Entertaining

February 2, 2024 --  How about trying something new and different this year!  We’ve found several interesting spirits that might not be familiar: Hollywood-themed whiskies from Filmland Spirits, romantic Italian aperitivos from Italicus & Savoia, and one of our all time favorites Hood River Distillers.   All are not only delicious...

December 18, 2023 -- Stress no more!  We’ve got a delightful and delicious shortcut for festive cocktails to get you through the season of celebration and parties. No need to search out new recipes or buy ingredients you may never use again.  Simply add a splash of Clear Creek Cranberry...

October 21, 2023 – Halloween is around the corner and if you’re planning a celebration with adults, here’s a cocktail that will spook them out:  the Black Blood Sour from Filmland Spirits.   It’s easy to make but takes a bit of effort to organize the special effects. The marvelous smoke...

June 29, 2023 – With Independence Day falling on Tuesday this year, we’re looking for a way to have a stylish celebration but keep the preparation and clean up easy.  Ready-to-Drink cocktails are a great solution and we have two suggestions:  Smirnoff Poco Pico ICE and Fishers Island Lemonade. Smirnoff...

February 9, 2023 – With Cupid’s approval, we’re introducing two fresh ideas for Valentine’s Day celebrations:  Empress 1908 Gin and ready to pour Via Carota Craft Cocktails.  Get ready to fall in love! Empress 1908 Gin Empress 1908 Gin comes to us from the island of Victoria, just a ferry...

December 28, 2022 – After the mess caused by the weather, staying warm, taking it easy and enjoying a good cocktail sounds exactly right.  We don’t have snow but we are being drenched by an atmospheric river, and that Irish Coffee from Keeper’s Heart Whiskey looks awfully good.  Whipped cream...

July 1, 2022 --- There’s plenty to celebrate on July 4, Independence Day but July 10 and 11?  Well, it turns out July 10 is National Piña Colada Day and July 11 is National Mojito Day.  Then there’s the rest of July when we find ourselves craving something light, refreshing,...

May 26, 2022 – Hard to believe, but Memorial Day Weekend is upon us.  That summer vibe we all look forward starts this weekend, and what better way to celebrate it than with an easy, breezy cocktail.  Tullahoma Tea 1.5 oz Dickel Bourbon0.5 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice0.5 oz Texas...

February 10, 2022 --- Here’s a great gift suggestion for the person on your gift list that enjoys making, creating, even just drinking, cocktails.  It is “Barkeep:  The Art of Mixology, Bar & Cocktails” by Danilo Bozovic.  His first book published in 2016, “Barkeep:  The Guide to Becoming a Professional...

February 11, 2022 – Pink.  Red.  Roses.  Chocolate.  It’s Valentine’s Day and we have cocktails that pay homage to the day but also delight year ‘round. Could there be anything more romantic than a pink gin made from the roses in an Irish garden distilled with botanicals from the mountains...

January 19, 2022 --  A Burns Night Super isn’t quite as front of mind as say Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day but it is gaining in popularity.  It’s all about celebrating the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was born January 25, 1759...

December 19, 2021 – It’s the time of year when we all make a bit more effort to produce food and drinks that are special.  It’s also the time of year when we should be able to experience the joy of the season that comes from gathering with family and...

December 18, 2021 – When it comes to partying, Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky doesn’t monkey around (couldn’t resist it!).  Fun and food are what it’s all about.  Take their spin on making 12 Old Fashioneds in one fell swoop created by Brand Ambassador Anna Mains.  It’s genius and a great...

September 1, 2021 -- It’s unofficial but whether we like it or not, Labor Day is summer’s send off.  Even if it stays blazing hot, our thoughts turn to fall so let’s drink to the summer of 2021 which was waaay better than last year.  Choose rum, tequila or vodka...

August 16, 2021 – Today is National Rum Day, and we’ve got some recipes for you, mostly simple but with a few interesting twists. For example both Butterfly Oasis and Trader Vic’s Classic Mai Tai call for Orgeat, a syrup made from almonds which is a great addition to any...

June 30, 2021 -- The Fourth of July falls on Sunday this year which is great for anyone organizing a celebration.   The following recipes are festive, easy to make and definitely have the appropriate color scheme.  What’s more, they will carry you through every summer occasion. Smirnoff Red, White &...

