Although using herbs in cocktails is nothing new — in the Summer, I love incorporating basil into drinks — recently, I've been really into experimenting with rosemary as a flavor enhancer. In this recipe, the woodsy herb adds a hint of earthiness to a vodka-cranberry-based concoction. The original method, which I found on a fun iPhone application, calls for blackberry vodka, but I didn't want Read more

When it comes to Thanksgiving leftovers, the turkey and cranberry sandwich is a classic, but the duo work just as well layered between two tortillas. These cheesy, addictive quesadillas are a delicious snack or light meal. Use my recipe as a guide and adapt the filling to suit your family's liking. Stir minced jalapeños and chipotles in adobo with leftover sweet potatoes and slather on the Read more

The creative folks at Demeter Fragrance Library are at it again. (Yes, the same ones that brought us a cannabis-inspired cologne and many other unconventional scents.) The latest offering is seasonally appropriate: Virtual Thanksgiving ($36). If you love perfume and pie, you're in for a real treat, as the set includes a trio of gourmand fragrances that seem — seem being the operative word here Read more

Pumpkin pie may be the traditional finish on Thanksgiving, but it's not my favorite dessert. Doesn't a food-centric holiday deserve something more spectacular than humble old-fashioned pumpkin pie?! Since it's the last thing your guests are going to eat, why not take the time to make a dish that's truly memorable? This cranberry chocolate cheesecake is sure to stun and impress. It's absolutely Read more

Right now it seems as if every chef is looking to the South for inspiration. So why not take a tip from the likes of Alton Brown and John Besh and serve a Thanksgiving meal that oozes with Southern charm? Plan a dinner that highlights simple and delicious cooking. Start with an unfussy roast turkey recipe that's seasoned with lots of salt and pepper and served with a rich turkey gravy. Keep Read more

Start off your November right by stocking up on some of the season's best, like super-crispy lady apples and a rainbow of delicately fragrant pear varieties. Pomaceous fruits are most gratifying when eaten out of hand, but they also add an element of complexity to Autumn cocktails. Here, tender anjou pear slices add intrigue to a classic cosmopolitan for an ultrasmooth sip and a mellow yet Read more

If you've got both vegetarians and meat lovers joining you for Thanksgiving, consider serving an almost meatless meal. The only meat dish on the menu is the turkey, but the appetizers and supporting dishes are all veg-friendly. Start with baked brie and toasted walnuts. It's a luxurious way to begin any party and the salty cheese-nut combo will whet guests' palettes. When you move to the table, Read more

While I'm a fan of the classic margarita, during November, I like to enjoy its Thanksgiving-themed cousin, the cranberry margarita. It's surprising how much the addition of cranberry juice changes the flavor of the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice cocktail. It's festive and familiar, but potent with a rich autumnal hue. Instead of craving tortilla chips and guacamole, I found myself Read more