Complex has Olivia Munn review more "female-friendly" vodkas...

The Liquid Muse created the Apple Pie Shooter -- a tiny dessert drink -- for Every Day with Rachel Ray.

Bay Area Bites' Michael Procopio takes a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

Underhill Lounge finds another excuse to combine gin and Cocchi Americano -- his substitute for the original recipe Kina Lillet -- in the H & H cocktail.

An affordable indulgence for your next cocktail party: A set of 8 coasters, printed by hand on heavy white coaster stock with waterproof gray ink.

Attention, lovers of the leaf: The Kitchn is giving away a UtiliTEA Kettle Set from Adagio Teas.

The cranberry, orange liqueur, and Champagne concoction known as The Poinsettia is easy to make in party-sized quantities, says the Toronto Star.

Herrgårdsglögg -- a white-wine variation on traditional Scandinavian mulled wine -- offers a semi-sweet, fruity flavor with elements of orange marmalade, cardamon, clove, and ginger.

Counting down to the holidays, SFist proposes a toast to McCormick & Schmick’s Apple Cider Mojito.

If you're looking for a "seasonal, suitable and historically appropriate accompaniment" to your holiday meals, Paul Clarke suggests that you look no further than hard cider.

Like a Dark n' Stormy, the 10 Cane Bailout from
My Year of Drinking Heavily features rum, lime juice, and ginger beer.

Drinkhacker declares Oronoco Rum "exceptionally smooth and creamy, offering an immediate vanilla nose."

SF Chronicle analyzes the trend of DIY cocktail ingredients -- bitters, orgeat, syrups, and such -- featuring a recipe for Erik Ellestad's clementine bitters.

Drinks after Dark reports that British officials are considering banning Happy Hour discounts, one of several ideas aimed at curbing binge drinking among teenagers and young adults.

Imbibe Unfilters stops in to Laurel Tavern, the six-week-old gastropub that replaced Studio City’s Sapphire bar. The beer list features 16 rotating taps of California microbrews.

Drinkhacker sips a trio of Inniskillin ice wines, a very sweet and flavorful drink made from grapes left on the vine until winter’s frost arrives.

I've been in love with the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Glass shape since i took that trip... the Veuve Clicquot City Traveler Case Yellow Label Brut Champagne 2 glass set is only $50!

Super cute Colorful Wobble Glasses by Monica Lubkowska Jonas, 2007 ~ made in poland

Feeling socially incorrect at cocktail soirées? Esquire offers its 13 rules to become the world's best party guest.

Jay Hepburn confesses he's disappointed with Claridge’s Bar in the 5-star hotel of the same name: It's "a pretty average bar; something which might be excused if it wasn’t charging £11 a cocktail."

Amazon Al Dente kicks off a Thanksgiving celebration with a festive cranberry cocktail.

Drinks for the House suggests a Pumpkin Caipirinha as a signature cocktail for Thanksgiving.

Camper English writes about intriguing cocktail-related food marinades, including a Wild Turkey Old Fashioned he used on tofu.

Daily Drink tells us that next May, the venerable Scottish liqueur will host the Drambuie Pursuit, a 100-mile outdoor race-adventure complete with archery and dune buggies.

Drinkhacker reviews Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Anejo Tequila 2008 Edition, which features a box designed by abstract artist Fernanda Brunet.

The Liquid Muse demonstrates the Tokyo Rose, the first drink in Pinky Vodka's Cocktail of the Month series.

Rounding up five dark beers, Rick Lyke explains the appeal: "The touch of extra flavor from the roasted barley goes perfectly with robust foods and fall traditions."

Washing myself to SMELL like a cocktail? ~ new Zirh Cocktail Bars ~ also in Hurricane, Cucumber Martini, Long Island Iced Tea, Sake Bomb, and Screwdriver!

Tipsy Texan confesses: "I think I have been through more Galliano this month than most establishments go through in a decade."

Slashfood on the dilemma of affordable Scotch: "By the time you get up into the blends that don't taste like paint thinner, you're probably paying more than you would for a decent single malt."

Continuing his Savoy Cocktail Book project, Erik of Underhill Lounge encounters the Grenadier: "It’s got a little heat from the ginger extract and is a pleasant enough use of brandy."

Post Road Pumpkin Ale, the beer that Grub Report's been pining after for five years.

NY Times samples 25 bottles of Pouilly-Fuissé. They found "a wine that has gone from being perceived as a joke to a delicious wine that speaks of its terroir and does the region proud."

Five coffee drinks with the holiday spirit(s) from The Intoxicologist, from the simple Baileys Coffee to the decadent Coffee Nudge.

Party Like It's 1933: The Ladies of LUPEC tell you where to celebrate Repeal Day in Chicago.

This milk glass nightlight glows softly when upright and turns off when tilted or turned upside down.

Bevlog explains the mystique of 'wet hop' beers, which use fresh-picked, green blossoms to impart aromatics of pine and citrus.

Alcademics tells us that barrels for Chinaco are used for bourbon, then for Scotch whisky before they're shipped to Mexico for use in tequila.

Swedish Neumeister has redesigned Snälleröds glögg. The new label design reminds me of a single cask label (whiskey) with a Christmas twist.

NOTCOT Holiday Giveaway 9: Design Public is giving away : 1 pair of Cake Octopi Cups, Harry Allen Rabbit’s Foot Keychain, and Harry Allen Bulb Candles!

Pssst ~ did you see we launched the NOTContests page? Up in the navbar? It's a new space to keep track of anything you can WIN! =)

Magic Hat's Feast of Fools, proof that "winter beers don't have to be one-dimensional", according to Slashfood's Mike Pomranz.

The Amendment 21 cocktail from Intoxicologist features vodka, Madeira, Scotch, and honey.

Mulled Wine, with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and raisins.

Cabo Wabo founder Sammy Hagar discusses the finer points of tequila -- including a clarification on the salt & lime ritual -- with the folks at Drinksville.

A review of nine different expressions of Ben Raich scotch -- a Speyside house that produces 18 regular bottlings, plus dozens of special, limited releases -- from Drinkhacker.