Binny's Blog

In the pre-prohibition era, Brandy was a go to spirit for cocktails. In fact, many of the Whiskey-based cocktails you know and love were once made with Brandy, usually Cognac. While this mixologist readily confesses to the penchant modern barkeeps and imbibers have for fetishizing pre-prohibition recipes, excellent Brandy cocktails still languish in comparison to their Whiskey-based counterparts.

It is the beginning of summer and the long-awaited return of strawberry season in the Midwest, which is reason enough to celebrate. If you feel the need for another excuse to make this perfectly rustic summer dessert, June 14 is National Strawberry Shortcake Day. But who needs excuses when it comes to strawberry shortcake? It is THE dessert you should be serving to put an exclamation point on every June cookout and picnic you host.

This fruity, floral, and fizzy delight is the intersection of a French 75, a Kir Royale and an elderflower spritz. It is, seemingly, tailormade for Mother’s Day. So, if you usually bring your mom flowers, why not mix up this liquid bouquet instead.

The times we live in make it more important than ever that we show those most important to us how much they really mean. Here is an extra simple three course Valentine’s dinner for two, designed to bring that fancy restaurant feel home with minimal effort.

There's no need to break the bank this Valentine's Day. Treat yourself to more than one bottle of wine for your special celebration.

Aphrodite's Apple is a tall glass of apple pie, cinnamon, ginger, and citrus goodness we all want. This cocktail has the perfect amount of sweet and savory flavors, leaving you with a fantastic dessert cocktail.

A smooth, avante-garde vodka cocktail reminiscent of a creamsicle. Perfect for a springtime happy hour or served as a batched cocktail for your next gathering. A fruity fusion of orange, lemon & pineapple balanced with nutty amaretto liqueur.

Bright, zesty, and effortlessly refreshing, this cocktail brings together smooth tequila, subtle red grapefruit, and a squeeze of fresh lime over ice. It’s the perfect balance of citrusy bite and mellow sweetness—ideal for warm afternoons, sunset happy hours, or whenever you need a crisp, invigorating sip. Simple ingredients, bold flavor.

Have you tried Zubrowka? In English, we call it bison grass vodka. In the Zu Keeper, the vodka's warm flavor mixes with the tart raspberry and lemon for a refreshing and complex cocktail.

Gin is full of exotic flavors - from citrus peel to fennel, lavender, and of course, juniper. The Aviation Cocktail - a classic comprised of gin, fresh lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and creme de violette - highlights those exotic notes with its tangy cherry-citrus notes and fleeting floral lilt.