May 27, 2021 – The Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of the summer season so a new cocktail recipe is a good way to celebrate.  We’ve selected four that are “doable” – they taste good, look good, but are not too complicated.  You almost certainly have one or...

April 30, 2021 --- What could be a more amazing and memorable gift than a scenic tour of the Napa Valley in a vintage aircraft followed by a relaxing private wine tasting featuring Aileron Estates Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aileron Estates is a new luxury Napa winery headed by...

April 4, 2021 -- It’s spring.  Things are getting better.  Let’s celebrate! Our friends at Bacardi have a few ideas to lend a touch of glamour to brunch or cocktails and they couldn’t be simpler.  In fact, these are recipes to have on hand for any occasion all summer long. The...

February 10, 2021 --  As the song says, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love…”  but if you can’t find love, try liking someone..  Valentine’s Day is all about romance but liking one another is a really good place to start and can really make a difference in...

January 31, 2021 -- Super Bowl Sunday might be a bit tamer and less raucous this year but that’s a good reason to make a special cocktail and a party mix to go with it. Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey has the recipe for both:  Long Snap Shandy and Whiskey...

October 30, 2020 – Since everything is different this year, Halloween is sure to be too.  So let’s try some really different cocktails that will make it pleasantly memorable. Anyone with a taste for both bourbon and red wine will love the Blood-Red Bourbon Smash.  The wine comes from Casillero...

September 4, 2020 – Just because this has been the weirdest year ever, the unofficial end-of-summer celebrations can still go on.  Hanging on to traditions is helpful, even if everyone is saying “Cheers!” from six feet away.    And trying something new and different keeps life interesting, even if there’s just...

August 13, 2020 – National Rum Day falls on Sunday, August 16 but if you want to get an early start on Saturday, or even Friday afternoon, it’s OK with us. Rum makes the best summer cocktails which is hardly surprising considering its Caribbean birthplace back in the 1600s.  As...

July 1, 2020 –Independence Day gatherings might be limited this year but we can still ring in America’s birthday with a vibrant and patriotic punch made with a combination of Bacardi white and flavored rums.  The great thing about the Red Rum Punch recipe below is it can be adjusted...

March 13, 2020 – On March 17, everyone is Irish and what could be better than a green cocktail to celebrate.  The recipes below cover the gamut from sweet shots using Sailor Jerry Rums to savory with Milagro Tequila’s Maria Verde.  This recipe requires a juicer.  iI you don’t have...

Valentine’s Day No Drama Drinks February 7, 2020 --  Valentine’s Day  --  some people love it; some people hate it.  Don’t let society’s expectations stress you out.  Make it whatever you want it to be, count your blessings and enjoy a lovely glass or two of bubbles or an interesting...

January 26, 2020 – There’s nothing like a Bacardi Mojito to create the right atmosphere.  So if we can’t be in Miami on Sunday, February 2 to celebrate Super Bowl LIV we can still get the sundrenched feeling that comes with cocktails from Bacardi, the famous rum distillery in Miami’s...

December 7, 2019 -- The party season leading up to Christmas and New Year is the best time of year to shine with glamorous and sophisticated drinks, not just for guests, but for yourself, too.  There’s so much going on with shopping and festivities that you deserve a reward when...

November 23, 2019 – It’s Thanksgiving, it’s fall, it’s apple time, it’s time for fun and new and interesting cocktails.  If the Thanksgiving weekend means lazy mornings and enjoying someone else’s kitchen slog then by all means indulge in Svedka’s Rise & Shine and you’ll be in a good mood...

November 15, 2019 – As much as we all enjoy the Christmas and New Year season, it does come with its own stress and that includes entertaining and pocketbook issues.  Let’s face it, throwing a party can get expensive.  But we have a suggestion to alleviate some of the stress...

October 27, 2019 – Things aren’t quite normal on Halloween and neither are these cocktail recipes designed just for the occasion.  Want a Martini?  How about an appropriately red one from Belvedere Vodka?  Or for a crowd of creatively attired guests, offer creative punch recipes from Nolet’s Gin (frequently voted...

September 29, 2019 --- Friends coming over for Labor Day?  Sometimes we just want to show off a bit, right?  We think the Venezuelan Colada below does just that.  Santa Teresa 1796 Rum is the base of this yummy cocktail.  And the secret is, as long as you have the...

August 25, 2019 – Right now you can purchase a limited edition 1.75 Svedka Vodka for your Labor Day bash that will decorate your bar cart or drinks table in eye-catching and festive red, white and blue – with a dash of gold – totally appropriate for the national holiday...

