7x7's Jordan Mackay notices a San Francisco trend: "Every decent bar in town features at least one ginger cocktail".

Ocho vintage tequila uses agave plants sourced from single estates. (via Luxist)

Cocktail bloggers, readers, and authors visit the Mixoloseum Chat Room to mix new drinks, discuss crazy concoctions, and stay up way too late.

The Mary Pickford, an early example of the power of celebrity in the spirits industry. Jason Wilson explores how we got from here to Mansinthe, Trump Vodka, and Crunk Juice.

Camper English ponders the bottle-height race and its impact on home bar storage.

ABnormal vodka features a unique neckless bottle, an innovation that earned the grand prize for packaging at Cannes Lions Design.

The Kitchn's go-to recipe for spiced cider, a sure sign of autumn. Cinnamon, anise, cloves, and a glug of dark rum sound divine.

The Liquid Muse pays a visit to Chicago's oh-so-swanky Violet Hour.

Homemade sloe vodka

Distillers recently released 151 bottles from a rare single 1964 cask of The Balvenie scotch. Priced at $14,200 a bottle, they'll be sold exclusively at Hong Kong International Airport.

Two new candidates for your consideration from Zodiac Vodka: The McCain Martini and the Obamatini.

Simple Kitchen makes sodas with sparkling water, a splash of organic juices, and a touch of organic honey. Flavors include Lemon + Mint, Pink Grapefruit, and White Grape.

Hobson's Choice sips a vibrant pink Cactus Pear Margarita, one of the best sellers at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.

Jacob Grier realizes he's been making the venerable Martinez the wrong way, just in time for Mixology Monday to set him straight.

Tipsy Texan offers the East India Cocktail as his 19th century MxMo entry: Brandy blends with a riot of fruit flavors.

The Kitchn names the the 2006 Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon as a 'best cheap wine'. How cheap? Under $10.

Krista at londondelicious wonders if you can guess what this traditional Scottish beverage called Blaand is fermented from. Got clues?

The NY Times laments that Aglianico wines seem to pass unnoticed, a shame because they have so much pleasure to offer.

The Hendrick Cocktail makes an appearance for MxMo XXXI -- a suitable foil for the subtler anise flavors of Mata Hari absinthe.

Beautiful bottle design by BVD for Blossa. A new, limited edition bottle of glögg is released every year.

Paul Clarke of Cocktail Chronicles describes the Frappé à la Guillaume: "deeply elegant, floral and ... baroque, with the crisp edge of anise brushed into a rich lushness from the vermouth".

The Horse's Neck makes a refreshing cooler. It's simply ginger ale with a long lemon twist... and perhaps a shot of your favorite liquid courage.

The Cognac-based Alabazam uses an entire teaspoon of Angostura bitters. But cocktail guru Jamie Boudreau testifies that "tempered with the sugar and Cointreau, it really works."

You can finally get a fancy cocktail in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood thanks to Botanica, a swank new bar with a Gatsby-esque vibe.

Lyke to Drink samples a half-dozen pumpkin ales.

A close relative of the hot toddy, the Irish Whiskey Skin adds a long twist of lemon. It's also Rookie Libations' MxMo entry this month.

Charmian's not a beer fan, but names like Über Goober, S'mores, and Cup A Joe convinced her to belly up to the bar and give hops another try.

Pisco Punch, a 19th century cocktail made with Peruvian grape brandy, pineapple and lime juices.

Sage, Elderflower and Cucumber White Sangria from Cocktail Times.

The USA Central team placed second at the Cocktail World Cup with a drink called "Wisdom of the Ages": vodka, white wine, white grapefruit juice, sage, and chamomile.

Yet another Mixology Monday entry, the Stone Fence -- a simple but tasty combo of rum, hard cider, and bitters -- from My Life on the Rocks.

Chuck at Gumbo Pages reminds us that punch drinks follow an easy-to-remember formula for deliciousness, and serves up a Java Punch to prove it.

The Only Dietsch welcomes drinkers of taste and distinction to his Providence establishment, wherein they may sample the Princeton Cocktail.

Oh Gosh chooses the Delicious Sour -- from The Flowing Bowl by William Schmidt -- for Mixology Monday: 19th Century.

Luxist tells us: The slogan of The Last Drop is "if you only drink only one more glass of whisky..." And indeed, this super-premium Scotch would be a fitting accompaniment for your last meal.

Nearing the end of the "D" drinks in the Savoy guide, Underhill Lounge pours a Dubonnet cocktail.

Eric Felten lays the smack down on prefab cocktail mixes, and offers the Modern Old Fashioned as an alternative. "Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" he inquires at the recipe's end.

How do you improve on an Improved Gin Cocktail? With homemade Boker's Bitters. Cocktail Slut shows us how for Mixology Monday.

Unlike many antique cocktails, Sherry Cobbler's delectable to modern palates; the fresh-fruit garnish and wine base seem downright contemporary.

In honor of Mixology Monday, Meade toasts the heat with a Curaçao Punch from Harry Johnson's "New and Improved Bartenders Manual".

Would you dare drink it? Inspired by a restaurant cheese platter, St. Pete's Denial blends white chocolate liqueur, vodka, and a bleu-cheese reduction, garnished with chocolate.

The Coctailians' MxMo submission: The Prince of Wales Cocktail

John at ednbrg makes a Gin Daisy for Mixology Monday, going the extra mile to use genever, the forerunner of modern gin.

Blair told me I have to submit my photo for this month's MxMo. My camera was broken, so I had to improvise.