307 | Kevin Peterson on the Theory of Cocktails

<p>A lot of science goes into crafting the perfect cocktail. Balancing sweet and bitter notes, providing the right amount of aeration and dilution, getting it to just the right temperature and keeping it that way. And even if you have no interest in cocktails as such, the general principles extend to other activities in art and in life. I talk to scientist-turned-mixologist Kevin Peterson about how to think about the simple magic of a perfect drink.</p> <p>Blog post with transcript: <a href="https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025/03/03/307-kevin-peterson-on-the-theory-of-cocktails/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025/03/03/307-kevin-peterson-on-the-theory-of-cocktails/</a></p> <p>S<em>upport Mindscape on </em><a href="https://www.patreon.com/seanmcarroll" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Patreon</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p>Kevin Peterson received a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is currently co-owner of both <a href="https://www.castaliacocktails.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Castalia</a> (an experimental craft cocktail bar) and <a href="https://sfumatofragrances.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sfumato Fragrances</a> in Detroit, Michigan. He is the author of <a href="https://sfumatofragrances.com/products/cocktail-theory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Cocktail Theory: A Sensory Approach to Transcendent Cocktails</em></a>.</p> <p><strong>Mindscape Petrichor Negroni </strong>(from the episode)</p> <ul> <li>1 part gin distilled from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/vetiver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">vetiver</a></li> <li>(alternative: herbaceous gin such as <a href="https://www.molettogin.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moletto</a>)</li> <li>1 part <a href="https://stgeorgespirits.com/spirits/bruto-americano/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">St. George Bruto Americano</a></li> <li>1 part <a href="https://www.carpano.com/en/prodotto/antica-formula-2/?age-verified=d1e48f1b60" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Antica Formula</a> vermouth</li> </ul> <p>Stir over an ice cube, express with orange peel (not shown).</p>