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Enjoy these New Orleans/Mardi Gras cocktails offered by Raise Your Spirits, Inc for your next party or event. We, at RYS, can also prepare a batch of these cocktails for a get together with your friends, co-workers, or neighbors. These concoctions are all classics, but some of them have been modified/improved to create a better cocktail experience. If had the opportunity to try them at our kickoff event a few weeks ago, you know how delicious they are. Due to copyright reasons, I have not listed the intended proportions, ratios, measurements, and mixing instructions.

After a considerable hiatus from blogging, we have returned with this special post. To all of my lovely followers and fans, thank you for sticking around. I hope you enjoy this edition filled with lovely cocktails and info even for the home bartender, whiskey connoisseur, or cocktail aficionado.

Thank you Tom, Morgan, Food & Drink team, and FIX.com for contributing to our blog as guest bloggers! Please share with your colleagues and audience and 'like' our page at "Raise Your Spirits, Inc." and follow! !Visit FIX.com for more great info and stories... Cheers, Michael

Well, November is here. Halloween has past and winter hibernation is starting to look more and more appealing so it’s time to stay at home and keep warm. The upside - it is time to start planning those holiday parties and preparing cocktails that will warm your heart and soul.

For a twist and as the weather changes, I offer up some fun bar related material filled with fun facts, little tidbits, and humor.

The key to millennials’ hearts is through their cocktail glasses, according to a survey commissioned by Southern Comfort.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, researchers polled 1,001 unmarried respondents ages 21 to 34. A whopping 93 percent of respondents said they’re impressed by people who know how to make a good cocktail, and 70 percent said they would date a professional mixologist.

Brown Derby Remixed

(photo courtesy of imbibemagazine.com)

• 1 ½ oz Apple Brandy
• ¾ oz Yellow Grapefruit Juice
• ½ oz Fresh Honey Syrup (1:1)

Prep – Add all ingredients to a rocks glass over ice. Stir well.

In August of 2007 the United States Senate declared that September be recognized as National Bourbon Heritage Month. While this may not have much impact with the average consumer, it is an honor for the craftsmen in the bourbon industry. The designation is designed to celebrate "America's Native Spirit" and the significant historical, economical and industrial role the bourbon industry has played in the country's history.

It's been a while since I last posted so enjoy this new blog post on the 2016 Top 10 most popular #summer #cocktails being served at #RaiseYourSpirits. If you would like the 'actual' recipes as far as brands, ratios, and proportions, please let me know. I can't give away my trade secrets! Some of these are classics, some twists on classics, and some RYS originals. Sure, you can check online and google the recipes, but why not contact RYS so you can get the best version of the #cocktails and experience what so many people are talking about.

Enjoy this diverse mix of craft cocktails being served up this summer at great cocktail bars in the good U.S.A. Visit one of these bars for your summer travel plans and have them mix you up one of these delectable and visually aesthetic elixirs or make at home for pool partoes or summer parties. Bars listed under each cocktail recipe. Subsititute brand names as needed. In many cases, I offer you an alternative brand or type of spirit for those hard to find products...Cheers!

Follow this Martini primer if you want the "perfect" Martini. Just ask anyone who received one from me (Sam Sharp). There is “The Martini” and then there are martinis and, quite often the latter has little or no resemblance to the original. The classic Gin Martini, made of gin and dry vermouth, will always remain a classic and a favorite of many.