Binny's Blog

You may have heard that there's a Champagne shortage going on. First, we all drank too much of it during the early stages of the pandemic. Then supply chain issues caused even more problems. Luckily, Binny's crack team of buyers saw the writing on the wall early and made some big purchases for all of our thirsty customers around the holidays. Alicia has selected five Champagnes today that are available in our stores right now at great prices. Cheers!

The Festival of Lights is upon us! Time for lighting the menorah, gifts and song, dreidel and gelt, and of course, latkes. If you don’t already have a favorite recipe or a family member who makes the world’s greatest latkes, the Demo Kitchen might be a little worried for you. These crispy little potato pancakes are such a delicious Hanukkah tradition that no one should be deprived of their pleasures, so we felt obligated to supply a very classic version, just in case.

Cranberry Ginger Snap sounds like a delightful holiday cookie or maybe a cocktail based on a delightful holiday cookie; but really, it's one of a long line of riffs on the Whiskey Sour.

Try Binny's Home Bartender “Tree of a Perfect Pear” sparkling wine cocktail recipe made with Prosecco, spiced pear liqueur, Cointreau and lemon juice. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail for kicking off the festivities.

The Tuxedo cocktail is a highfalutin riff on the Martini with Fino Sherry in place of the Vermouth. It’s potent, crisp, and tangy from the Sherry and makes for a fun Martini alternative whether at a black-tie event or a backyard BBQ.

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.

You may be familiar with the original meaty dish that is now famous around the world but in this tasty version, savory mushrooms and chopped cauliflower play the meat role so well that even carnivores won’t miss it.

Cranberry sauce is often overlooked on a lot of families' holiday tables, but to me it's such a great, simple way to really brighten up the plate. The cranberry sauce also has the added benefit of pairing well with both wine and just about everything on a traditional holiday plate, making it a perfect bridge between your wine of choice and the wide array of flavors on your menu.

I have been making this for years and it never fails to impress with its indulgently delicious flavors and bright holiday colors. Best of all it’s relatively easy to make with the impact of the final dish far outweighing the effort required to put it together.

Roger is a beer and spirits guy, so wine is usually a little overwhelming for him. The one area of wine he has delved into a bit are fortified wines.