Drinks

Guests attending a holiday cocktail party will expect cocktails, but to ensure that the hostess isn't tending bar all night, serve a pitcher drink or punch or set up a small bar and invite friends to pour their own beverage. Here's how you do it: Select an easy drink recipe, like this one for a bourbon and blood orange blast that's featured here. Write out the directions for the cocktail and set out an ice bucket, cocktail shaker, jigger, and the ingredients. Alternatively, place the blood orange juice alongside vodka, gin, and bourbon. Fill a small pitcher with simple syrup and one can make a blood orange martini or the blast. Remember to place plenty of napkins and fresh towels on the bar.

To get the proportions of the suggested libation, keep reading.

Nothing says picnic more than lemonade, and for an Earth Day themed beach cleanup I'm packing an icebox filled with the citrus cooler. Tarragon is an unexpected flavoring agent that makes this lemonade recipe special. It takes the nostalgic childhood pitcher drink to a whole new gourmet level. It also provides a subtle herbaceous quality to the refreshing beverage. The syrup needs time to steep and cool, so get started on this concoction the day before your picnic. Look at the easy recipe when you read more

When entertaining outdoors, be it in Spring or Summer, my favorite drink to serve is sangria. It's a versatile, crowd-pleasing punch that can be flavored with everything from sage to peaches. It's easy to create a large pitcherful, and the further in advance you make it, the better it tastes. For my postparade seafood feast, I'll be pouring this Rosé sangria. It's a combination of white grape juice, cran-raspberry juice, and Rosé. I'll make two batches: one with regular Rosé like the recipe specifies and another with sparkling Rosé. Guests can try both!

It's a great way to get conversation started among acquaintances. To check out the recipe, read more

There's only one thing to pour at an Oscars viewing party, and it's bubbly. While I'm a huge fan of sparkling rosé, sometimes it's fun to make your own pink champagne. It doesn't involve grapes, but simply your favorite sparkler and a little purple-hued liquor called Chambord. A splash of the raspberry elixir will turn a glass of bubbly into a blushing pink concoction that's slightly sweet. It's an easy-to-make, sophisticated cocktail that pairs well with gourmet pizza, so get the recipe after the jump.

Kick-start your Thanksgiving meal with a refreshing sangria-style glass of white wine. Made a day in advance, this wine is infused with oranges, Grand Marnier, and Pernod. Bay leaves and whole cloves give it an herbaceous, aromatic appeal that's sure to pair perfectly with baked brie and walnuts.

For the main course, select a versatile wine varietal that can support a lot of flavors. An affordable Chardonnay or light red are great options. Chat with your local wine shop owner for more suggestions. Tell him what you plan on serving and your budget, and he's sure to provide you with lots of ideas. For the orange wine recipe — this would also make a great Thanksgiving hostess gift! — read more

Not only is my annual pumpkin carving party about creating cool pumpkins, it's also about celebrating the flavors of Fall.

To get people in the mood to party, I'll be pouring a potent punch made from pear nectar and sparkling apple cider. It's fruity, bubbly, and refreshing — what more could you ask for in a punch?

In case people want to imbibe something other than hard alcohol, I've asked my guests to bring an assortment of seasonal ales and sparkling sodas. To check out the easy punch recipe, which would be welcome at any large event, read more

Every aspect of my Fall lunch features a quintessential ingredient that screams Autumn — including the specialty cocktail I'll be serving guests as they arrive.

Instead of making mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice, this refreshing recipe employs pear nectar. A splash of lime juice brings a delicious tartness to the concoction.

With the rich, cheesy butternut squash lasagna, I'll pour a dry rosé and sparkling water. To look at the pear mimosa recipe, read more

No specialty cocktail is needed at an Okotberfest celebration, the German festival is all about one thing — beer. Instead invite friends to partake in a beer tasting! There are several different ways to host a beer tasting. You can get the same kinds of beers, say German pilsners, all made by different breweries. You could select one brewery, purchase all the varieties of beer they make, and serve those. Or you can just buy a bunch of beers from various styles and regions. Head to Bevmo, Trader Joe's, or other local shop that sells a wide assortment of beers and purchase six packs or larger bottles for the tasting. To get more beer-tasting tips read more

No season premiere party is complete without a special drink, especially if the show in question is Gossip Girl, where the characters seem to be constantly guzzling cocktails. All the recipes I'm making next Monday night were created by acclaimed New York City chefs: Daniel Boulud, Mario Batali, Eric Ripert — Blair and Serena have surely dined at their respective restaurants.

Not to be forgotten is Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The Frenchman came up with this Champagne-based concoction, an elegant take on the classic bellini. Instead of peach nectar, Jean-Georges uses a combination of cherry puree and yuzu juice.

Don't worry if you can't get your hands on fresh yuzu; Vongerichten recommends a mixture of tangerine and lime juice instead. To look at the recipe, keep reading.

When Fab first asked me to help host her technicolor luau, I envisioned serving a fabulous layered tiki cocktail. However, deep down, I knew there was no way I could offer this kind of cocktail because it's too much work and I would end up spending the entire night behind the bar! To make things easier, I'll serve a tropical rum punch instead. The super-simple recipe can be multiplied for a large crowd. It combines light and dark rum with fresh squeezed orange juice, mango nectar, and pineapple juice. It's a potent, yet refreshing drink, that's sure to get any party started. To look at the recipe, read more