Raspberry liqueur isn't hard to find, but the bottles you can buy are all over the map. Some options are candy sweet, while others are cough syrup-strong. Making your own liqueur gives you control over how sweet and boozy the end result is—you're likely to end up with something that better suits your sugar tolerance. More

I am obsessed with Champagne cocktails. So when I hit upon a DIY ingredient that pairs well with sparkling wine, it's time for me to buy bubbly by the case. One Thanksgiving, I happened upon a delicious fizzy cocktail made with sparkling wine, fresh pear syrup, and gin, which launched a new sub-obsession—finding ways to combine pears and Champagne. More

When I see the words "chocolate cocktail" or "chocolate martini" on a menu, I'll often launch into a (ok, yeah, obnoxious) tirade against hiding the taste of liquor in cocktails and serving 1,500-calorie, alcoholic sugar bombs topped with whipped cream. Then, once I stop emitting sparks, I'll order one anyway. I love a spiked chocolate milkshake like it's family. More

Coffee and alcohol are two of the best beverages on the planet, so combining them is just common sense. But I didn't really understand the true genius of coffee liqueur until I went to Hawaii and noticed it in unexpected places—in old school fruity umbrella drinks like the Bahama Mama and new Tiki creations made with coconut, falernum and lime, on top of a tropical fruit salad, and even shaken up with cinnamon, chiles, and cream. I had been pigeonholing coffee liqueur as just a part of a White Russian, only to find out that its potent flavor actually blends well with a variety of ingredients. More

Ginger liqueur offers an exciting bend of sweet and spicy flavors. It can turn a basic drink into an intricately layered cocktail experience. Sure, you can use ginger liqueur all year (it's great with sparkling wine, especially when muddled with peaches in the summer) but this potion especially calls to us in winter, when it's just the thing to spice up our drinks. You can buy Domaine de Canton at most liquor stores—but what about making your own instead? More