The best part about living in Northern California this time of year is that while everyone else is mourning the loss of Summer, the Bay Area comes to life with impossibly blue skies, a cornucopia of tomatoes, figs, melon, and late-Summer stone fruit, and — finally! — some warm, sunny afternoons. And then, to top it all off, cocktail week enters the picture, too. San Francisco Cocktail Week Read more

A couple of weeks ago, I came across an article about cocktails through the ages that truly piqued my interest in historical drinks. Since then, I've been trying to pass the proverbial time by touching on all the tipples mentioned. San Francisco has no shortage of Prohibition-era bars, and I've enjoyed Sidecars, Old-Fashioneds, and Manhattans on many occasions. But until now, I'd never heard of a Read more

Each March, I bake my favorite uncle a cake for his birthday — but this year, I was at a total loss about what to make. It had to be transportable (he lives an hour away) but also unique. That's when I remembered a special cake that I'd tried awhile back. "This is going to sound weird," a friend told me when she'd brought it over, "but this cake is made from olive oil and rosemary, and it'll Read more

I'll be watching this year's Academy Awards from a friend's couch, but I've found the perfect drink to sip while getting dolled up for the affair. As a fan of the original sidecar, I couldn't miss the opportunity to try out a sparkling variation of the classic. This version contains all the elements of a traditional sidecar — brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon — but a splash of seltzer and a Read more

This week — the span of time when one has barely recovered from Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas hysteria has not fully begun — I've decided to dine in a manner that's as pared-down as possible. After all the roulades and triple chocolate pumpkin pies, there's something nice about a dinner of roast chicken and butternut squash. The same goes for cocktails. I've been sipping a drink, the Read more

Recently, I met with bartender and English Gins brand ambassador Erick Castro. Over a couple of gin drinks, Castro and I talked about making cocktails at home. I asked him what's the best way for a cocktail enthusiast to stock their home bar. He not only shared the spirits he recommends, but he also provided some helpful tips. If you're into making and enjoying libations, from classic cocktails Read more

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! Which to drink, which to dodge, and how to lighten them! By Diana Kelly, Prevention Whether you'll be sipping daiquiris by the pool, gossiping over gimlets at brunch, or serving up a pitcher of something special at your outdoor party, cooling down with a cocktail is one of summer's great pleasures — and a Read more

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