It's Cocktail Week at The Kitchn, and we are reaching back into the archives now to bring up some great intelligence from our readers. Last year during Cocktail Week we polled our readers on their favorite brands of gin, rum, whiskey, vodka, and other spirits. Here's a look back at the results and some of the most frequently-mentioned brands. More

OXO Good Grips Cocktail Shaker

• $29.99
• OXO

I've had several cocktail shakers pass through my kitchen, but I finally found the one I'm holding onto. OXO sent me this shaker last year to try out, and it's been barely put away since. Why? It's truly leakproof (unlike one of my previous shakers), and double-walled, so you can shake until your cocktail is well and truly chilled - without freezing your hand off. (So this is the right shaker for making that Ramos Gin Fizz you've been meaning to try.) When the cocktail is shaken, press the button on top and pour; unless the button is pressed it's airtight. The shaker is generously sized; I make double and even triple batches in it when serving a group. It has a removable gasket that's dishwasher-friendly, too. Great performance; easy cleanup. It's doesn't have the cred of the old-fashioned Boston shaker, but for this cook with small hands and a tendency to spill things, this gets the job done better than anything else.

Do you have a favorite bargain spirit? Something with a lower than average price tag that delivers great value every time?

We recently posed this question to 7 cocktails and spirits professionals — writers and bloggers, a spirits sommelier, and a store buyer — and found their responses fascinating. Here are 7 of their top picks: More

For serious mixologists and cocktail kings and queens, Cocktail Kingdom is the dream. From high end Japanese barware to exotic and unusual bitters, this New York store (which also has an online shop) offers an impressive selection of beautiful, functional, and high-quality bartending tools and supplies. The store also carries its own line of tools and ingredients, designed by founders Don Lee and Greg Boehm:

Green almonds have the briefest whisper of a season in the spring before their shells harden and start looking (and tasting!) more like the almonds we know and love. They are tart and crisp and subversively addictive around cocktail hour. If you see them, promise me that you'll give this uber-seasonal delicacy a try.

Q: I recently bought a pound of Trader Joe's bittersweet chocolate with almonds on accident as I did not see the mention of almonds on the label. This didn't work for the recipe I was making, and I'm not sure what else I can cook or bake with it? 

Casa Noble "Crystal" Tequila Blanco

• $33.99

Up until recently I wouldn't have called myself a tequila drinker. I hadn't really had the opportunity to try some of the more interesting, artisanal types of tequila, like this organic bottle from Casa Noble. It's triple-distilled, crystal clear, and it has a complex, peppery aroma that reminds me of mango, papaya, and mint. I've been drinking it in the best sort of margarita, the simplest, with just lime and agave syrup. So delicious - I'm hooked.

Item: Vitamix Professional Series 300
Price: $559.00
Overall Impression: Versatile, powerful, and worth the hype! 

The Vitamix has achieved cult-like status, but I always considered this high-end blender outside my price range. Plus I never cared for the industrial design, which is functional but not particularly stylish. Well, after putting the newer Professional Series 300 model through its paces, you can call me converted. The Vitamix Pro 300 has quickly become an indispensable and beloved tool in my kitchen — one that I would buy in a heartbeat, and possibly save in a fire. 

Farm Tables from Lorimer Workshop

• Prices vary.

About 5 years ago I had the pleasure of working with David Ellison, the man behind the Lorimer Workshop in Rhode Island, to build a farm table for our house. This huge, lovely table is the centerpiece of our home, constructed of salvaged wood from an old train station, with all the character that brings. I can't speak highly enough of David, who considers the kitchen table to be the heart of the home; building these tables for life and gathering is akin to a mission for him - not just a business. His prices are very reasonable, and he builds heirlooms to treasure.

Spring salads are coming! Spring salads are coming! Depending on where you live in the country, you might be starting to see more colorful produce and interesting vegetables at your market. But if spring produce hasn't yet made its way to you, never fear. There's an easy way to amp up your seasonal salads by adding a dramatic pop of color and delicious crunch: black sesame seeds.

Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio

• $149.99
• Tivoli Audio

Every kitchen needs music, yes? I needed a radio or speakers for my new kitchen, since I listen to music, podcasts, and NPR round the clock when cooking. I've long wanted one of these handsome Tivoli radios. I love the old-fashioned dials, which click and turn smoothly, and the ability to plug in an iPod.

Q: I use hoisin sauce in stir fries and in a dipping sauce for Vietnamese spring rolls. Are there other ways for me to use this tasty ingredient?

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Some say butter keepers or crocks are the secret to soft, spreadable butter. Ever since Melissa Clark raved about her marble butter keeper, I've wanted to try one. If, like me, you're ready to leave behind that cold, hard stick of butter forever, one of these 10 butter keepers should do the trick:

You tried making socca and loved it, but now what? What else can you make with that big bag of chickpea flour now sitting in your cupboard? If you've fallen in love with this nutty, sweet flour, here are a few more ways to use it in your cooking.