LeNell Smothers and Gary Regan -- among other cocktail luminaries -- judge the 2008 Martin Miller’s Masters Gin Competition.... with a full report by Jamie Boudreau.

Indian single-malt distillery Amrut has won a top prize at this year's Malt Maniacs Awards. The Amrut NAS scooped the Non-Plus-Ultra Award 2008 in the "Daily Drams" section.

Chef Steven Vardy's spiked white-chocolate cappuccino features brandy and almond extract.

BoingBoing describes how the variations and experimentations that go into home brewing can make a product superior to what can be store bought.

Lyke to Drink amasses an impressive collection of photos depicting Christmas trees made out of beer cans, kegs, and bottles.

Drinkhacker reviews four Compass Box Scotch whiskys -- Peat Monster, Peat Monster Reserve, Oak Cross, and Hedonism Maximus -- in honor of St. Andrew’s Day.

What to get for the cocktail geek who has everything? Stylized bar tools from Danish firm Nuance ($125 at SFMOMA MuseumStore).

Underhill Lounge samples Ada Coleman's Hanky-Panky cocktail: half gin, half sweet vermouth, and a liberal splash of Fernet Branca.

An update from Drink Dogma on Anvil, the soon-to-open craft cocktail bar in Houston.

Matt from A Jigger of Blog visits NYC's legendary Pegu Club.

Wine-Chilling Carafe

SpiritMeAway predicts Ron Abuelo will cause some Pana-mania!

Oooooh Esque's scientifically inspired glassware with their signature organic feeling glass is gorgeous!

Eric Felten writes in the Wall Street Journal about celebrating Repeal Day, dubbing it Cinco de Drinko.

Off the Presses takes a look at that ubiquitous Art Deco artifact of American drinking, the West Bend Penguin Hot and Cold Server Ice Bucket.

Sorapot now comes in a mirrored finish! (don't forget - 15% with code 'NOTPOT')

Edible flowers garnish the Left Bank Martini at Monroe Street Bistro in Madison, WI.

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."