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Sonoma Spiel: Craft Cocktails & Community with Liz Takeuchi-Krist of The Starling Sonoma
Season 1 Episode 138
Fall in Sonoma means harvest, friends—and great drinks. Tim sits down with Liz Takeuchi-Krist, co-owner of The Starling, a beloved neighborhood cocktail bar in Sonoma, to talk about building a welcoming, safe space (yes, even for solo guests) and the magic behind a truly great drink. Liz shares her path from Chicago music venues and wine auctions to bartending at the girl & the fig and finally opening The Starling, plus why the bar’s name gives grape growers a playful wink.
Expect plenty of practical tips: how to mix a White Negroni (and batch it for parties), why clear ice matters (and how to make it at home), the case for bitter elements, and The Starling’s house-made goodness—from tonic syrup to fermented ginger beer. We also dig into spirit-free options that feel adult, the legend of “Joji’s Old Fashioned” with candy-cap mushroom bitters, and crowd-pleasers like the Black Walnut Manhattan, Bacon Bourbon Sour, and Bourbon Blossom.
Beyond the bar: happy hour and Martini Monday deals, live music and events (burlesque on Halloween!), hosting wedding after-parties, plus local tips for easy hikes and bike paths. Oh—and what grape-stomping actually feels like.
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More on the Starling at www.starlingsonoma.com
Episode highlights:
* The Starling’s “coffee-house vibe” and hospitality ethos
* White Negroni 101, batching, and clear-ice hack
* House-made mixers, fermented ginger beer, and spirit-free spritzes
* Candy-cap mushroom bitters in an Old Fashioned
* Happy hour, Martini Mondays, live music, and private events
* Quick recs: Sonoma Mountain & Sonoma Valley Regional Park, Plaza bike path
Pull up a stool—this one’s equal parts neighborly and nerdy (in the best cocktail way).
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiSa7rAVobsI8O_3xp7hIDPKRO9nBuvNF
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sonoma-spiel/id1634467429
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UuskGhmJ3EkWQk8DObR9b
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Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago