"Pimm's Cup" is fun to say and even more fun to drink. But what exactly is Pimm's No. 1? Like Southern Comfort or Fernet-Branca, this type of liquor is synonymous with its brand; Pimm's No. 1 is just that, and nothing else. This gin-based booze hails from England and carries a lower alcohol content (25 percent) than most hard liquor. For that reason, it's one of my absolute favorite ingredients Read more

It may be my obsession with Downton Abbey and the BBC's Sherlock, but lately I've been craving classic English cocktails: gin and tonics, for example. The problem is, tonic water is not diet-friendly. Most store-bought brands contain corn syrup and just as many calories as a sugary soda. This gin and tonic variation substitutes zero-calorie soda water for the tonic, and the splash of Read more

The tequila sunrise cocktail lives up to its moniker as a day-drinking delight. But with the wholesome OJ and eye-opening appearance also comes tequila, so approach with caution. Layered with orange juice, grenadine, and booze for a stunning effect, the tequila sunrise is one of my favorite afternoon cocktails, bridging the gap from mimosas to more serious mixers. With the Super Bowl coming up Read more

Some after-dinner drinks double as desserts. Others, like Italy's amaros and other digestivos, help settle your stomach. The classic Stinger cocktail offers a little of both. A simple, elegant marriage of white crème de menthe and brandy, the Stinger delivers an invigorating one-two hit of digestion-aiding mint and a sweet finish. This cocktail isn't for everyone; if the mint sounds off-putting Read more

The holidays are over, but on these short days and cold nights, the need for warm, boozy comfort remains high. Elevate your coffee routine and your after-dinner ritual in one very potent punch, with a classic cup of keoke coffee. This dessert stand-in combines piping hot coffee with Kahlua, brandy, and crème de cacao, topped off with whipped cream. If that sounds extremely alcoholic, that's Read more

Mimosas are the quintessential brunch beverage, and I've yet to meet one person who doesn't love to waste away a morning imbibing this cocktail. The ingredients are simple, with only sparkling wine and juice. OJ is, of course, the classic — but feel free to try other juices, too (pineapple, tangerine, mango, the list goes on. . .) You don't have to splurge on the bottle of sparkling, but make Read more