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.
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.
The New Year is upon us, and that also means resolutions. For us, it means a whole new year of delicious wine, beer, and spirits. Your resolutions might be about cutting down on sugar or calories or alcohol consumption for the month, or just being more intentional about healthy choices.
Resolutions and tasty drinks don’t have to be at odds. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity for mocktails. No, that doesn’t mean the cocktails are mocking you — mocktails are mock cocktails, as in they are mixed drinks that don’t have any alcoholic contents, but they can still offer the flavors you might want for good times in 2020.
Never fear — we sell copious kinds of top-shelf mixers, tonics, bitters, and shrubs in our Haskell’s locations around the Twin Cities metro area. It’s no worry to find non-alcoholic drinks options you’ll actually enjoy this winter and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ingredients:
How to make a Louisa’s Manhattan cocktail:
Typically one of the more acquired tastes among spirits, Scotch is the Scottish cousin in the prolific whisk(e)y and bourbon family. Smoky, peaty, intense, sultry – however you describe it, Scotch tends to conjure up classy vibes of sturdy people sipping the strong stuff.
Single malt Scotch is superb on its own, while blended Scotch is best suited in cocktail recipes. Earthy and leathery notes accompany the peaty smokiness. Where does that peaty flavor come from, by the way? American and Irish distillers use other substances to dry the malted barley, but Scottish producers stoke the kiln with peat (dried plant matter), which in turn adds robust smokiness to the Scotch.
There are five recognized regions for Scotch: Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown.
Bold flavors, honey tones, and dryness characterize the Highlands. Grassy and lighter-bodied high alcohol content marks the Lowlands. You'll notice Speyside has deep complexity from light and grassy to rich and sweet. Islay is the peaty and salty powerhouse of the bunch. The small Campbeltown region offers Scotch of intense smokiness and sometimes savory territory (or to some people, wet dog).
As one of the finest wine shops in all of North America, the Haskell's team loves to talk about wine, beer, and spirits almost as much as we enjoy drinking it. Join us for stirring conversations about the good life with Jack Farrell and the Haskell's team.
Cheers!
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