Tangy Cranberry–Black Pepper Shrub Cocktail

Back in colonial days, a shrub syrup was the best way of preserving fruit without refrigeration. This autumnal cocktail gets its sweet-tart flavor from a shrub made with cranberries and spiced with black pepper. Its tangy flavor counterbalances a meal's richer flavors, and the shrub is great for parties, since it can be prepped in advance. For guests who aren't drinking booze, mix the shrub with chilled sparkling water instead of wine.

Sparkling Apple Sherry Cocktail

Juicy apples meet bubbly prosecco, rich sherry, and sweet orange liqueur in this fall cocktail.

Sherry Martini

Pair gin with vermouth and you get botanicals on top of botanicals. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but bring sherry into the mix and you'll find something both more smooth and electrifying, with hints of marcona almonds and a wonderful savory bite.

Fog Cutter

The Bay Area's best food & drink bloggers have recently lauded the Fog Cutter, and with good reason: it's a delicate, fruity blend of several spirits and juices. Be forewarned: it packs a punch.

Scotch, Sherry, and Concord Cocktail

With alternating smoky, nutty, and jammy notes, this cocktail plays up the complexity of Concord grapes.

Sweater Weather Punch (Scotch and Cranberry Cocktail)

This punch smacks you with tartness, with the drying tannins of cranberry. This punch whirls with spices: It's gingery and cinnamon-y, with hidden herbs and a cleansing bitter edge. This is a real cocktail, dressed up in festive garb.

Rhubarb Sidecar

With pear brandy, orange liqueur, and rhubarb shrub, this drink keeps the spirit of the Sidecar with three bold flavors.

Berry Cobbler with Cornbread Biscuit Topping

Grab a spoon! This Berry Cobbler with Cornbread Biscuit Topping is an easy, comforting summer dessert that's perfectly served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Diamondback

Let's start the weekend right--with a cocktail recipe from Paul Clarke (The Cocktail Chronicles). Need more than one? Hit up the archives. Cheers! [Flickr: Michael Dietsch] Sometimes, at this time of the year, you want a drink that's light and...

Drinking in Season: Blood Orange Daiquiri

Looking for a little pick-me-up after the holidays, I decided a daiquiri—which is traditionally made with lime juice, rum and sugar—would be the perfect candidate for a little winter experimentation. The blood orange juice gives the cocktail a lovely red hue and brings a bright flavor to the drink.