Binny's Blog

Matteo Meletti joins Barrel to Bottle to discuss his family's 155 year history of making amaro.

Our resident loud amaro lover Pat is back to torture Roger with twelve different Amari, running the gamut from extremely bitter to refreshing and subdued.

How did an outwardly Italian man end up in Eugene, Oregon making amaro? Find out as we talk with Elixir Spirits co-founder Andrea Loreto.

Last week it was new wines, this week it's new spirits. Pat once again overdid it and brought too many new items for us to sample.

Binny’s Demo Kitchen perfectly pairs Grilled Tequila-Lime Trout and Watermelon Salsa with Mulderbosch sauvignon blanc from South Africa. Berkley’s Trumer Pils is the call when it comes to beer or try it with a watermelon cocktail from our resident mixologist.

A quintessential poolside sipper, the Watermelon Margarita. Our recipe utilizes ice cubes made from rich agua fresca for a more intense watermelon flavor and ice cold slushy texture. A summery frozen cocktail designed to combat the heat. Binny's Home Bartender leans into watermelon season with recipes for Watermelon Agua Fresca, Frozen Watermelon Margarita, Watermelon Rosé Spritzer and a Watermelon Cooler.

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.

We're joined by design icon and fashion mogul Vera Wang for an exploration of her new, limited edition Chopin vodka.

The Vesper is a cocktail famously knows as James Bond's signature cocktail. It is gin forward with citrus and sweet flavors. A Tried-and-true classic - this cocktail isn't for the weak. It's strong, mighty and may cause chest hair growth.

Luce Del Sol is Italian for sunlight - and this cocktail reminds us of just that. It is full of lemon candy and floral flavors. The amaro adds a light bitterness that is just enough to round out the sweetness of the Limoncello. Best enjoyed as a post-dinner treat.