
  • 4 ounces vodka (I used Blue Ice)
  • 3 ounces ginger beer
  • Ice

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™:

  • Muddle ginger with sugar in a glass.
  • Add mint sprigs. Muddle until fragrant.
  • Add vodka, ginger beer and ice.
  • Garnish with mint.
  • Stir.

Yummy variations:

  • If you have ginger syrup, you can add that instead of the sugar and sliced fresh ginger.
  • If you’re daring and have had a great garden this summer, try basil or cilantro instead of mint!
  • If you’re missing a bit of tartness, add a half ounce of lemon juice!

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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #28

Things have gotten messy in the investigation of a series of brutal murders. Bryan and Pookie now suspect the shadowy, centuries-old cult known as Marie’s Children to be behind the killings. Most of the victims fall into one of two categories: organized crime figures or someone associated with high school sophomore and social outcast Rex Deprovdechuk.

A confrontation with Jebediah Erikson, also known as “The Savior,” has put the man in the hospital, and let Bryan and Pookie see Erikson’s basement full of stuffed monstrosities. These monsters turned out to be real, not fakes — genetic analysis revealed that these monsters and the killers in the Deprovdechuk murders had the same mother.

Finding out his whole life has been a lie, Bryan confronts the man he’s known as his father. But not receiving the desired answers, Bryan then seeks out Alder Jessup, the man who made weapons for The Savior.

Rex turned out to be Marie’s Children’s prophesied leader. He has set out on a plan to take over all the organized crime in San Francisco. Rex has a dream, a dream where his people can walk the night streets, hunting their ancient prey — humanity.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-28.mp3

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THE VAST OF NIGHT

StorySmack Episode #53

THE VAST OF NIGHT review on StorySmack

Scott and A chat about this killer indie flick directed by Andrew Patterson. It’s available on Amazon Prime.

THE VAST OF NIGHT synopsis:
Two high school kids, Everett (Jake Horowitz) and Fay (Sierra McCormick), leave the game and walk across the deserted town to their nighttime jobs. He hosts a nightly radio show, and she mans the town switchboard. Once ensconced at their jobs, they realize something strange is going on.

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Siglocktail 08-11-20: Thyme for a Salty Dog (plus variations!)

All your vodka are belong to us!

This month we’re focusing on vodka for our  SIGLERinPLACE Siglocktails. It’s classic, easy to mix, and a great vehicle for fruity, flavorful, summery drinks.

This week we’re making the Serious Eats version of the Salty Dog. It’s bright and fresh and can be made with any kind of grapefruit!

As ever, livestream is tomorrow night at 6pm PST and I’ll make this drink just as our show starts. Feel free to make this one (send us pics here if you do!) but as ever, you drink whatever you like best, or nothing at all, no worries!

SERIOUS EATS “THYME FOR A SALTY DOG” RECIPE:
This cocktail can also be made with gin, but I think vodka gives the fresh lime juice a fresh, crisp bite without changing the subtle flavor!

Ingredients

For thyme simple syrup:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 8 sprigs thyme

For the cocktail:

  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rim
  • 1 lime wedge
  • 3 ounces freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice from 1 grapefruit
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed juice from 1 lime
  • 1/2 ounce Thyme Simple Syrup
  • Lime wheels or thyme sprigs for garnish

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™

  • For the Thyme Simple Syrup:
    • In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.
    • Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
    • Remove from heat, add thyme, and allow to steep 15 minutes.
    • Strain into airtight container. Thyme Simple Syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
  • For the Cocktail:
    • Pour salt on a small saucer. Run lime wedge around the outer rim of a Collins glass and roll glass in salt to coat outside rim. Set aside.
    • Combine grapefruit juice, vodka, lime juice, and thyme syrup in cocktail shaker.
    • Fill shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds.
    • Fill salt-rimmed Collins glass with fresh ice and strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with thyme or lime if desired.

Yummy variations:

  • If you have fresh basil leaves but no thyme, roughly tear 3 or 4 and add to your shaker for a fresh, garden-y twist!
  • If you’re a purist, leave out the thyme and lime, rim the glass with salt, and revel in the beachy perfection of the Salty Dog.

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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #27

San Francisco Homicide Detective Bryan Clauser gives Medical Examiner Robin Hudson some new samples to test. Russian mobster Pavil “Fat Boy” Rockmanov was wounded in the gunfight between Dmitri Vasillof and mafia kingpin Frank Lanza. Pavil needs medical attention, but will that lead to trouble for Gennady Evanovich, Dmitri’s right-hand man? Bryan’s partner, “Pookie” Chang, enlists the help of John “The Black Mr. Burns” Smith to research the historical murder rate in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Francis Parkmeyer receives a shadowy visitor.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-27.mp3″

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Siglocktail 08-04-20: Vodka Gimlet (plus variations!)

vodka gimletIt’s a new month, so it’s a new base liquor! August Siglocktails will be vodka based!

We’ll start this month on SIGLERinPLACE with a classic: a vodka gimlet. It’s a classic, simple drink, so I’ll also add a few variations at the end of this post in case you want to jazz things up!

Livestream is tomorrow night at 6pm PST and I’ll make this drink just as our show starts. Feel free to make this one (send us pics here if you do!) but as ever, you drink whatever you like best, no worries!

OUR RECIPE FOR A CLASSIC “VODKA GIMLET”
This cocktail can also be made with gin, but I think vodka gives the fresh lime juice a fresh, crisp bite without changing the subtle flavor!

