From our recent posts, we know that many of you love masala chai as much as we do. Here's another aromatic, spiced beverage to try. Indonesian bandrek doesn't contain tea, but it features many of the same ingredients, such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Simmer a pot of this on the stove, and your house will smell amazing. (It's also an excellent sore throat soother!) More

I love chai. I love making homemade chai. And I really love bourbon. So when I saw this recipe on Saveur's website last week, I knew it would be on the weekend agenda. More

The main ingredients in a decent smoothie—strawberries, blueberries, peaches—are a little hard to come by (or cost a fortune) this time of year. And so far, we've yet to see a winning recipe made with apples. Of course, there's always frozen fruit, but we've got some other creative tips for making fresh, creamy smoothies in the bleak months ahead. More

Every holiday season we ask a few friends to join us here at The Kitchn for a series of guest posts. The topics range from favorite holiday recipes to family memories and traditions. Today's guest: My friend Chris Gardner, fellow denizen of the Midwest, and managing editor of the rad DIY site Curbly. He also writes a blog called ManMade DIY, and he's sharing some great cocktail recipes from there today. Enjoy!

I love discovering new cocktail recipes and original ways to experience different, unique flavors with classic spirits. But, these days, discovering "new cocktails" on the internet usually means "new fandangled drinks that use a bunch of specialty liqueurs and spirits you don't have and aren't gonna buy a whole bottle of to try a new drink."

So, with that in mind, I decided to come up with five tasty, holiday-ish cocktails using stuff you can find in an average liquor cabinet. More

Q: My dad is a lover of gin and tonics and he's obsessed with that fancy (and pricey!) Q Tonic. He loves it because it's not as sweet as the grocery store brands.

Being the crafty kind of girl that I am, I want to make my old man some homemade tonic for a holiday surprise. I've got a SodaStream, but I have no idea where to find quinine, and no idea what else goes into tonic water!

Does anyone out there have a tonic water recipe? Or any suggestions where to purchase quinine?

Sent by Julia More

My boyfriend and I recently shared a date night at a kitschy fondue restaurant, complete with life-size pirate ship, watery moat, and live alligators. It seemed like a fun way to ring in the cold weather. Leave it to me to order a milkshake in the middle of winter...

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My family usually drinks Bloody Marys on Christmas (and Thanksgiving and New Year's and Saturday) mornings, but I might switch traditions for this. It's got toasted pecans, cream of coconut, cinnamon, and bourbon in it. Stockings will have to wait. More

Nothing about Thanksgiving is traditionally small. There is the turkey, of course. Not small. Lots of side dishes. Also not small. And by the end of the meal, the pies can sometimes seem like a pretty bit commitment. That's why we think mini desserts are a great alternative. More

My friends, it is cold. And there is no better combination than cold weather and hot drinks. Unless it is this seasonal favorite, hot buttered rum, rendered even more seasonal by its association with another seasonal favorite, pumpkin butter. That's right. Pumpkin buttered rum might just be your new favorite thing. More

Sometimes a warm, sweet (or spicy) drink after dinner is even better than dessert (bonus if it has a little you-know-what in it). We'll take a good hot chocolate any time, but if you're in the mood for something different—warm apple pie cocktail, anyone?—take a look below. There are even a few that would make great Thanksgiving cocktails. More