🍸 $5 Margaritas? Say less.

Good Morning, Nutmegaaaahh!

OK, I still feel weird calling anyone a Nutmegger, but it is who we are, right?

The heat has been turned up a notch in this heatwave we are getting. Be sure you are staying cool and not outside too long if you can help it, it’s brutal out there. Even Eversource is warning me about extreme heat.

Anyways, as we head into the holiday weekend, be smart out there, watch out for firecrackers and enjoy a hotdog and a cool beverage!

BTW, is a hotdog a sandwich? Reply and let me know what you think…

In today’s edition of The Hartford Pour, we’ll get into:

— Chris M.
Local Whiskey Nerd, Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur (Fun fact: I’m neither a Giants or Patriots fan)

(Fun tip you won’t find anywhere else)

Did you know that everyday TJ’s Burritos in Bloomfield has a different “Margarita of the Day” EVERY… SINGLE… DAY?

And the best part is… it’s only $5.

Wild, right?

They can also make ANY flavor margarita you can think of.

Like:

My favorite so far as been the Lavender Coconut.

The biggest hack I have for you when it comes to TJ’s is their margarita bucket. If you buy their bucket, you can keep it and reuse it whenever you want.

During their Happy Hour, which is usually 4pm to 7pm, you can get your bucket refilled with any margarita you’d like for only $10.

It’s one of the best deals in Hartford County, side from my own house…. lol.

Follow them on Instagram @tjsburritosbloomfield to keep track of what margarita is $5 for the day.

New Restaurant Opening

Have you ever heard of a Masala Chai? What about a Moussy Drink?

Well, a new restaurant in West Hartford named Burger Squad (you can order online here) those drinks are available. They’ve only been open for about a month, but they already have 4.3 rating and 79 reviews on Google.

So on top of this food looking AMAZING, they have burgers, lamb, chicken, and falafel.

The Masala Chai is an Indian beverage made with black tea and milk, but then spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, and adding a sweetener like sugar or honey.

The Moussy drink is a non-alcoholic malt beverage.

I plan on checking them out tomorrow for lunch. Be sure to stay tuned to my Instagram @thehartfordpour for what I really think of the place.

Distilled by: Ben Holladay
Mashbill: 73% Corn | 15% Rye | 12% Malted Barley
Age: 6 years
Batch: DSP-MO-5, Warehouse C
Proof: 116.10
Findability in Hartford: 7 out of 10
MSRP: $75

Amazingly complex! I’m talking Chocolate covered marshmallow, sprinkled with honey. I’m also reminded of the nougat in a snickers bar (random, I know)

I’m literally drinking a snickers bar! The frontend is nothing but milk chocolate and is super sweet. A very pleasing sweet oak on the backend. Oily and medium-bodied, it coats the entire palate well, but could be better.

The finish is shorter than I’d like and falls off a cliff rather quickly. I believe a proof of 120+ could make this perfect.

I found this nugget at Collins Package store in Windsor Locks but you can find it almost anywhere that has a decent whiskey selection

I have a friend that is all into scotch and says all bourbons taste the same to him. Even though I can see his argument, this 1856 Original Rickhouse Proof breaks that thinking.

I love when a brand distills their own whiskey because you will get a more unique taste and this bourbon hits the mark. I found this one for $6 less than MSRP and happy about it. I likely wouldn’t have paid more. Once you get past $70 for a bottle, it needs to hit a home-run.

For the value, it’s great and would by again if I see it under MSRP.

T8KE Rating: 6.9 | Very Good | A cut above.

The Cure for When You Want To Save Money

Some of the best cocktails you can make are the ones you make at home.

You can make them as strong as you want, as sweet as you want, as cold as you want. And not have to spend $15 on one drink.

So this week, I messed around and made a Rye Old Fashioned with a Blue Note Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye.

Here is the recipe I like to use for my old Fashions:

Rye whiskies tend to be spicier and especially when you go with a higher proof whiskey, the bite you get from the whiskey can survive all the other elements of the drink.

Instead of spending $15+ for a top shelf Old Fashioned, I like to make them at home.

It also comes in handy late at night when restaurants are closed.

How do you make old fashions? or any other drink at home?

Things to do in Hartford County

Friday is an easy one… The Arrigoni Winery & Cider Co in Portland. Now I know Portland is technically not Hartford County, but Arrigoni si an AMAZING winery that I go to often with the wife.

Friday night though is extra special because they will have music from Paul Christopher from 6pm to 8pm. The best thing about Arrigoni is the wine chillers, so be sure to grab one.

The best part? You don’t need a reservation, just show up. But I would get there a little early to guarantee a good spot.

The Hartford Bonanza 2026 is collabing with the Connecticut America 250 initiative at the Bushnell Park from 12PM to 10PM on July 4th, 2026.

There will be plenty of food, drinks, and fireworks!

If you don’t have a BBQ to be at, just join the tons of people and food trucks that will be at Bushnell Park Saturday.

The part I am most looking forward to is the Bonanza Beer Garden.

So there is a couple things going on Sunday night.

One is at good ole’ Pratt Street in downtown Hartford. It’s called “The Summer Soulstice”. It will be from 4pm to 8pm.

It’s during the afternoon into the evening meaning you’d likely get home at a reasonable time.

The other event is at Black-Eyed Sally’s in Hartford (350 Asylum Street).

This is a fun one, because it’s a meet and greet for foodies and entrepreneurs. So it’s a great chance to network and make new friends.

This is a paid event, but it’s only $17.50, so not terrible pricing there. Black-Eyed Sally’s has a decent bar, so should be a good time.

Do you know of a AWESOME restaurant or bar? Or something not included in this email you’d like to see?

REPLY to this email and let me know!