Binny's Blog

When six o’clock rolls around many Italians have their hearts firmly set on a leisurely cocktail and maybe a nibble or two before dinner. It’s Aperitivo time and most will opt for something a bitter cocktail to stimulate their appetites. But what are devotees of the cocktail hour, the ranks of which include countless Americans, to do during Dry January?

Every year, Whisky Advocate releases their list of the Top 20 Whiskies of the Year. Invariably, we get many customers coming in looking for bottles on the list and unfortunately, we have to tell them “You can’t have this”, because we never had the bottle, or had six bottles months ago. This year is different, because you can get more than half of the Whisky Advocate Top 20 whiskies at a Binny’s near you.

Eggs are virtually indispensable in kitchens the world over. Very few cuisines eschew the versatility of the humble egg and its myriad delights. Shakshuka is a popular dish in North Africa and the Middle East and has recently become a favorite at hip restaurants in the US.

Toddies are a broad class of cocktails that generally combine a spirit with water and sugar. Usually but not necessarily served hot, toddies also often include citrus, spice and/or herbs to create a soothing elixir, believed by many to ease the symptoms of the common cold and flu. Toddies are easy to make, provide a potent kick of booze, and happen to be quite appealing on a cold winter’s eve in the Midwest.

Pat is constantly extolling the virtues of aromatized wines. Finally, we have a guest who will actually agree with him and won’t just make fun of him. Jake Parrott is a friend of the pod and the Whiskey Hotline and is also the national sales director of Haus Alpenz. What Jake sells, and Pat loves, is woefully esoteric. But Binny’s customers, and Barrel to Bottle listeners, are enthusiasts.

Carbonnade à la Flamande is a Flemish beef stew indigenous to Belgium and the beer centric areas of northeast France. It only makes sense that northern European climes, heretofore unsuitable for the cultivation of wine grapes, would develop a beer-based stew akin to Beef Bourguignon.

The original Matador cocktail called for Tequila, Orange Curacao, and French Vermouth. “Trader” Vic Bergeron created his own version in the early seventies throwing pineapple and lime juice into the mix. These are just the two most famous Matadors but certainly not the only ones. Today, in keeping with the growing trend of “Dry January” we humbly submit our spicy nonalcoholic version to be added to list.

The end of the year means year-end lists. You’ve heard from the Binny’s buyers over the last two weeks, now it’s Barrel to Bottle’s turn. The entire team has assembled with their favorites of 2021. Everyone was supposed to pick two, but of course that didn’t happen. So thanks for listening to all these long episodes lately.

New Year’s Eve is usually the perfect time to host an elegant cocktail party. This year it looks like we might all be better off keeping gatherings small and maybe a little less formal. Eating and drinking well will still be a must, however, so here is a little jumpstart for your menu planning.  

Our resident Mixologist put together an original Champagne punch, fit for a New Year’s Eve.