I've been up to my knees in blueberries after discovering cartons of them on sale for next to nothing at the market. After a long afternoon of hard work, I found myself in need of an alcoholic refreshment — so very naturally, the berries found their way into my drink. Browsing through cocktail recipes, I was inspired by a libation, Le Midi, which combines the essence of lavender with Read more

Katie's creative strawberry, balsamic, and black pepper cocktail was a great reminder that strawberries aren't just for shortcake; there are plenty of different ways to make the most of the fruit's floral, sweet-tart quality, from strawberry-thyme panna cotta to tequila infusions, and even strawberry spaghetti! Now that strawberries are at their peak, what's your favorite way to work with them, Read more

When hosting a female-centric event like a baby or bridal shower, it's important to offer a special nonalcoholic drink for those who don't sip alcohol. My favorite mocktail? Raspberry lemonade. It's a combination of fresh raspberry syrup, lemon juice, sugar, and water. What I love about this recipe is its adaptability. If it's too sweet, dilute with water. If it's too sour, add more sugar. It's Read more

After satisfying my curiosity about the fine distinction between biscuits and scones, I decided I needed to heed my physical craving for them, too. And given my near-obsession with raspberries this month, what better way than to pull together a quick raspberry scone? The best part of this recipe is the fact that it doesn't require a mixer of any kind; just a food processor — something I Read more

I'm a big fan of raspberry cocktails, so I knew the minute I came across a raspberry rose syrup that it'd be a must try. The recipe called for rose petals, but I substituted rose water, which I already had on hand (it can be found at Middle Eastern grocers or online at Amazon). The cooking process is basic: Dissolve sugar in a wine-and-water mixture, cooking raspberries down until a gooey syrup Read more

I've never met a sangria I didn't like, and this blushing variation with Rosé and raspberries is absolutely delightful. It's the ideal sort of drink to enjoy with salty nibbles while watching a late Summer sunset. Some tips: Be sure to make in advance, as this will give the ingredients time to meld. Don't skip the creme de cassis; it really develops the flavor of the berries and Rosé. Ask your Read more

The antidote to a solemn Summer, I recently learned, is liberating oneself with a spur-of-the-moment trip someplace new. That, and finding ways to celebrate even the minor details in life. Over the weekend, I popped open a bottle of bubbly to commemorate the small fact that we'd finally gotten around to revamping the apartment. (Casa would be proud.) To liven up our glasses, I tossed in some Read more