Mulling spices make a wonderful hostess gift or addition to a holiday basket, and we love the idea of bottling a concentrated syrup version that can be easily added to wine or cider. More

Thanksgiving is one of those gatherings where the drinks are often overshadowed by the mental and physical requirements of the menu. For this week's 10- Minute Happy Hour we're taste testing two simple — so as not to add to the already extensive to-do list — seasonally apropos pomegranate cocktails, in search of something perfect for you to serve up or share this Thanksgiving. More

On one of my very first forays into journalism, I was tasked with interviewing some local Atlanta lifestyle celebrities about comfort foods and one interview in particular has stuck with me. This week it once again popped into my mind giving me the ideal drink idea for our 10- Minute Happy Hour. More

It goes without saying if you regularly read this column you like to mix up drinks for most any occasion, so why not one for election night? Perhaps you waited until the last minute to decide how you'll cast your ballot and need a sip for pondering, or maybe you just want to toast the fact that the whole thing is finally over. Either way the El Presidente cocktail is the perfect pick for this week's happy hour. More

It comes in a can, but honey, you're going to want to pour this one into a glass. No way you want to miss the breathtaking sight of that pillowy cap of meringue-like foam or the spice cake aromas that come with it. Breathe in deeply, friends, and take a sip. More

I love sparkling cider. Love it. It feels just as special now as it did when I was seven and sipping it (carefully...so carefully!) from one of my grandma's best champagne flutes. I always have a spare bottle stashed away this time of year, just in case the need should present itself. Although lately, those bottles have been plain brown swing-tops and they've filled with my homemade version of this bubbly treat. More

It's that time of year again when we get to throw costume parties, eat copious amounts of store-bought snack size candy, and dress inappropriately — all in the name of Halloween. Halloween happy hours can be as serious or sweet as you like them. A few years back, as a guest on NBC's TODAY show, I had the chance to sip and shake with the authentic George Lucas-endorsed Yoda, Chewbacca and C-3PO, which for sci-fi nerds is about as serious as Halloween can get. Each year NBC's TODAY pulls out all the stops for the Halloween show, so it was no wonder the drinks followed suit. More

Recently I've been spatially challenged by the plethora of beautiful bottles on my bar, each with only a smidgen missing. My goal this week was to make some room and use some of these space savers in a more practical and tasty manner. I've baked Chambord into cakes, made Midori into sorbet and mixed up more than a few drinks. And my two bottles of elderflower mixers set me to taste-testing as well as seeking a suitable cool weather sip for them. But first, I needed to run a contest: Ballymaloe Cookery School's Cordial vs. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur. More

I had a forehead-slapping moment at the grocery store this week. It's finally turned a bit blustery and rainy in Seattle, and so many of us have been welcoming the fall weather with open arms. So I found myself gravitating towards the bulk tea aisle, where I picked up a jug of apple cider and got sucked into buying an over-priced satchel of mulling spices. When I returned home, my boyfriend chided me for falling into the "mulling spice trap." More

It's a given that beer goes great with pizza, and if you're seeking a softer sip you can't go wrong with an icy fountain soda. Just back from a trip to Ireland, I couldn't help wonder how well Irish whiskey would work on pizza night. An ice-filled glass, some Jameson Irish Whiskey splashed with ginger ale and I was well on my way to finding out. More