Steve Malone was 18 years old when the building he was in was bombed during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Today, he has a warning for any society where political division and hatred are being allowed to grow: “We know where it ends because we lived through that.”

In this special episode of Politics and Potables, recorded in Belfast, I sit down with Steve Malone of Experience Belfast to talk about what it was actually like to grow up during the Troubles, and what Northern Ireland’s experience might teach Americans today.

Subscribe to Politics and Potables for more conversations about politics, leadership, ideas—and, occasionally, a good drink, like Steve's recipe for an Irish Hot Toddy.

2 Oz Irish Whiskey
1/2 Oz Hot water
1/4 Oz Lemon juice
1 sugar cube
Pinch of cloves

Heat the whiskey until warm, but do not boil; pour into a tumbler
Muddle cloves and sugar cube into the hot water and lemon juice
Pour water, lemon juice, cloves and sugar into the tumbler with whiskey and stir 20 times
Garnish with a lemon wedge

#PoliticsAndPotables #NorthernIreland #Belfast #TheTroubles #PoliticalDivision

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Everett Jackson is the Republican nominee for CD30, which was vacated by Jasmine Crockett, and is the first GOP guest on Politics & Potables. Everett challenged me to make a Shirley Temple, which can be made as a mocktail or high-octane cocktail.

The Shirley Temple:

Half glass of 7-up; mix with club soda to adjust sweetness to taste
Float half-shot of grenadine
Optionally, orange juice to taste
Add maraschino cherry

To change from a mocktail to a cocktail, float a shot of rum instead of grenadine.

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Nick Pappas, candidate for Denton County Judge, ran into problems with political tech—so he started building alternatives.

🗳️ Texas Voters helps people decide.
📣 BlueSwell helps people participate.

Learn more and find the apps at Pappas Productions:
https://pappasproductions.com/

Kiwi Lime Fizz

- 2 Kiwis
- 2 oz gin (non-alcoholic for a mocktail)
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- Dash orange bitters
- 1 mint leaf

Muddle kiwi, simple syrup, lime juice and bitters into a slush
Add gin and ice
Shake until chilled, and strain into a glass with a large ice cube
Add a splash of club soda
Clap a mint leaf to bring out the oils, drop into the glass

Enjoy!

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