August 8, 2019 – The Summer of 2019 is almost in the history books but it’s still hot and we’re still inviting friends to gather around pool and patio for a final fling.  We’ve got some great cocktail suggestions to carry you from now through Labor Day.  They’re new, different...

June 10, 2019 – The Mojito is so popular that it has its own day for celebration -– Thursday, July 11 is National Mojito Day. The Mojito comes to us from Cuba and who better than Bacardi to offer a new take on this classic cocktail.  The latest addition to...

June 29, 2019 – Independence Day is such a fun holiday to kick back with friends, get the grill going and toast our great country with cooling drinks. Hosts want to enjoy the party too so we’ve come up four winning recipes, including dessert. Punch makes the drink scene super...

March 15, 2019 – Things with a green tinge are on the menu on St. Patrick’s Day and for a really festive touch from Smirnoff Ice, we’ve found a way to make shamrock ice cubes that won’t dilute your drink. (If you don’t have a shamrock shaped ice tray, just...

February 8, 2019 – It’s time to get into gear for Valentine’s Day and if staying home and keeping warm is in your plans, make it memorable with a really great cocktail. Rum cocktails are among the best and Bacardi has teamed up with actor and filmmaker, Michael B. Jordan,...

February 8, 2019 – What happens when a Scotch whisky meets a cocktail-inspired ice cream maker?  You get a totally decadent new romance called Monkey Shoulder PB&J Old Fashioned Ice Cream - perfect for Valentine’s Day! Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky teamed up with Tipsy Scoop just in time for Valentine’s...

January 7, 2019 --- A Danish man was trying to open a bottle of Champagne on New Year’s Eve by holding the bottle between his legs when it exploded.  A shard of glass cut an artery causing serious blood loss.  He was rushed to a hospital in Copenhagen where doctors...

December 27, 2018 -- Bloody Mary recipes are a staple at Brunch and since January 1 is National Bloody Mary Day, no New Year's Brunch would be complete without them. If you are looking to up your game, these three recipes will fit the bill -- no resolution needed! Here...

December 26 – New Year’s Eve calls for a celebration and something bubbly is pretty much de rigueur.  But even after breaking the bank with Christmas gifts and entertainment, a great party is possible without going into debt. Ruffino Prosecco to the rescue!  At around $13.00 a bottle, this lovely,...

December 18, 2018 – Eggnog has been around for centuries.  Food historians believe it got its start in Medieval times when a drink called “posset” made of hot milk, sugar and spices was enjoyed in the winter months.  The sugar was surely honey back in the day.  There is a...

December 6, 2018 – We’ve rounded up ideas from stocking stuffers to the expensively elegant and plenty in between.  These gift suggestions cover the gamut of relatives, friends, co-workers and the client you really need to thank for making another year a big success. Let’s start with the Stocking Stuffers...

November 13, 2018 --- You either volunteered in a weak moment or you have been dragooned into supplying a dessert for Thanksgiving, or a holiday gathering of friends, or Christmas dinner, or ….. whatever it is, you are now panicking. But you can be a hero with a Ruffino Prosecco...

October 24, 2018 – Halloween brings out the kid in all of us and if we’re going to dress up, then let’s have Halloween cocktails to match!  We’ve rounded up some really fun recipes from Bacardi, Smirnoff and Svedka.  We’re told the Svedka cocktails are being served at Heidi Klum’s...

September 21, 2018 – On Saturday, the sun will be directly over the Equator marking the Autumnal or Fall Equinox, so summon your inner Druid and mark the occasion with the appropriately named cocktail:  Star of Autumn. Most of us won’t make it to Stonehenge, the 5,000 year-old ring of...

September 12, 2018 – This football season be prepared to take water breaks.  Frequently.  Crown Royal, the Canadian whisky in the nifty purple bag, has launched a responsible drinking campaign, which they claim is the largest ever, and it probably is. If you watched the season opener last Thursday, you...

August 29, 2018 – Nobody wants to be a party pooper but for many reasons, some of us prefer to go easy on the booze.  We’ve found some Detoxwater recipes that look pretty, have plenty of flavor but fall into the “better for you” category. The cocktails below have no...