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka (I used Blue Ice after a recommendation from Junkie Jared Miller!)
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup (more or less as desired for sweetness)
  • ice
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™

  • In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice until cooled, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour into a glass over ice (I am using this mega-cool tentacled cocktail glass, a gorgeous gift from my friend Shelia Dee).
  • Garnish with a lime wedge.

Yummy variations:

  • If you have fresh basil leaves, roughly tear 3 or 4 and add to your shaker for a basil gimlet!
  • Same with mint! Add 1/4 cup of mint leaves to the shaker, and swap out the simple syrup for Roses Lime Juice for a summery mint gimlet!
  • I’m pretty sure you can add a bit of sliced jalapeño (no seeds tho!) and tajin on the rim, but I haven’t tried that. It sounds delish tho!

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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #26

San Francisco homicide detectives Bryan Clauser and Pookie Chang talk to Aggie James, a homeless man who was found in the San Francisco subway system carrying a strange infant. Gangsters clash as a gunfight erupts between Dmitri Vasilov and mafia kingpin Frank Lanza. Sub-chief Sean Robertson has new orders from his dangerous associates that will put Bryan and others in grave danger.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-26.mp3″

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Siglocktail 7-28-20: Blueberry Thyme Gin Fizz

This week’s SIGLERinPLACE cocktail is a blueberry thyme gin fizz! It’ll be our last gin cocktail for  a while, and it’s super summery and easy to make! Livestream is tomorrow night at 6pm PST and I’ll make this drink just as our show starts. Feel free to join us, make a Shirley Temple version, or just pour your own beverage of any kind and relax!

OUR RECIPE FOR A “BLUEBERRY THYME GIN FIZZ”
The gin fizz is a simple recipe, and can be infinitely dressed up, similar to a martini or a smash. In this case, we’ve got lots of lemon thyme in the patio garden, and lots of blueberries, so we’re dressing our fizzes up with those!

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Gin (I used Empress 1908)
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup (more or less as desired for sweetness)
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Club soda
  • Lemon slice or lemon twist, extra blueberries, thyme sprig to garnish

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™

  • In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, blueberries, and thyme leaves. Make sure to smash the blueberries up well!
  • Pour into a glass over ice (I choose not to strain the muddled mixture, but you can certainly strain into the glass as well).
  • Top with a splash of club soda.
  • Garnish with a lemon slice, fresh blueberries and a sprig of fresh thyme.

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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #25

SFPD sub chief Sean Robertson demands a meeting with mob kingpin Frank Lanza, so Lanza sends Tony “Four Balls” Gillam to deliver a message to Robertson. Meanwhile, Bryan and Pookie Chang meet with the Saviour, Jebediah Erikson, who has a rather intense reaction to Bryan.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-25.mp3″

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Siglocktail 7-21-20: the Ginger Rogers

 
Tomorrow night at 6pm PST for our SIGLERinPLACE livestream, I’ll be making a couple of Ginger Rogers when our show starts. Feel free to join us, make a Shirley Temple version, or just pour your own beverage of any kind and relax!

Also, we’re celebrating National Junk Food Day, so get your favorites ready!

OUR RECIPE FOR A “GINGER ROGERS”
The Ginger Rogers has a cousin that’s a bit simpler, without the ginger simple syrup, so don’t fret if you don’t have (and don’t want to make) the syrup. That’s called a Gin Gin Mule, and it’s also yummy.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. gin (I’ll use St. George’s Terroir)
  • 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz. ginger syrup (omit this ingredient for the Gin Gin Mule)
  • 2 oz. ginger ale I used Fever Tree
  • 6 mint leaves
  • 1 mint sprig
  • 1 slice fresh lemon

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™

  • Combine the mint leaves and ginger syrup in the bottom of a glass. (Just muddle the mint leaves if you don’t make/have the syrup!)
  • Using a muddler or a spoon, lightly crush the mint leaves to release their oils.
  • Add the gin and lemon juice and stir.
  • Add the ice.
  • Add the ginger ale and stir.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and a mint sprig if desired.

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NOCTURNAL Throwback Episode #24

Aggie James has seen the horrors of the Groom’s Walk and the hideous nightmare that is Mommy. Hilary, a member of the cult, agrees to help Aggie escape if he does something for her in return. Even as he fights for his freedom, Robyn Hudson is closing in on the genetic trail of Marie’s Children. Meanwhile, mob boss Frank Lanza’s clash with the Russian mafia promises carnage for all.

http://media.blubrry.com/scottsigler/media.libsyn.com/scottsigler/NOCTURNAL-Throwback-Episode-24.mp3

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Siglocktail 7-14-20: the French 75

Join us tonight at 6pm for our SIGLERinPLACE livestream. Here is the beverage the amazing ARealGirl will be making tonight when our show starts. Feel free to join us, make a Shirley Temple version, or just pour your own beverage of any kind and relax! And hey, it’s National Mac & Cheese day!

OUR RECIPE FOR A “FRENCH 75”
The French 75 is a sparkling cocktail that’s perfect before, during and after your eggs Benedict. This is one classic you’ll want to rediscover again and again.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce gin
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 3 ounces Champagne or other sparkling wine
  • Garnish: lemon twist

Mad Scientist Process of Assembly™

  • Put all the goodies except for Champagne into a shaker with ice.
  • Shake it up, shake it.
  • Strain into a Champagne flute.
  • Top it off with the Champagne.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist.

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SIGLERinPLACE 7-14-20

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