THE POUR

Just like summer, Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. Celebrate May 5th and the anniversary of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French with a quintessential Mexican drink- the margarita! The key to this cocktail is simplicity, good ingredients, and balance.

What’s the big deal with decanting wine? Wait — what does decant even mean?

It's a common question, so let's start with the dictionary definition. According to Merriam-Webster, to decant means to pour a liquid from one vessel into another without disturbing the sediment or the lower liquid layers.

Party planning is fun, but it also requires some math. Whether it’s a graduation party, a sports viewing, a wedding reception, or a big weekend hangout, you want to have the right amount of alcohol available for the number of people in attendance.

We've got the answers, with a drink calculator for every event. But it helps to first consider a handful of key questions.

It might shock you if you’re not prepared for it, especially if you’ve never even heard of egg cocktails before. But this is creamy, textured good news for your home bartending or the next time you’re out and want to order something off — or rather on — the egg-beaten path.

Here is everything you'll need to know about egg cocktails and three delicious recipes to try.

Can you feel it? The days are slowly getting longer, and you’re inevitably getting thirstier, which is a good problem to have when you realize how many refreshing elderflower cocktails you can enjoy with the change of seasons.

When some people think of March, they think of St. Patrick's Day, daylight saving time, or spring break. For avid basketball fans, March means madness — college basketball madness that starts with brackets and finishes with one team cutting down the nets.

We may have already set our brackets, but we thought we'd up the ante with some spirited drinks to enjoy while you watch the madness unfold. Here are our picks, inspired by the host cities and top seeds in each of the tournament's regional finals.

Caramel-colored liquid in glass bottles…“It all seems the same to me.”

That’s what many people say when they survey the bar or liquor selection at a store, but not you. You know there are some differences, and you want to find out: do you prefer Irish whiskey, Scotch, or Canadian whisky?

Before we discover the unique qualities of each type, let’s address one common question.

Run through a mental list of wine types you and your friends know, and it won’t be long until someone mentions Merlot. For good reason: it’s a staple modern wine because it appeals to a wide scope of wine drinkers.

You’re standing in the wine section surrounded by bottles from around the world, but you can’t remember if your friend said she likes Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris. The names are almost the same, but how about the wines? If you buy the wrong one, will she know the difference?

This pair of Pinots is a great example for anybody who wants to complain about wine names sounding confusing. Some are, but understanding their differences is what makes studying wine so fun. Where else do you get to tip back a glass to learn something? So, let's discuss the differences and similarities of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris, as well as some delicious food pairings that will help you get the most enjoyment out of these popular white wines.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner — a time to express your love through food, candy, cards, and drinks. So, play a little music to set the mood and surprise your girl by playing bartender for the night. It beats waiting in line at restaurants and picking from an over-priced cocktail menu. Plus, this will let her know you're willing to go the extra mile.

To get you started, here are three Valentine's Day drinks we think she'll love.