August 25, 2018 – Ketel One Botanicals are the solution to laboring less on Labor Day, summer’s unofficial end and casual entertaining’s big finale. There’s every reason to offer guests a simple, sophisticated Botanical and soda.  Let’s start with great fresh flavor whether you choose to serve any one of...

July 31, 2018 – It’s hot and steamy and you’re tired but TGIF!  Not only is it Friday but National Watermelon Day to boot.  Celebrating summer’s favorite cold, sweet, juicy fruit can cool you off just thinking about it. Watermelon is high in Vitamin B6, Potassium, Vitamin A and Lycopene...

June 28, 2018 – Easy Cocktails for Fourth of July July 4 is a day to celebrate our Independence with family and friends and not stress out over cocktail concoctions, especially this year with our national holiday falling on a Wednesday.  So we’ve selected eight recipes that do not require...

 June 20, 2018 – Crown Royal Texas Mesquite – Let the Grilling Begin! Don’t mess with Texas unless you are Crown Royal which has just released a limited edition Texas Mesquite whisky to go with summertime grilling.  How did they do it?  They used locally sourced Texas mesquite wood to give...

June 7, 2918 – Mark you calendar.  Sunday, June 17 is Father’s Day and if you feeling challenged in the gift-giving department, here are some helpful suggestions.  We’ve listed suggestions in price points ranging from an affordable $24.99 up to $170.00 and we picked out interesting bottles of domestic whiskey...

May 22, 2018 – Quick & Easy Memorial Day Cocktails Whether having friends over or just kicking back this Memorial Day weekend, a no-fuss cocktail is a great way to welcome the unofficial start of summer.  Here are four suggestions that require no mixology skills or a vast bar.  And...

May 16, 2018 – Royal Wedding Cocktails Fit for a Marriage. The marriage of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry is a real life fairytale come true and Americans are justifiably very excited to watch one of their own marry her Prince Charming at Windsor Castle on Saturday.  Wall to wall...

May 6, 2018 – Cocktails for Mom!  Let’s wow Mom on her special day with a pretty pink cocktail, or one that is creamy white and delicious, or one that involves coffee in a fashionable espresso shade.  We’ve got choices. The Strawberry Mamie Taylor has a wonderful history.  It dates...

March 13, 2017 – St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 is when the whole world is Irish and green is le color de Irish.  So, of course, green cocktails are obligatory.  We’ve got two super special recipes: The Sophisticated Shamrock has interesting ingredients and flavors. In addition to the Reyka...

February 8, 2018 – If bubbly is on your list as the way to make this Valentine’s Day special, then go with one that’s red and very delicious.  We’re referring to Rosa Regale an Italian sparkling wine from one of Banfi Vintner’s estates in the southern Piedmont region.   Made from...

February 1, 2018 – Super Bowl 2018 is nearly here and you’re probably planning your run to the box store or supermarket to load up on all the traditional edibles so treasured by game watchers.  But if you’re still wondering about libations, we have some great suggestions below including a...

December 22, 2017 – When that ball drops at midnight you and your guests will want something special to raise a toast to 2018.  But before that happens, there’s still Christmas to celebrate, followed by days filled with holiday spirit as we wrap up the final week of the year. ...

December 18, 2017 – We can’t guarantee it, but this just might be the way to save on calories!  Skip the pies and indulge yourself with a delicious cocktail. The following recipes are easy to make and any one of them will be a perfect alternative to offer guests at...

December 8, 2017 – Flavored vodkas often sound like we’re crashing a kid’s birthday party.  We’re grown ups, right, and bubblegum and lollypop flavors just don’t fit the image of an urban sophisticate.  Well, we’d like to think we’re sophisticated.  But there is a vodka that anyone with taste buds...

December 3, 2017 -- Peppermint flavored candy canes are an indispensable   Smirnoff Peppermint Twist Fact Sheet   part of Holiday Season trimmings and our friends at Smirnoff Vodka have done a wonderful job wrapping their Peppermint Twist – peppermint flavored vodka – in scratch and sniff candy cane stripes.  It looks like fun...

November 14, 2017 – Hosting Thanksgiving is an enormous amount of effort and it seems to create more stress around what liquid to serve than any other holiday.  So why not embrace the challenge by serving drinks that offer a new twist on popular brands such as Smirnoff and Cinzano...

September 1, 2017 – Saying adios to summer calls for a cocktail.  The kids are back in school – whoo hoo!  Moms can celebrate.   Or maybe the thought of Old Man Winter around the corner demands something special as summer slips away.  We searched for fun ways to make Labor...

