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5 Cocktails to Toast Your College Grad and 5 For Coeds-to-Be

Sara Yoo — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:30:18 PDT

We're headed into college graduation season, which for many means packing four years of accumulated stuff in garbage bags, last-hurrah Summer vacations, and - soon enough - leaps into résumé writing and job hunting. With so much on these graduates' minds, why not make a toast to your special hard worker with a party and some delicious cocktails? We've rounded up five festive, refreshing, and great-tasting alcoholic bevvies for your favorite over-21 former collegians, as well as five cocktails with nonalcoholic alternatives to toast grads of all ages and their adventures to come!

Photo: Nancy Einhart

Drink Up: 7 Healthy Mocktail Recipes

Lizzie Fuhr — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:46:30 PDT

If you're looking to cut out a chunk of sugar or empty calories from your diet, letting go of alcohol is a great place to start. But I also know the pain of saying no to all the gorgeous cocktails your friends are enjoying at weekend BBQs and sunny happy hour extravaganzas. Each of these seven mocktail recipes will give you the color and freshness you're missing without any of the booze. Click through to see the seven beautiful mocktails I'd love to enjoy ASAP!

Get Creative With Your Cup of Coffee

Camilla Salem — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 06:40:29 PDT

Your morning cup of coffee may be sacred, but every once in a while, it's good to shake things up and get creative. Cream and sugar are always going to be there for you, so why not try something new? Spice up your coffee (or spike it up) with interesting additions and mix-ins.

Try adding spices to the coffee grounds before brewing. Cinnamon and nutmeg are common additions. If you're looking for a more intense experience, sprinkle a little bit of cayenne pepper in the grounds to give your coffee a spicy kick.
Add a cardamom pod to your hot pot of coffee to give it a distinct flavor, as is often done with Turkish coffee. Alternatively, you can use ground cardamom in the grounds as suggested above.
Use different milks. Cream is always going to be there, but you may be surprised by how almond milk and coconut milk can transform a cup of joe.
Those fancy syrups aren't just for baristas. You can play around with flavoring in your home-brewed coffee by adding a few drops of your favorite syrup.
Whipped cream isn't exclusive to hot chocolate. In fact, I actually prefer it on coffee. It acts as the cream and the sugar, yet it's so much more fun!
Have fun mixing your favorite liqueurs into your coffee. Try Baileys, Amaretto, Frangelico, Godiva, rum, brandy . . . The list goes on and on!

How do you take your coffee?

Happy Hour: Moscow Mule

Nancy Einhart — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:00:21 PDT

Though its name might conjure images of cold Russian Winters, the effervescent moscow mule is one of my favorite warm-weather cocktails. Gaining popularity in the 1950s and '60s, the American-born drink started off as a way to promote vodka, which was still relatively unknown in the US.

A simple combination of vodka, lime juice, and the crucial topper of ginger beer - not the milder ginger ale - the moscow mule presents a cool, spicy contrast with every sip.

Photos: Nancy Einhart and Flickr User blmurch
Since the drink is often garnished with cucumber, I recently made a version with Effen's cucumber and vanilla flavored vodka, though regular vodka goes down just as easy. Learn how to make a moscow mule.

Toast to Arnold Palmer With His Signature Drink

Camilla Salem — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:20:05 PDT

All of the news surrounding the Arnold Palmer Invitational this past weekend has us craving a tall glass of the ailing golfer's namesake drink.

The refreshing combination of equal parts lemonade and iced sweet tea probably wasn't invented by Palmer himself, but the celebrated golfer certainly did his part to popularize it by ordering it time and time again at clubhouses. The story goes that people overheard him ordering this drink and decided they wanted that "Palmer drink" as well, and well, the rest is history.

Several bottled versions of the beverage can be found on the market, including his own brand, Arnold Palmer Tee.
A grown-up version includes a splash of vodka. Are you an avid Arnold Palmer drinker?

Happy Hour: Brandy Alexander

Nancy Einhart — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:55:10 PDT

A milky mix of brandy, cream, and creme de cacao, the brandy alexander is often referenced but rarely ordered. Rumored to be a favorite drink of John Lennon's, this classic cocktail has had a song written about it (Feist's "Brandy Alexander"), and in an episode of Mad Men, Peggy orders one to get her through an unsuccessful date.

After hearing so much about brandy alexanders, I finally made one for myself - and quickly drained the glass. Though on the sweeter side, this drink isn't as dessert-like as you might think; with smooth yet potent brandy, it pleases much like a white russian.

Find out how to make a brandy alexander.

Happy Hour: Tom Collins

YumSugar — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 10:50:54 PDT

In a memorable scene from season two of Mad Men, Don Draper instructs his 6-year-old daughter, Sally, how to prepare a Tom Collins for guests.

This gin sour drink, first created in the late 1800s, was a popular Summer sipper in the '50s and '60s, when it was known as "the king of cooling drinks." While it's currently fallen out of favor, perhaps the scene suggests that it's time to bring back this maraschino-topped crowd-pleaser.

Get the classic recipe.

A Primer on Beer

Susannah Chen — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:55:04 PST

If you've been known to enjoy a pint or two, then chances are, you'll be raising a glass this month in honor of St. Patrick. But 'fess up: between all that Guinness and red ale, do you know what you're really imbibing? For those who don't, we're here to educate you. It's true that unless you're a science fiend, home brewer, or brewing aficionado, it can be confusing to wrap your head around the different beer varieties - especially since they're all made of water, malted barley, yeast, and hops.

For the most part, beer can be broken down into two major categories. Learn what they are - and their defining characteristics - when you keep reading.

16 Love-Inspired Libations

Tara Block — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:28:14 PST

Set the mood this V-Day with these sip-worthy cocktails, inspired by the Feb. 14 holiday. From romantic red concoctions to blissful bubbly, I've rounded up 16 sweet, tart, and fruity drinks for you to toast to a romantic night in or to share with gal pals at a Valentine's Day singles soiree. Get the recipes now!

Holiday Cocktails to Last You Through the Season!

YumSugar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:50:49 PST

The holidays are a time to celebrate, and what better way to make merry than with a festive cocktail in hand? Whether you're busy whipping up edible gifts, exhausted from last-minute shopping, or hosting your own amazing holiday party, here are several wonderful wintry cocktails to help you get into the spirit.