This the best time of year - you know the part that you know that the weather is getting better and that you need to start thinking about what the perfect drink and place will be. When it comes to NYC, the perfect place is a roofdeck or a nice patio area. Now that choice seems easy but then again you have to decide what place has your favorite spot - when it comes to that, you're so on your own! In the meantime, for those that are rum fans - here is the perfect recipe courtesy of Cocktail Times.com. Not only are they a great place to go to get recipes for your next party, but they also have great recipes for meals that you would like to cook as well. They are definitely a go to site of sorts!

FUNKY DIVA

- 1 1/2 oz Leblon cachaça
- 1/2 oz Aperol liqueur
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
- dash of simple syrup
- blood orange, cut into chunks
- Champagne

With these ingredients, you're ready to make the Funky Diva; however, you'll also need to do the following which is suggested by Cocktail Times.com as well: " Muddle blood orange and simple syrup. Shake with all the ingredients except Champagne. Pour into a tall glass and top with Champagne."

I love cats and when it comes to big cats, I love them too. This post ties in a lot of different items together! First off, the Coffee and Tea Festival is only days away and will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion! I love that this is going to be a great event that will have the best in coffee, tea and cocoa. Not only can you enjoy warm or chilled beverages, you can also get great products for your drinks. Today's Sippin' Saturday includes this beautiful teapot from Cardew Design, Inc. I love the vibrant orange colors (obviously I am tying this into our THINK CITRUS theme for this month as well) and think that this is really cute and I love the lid with the tiger cub on the top. Definitely visit the site to see a lot more of the interesting canisters, mugs, coasters and tea pots! Of course if you're in NYC, you definitely need to attend the show!

The holidays came so quickly and are leaving even faster than you could imagine! Maybe you have some friends coming over for your party or you simply want to impress people as they come over before you all head out. You'd love to have something that shows your inner mixologist is as strong as any of your other attributes. You'll need to head out and purchase Woodford Reserve Bourbon which will be a nice spicy treat for you and everyone else. At the end of the day, something simple will not only help you save time but will allow people to see how easy it is to make something so refreshing! On this evenings drink special is the Woodford Reserve Infusion Martini. All you need is to get a few candy canes and make sure that you have a container that you can use as the two flavors blend together. This is such a nice way to present a bourbon to those that are a fan and to those that may not havr considered this to be their drink of choice.

Woodford Candy Cane

1 750mL bottle of Woodford Reserve
2 Candy Canes

Empty out bottle of Woodford Reserve into a clean container.

Place Candy Canes at the bottom of the bottle (break Candy Canes into smaller piece if need be).

Pour Woodford back into the bottle and allow the concoction to infuse for 24 hours.

I love when the weather is in the beginning of making that drastic chill that will be here for months. The first few weeks, it's a novelty and that we're all frustrated and begging for spring. In the meantime, it's nice to think about having something to warm you up! I remember the first time I had an opportunity to sample Appleton Estate Rum - I love the rich flavors and after being introduced to Captain Morgan's Rum, I felt that this was a mature step for me. Rum is so much more than something to be mixed with orange juice (not to say that it isn't amazing with orange-mango juice) but there are many ways to enjoy it. Appleton Rum is the official beverage for the month of Dec and we will have a variety of ways that you can enjoy this from a tasty drink to something to serve among friends! You'll have to keep coming back to see but today, I bring you a great beverage you can enjoy after a morning of ice skating at Bryant Park with friends while you decide to go for brunch or just to stay in and tell war stories from work!

I love that this is very simple to make but that the exotic flavors will definitely remind you of every sunny vacation you have ever taken. This is such a rich and welcoming drink that I believe this will be a standby for the season! I also love that you can play around with this as I have. I love Hazlenut coffee and have added this in as to black and have enjoyed it very much so! For the coffee lovers you will enjoy all the variations that are out there!

APPLETON JAMAICAN COFFEE

1 1/2oz Appleton Estate V/X Jamaican Rum

Hot Black Coffee

Whipped Cream

* Pour the Appleton Jamaican Rum into a coffee mug, fill with hot coffee and top with whipped cream.

I love the Shoreham Hotel. I love that it's down the way from me and that it's always full of people right after work and then it just kind of winds down. It's one of those places that reminds me of South Beach (even when it's super cold and you can't imagine even leaving your door). They have an amazing Calamari and yes, their Cucumber Drink is one of the reasons that I always come back. For those of us in the Fashion Industry, it tends to be a great stop on the way from the office when trying to show off our knowledge of what places are in the know. But when it comes to just somewhere to go, this has such a pleasing atmosphere and is very welcoming! This was definitely a place that I went to during the warmer months and just recently, the day befer FANY, I was here with a friend and loved the idea that the indoor beach environment was just as welcoming as it is when there are warmer temperatures. I do love that in the summer, the windows are actually full length doors and you can step in and out of them and enjoy the breezes.

So when you're looking for a great place in midtown (they're located between 5th and 6th aves on 55th street), this boutique hotel is perfect. You can stop in here prior to heading down town or while you're wating for your reservation from Tao to be ready. If anything, this is an interesting way to enjoy watching others leaving work to go to their next function without being in the way!

When it gets cooler, it's nice to have a beverage that's perfect for the weather and has a nice kick to it. Tonight I present, Voyant Chai Creme Latte:

-2 oz Voyant Chai

-4 oz Steamed Milk

Into a mug, add Voyant and then the steamed milk. For an added treat add whipped cream and then cinnamon on top. What a great drink and for more ideas of this drink and other ways that Voyant can be used within recipes, visit the site!

As you'll notice, the dust is beginning to clear on the site and you'll see that we're moving and grooving in the right direction. You'll be able to find what you're looking for much easier since each day is geared towards certain topics. Going forward you can look forward to each day - knowing what you can expect.

That being said, I want to share one of my favorite drinks - Pink 'The World's Perfect Party Spirit'. I love that Pink is infused Vodka (with caffine and guarana) AND that it the bottle is such a great color that lends itself to decadent nights out and cozy evening in as well. I love that Pink is a great drink that mixes well with many mixers that are typical of Vodka Beverages. My favorite drink when having vodka is Cranberry Juice and Vodka - pink's caffinated infusion guarantees that I will be out and about for quite some time as the evening turns into early morning. make sure that you look at all of the spirits that they continue to create.

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to meet with innovative creator, Rob Black of Voyant Chai an amazingly fragrant and light tasting Chai Cream Liqueur. Visit the website to see an image of this bottle. This artistic bottle is painted and has the vibrant orange hues that are in keeping with their logo. Just like the name suggests, Chai is the dominate flavor that is infused within this drink; however, there are other flavors that support this rich spice - clover, nutmeg, black tea, oak aged rum. This is the world's first Chai Cream Liqueur.

This beverage was amazing during the summer months poured over ice. A very simple way of enjoying the drink while also being able to taste each element that gives this drink its full bodied taste. As we shift into the fall; however, you'll enjoy the possibilities that come along with this drink that is also perfect for this season and the holidays. I can't wait to taste it with a cider or to have it in my lattes. Not only does this drink mix well for drinking; however, there are a variety of recipes that make it perfect for cooking as well. With one taste of this drink, you'll enjoy making this a staple within liqueurs that are always on hand. Visit Voyant Chai and learn more about the beverage and find where they are available so that you can taste for yourself.