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Happy Hour: Pimm's Cup

Nancy Einhart — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:29 PST

"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 for daytime drinking, and the Pimm's Cup - featuring ginger ale, cucumber, lemon, and mint - is the ultimate delivery vehicle. You can throw back two or three yet not be knocked down like you might be by a Bloody Mary. Get the Pimm's Cup recipe now.

Happy Hour: Amaretto-Cranberry Kiss

Nancy Einhart — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:45:33 PST

Any other time of year, a cocktail with "kiss" in the name might make me roll my eyes. But for Valentine's Day, this bright red, Winter-y drink is perfectly appropriate. Despite the name, I count the Amaretto-Cranberry Kiss among my favorite cocktails.

Like some of the best couples, amaretto and cranberry juice are an unlikely match, but highly compatible, and this vibrant cocktail tastes smooth, tart, and not too sweet. This time, I used sparkling cranberry juice from Trader Joe's (stirred, not shaken), which added a fun twist. Garnish with a seasonal clementine slice and toast to whatever you fancy. Get the recipe now.

After-Dinner Drinks: Keoke Coffee

Nancy Einhart — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:28:09 PST

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 because it is.

It's also full-bodied and sweetly complex, so take your time with this one. It's the perfect ending to a dinner party where everyone wants to linger. Get the recipe for keoke coffee.

Wasting Away in Mimosaville

Lauren Hendrickson — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:08:16 PST

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 sure it's of good enough quality where you'd likely drink by itself. I always use Segura Viudas Brut Reserva since the bottle is under ten dollars, and just as tasty served alone.

Traditionally, the ratio for a mimosa is one part sparkling wine and one part orange juice, but I always pour my orange juice into a glass jug and just let my guests make their own so they can have it to their liking, since really there is no wrong way! Get the recipe for this hair of the dog by reading more.

Keep Your New Year's Party Simple With Cocktail Mixers

Lauren Hendrickson — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:41:24 PST

Have a New Year's party at your own house this year? Playing bartender for the night could mean your work's cut out for you, so instead, make simple cocktail mixers ahead of time, and let your guests mix them with an alcohol of their choice. I've toyed around with a few and come up with three that'd be perfect for New Year's Eve in fresh fruit flavors: cranberry mint, grapefruit basil and pomegranate citrus.
All three of these mixers would marry well with a host of spirits, even sparkling wine. I mixed the cranberry mint in a shaker with rum for a refreshing holiday drink, while I mixed the grapefruit basil with vodka for a more herbaceous version of a salty dog. The pomegranate citrus served as an easy topper to a flute of sparkling wine (for extra flair, float in a few pomegranate seeds, too). I also recommend keeping sparkling water on hand to mix with as a nonalcoholic drink.

Set up a bar before your guests arrive with glasses, buckets of ice, pomegranate seeds, lemon slices and a couple of shakers to ensure your guests and yourself can celebrate into the midnight hour. Mix up your New Year's by reading more for this simple mixers.

Guess the Calories in Your New Year Nibbles and Sips

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:44:33 PST

Whether you're hitting a bar or inviting friends over to your place to ring in the New Year, knowing how many calories are in that glass or appetizer can prevent unnecessary weight gain. Let's see if you know which drinks and foods are lowest in calories.

Take the Quiz

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Homemade Aquavit

Susannah Chen — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:31:07 PST

Strawberry-infused tequila, Irish cream, limoncello, and gin: if ever there's been a DIY spirit, we've made it. What, I pondered, could we tackle next?

When the Scandinavian food trend hit tables this year, the answer dawned on me: aquavit! This time-honored Norwegian spirit - infused with the flavors of spices such as coriander, caraway, fennel, and dill seed - seems oh-so-festive for the holidays. Make a batch for your friends, then hoard a bottle for yourself! For full effect, serve it chilled in shot glasses with smoked salmon with dill, rye crackers, and other Nordic fare. Skål!

Read ahead for an easy homemade aquavit recipe.

Happy Hour: Pumpkin Irish Coffee

Susannah Chen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:21:39 PST

Earlier this season, I was sent a curious-looking bottle of pumpkin pie cream liqueur from Fulton's Harvest, a label I'd never heard of. With a bottle of something so distinctive (and with the potential to taste either phenomenal or terrible), I was at a loss for what to do - so I took to the Twitterverse for some answers.

I soon found out more about Fulton's Harvest, including the fact that it's made by well-reputed Kentucky Bourbon maker Heaven Hill Distilleries and tastes delicious on the rocks or served chilled. But by that point, I'd gotten back so many enticing-sounding cooking and cocktail suggestions - everything from pumpkin whipped cream to spiked pumpkin pie - that I had to try one out.

Ultimately, it was @Tora_NYC's Irish cream suggestion that left me with a brilliant Fall twist on a favorite, Irish coffee. As with any Irish coffee, don't let the whipped cream and coffee fool you - this cocktail packs a punch! I served it in a giant glass mug, topped with a very generous topping of whipped cream. For the recipe, keep reading.

Happy Hour: Manhattan on the Rocks

YumSugar — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:38:54 PST

There's just something about drinking a classic cocktail that puts you in the right state of mind, don't you think? I prefer my Manhattan on the rocks because the clinking of the ice feels old world and romantic to me. But truthfully, the cold, booze-soaked maraschino cherry is my favorite part! This cocktail goes particularly well with salty, rich dishes, making it the perfect addition to a Thanksgiving menu. But be careful: a couple of these babies and you could be dancing on tables this holiday season. Keep reading to stir up one of your own.

Happy Hour: Pumpkin Pie Cocktail

Nancy Einhart — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:43:34 PST

The idea of a cocktail made with canned pumpkin both fascinates and frightens me. But since we love pumpkin around here, this Thanksgiving, I set out to design a cocktail that was easy on the palate and slightly sweet but not dessert-like, with the pumpkin pie flavor I love.

After much searching, I stumbled upon a pumpkin pie cocktail that sounded almost perfect, so I made a few tweaks, substituting spiced rum for the vodka the recipe called for. I have to say, the resulting pumpkin pie potable did not disappoint.

Get the recipe now.