June 29, 2017 – The Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year but we’re still going to party like we’re 241 years old, because we are.  If it’s hot and sticky, just think of how it was in 1776 in Philadelphia in a room without air conditioning and...

    May 21, 2017 – Break out the punch bowl, barbecue and seersucker.  We can help you with the first two but the seersucker is up to you. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day a punch bowl can save a whole lot of work for the stressed out host. ...

May 4, 2017 – Mother’s Day and your significant other’s birthday are two days that call for extra effort.  Next weekend, Sunday, May 14 is the date to keep in mind for anyone having a hard time keeping track of the calendar.  If you are old enough to drink cocktails...

August 24, 2016 – Every year it comes too soon – the “official” end of summer and all the great activities (or not) that make the season so enjoyable.  We wanted to give it send off that would be one for the record book.  The record book in our case...

October 28, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment October 28, 2016 –- Beer is a wonderful addition to many dishes and we’ve used it often so we were intrigued when we heard that Samuel Adams had teamed up with the guys from Carnal, a Brooklyn-based union of Kentucky slow cooking...

November 16, 2016 – ‘Tis the season for entertaining so we’ve gathered 24 recipes that will see you through the next two months.  Whether you are looking for something to serve to a crowd on Thanksgiving or you just want to have a recipe that is easy to make and...

February 9, 2017 – In keeping with the whole pink and red theme, we’ve come up with a selection of winning drinks for February 14 and better yet, most of them include bubbles. Sparkling pink or red wine is becoming more and more popular and there are plenty of choices....

January 28, 2016 – If your significant other prefers cocktails to bubbly, or if you just want to show off your prowess with a cocktail shaker, here is a selection of nine cocktails for your Valentine’s Day celebration. They are not difficult to make, look and taste amazing and won’t...

November 16, 2016 – ‘Tis the season for entertaining so we’ve gathered 24 recipes that will see you through the next two months.  Whether you are looking for something to serve to a crowd on Thanksgiving or you just want to have a recipe that is easy to make and...

August 5, 2016 – The 2016 Olympics open today in Rio de Janeiro and will dominate television until August 21.  When friends drop by, you need an appropriate cocktail to offer.  Here’s a simple recipe with a Brazilian touch to toast U.S. athletes at the Olympics in Rio.  It’s so...

May 24, 2016 – It marks the unofficial beginning of summer so the Memorial Day weekend is always exciting.  As friends gather for the first cookout of the season or just to clink glasses and enjoy the long weekend, we rounded up a selection of easy, breezy cocktails that will...

April 28, 2016 – Mother’s Day is Sunday May 8 so show the love with something different and creative for Mom this year.  Mimosas, Champagne and pretty pink cocktails are always great but in 2016 Mom deserves the buzz of a trendy caffeinated cocktail.  Mixologists have discovered Caliche Rum with...

March 18, 2016 — On March 25 with the release of “Batman v Superman:  Dawn of Justice” you may need a drink either to celebrate your favorite comic book superhero’s victory or commiserate with his loss.  On the other hand, if the heroes set aside their differences to defeat the...

February 4, 2016 – March 17 is the day when everyone is Irish.  Besides corn beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread, it’s a great day for a drink or two to celebrate all the delightful things and people in our lives from the Emerald Isle. We checked our sources...

December 30, 2015 – Nothing says celebration like a glass of bubbly.  These four easy and delicious cocktail recipes use interesting spirits that we’ve featured and recommended.  Combined with sparkling wine, celebrating will be sensational and festive all year long! To learn more about the special flavors of Beach Whiskey,...

Andrew Leonardo’s Signature Holiday Drinks November 18, 2015 – About this time every year anxiety sets in about what to pour with the Thanksgiving meal.  Since cocktails are so popular we decided to ask Andrew Leonardo for suggestions, not just for Thanksgiving but also for recipes that will work for...

November 10, 2015 – We bake, we decorate, we sweat the details and we wonder what else we can do to make our holiday gathering memorable.  Offering wine and/or beer is without doubt the simplest option but you could go one better and impress your guests with something really unusual...

April 30, 2015 – Recently we had the opportunity to interview Chef Ouita Michel, Chef in Residence at Kentucky’s award-winning Woodford Reserve distillery.  A native Kentuckian, Ouita is committed to using locally grown products in her five restaurants, among them Glenn’s Creek Café at the Woodford distillery, and exploring pairings...

