I've always been a complete novice to the category of spirits known as
aperitifs. These old-school standbys — which include
liqueurs, dry
champagne, and fortified wines — rose to fame in Europe in the 1800s, and have remained popular ever since.
When I received a bottle of
Dubonnet (
$11.99), I decided to begin my aperitif studies.
Now that Fall is here we can start to think about cold-weather cocktails, especially the warming toddy. With its burnt orange color, caramelized sugar rim, and creative name, this modern variation of the classic drink is not your grandmother's nightcap. Made with rum and
Canton Ginger Liquor, it's delicious and surprisingly easy to drink.
A lot of manly men will be attending my
hoedown so I've decided to get a keg of beer. When selecting a keg, choose a versatile, easy-to-drink beer that's neither high- or lowbrow. I've ordered a keg of
Lagunitas, an IPA native to my hometown.
This past weekend might have been the last seriously warm Saturday of the year. To celebrate, I mixed myself a fruity refreshment.
The Buzzy Navel, as it's called, is closely related to a perennial favorite, the
Fuzzy Navel.
When one hears the words "tailgate" and "drinks," the first thing that comes to mind is beer. And lots of it. At
my tailgate, I'll supply guests with a selection of cold brews and an updated version of the
shandy, a classic beer cocktail.
When I saw this recipe for white wine sangria in the July issue of
Gourmet magazine, I knew I had to make it. I wasn't disappointed when I did; this sangria is phenomenal.
It's fresh, fruity, and refreshing without being overly sweet.
What cocktail pairs perfectly with a traditional
meat and mashed potato TV dinner? A classic gin and tonic served in a chilled glass. It's a simple, no-fuss drink that will nicely complement the menu for my
Heroes season premiere party.
My favorite condiment in the entire world might just be
Tabasco hot sauce (
DearSugar and I both put it on everything!) — so when I heard the hot-sauce empire was developing its own tequila, I got my hands on a bottle stat.
If you're a fan of tequila and not afraid of heat, you should definitely give
Tabasco Tequila ($21.99) a try. The spirit has the toasty-tart flavor of tequila with a bit of spice that's not overpowering.
Besides the requisite cup of coffee, my favorite brunch drink is the
Bloody Mary. But after trying the Bloody Maria, I think I may need to reconsider.
A Bloody Maria is essentially a Bloody Mary made with tequila instead of vodka.
