Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Bloody Good: 4 True Crime Podcast Cocktails

By

True crime is everywhere. From shows like The People V. O.J. Simpson, The Case of: Jon Benet Ramsay and everything on Investigation Discovery, you almost literally cannot escape our country’s obsession with murder and killings. This focus, too, has made its way into the realm of podcasts with more and more popping up every day, covering every imaginable murder, crime, and conspiracy you can think of.

Because of the popularity of many of these podcasts (and because it’s the Halloween season), we asked bartenders from across the country to craft four cocktails (and one mocktail) to pair with some of the top true crime podcasts around.

Recommended Videos

Serial
serial-itunes-logo


(Serial began on NPR and in its first season, covered the 1999 death of Hae Min Lee and the subsequent trial of Adnan Syed. For its second season, Serial tackled Pfc. Beau Bergdahl’s alleged desertion and imprisonment in Afghanistan, as well as the aftermath of this event.)

Related: 
Upgrade your daily routine with the best smartwatches for men

Rough Cut
(Created by Danny Neff, Roebling Tea Room, Brooklyn)

  • 1 oz rye whiskey
  • .25 oz Amaro Montenegro
  • .5 oz Spicy Ginger Syrup,
  • .75 oz Lime juice
  • soda to fill

Method: Combine all ingredients except soda into a mixing tin. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a highball with ice and top with soda.

My Favorite Murder
mfm

(My Favorite Murder is one of the top-rated podcasts available for download (in general, not just true crime). In each episode, hosts Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff look at different murders and crimes that they’ve selected, including reading listener’s hometown murders. Hardstark and Kilgariff offer a great balance between comedy and horrifying crimes.)

The Georgia
(Created by Lov Carpenter, Spiaggia, Chicago)

  • 5 oz Buffalo Trace
  • .25 oz Ramazzotti amaro
  • .25 oz lemon juice
  • .25 basil syrup
  • peach slices.

Method: Muddle 2-3 peach slices with basil syrup. Add bourbon, amaro, and lemon, shake with ice, double strain into coupe, garnish with basil flower.

The Karen
(Created by Sam Slaughter)

  • 3 oz cold brew coffee
  • .75 oz cherry juice
  • .25 tsp vanilla extract
  • orange peel
  • ground clove

Method: Combine coffee, cherry juice, and vanilla in a shaker tin with ice. Shake vigorously. Take a coupe glass and express orange peel over the top, then rub the rim with peel. Drop in. Pour coffee mixture in and top with one small dash of clove.

Related: Scotch on a Budget

Sword and Scale

swordandscale
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(Sword and Scale is for those looking to really dig into heavy true crime. Unflinching in content, Mike Boudet delivers everything from 911 calls to recordings of serial killers and, basically, everything you could ever think of that could cause a nightmare.)

Crime of Passion
(Created by Weston Lou, Hakkasan, NYC)

  • Pulp of 1/2 a Passion Fruit
  • .5 oz Agave Nectar
  • .5 oz Pineapple Juice
  • .75 oz Lime Juice
  • 2 Dashes Bob’s Peppermint Bitters
  • 75 oz Bird’s Eye Chili Infused Montelobos Mezcal *

Method: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add fresh ice cubes to shaker and shake until well chilled.  Double strain in a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes.  Garnish with a Pineapple Leaf.

*Bird’s Eye Chili-Infused Montelobos Mezcal: Chop up 6 Bird’s Eye Chilis. Add to bottle of Mezcal. Let sit for at least 24 hours (let sit longer if you want the Mezcal spicier). Then strain out chilis.

Last Podcast on the Left

lpotl
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(Last Podcast on the Left is a podcast hosted by comedians Ben Kissel, Henry Zebrowski, and Marcus Parks. They cover a wide range of topics, from heavy hitting murderers like John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy to alien conspiracies, cover-ups, and more. Often more irreverent than not, LPOTL is for those that can take a terrible joke, or crack one.)

The Weegee Shuffle
(Created by Warren Bobrow, The Cocktail Whisperer)

  • 2 oz Mezan xo rum
  • 1 oz Fruitations cranberry soda and cocktail syrup
  • 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Crushed ice
  • Seltzer to taste
  • Thyme

Method: Fill old fashioned glass with crushed ice and add the syrup. Pour over the rum and stir. Slap the thyme and add to glass. Pour over the seltzer then add angostura.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…

Editors’ Recommendations

This historic US winery can legally call its wine champagne
Dive into the 150-year old history of this unique south jersey spot
Renault Winery

I lived in South Jersey for most of my life, yet I was completely unaware that such a popular winery with a rich history was right here in my backyard. The Renault Winery's story dates back nearly 156 years, when Louis Nicholas Renault left his hometown in France to set sail for California and later settled in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Since then, the winery has changed hands a few times but still retains one unique trait that sets it apart from other wineries.

While most wineries in the U.S. are not allowed to call their sparkling wine champagne, Renault Winery has a notable historical exception. This historical privilege dates back to when Louis Renault requested a special permit from French authorities in the 1870s that allowed his wines to be labeled as champagne. Since the winery is grandfathered in, it can still safely call its blueberry sparkling wine "Blueberry Champagne", unlike other companies in the U.S. that must refer to it as a sparkling wine. Today, visitors can take a walking tour of Renault Winery and experience a wine tasting, diving into the history of this special winery.

Read more
Aquavit: the centuries-old spirit that’s more than just “black death”
What exaclty is aquavit?
Alcohol tasting: Aquavit, Bitter orange snaps, Bask, Arrack punsch

If you’ve ever been to Iceland, there’s a chance a local tour guide has offered you a chance to partake in a less-than-appealing local rite of passage. I’m talking about eating fermented shark followed by a shot of Brennivin. I, like many travelers to Iceland, have taken part in this life-changing experience. I can tell you that the shark is the biggest acquired taste I’ve ever been a part of.

The Brennivin, on the other hand, was actually memorable in a good way. Even though it’s referred to as “black death,” this strong Icelandic spirit is a neutral spirit made from potatoes. It gets its unique flavor from the use of caraway seeds. It’s the country’s main type of Aquavit and it's the national drink. But it’s definitely not the only country that makes this unique spirit. You might be wondering what Aquavit is.

Read more
Oskar Blues dresses up its beer in denim for the summer
A timeless look for some classic ales
Dale's Denim Pale.

Colorado brewery Oskar Blues is bringing back a limited-time favorite with the return of the Denim Dale's line. The release features a couple of flagship beers treated to cans inspired by your favorite pair of jeans. The light summer beers are available now through Labor Day Weekend.

"Last year’s denim beer case was a statement of rebellious independence – and people got it. This year, we wanted to take it even further,” says Aaron Baker, Oskar Blues brand director. “So we wrapped the can itself in denim. It’s a celebration of individuality, utility, and American grit – all things denim and Dale’s share at their core. Whether you’re cracking one open at a dive bar or tossing it in your cooler for a weekend outside, this is a beer that wears its character on its sleeve – or in this case, its can.”

Read more