March 16, 2015 – Robert Newhouse of Fat’s Asia Bistro in Folsom, California, is our go-to guy when we want something different and special.  The popular watering hole is “our own Cheers” as one local told me, and plenty of tourists stop by on their way to Lake Tahoe. Robert...

January 30, 2015 – By all accounts, the cocktail craze has been fueled by millennials drinking flavored vodkas, so it was interesting to hear from Michael Skinkle-Hill of Charlie’s Café in Elmira, N.Y., that his clientele of slightly older professionals are just as adventurous when it comes to trying new...

January 9, 2015 – January 11 is National Hot Toddy Day.  Who knew?  We’ve searched and searched but have been unable to find a definitive answer as to where or when it started or where the name “toddy” came from.  We did hazard a guess or two in our Blog. Its...

December 18, 2014 – There’s snow aplenty in one of California’s premier ski areas – Lake Tahoe – making it the perfect time to test the talents of Seth Kaikainahaole at the River Ranch Lodge. Situated on the Truckee River between Tahoe City and Truckee, and close to Squaw Valley...

December 11, 2014 – Watching Rob Newhouse create a Raging Grasshopper is like watching a Michelin-starred chef delicately plate his signature dish. The amiable mixologist doesn’t just dream up amazing cocktails. He turns his talents to converting cocktail recipes into equally amazing desserts. Rob is the popular mixologist at Fat’s...

November 21, 2014 – Anyone who remembers singer Johnny Cash associates Folsom, California with his hit song “Folsom Prison Blues” and, yes, it is the home of a State Prison. But visit Folsom and you’ll find a lovely family community with lots of great outdoor activities and a historic district...

November 17, 2014 – What could be better than aged Irish whiskey and yummy chocolate blended with rich Irish cream?  Nothing comes close!  Kerrygold, the famous brand that markets quality Irish dairy products in the U.S., introduced this delicious liqueur late last summer.  It’s a year ‘round sipper but especially...

Delighting your guests with a special seasonal aperitif created personally by you has never been easier.  Start experimenting now so you have your secret ingredient perfected as the Holiday party season rolls around.  We’re talking about shrubs made with a syrup base that has your personal touch.  No special equipment...

June 12, 2014- Individual servings of dessert always look festive but using glass poolside, on the patio or for picnics just isn’t smart.  Solution?  Drink lots of Stack Wines, save the containers and use for individual desserts.  Each container is the perfect size for something a bit rich that looks...

October 15,2013- Serving whisky over a coffee ice cube sounds interesting and something that would liven up a gathering of friends, especially as the weather gets cooler. So we checked out the web site and the video and it is something we think we’ll try. Maybe. The creators are DunneFrankowski,...

August 14, 2013-Sally James is co-creator and host of a weekly radio program called “Slow Living Radio” which is broadcast live every Monday night from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. PST. You’ll find it at CRN Digital Talk Radio www.crntalk.com. She is an award-winning Australian chef, author, educator, television and radio...

August 5, 2013-You can’t buy Périgord truffles at your local supermarket but we know where you can get your hands on some and really, really impress your friends! As mentioned in our Blog post (Wine and Spirits…and Ice Cream), fresh Périgord truffles, prized by chefs, are now available in the...

July 2, 2013-Nothing says summer like Sangria and there are dozens of recipes if you search the Internet. But what to do when it’s really hot, you’re exhausted and you don’t have time to cut up fruit and steep it in red wine and some spirit for several hours? Do...

June 21, 2013-A recipe for Alaska Smoked Salmon turned up in our email from our friend Toby at Alaska Distillery in Wasilla. We thought it would be a delicious treat for a Fourth of July get together, especially as fresh Alaskan salmon is readily available right now. The recipe is...

May 23, 2013-If you and your friends are fairly new to wine, and often perplexed by its complexity, a blind tasting is just the ticket for a fun gathering.  Tasting wines blind simply means hiding the bottle so the tasters don’t know what they are tasting. There are literally thousands...

April 29, 2013-Have you ever decided to have a party, invited your friends then as the date approaches, you just wish it would all go away? When panic sets in, help is at hand. Epicurious .com has a helpful and fun party-planning tool. For summer party ideas, go to http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/entertaining/partiesevents/summerpartymenuplanner...