Chef Jen recently posted her recipe for Crème Brulee – which is one of my favorite desserts and in turn one of my favorite dessert cocktails.  The beautiful Fairmont hotel in San Francisco is a great place to enjoy a cocktail before dinner or a show.

I found this recipe in Giada’s Kitchen:  New Italian Favorites – you can easily replace the Prosecco with Sparkling White Grape juice for a kid friendly version – this will quickly become a favorite for brunch time cocktails!

I was fortunate to spend part of my childhood living overseas in Germany thanks to my Army brat background. One of my fondest memories is visiting the local Chriskindlmarkt during the holiday season. One of the traditions during Chriskindlmarkt is “Gluwein” or “Glow Wine” – as you wander the market, you keep your hands warm by sipping this warm treat.

I love to work savory ingredients into my cocktails…and there is definitely a trend out their among professional cocktail artisans who are using seasonal savory notes to take your palette on a new found journey.

Here is a twist on the classic lemon drop – I love this particular cocktail because the pomegranate and lemon give it a tartness that makes it very complementary with savory appetizers. The gorgeous color lends itself to another perfect holiday cocktail to impress your guests with! Mix a few up and get to sippin’...

It's simultaneously cool and warm, sweet and tart — I am talking about cocktails made with Calvados Apple Brandy.

In my early 30's, I decided I wanted to class up my social cocktail skills and started getting into the martini movement.  Yes, I was partly spurred by Carrie Bradshaw and her fabulous crew and the obsession with Cosmos and all things girly cocktail...but then I started checking out martini menus at all of our favorite dining destinations and then putting my spin on them @ home. 

The great thing about Sangria is that you can make it a day ahead in pitchers. Not only is this a time saver but also the wine begins to infuse with the fruit and the flavors intensify. It’s always good when prepping something ahead of the party means it tastes even better for the party.