Binny's Blog

It's March, which means the Barrel to Bottle Crew is contractually obligated to talk about Irish spirits. Last year, we tackled some of Pat's favorite Irish whiskies.

The Scotch and Drambuie based delight known as the Rusty Nail got a 21st century update with the addition of the immensely complex herbal liqueur Green Chartreuse. The result is known as the Carthusian Nail. We must confess that we have “borrowed” this idea to create a St. Patrick’s Day friendly version we are calling the Brass Nail.

The classic Grasshopper cocktail has roots in New Orleans, but it took our neighbors to the north to popularize the decadent ice-cream-based version. This is an adults only Shamrock Shake that packs the punch of a swift knock on the noggin with a shillelagh (in a good way!).

A sophisticated Irish influenced meal full of familiar flavors and perfectly suited for family or a small dinner party - oven roasted salmon with carrot sauce, parsnip puree and caramelized cabbage.  

What's the craic? It's the time of year to brush up on all that our Irish Whiskey aisle has to offer.

The Reuben is one of the greatest sandwiches ever conceived. The key to the recipe is allowing yourself to indulge - allow yourself the butter, and allow yourself as much dressing as you would like. After a night of St. Paddy's Day revelry, you deserve and need it!

Both crisp and soft, and oh so satisfying, corned beef hash is the PERFECT hangover cure after St. Paddy's Day. Concocted as a cunning means for using leftover meat, hash owes its name to the French word hacher - to chop, the only technique involved in its preparation.

What would St. Paddy's Day be without corned beef and cabbage? Though the Irish certainly enjoy the lion’s share of recognition, immigrant Jews of early 20th century New York City also deserve a larger cut of the credit for what we know today as corned beef.

If you're not familiar with this classic cocktail, it is widely known as an aperitif but most certainly can be enjoyed as a cocktail at any time. The drink's origins are pretty much unknown but what we do know is how it got its name.

Here's an Irish twist to an everyday cocktail. A typical Dark and Stormy calls for rum, but the Dublin Donkey calls for Jameson Select Black Barrel. The addition of ginger beer allows the vanilla and spice flavors from the whiskey to shine.