I don’t think there are many better times for having a cocktail than sipping it under the glaring sun, probably on a sun lounger near a pool. However, if you are bereft of both a sun lounger and a pool (sad times), then you’ll just have to make do with the sun, and an eclectically-mixed drink. The only problem though is deciding which drink to have. There are so many to choose from, so what would you pick? And what does it say about you as a person? Well, look no further.

Well, if you’re planning an unforgettable hen’s night, you’ll need to include a few different types of cocktails. Not only will you make sure that everybody’s taste buds are satisfied, but it’ll also make good practice for the future. With summer lurking upon us, you’ll need a few cocktail recipes up your sleeve for the upcoming weekend BBQs or afternoons by the pool. Get ready, and let’s start mixing!

Some martinis can cost $10 just for one! As university students, we can’t always afford buying drinks. But you could have a martini night with your friends. Depending on how many people and how much alcohol you buy (splitting the cost of course!), you could make a few fun nights out of one purchase. Even if you don’t have martini glasses or bar tools, you can still make your own martinis. So here’s a guide to mixing the perfect martini and a few recipes to try out this Wednesday “hump day” evening or the weekend!

Congratulations, newlyweds! How is marital bliss, so far?

Oscar parties are fun, but let's face it, they're common as can be. When it's awards ceremony season, that usually means people are going to throw parties so they can make bets on who wins what.

Far be it from me to sound like Mugatu, but aperitif cocktails are so hot right now. They are light drinks that pair well with appetizers, look amazing, and can also be made quickly enough for a larger dinner party.

Back when I was really heavy in the New York City bar scene, I had a little bit of a problem. The problem wasn't my love of alcohol, per se, but rather, the type of alcohol I'd order.

Sometimes the winter seems so long, cold, and brutal that the only drinks that keep me warm are a glass of cabernet sauvignon or a double shot of Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka, with a single ice cube melting slowly away in the glass. However, spring puts a fresh perspective on the cocktail shaker and new drinks are begging to be shaken and stirred. Tanqueray launched Rangpur Gin in the summer of 2006 to a couple of trial cities in the United States. Obviously, Tanqueray realized they had a success on their hands, because two years later Rangpur Gin is widely available throughout the US. This particular gin is aptly named for the essence of rangpur limes, ginger, and bay leaves that have been added during the final stages of the distillation process. This merging of flavor results in Rangpur being a slightly less edgy gin than one might associate with the higher end Tanqueray 10. Tanqueray 10 has the sharpness needed for a perfect straight up martini, while the Tanqueray Rangpur has a softer, fruitier lilt to it, which enables it to mingle well with less traditional gin drinks. It is this factor also that possibly opens gin up to an entirely new demographic of drinkers who may have never considered experimenting with gin before.

What if I told you that there was a drink, served in a certain hotel bar, the secret ingredient of which was a dismembered human toe?

Some cocktails are ridiculously simple to make. A Cuba Libre (rum and Coke) is so widespread in large part because of the ease of preparing it. While these simple cocktails have their place, the increased effort involved in making more complex cocktails is usually worth it. At the same time, there are also some drinks that may seem easy or simple, but are actually some of the hardest cocktails to make. It's not enough to follow a recipe with these cocktails: they can only be conquered through frequent practice.

I remember the last time I had a Thanksgiving dinner go awry.

Tis the season for warm sweaters, pumpkin pie-eating, expressing thankfulness, and celebrating with family and friends. While hot apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes tend to be the most popular fall drinks, there are also incredible cocktail recipes with autumn-friendly tang.