Binny's Blog

Is it a smash? A sangria? A sparkling wine cocktail? All three? Who cares? It is, undeniably, a deliciously refreshing springtime trip to Spain’s beautiful north coast in one, not so little, glass.

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.

This Rye based Negroni riff was introduced at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris along with the Bourbon based Boulevardier about 100 years ago. Unlike the Negroni and the Boulevardier, Dry Vermouth is called for instead of sweet.

The Paloma cocktail is the cool, refreshing, grapefruity cousin of the Margarita. Both are Tequila and citrus centric, but the Paloma is a tall drink in which the mixer shares center stage with the liquor.

Mint juleps are a Derby Day must. But why not try this complex Bourbon-based alternative for this year’s Run for the Roses?

This cocktail is an old timey classic, but it required a side trip to the 1980s to land on this prohibition era gem. Try this fruity but refreshing silent film era classic. It will leave you speechless.

Even if your local course is, let’s say, a tad humbler than Augusta National, if you golf you may have enjoyed a Transfusion Cocktail at the 19th hole. The Transfusion has become a clubhouse classic over the years but there is no reason you can’t mix one up at home while the world’s best vie for the green blazer.

Even a lazy mixologist like Pat should have no trouble making these beer cocktails from our recent Barrel to Bottle episode.

While you can certainly enjoy the Springtime Spritzer simply on the rocks, add some fun with a few garnishes and juice.

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.