THE POUR

When you look at the calendar and see Cinco de Mayo fast approaching, you may find your liquor shelf lacking some festivity. Perhaps you’ve heard about mezcal or you have had tequila but are looking to branch out. And, what exactly is mezcal, the cousin -- or is it sibling -- of tequila? What is the difference between mezcal and tequila, anyway?

We're known as the Twin Cities premier beverage retailer for everything from casual parties and special occasions to high-end highballs – and our March charity auction let us bring it all together in a whiskey win-win to support Twin Cities food shelves.

You don’t have to drink green beer to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (if you do, we’ll try not to judge you too much), but March 17th still offers a yearly opportunity to treat yourself to a tasty delicious Irish meal coupled with tasty spirits to warm your spirit! From traditional pairings to the new kids on the block, we’ve got you covered with the best Irish meal and drink combinations to serve up this St. Patrick’s Day. 

Women have been at the center of the world of spirits for as long as humans have been there has been fermenting and brewing their drinks. Like hops in your beer? Thank Saint Hildegard of Bingen, the German nun and scientist credited with adding the grain in the 12th century. Champagne wouldn’t be the same without Madame Clicquot of Veuve Clicquot, who in the 1800s developed a technique to remove sediment from champagne that's still used today.

We’re not sure who decided to put National Margarita Day (February 22nd) in the coldest month of the year, but with these frigid temperatures and the pandemic keeping us from our winter retreats south of the border, it’s the perfect season to tip back a cool drink and dream of warmer times.

Game Day might look a bit different this year than most, but you can still kick back and watch the big game with your favorite game day foods! Which leads to the next big question: what will you use to toast your team’s good fortune? 

Choosing the right beverage always starts with what you intend to serve on the plate, so we’ve put together a list matching the classic game day dishes with the best wine pairings available. Whether it’s hot and spicy, creamy, or hearty, following these simple tips will ensure that no matter which team you’re cheering for, you’re sure to score very, very big on Sunday. Let’s kick off!

The secret to a fabulous winter wine is finding one that can go toe-to-toe with the flavors on the table. Hearty foods need hearty wines. Not elegance, but strength: something robust and assertive that can hold its own with the filling meals we eat in wintertime, like pot roast, lasagna, bread soup, short ribs, and more.

Peppermint schnapps tastes like a candy cane in liquid form: sweet but not too sweet, minty with a nice, peppery spice. Unlike liqueurs and crème de menthe, it's got a subtler sweetness that makes it an ideal choice for cocktails without skimping on crisp minty flavor. Warm drinks with peppermint schnapps are also the perfect way to stay toasty during the midwinter chill. (You're just keeping warm! Nothing wrong with keeping warm!)

According to historians, Winston Churchill had a half-bottle of Pol Roger Champagne served on his breakfast tray every morning. When asked, “Why, Winston, do you drink champagne?” he is reported to have said, “In defeat, I need it. In victory, I deserve it.”

Maybe you're staying in with close family; maybe you're celebrating together from afar. Whether you need it for your table or your generous host's, wine is one of the quickest ways to complete a great Thanksgiving meal.