After enjoying a frothy dessert cocktail on Valentine's Day, I decided to try another recipe, this one with a St. Patty's theme. It combines vanilla vodka with coffee and chocolate liqueur to create a decadent liquid dessert. My favorite part is the frothy whipped cream that gets poured into the mixture at the last minute — it reminds me of the thick cream that sits atop a classic Irish coffee. Read more

Fans of flavored vodkas, listen up! Absolut vodka has just released its latest city-inspired flavor, Absolut SF. Since San Francisco happens to be my hometown, I was excited to get a bottle of the limited-edition vodka that's an interesting blend of grape, dragon fruit, and papaya. Although I found the vodka to be too sweet to sip solo, I thoroughly enjoyed it in this preparation. The combination Read more

Start shaking and stirring; it's Friday, which means happy hour is on the horizon. Warm weather makes us feel like we're on a beach vacation where sweet and fruity concoctions are the norm — it all tastes good going down until you realize that you've just undone a weekday's worth of workouts. Instead of passing on the Mai Tais, skip premade mixes, sugary juices, and refined sugar, and sweeten Read more

Did you know that there's a group in the community that's devoted to drinks? It's called Let's Have a Drink, and it's your spot to talk all things cocktail, wine, and spirits. Here, brisas shares a favorite new concoction. My friend recently treated me to this tasty cocktail, it combines a bunch of fresh citrus, cucumber, mint, vodka and a touch of soda water! It was delicious and refreshing, Read more

Simple syrup is one hot ingredient right now, and what's so great about it is that it takes minimal effort to create something special and useful. We've been noticing unique and exciting flavor combinations and recipes, like rhubarb and rosewater syrup, popping up all over the place. To make your own flavored simple syrup, all you need to do is add whatever flavoring component (citrus zest, 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

There's something so enticing about a cocktail that incorporates rosemary. In most drink recipes, like the one seen here, the rosemary is muddled in a cocktail shaker, so the finished libation has an earthy, fresh, woodsy quality, but no chunks of the actual herb. This concoction is especially alluring because it combines the subtle kiss of rosemary with vibrant, tart citrus. Although the base Read more

When it comes to specialty cocktails for an Oscars viewing, I say make a pitcher drink and make it fizzy! You could take entertaining expert Katie Lee's advice and make a pineapple strawberry concoction or go with the recipe shown here. It's a refreshing blend of citrus and vodka spiked with the sweet-tart flavor of limoncello. The effervescence comes from the addition of seltzer water. One batch Read more

After enjoying a Chocolate White Russian, I couldn't help but be reminded of its predecessor. After all, the creamy cocktail is but a variation of the Black Russian, a simple yet satisfying coffee creation. Invented in the 1950s by Brussels barman Gustave Tops, the Black Russian is basic enough for even the most inexperienced bartender to whip up. The drink's proportions are disputed — some Read more