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?

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.

Among many other descriptors, 100 Mill Street Gin has been called "risky," "versatile," "wild," and "assertive" – and creator Peter Connor welcomes every adjective.

Though stay-at-home restrictions are slowly lifting, you've probably already gotten used to buying alcohol online during the COVID-19 quarantine. We've certainly seen an uptick in online orders here at Haskell's, partly because we quickly pivoted to offer curbside pickup and delivery specials in the Twin Cities.

What do you know about tequila? Maybe it's the smooth, not-sweet-but-not-harsh flavor. Maybe you remember the thing with the worm (which is false, actually – that's only in mezcal, not true tequila). To get in the Cinco de Mayo mood, we're sharing the history of tequila, all the way back to its roots – or should we say "heart"? – in Mesoamerica and the Spaniards who all but conquered it.

Let’s talk whiskey!

There are some great things happening in the whiskey world. People love to drink all different kinds of whiskey (and whisky—yes, they’re spelled differently and actually are slightly different products!).

Whether you’re looking for an Irish whisky, Scotch, Canadian whisky, or other variations of this spirit, there’s a lot to explore and a lot to enjoy. That’s why there’s an increase in the number of women drinking whiskey, as well as an increase in the number of women-owned distilleries around the United States and beyond.

Are you ready for February’s best occasion for making a big batch of drinks for a lot of people? No, we’re not suggesting you turn your special date night Valentine’s Day into a group event — we’re talking about the Oscars!

The Academy Awards parties, fashion on display, and fancy Hollywood actors and actresses put us in a festive and creative mindset. You’ll want to have that same vibe at your Oscars viewing party this year, so don’t forget to plan your drinks to match the occasion.

If You’re Offering Champagne at Your Oscars Party

Who doesn’t love bubbly? Who can say no to the sparkling? We get it. Champagne screams classy party! (By the way, this is why we celebrate special occasions with Champagne.)

Flasks have a certain kind of connotation: It’s in the pocket of your perpetually drunk uncle who won’t stop talking about a bad business deal from decades ago. Or it’s in grandma's purse but no one knows … except you and all the other grandchildren.

But now you have a dilemma. You received a flask for Christmas, or was it your wedding? Or was it that one birthday a couple years back? Anyhow, while it's not as common as other drinks that come in fancy glasses with stems or big ice cubes, a good flask drink excels in its simple concoction with no worries at all about the presentation.

No need to get trashy or flashy—dust off that flask and get some practical use out of the thing. It turns out that winter is a great time to use it for some good flask drinks that travel well and fit in your pocket, so it can keep up with your activities, the events you attend, or just regular old routines—maybe even another wedding. 

Here are some good flask drinks for your winter survival.