Binny's Blog

On the inaugural episode of Barrel to Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot podcast, hosts Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin tackle one of the most common questions people have about wine: What should I drink and when?

We're digging up an old classic. The Brandy Alexander is sweet as a candy bar and is full of nutmeg, eggnog and cinnamon flavors. Bartender Brittney describes the flavors as the bottom of an ice cream tub - and we couldn't agree more.

It's tiki time! Our Big Mama is full of tropical flavors that will have you feeling like you're floating on a flamingo raft somewhere under the sun. This tropical cocktail is a polite mix of lime, ginger, almonds, cinnamon, pineapple, and lemon. The savory sweet combo will have you making another and another and another.

Originally, the Sazerac cocktail was made with French brandy. In 1873, the recipe for the Sazerac Cocktail was altered to replace the French brandy with American Rye whiskey. We decided to recreate the original with Hennessy Cognac - plus ginger syrup, a few dashes of barrel aged bitters, and of course, a heavy absinthe rinse.

Ernest said it best, “I drink to make other people more interesting.” We're not saying you're boring or anything, but everyone would be a lot cooler if they tried this daiquiri mixed with 12 year-aged rum. Seriously.

Legend has it that Don the Beachcomber concocted the first instance of the Zombie to help a hungover customer survive an important business meeting. We suggest skipping the meeting altogether to enjoy this classic cocktail, which uses four different types of rum. Limit two per person.

The Gold Standard sets the bar for excellence. The heavy combo of sugarcane spirits creates a golden hue, and the fresh lime and syrup adds sweet and citrus flavors. Move over Mai Tai, we have a new rumtastic cocktail in house.

As of late, there is an immense interest for tiki-inspired drinks. Bartender Angie came up with one that's sure to make you feel like your toes are inches deep in the sand. It's quite literally called Tiki Drink, and is full of all the sunshine you'll ever need.

The taste of bourbon is a bit too austere for some. Fret not; there are some wonderful cocktails that can soften it up a bit. One such example is the Minneapolis Hustler. This cocktail has much in common with a classic cocktail from years past known as the Oriental Cocktail.

Give this unconventional bourbon cocktail a try. The key ingredient in this drink is Orgeat syrup, a sweet and nutty syrup familiar to Tiki devotees like myself, but a mystery to many. Do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle tout suite. This delicious almond syrup is the magical ingredient in dozens of tropical drinks, most famously the Mai Tai.