THE POUR

Cocktails aren’t just about the spirits and liqueurs. Especially in the colder months when a little boost of richness or sweetness can help you slide through the less than ideal days, maple syrup cocktails and other mix-ins might be just the kind of treat to satisfy your desire for a drink with something different.

What’s even better than using an array of many options from cocktail mix-ins highly regarded around the world? How about local Minnesota-made ingredients that elevate a drink to just the right degree?

Check out these cocktail recipes with local Minnesota syrup and jams. Plan to pick up some fine honey, preserves, syrups, and other products from our fine state to add an extra burst of flavor to these cocktails.

It’s hard to believe we’re in the throes of winter, isn’t it? Well, since we’re here and all trying to survive the cold together, it might help to cozy up with something tasty in your cup. Classic winter cocktails for snow days provide the warming feelings and flavors that turn the bitterness of winter into a special time with friends or family — or sometimes just enjoying some time by yourself to slow down.

The key to classic winter cocktails are knowing a few quintessential ingredients. Let’s dig into a few recipes for these cold-weather drinks.

Each third Thursday of November, French winemakers release the first wine of the season – making November 21, 2019, Beaujolais Nouveau Day. In fact, under French law, it’s released at precisely 12:01 a.m. each third Thursday of November, making it one of the biggest wine release parties around the world.

So the question begets itself: what is Beaujolais Nouveau? Simply, it’s a young, fresh, fruity wine that’s very low in tannins, made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region in France. How young? It’s released just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested.

Before we go any further, here’s how it’s pronounced: boh-zhuh-ley noo-voh. And if you want to listen to the pronunciation, click here.

Every once in a long while, things line up perfectly and you get an opportunity you couldn’t have planned. That’s what happened, in a nutshell, in the story behind Haskell’s #1 wine — and we’re so excited to share it with you now!

Our #1 wine this year is a 2009 Nicolas Rolin Hospice de Beaune, an incredible wine from the world-renowned Burgundy region of France.

How did this wine become Haskell’s #1 this year? Jump back in time with us to the beginning of this saga...

With the ebb and flow of the seasons, you might be feeling like it’s time to put away any road trip lists until the warmer weather returns. But you’d be missing out on a great opportunity that the great state of Minnesota offers like few others: wineries in the winter.

Many Minnesota wineries are open and ready to welcome you this winter. You may even discover that wintertime visits to wineries offer a change of pace and a change of place you’ll enjoy as a new yearly tradition. Even better? Many of the wineries on our list feature wine along with cider, beer, and some even have their own distillery!

Cure your cabin fever and come along on your very own winter winery itinerary.

In honor of Veterans Day, we'd like to share this story about Haskell's, World War II, a veteran named Armand Crump — and some missing whiskey. Special thanks to Dave Arundel for the write-up of this fascinating story.

Here is a story that you likely have never heard, about a remarkable man, Armand Crump, as well as Benny Haskell, the founder of Haskell's, along with his wife, Fritzi Haskell. 

The Story Begins in 1942

In 1942 - at age 18 - Armand Crump was sent by the Army Air Force to Yale University to attend Aircraft Engineering Officer School. After completion of a one year course, he joined the Army Air Force with the rank of 2nd lieutenant. He ended up at Biggs Field, the Army Air Force base in El Paso, Texas. At the ripe old age of 21, Armand was in charge of keeping 16 B29 bombers ship shape and ready to enter combat. He had 150 mechanics and 2 clerks under his command.

The war had ended in Europe and the word was that Armand’s B29’s were going to be leaving soon, assigned to the war in the Pacific. Armand’s mechanics were getting antsy, word had come back from the Pacific that alcoholic libations were in short supply. A couple of the mechanics came to the boss with this idea – “let’s take a collection, and buy a bunch of liquor to take with us when we fly out to the Pacific.”  Simple enough plan. The clerks mimeographed a couple grids. Money was collected and accounted to each man, and even favorite beverages were listed.

Can you have vodka on keto? Whiskey on Whole30®? Peppermint Schnapps on Paleo? Or will you have to cut alcohol completely to go gluten-free? With a little creativity, you can still unwind with some vegan wine (yes, there is such a thing) without putting your success in peril. 

Alcoholic Keto Drinks

There’s not much room for error in Keto so if you’re looking to let loose a little, head straight for the liquor cabinet. Most of your 40% alcohol—think: vodka, whiskey, gin, scotch, brandy, rum, and tequila—contain zero carbs or sugars. And while you can feel free to mix your vodka with water, steer clear of tonic which contains 32 grams of carbs per 12 oz.

• Keto ‘Rita – Yes, tequila (can be) kind to Keto. This simple, no-sugar margarita recipe won't interrupt your hard-earned ketosis.
• Low-Carb Hot Buttered Rum – With just the right rum, this winter rockstar is a classic crowdpleaser.
• Wine – To avoid extra sugars, opt for dry white wines like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, or dry red wines like Pinot Noir, some Cabernet Sauvignon, and some Merlot.

You might be planning to reach for peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, or other common cocktail ingredients with the arrival of colder weather, but maybe this is the year you reach for Louisa's Liqueur.

Cocktail Recipes with Louisa’s Liqueur

Good news: Louisa’s Liqueur is ready for your home bartending practice. Start easy with the liqueur neat or over ice in a rocks glass, providing a sweet and smooth way to ease into the evening after dinner. Or go for a decadent dessert by pouring it over vanilla bean ice cream or adding a shot of it to your cup of afternoon coffee.

Louisa’s Manhattan cocktail recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. Sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz. Louisa's Liqueur
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• Luxardo cherry
• Ice

How to make a Louisa’s Manhattan cocktail:

1. Place all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir the mixture, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Add a free-floating or speared Luxardo cherry as garnish.

No doubt, it’s fun to go big and buy special bottles of wine for those special occasions. But what about everyday wine that deserves no specific party, holiday, or any reason in particular?

At Haskell’s, we’ve built a relationship with customers like you for decades, and we know everyday value like no one else. We know the importance of those special celebrations, but we also know the day-to-day grind of work and rest and time with family and close friends.

Today, I’m pleased to introduce you to a few members of the Farrell family and our favorite wines right now. We’re honored to connect with so many great customers at Haskell’s, who we like to think of as some of our most valuable relationships — so here’s our personal family list of Farrell favorite wines of the moment.

After a busy summer of bright cocktails, crisp beers, and refreshing wines, it’s time to turn our attention to the fall.

Have you heard what's happening at Haskell's? We have three months of exciting events coming up and want to see you there. Here's the 411 on our upcoming events.

Weekly Free Tastings

Don’t sleep on our regular, week after week free tasting events in a few of our stores. That’s right — free is a price we know you love! Some tastings will be specific wines, organized by region, or you might even get to sample some beers or spirits. Check the events page regularly and find a tasting at the Haskell’s location closest to you. (My favorite tastings are Friday afternoons, the perfect way to kick off the weekend.)