Alcohol & Other Drinks

Play beverage director Jim Kearns describes this tipple as “dark, evocative, and complex”—all good things when you’re angling for a little mystery.

We like this Shirley Temple recipe with just ginger ale, but some versions use lemon-lime soda, or a combination of ginger ale and lemon-lime soda. No matter what, don't forget the cherry!

This light and sexy drink has a little vermouth, a little gin, some fresh citrus and ginger syrup, rosewater, and the catnip of the liqueur world: St. Germain. At the Museum of Sex's bar, Play, it’s served in a peacock-feathered martini glass and crowned with a dried rosebud.

Forget milk—beer is the perfect pairing for this chocolate stout layer cake. Take it up a notch with the rich chocolate frosting.

Is coffee good for you? Or bad for you? We looked at tons of scientific studies to come up with the answer(s)

The spicy and perfectly tart shrub (flavored drinking vinegar) gives this pitcher-friendly cocktail a refreshing quality.

The addition of an anise-flavored liqueur turns this hot cocoa into the liquid version of chocolate-covered licorice.

Suntory is acquiring Jim Beam, so it's time to meet the world's 5 biggest liquor distributors. You may know Diageo and Bacardi, but United Spirits?

Coconut water is known for being a big source of hydration. It's a perfect potassium-rich pairing for a little vodka, lemon and aromatic Earl grey simple syrup.

Blood orange kicks up the vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants in this bracing cocktail. Citrus is a great way to release a little extra water weight—so you can detox (a little) while you drink.

The compote in this winter refresher provides a nice dose of antioxidants from fresh cranberries and cleansing notes from the ginger. Excess sugar is kept to a minimum with natural honey.

Champagne isn't the only drink to hoist on New Year's Eve. These 6 beers are bubbly, bracing, and festive enough to replace the old standby

Open your favorite bottle of bubbly in the most dramatic way possible

From understanding labels to sabering the bottle, here's everything you need to know about Champagne, the king of sparkling wine

The label on a bottle of Champagne tells you more about what's inside—and how it was made—than you might think

Tips for pouring the perfect glass of Champagne, from BA's Wine Insider David Lynch

Not all champagnes are created equal—these four bottles are among the best values in their respective classes

To faithfully re-create this cocktail, do as Nostrana in Portland, OR, does and seek out blue plum brandy from Oregon’s Clear Creek Distillery.

“I love grapefruit cocktails year-round, but the rye and sage make this one especially wintry.” —Alison Roman, senior associate food editor

It doesn't get much simpler than the negroni, the classic cocktail composed of equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

If the rare Pappy Van Winkle is nowhere to be found, try one of these five great (and affordable) bourbons instead

Choose an unaged aquavit like Aalborg.

"Let's face it; it gets pretty cold in Colorado. This drink doubles as a cold cure, and it's also a great preventative drink—the perfect remedy for congestion." —Adam Hodak, Green Russell, Denver